Cadogan Guide Scotland: Highlands & Islands

I used this guidebook in helping me plan a 1999 visit to the highlands and islands of Scotland. I was charmed by the author's stories and literary quotes, which not only provided an excellent background to the places we visited, but also a guide to some of the literature I wanted to read in conjunction with my travels. Through Ms. Miers' book, I learned of the work of the poet Sorley MacLean and the historian Martin Martin, who wrote a book about the isles of Scotland around 1700 that was instrumental in persuading Dr. Johnson to set off on his famous journey with Boswell years later. I learned that a medieval bishop in Caithness was set upon by an angry mob and fried in butter for daring to raise taxes on dairy production. Although my vacation is now just a memory, his book remains on my shelf. I liked it as a travel guide, but I loved it as a source of highland lore connected with some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Miers is sketchy on accommodation (but she did recommend some good places) and even more so on restaurants, but I prefer her book as a keeper. For strong accommodations & restaurants, your best bet is the Rough Guide to Scotland.