The Northern Highlands
Distances really seem to stretch out in Scotland's Northern Highlands – loosely defined here as anything north of Inverness. Once you leave this gateway city everything starts to become a good deal more remote.
The main road north – the A9 – itself certainly seems to get slower and most other roads up here are a good deal more minor. So travel can take time. Simply crossing from Inverness to Ullapool – the west coast's main city and ferry terminal may only take about 90 minutes; but it's 2hr 30min to Thurso, Durness or many other north coast destinations. To complete the circuit of all the above places, takes a full 7 hours of driving (296 miles/476km) on twisty country roads.