mountain pass

Bealach na Ba is situated in a steep-sided glaciated hanging valley and has the greatest ascent rate of any road in the United Kingdom.

A precipitous drive over the Alps-like switchbacks of the Bealach na Ba mountain pass took us to the hamlet of Applecross and on towards the quaint seaside village of Shieldaig, looking out over an island carpeted with ancient Caledonian pines.

Bealach na Ba (The Pass of the Cattle) from the A896 to Applecross in the Highlands of Scotland, a demanding road that climbs to over 2,000 feet in a very short time indeed.

Bealach 'na Bhaile [his way homewards]--and it must be noted, in

na seandanta so] cen bealach is simpli, is diri, is teinne agus is greanta le rud a ra i bhfoirm filiochta.

In June, the same stretch of the Bealach na Ba road, which forms part of the North Coast 500, was closed after a lorry became stuck on a tight bend.

The second Munro, the 1002m (3287ft) Sgurr na Carnach, is reached by descending west then north-west to the Bealach na Craoibhe, from where the summit is a short ascent north.

Campervans are for hire all over, but Scotland offers more freedom to park up in spectacular locations - in Glencoe, for example, or at the top of the Applecross pass, Bealach na Ba.

Cycle the Bealach na Ba: The road to Applecross in the far northwest of Scotland zig-zags back and forth and climbs more than 2000ft over six miles.

ACCIDENT: The twisting Bealach na Ba mountain pass on the Applecross Peninsula in the Highlands where the man's car fell

The North Coast 500 route in Caithness and Sutherland takes in the Bealach na Ba, often named as the UK's best cycling climb.

For the energetic or those looking for a challenge try the Way Marked Ways of the Bluestack (142km) or Bealach na Gaeltachta (50-70km each route) Diving, surfing, watersports and sand castles, something for everyone.

The most straightforward way down is to back-track to the bealach between the two main summits then follow the path down, through the forest and return to the starting point.

He battled snow, sheep, lorries, Highland cattle and the notorious Bealach na Ba to raise funds in five days for Glasgow Children's Hospital.

"The famous glens and lochs that draw visitors from around the globe are the backdrop to legends such as The Lecht, The Talla Wall and the one and only Bealach na Ba.