Northwest Highlands
The Northwest Highlands are in terms of their natural environment and their culture a separate part of Scotland. The region includes the northern third of the country and is located in the Highland council area. Located off the west coast islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides and Arran and Bute are usually to be counted.
Landscape
Geologically, the area of the North West Highlands by the rejection of the Glen More ( Great Glen ) of the Grampian Mountains and thus separated from the Southern Highlands and the rest of Scotland. In Talzug of the Great Glen, four lakes strung together: Loch Ness, Loch Oich, Loch Lochy and Loch Linnhe ( from northeast to southwest). Of Loch Ness is the most famous waters and one of the largest freshwater reservoirs throughout the UK. Between 1803 and 1822 a navigable link between the Atlantic and the North Sea was created here by the Caledonian Canal. The channel, however, never reached the hoped-for economic significance.
The highly indented coastline is similar to the fjord coast of Norway. The wide indentations ( Sea lochs ) and the deep fjords ( Firth ) are just like the valleys with numerous hole effects of the ice age. On the west coast of the Firth of Lorne, particularly, the Firth of Clyde and the Solway Firth are worth mentioning.
The rock formations in the country are much older than, for example, the Alps and eroded correspondingly stronger. This explains the lack of harshness and the relatively low altitudes between 610-915 meters. A portion of the area north of the Summer Isles in Wester Ross was in 2005 officially the status of a European Geopark. It is currently the only Geopark on Scottish soil, the 25th in Europe and 37th worldwide Geopark. By Geopark large-scale units should be preserved in their geological substance.
Climate
The North West Highlands benefit as the entire west coast of England from the warm Gulf Stream. Therefore reign a total of more moderate temperatures than on the east side. Nevertheless, in the mountainous regions in the interior low temperatures and snowfalls are not uncommon. Overall predominate westerly winds, and heavy rains and sudden storms are frequent.
Plant and animal world
In the valleys to moorland spreads out over a large area. The vegetation in the upland areas is limited mainly to heathland plants, ferns, mosses and grasses. Saxifrage, mountain pastures and other types of mountain vegetation and Arctic plants are found from about 600 meters above sea level.
The wildlife in the North West Highlands is characterized by a great diversity of species. Both deer and deer is present in large numbers. Among the most important small mammals include rabbits, hares, badgers, otters, pine martens and wild cats. For game birds that lives and breeds in the moorland, including especially the red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus ) and the black grouse and a variety of water birds, while limiting the birds of prey to kites, ospreys and golden eagles. The Scottish rivers and lakes are known for salmon and trout that live here in large numbers.
Mainland - villages and gardens
Important cities in the region are Inverness, Fort William, Wick, Thurso and Tain. At other localities include Ullapool, Dornoch, Lochinver and Tongue to call.
The seaside village of Ullapool is based on a 1788 founded for herring fishing port in County Ross and Cromarty. With its approximately 1,300 inhabitants, it is the largest settlement in a wide radius. The harbor is still the center of the place and also serves as a focal point for fishing boats and yachts as well as for the Caledonian MacBrayne ferries - to Stornoway on Lewis, the main island of the Outer Hebrides.
The Inverewe Garden on the banks of Loch Ewe is one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world. He can come up with a completely atypical for the width and varied planting a privileged situation facing the warm Gulf Stream. It plants thrive mainly from Australia and New Zealand ( eucalyptus), China, Japan and the Himalayas (Rhododendron ) and the temperate South America and North America.
The Isle of Skye is the largest and most famous island of the Inner Hebrides. She is known for the picturesque forms of its hills and its rich flora, fauna and bird life. The main mountain Black Cuillins and Red Hills and Blaven already appeared in the pictures of the landscape painters of the 19th century as a stunning backdrop. Today this mountain is popular with climbers and hikers.
The island of Mull, Skye, the largest of the Inner Hebrides, consists mainly of basalt and granite; the arable land accounts for less than ten percent. Mull is separated from the mainland by a three- mile-wide estuary. The main town is Tobermory; the highest peak is Ben More with 966 m.
Staffa is a small rocky island, which belongs to the Inner Hebrides. It is famous because of Fingal's Cave called Grotto. The bottom of the 113 m long cave is filled in from the sea. The walls consist of rows of mostly hexagonal and 17 m high basalt columns that appear regularly decrease as in a perspective and take a huge, 76 -meter long arch, consisting of upper column ends.
Other islands lying near the coast and thus relatively easily accessible are Canna and Iona and Fair Isle off the east coast.
Economy
The animal husbandry and the production of milk and meat products play an important economic role. In the Highlands and Islands Sheep are bred, but especially fattened the resistant and undemanding Highland cattle. It provides high-quality meat and forms a good basis for breeding. The dairy industry is of subordinate importance.
Meanwhile, the salmon farming has become an important source of income. The farmed salmon production rose sharply from less than 1,000 tons in the early 1970s to 15,000 tons the mid-1990s, so that Scotland is now regarded as the world's largest supplier of farmed salmon.
The run still fishing is mainly due to various species of white fish (cod, haddock and cod more ) and herring; to get crabs, crabs and lobsters. The most important fishing ports on the west coast are Lerwick (Shetland Islands), Kinlochbervie and Ullapool.
In the context of local economic development especially learn the tourism and fishing support.
Population
The North West Highlands region is sparsely populated.
- Geography ( Highland, Council Area )