National Scenic Areas (Scotland)

There are 40 National Scenic Areas in Scotland, covering 13% of the country's land area which include spectacular mountain ranges, like the Skye Cuillins, Ben Nevis and Glencoe, island landscapes in the Hebrides and Northern Isles and richly diverse scenery such as in Perthshire, the Scottish Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway. The designation’s purpose is both to identify the finest scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development.

They are broadly equivalent to the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty found in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Chapel of Sand of Udrigil - Laide - Wester Ross

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Chapel of Sand of Udrigil - Laide - Wester Ross

The chapel of Sand of Udrigil, situated in a churchyard crowded with graves, close to the village of Laide. The chapel is traditionally said to have been erected by St Columba or one of his followers, although the character of building suggests a late medieval date for existing structure. A church building is said to have been erected about 1713 by George MacKenzie of Gruinard, but in reality it is likely that work was limited to repairs and re-thatching. The chapel seems to have remained in use for worship until at least the end of the 18th century, and was in use for burials by 1834, the earliest decipherable date on any of the gravestones within the walls.

National Scenic Area landscape chapel ruin graveyard sea beach clouds coastline coastal

From Wester Ross and Cromarty