Beauly, which lies 12 miles west of Inverness and 48
miles from the west coast, has a number of features which
distinguish it from other Highland villages.
Its 13th
century priory - now a ruin - lies at the heart of the
village, and the village
square, laid out by Baron Lovat in the
1840s, is one of the most spacious in the North of Scotland.
The principal clans of the area are the Frasers of Lovat
and the Chisholms, and Beauly - something of a border town
between west and east - has a colourful past. Mary Queen
of Scots and her retinue stayed at the priory and was charmed
with the attractions of the place, ordering outfits in tartan
for her entire court.
Nowadays the village is much more tranquil: the traffic north
and west has been diverted to fast modern roads, and in summer
there are flowers everywhere. Indeed, Beauly has won numerous
prizes for its splendid floral displays.
It
is also noted for its good quality shopping - the visitor can
find the finest of Scottish tweeds, knitwear and crafts as well
as boutiques and antique shops.
Inland from Beauly are some of the loveliest of Scotland's glens
and straths - Glen Affric is a famous beauty spot. Interesting
flora and fauna abound, not only in the glens but also in the
Beauly Firth making the area popular with wildlife enthusiasts,
bird watchers and botanists as well as walkers and cyclists.
Its ease of access by air, road and rail makes Beauly easily
reached, and its closeness to the trunk routes make it an
excellent centre from which to explore the whole north of
Scotland. A day out can take you to John O'Groats in the North
or Strathspey and the Cairngorms in the South, to the West Coast
and the Isle of Skye in the West or Elgin in the East
And if you decide not to go so far afield there is always plenty
to do and see nearer home - for the summer has games and
festivals, galas and agricultural shows, and regular displays of
piping in the village square.