Get Me Away From Here...

Best Place For A Quiet Pint
Britain’s most remote mainland pub, the journey to The Old Forge at Knoydart is half the fun- drive alongside the white sands of Morar through Harry Potter and Breaking The Waves filming locations (something for all the family there), sail on the Mallaig to Knoydart Ferry or break in those boots by hiking in via Glen Meadall. The website even has cheery directions for those arriving via sea kayak or helicopter. Once you make it, indulge in seafood caught by the owners' mates, trad music nights and seriously jovial locals mingling with visitors. On second thoughts, better take that pint out to the water's edge if you want it to be quiet.

The Old Forge, Inverie, Knoydart www.theoldforge.co.uk Tel: 01687 462267

Best Guilt-Free Getaway
'Eco’ is a seemingly ubiquitous buzzword often used with the minimum of qualification- but Ossian Eco-Hostel in the heart of the heather-coated wilderness of Rannoch Moor is the real deal. Arrive by train at Courrour Station (you’ll not get the 4 x 4 anywhere near)- the easy one mile stroll will warm you up nicely for some Munro bagging a little later. A converted boatshed, the hostel is run entirely on solar and wind power, boasts its own water recycling system and a roaring communal fire to keep your toes as comfy as your conscious.

Book online at www.syha.org.uk Tel: 0845 293 7373

Best place to work up a sweat without anyone seeing
A sunny day is not for hiding in the gym- make like Huck Finn and paddle along the whole of the Spey, recognized as one of the world’s great canoe journeys. Flowing through the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, you’ll pass the towers of Tamdhu distillery before finishing up at remote Spey Bay. The going ranges between flat and calm to ‘entertaining’ Grade II whitewater rapids, so if you’re doing it unguided make sure you’ve got some experience under your lifebelt. 

Canoe Hire from £35 per day, plus guide to access points, accommodation (including wild camping) and code of conduct, from www.boots-n-paddles.co.uk . Five-day guided trips from www.speydescent.co.uk

Best Place To Escape Rush Hour
The Isle of Kerrera
A couple of miles South of Oban you’ll spot the ferry slipway to Kerrera. Move the sign as instructed to signal you’d like to come on over and the small ferry will chug across the narrow stretch of water to come fetch you. The only vehicles allowed are those owned by the 30-something permanent residents. A circular walk of the entire island, taking in cliff-tops, coves, the ruined Gylen Castle and views across to Mull can be done easily in a day, but if you fancy extending the peace, limited beds are available at the 18th century bunkhouse.

Accommodation and travel advice at www.kerrerabunkhouse.co.uk

Best Place To Cosy Up
Solitude is all very well, but most times it’s nicer to share it with that special someone- if only to stop you tipping over into Howard Hughes territory. Shiant Cottage is a cosy retreat for two on a family croft in Kildonan, on the geologically jaw-dropping Isle of Skye. Sure, you could walk to the spectacularly-named Loch Snizart, but with your own Jacuzzi, woodburner and canopy bed with stargazing skylight above it, you’ll probably just stay in and, well, you know… 

Shiant Cottage, from £240 per week. www.staywithusonskye.co.uk Tel: 01470 592219