1 Strathpeffer:

Spa town that retains much of its old world quaintness.

2 Inverness: The Capital of the ­Highlands is the gateway to Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal.

3 Fort William: The town has Ben Nevis towering over it and sits on the shores of Loch Linnhe.

4 Dornoch: The top resort in the Highlands for golf - and Madonna was married near here.

5 Plockton: On the shores of Loch Carron, it has palm trees in the main street.

6 Skye: The Misty Isle is a haven for foreign tourists, mountaineers and scenery buffs.

7 Aviemore: The gateway to the Cairngorms, Aviemore is Scotland's mountain village.

8 Nairn: Sandy beaches and the prospect of dolphin watching make Nairn a place worth visiting.

9 Harris: Talking of beaches, some of Europe's finest are on the Isle of Harris.

10 John O'Groats: For those who want to walk the length of the UK, this is the most northerly mainland point.