Of all of Scotland???s attractions for visitors,cheap jordans free shipping, the highlands and islands of its rugged west coast hold pride of place for their wild, haunting beauty. Ten reasons for visiting this summer include a new footpath linking famous whisky distilleries, star gazing with astronomers in the dark skies of the Hebrides, and a birding trail through isles where golden eagles fly.

1. Spirit of the Isles


1Islay has whisky galore with no fewer than eight distilleries producing world-class single malts, and a new pathway for walkers and cyclists offers a scenic route between three of them. From Port Ellen, the 3.5 mile driving-free tasting tour winds along the island???s southern seashore with views to the North Antrim coast. It turns inland through the forest of Laphroaig distillery,cheap jordan shoes, and on towards Lagavulin. It ends at Ardbeg distillery, where there is a caf?? and a bus stop for returning to Port Ellen (01496 305165; islayjura.com/walking).

2. Over the sea to Skye


A luxury mini-cruise vessel The Glen Etive sets sail on its maiden voyage in April from the Isle of Skye to Hebridean islands and sea lochs that are havens for wildlife. The 10-day cruise calls at the lively harbour town of Tobermory on Mull before venturing to the remote and magical Shiant Isles, a nesting area for thousands of seabirds often described as a mini-St Kilda. The sheltered waters and sea cliffs of the Hebridean Sea are home to dolphins, otters, eagles and whales. From ??3, 645 per person through The Majestic Line (01369 707 951; themajesticline.co.uk).


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3. House for garden lovers


Historic Inverewe House in the eponymous sub-tropical gardens on the banks of Loch Ewe opens to the public for the first time this summer, following a ??2m renovation by the National Trust for Scotland. Interiors of the 1930s mansion are being reinstated, and there???s an interpretation space for exhibtions and demonstrations. The gardens were created in 1862 by Osgood Mackenzie, and flourish in the spectacular scenery of Wester Ross thanks to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.









Historic Inverewe House in the eponymous sub-tropical gardens opens to the public for the first time this summer, following a ??2m renovation






Entry ??10.50, concessions ??7.50, family ??24.59, NTS members free. (01445 781 200; nts.org.uk/Property/Inverewe-Garden-and-Estate).




4. Reach for the stars


Brilliant night skies of the Isle of Coll are the star attraction of a collaboration between the upmarket island Bunkhouse and Cosmos Planetarium. Stargazing breaks make the most of the island???s dark skies with state of the art astronomical equipment and a digital indoor planetarium. The two-day courses are delivered by Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society, and during the day there are observations with white light solar telescopes.









Stargazing breaks make the most of the Isle of Coll's dark skies

Credit: Cosmos Planetarium/Bunkhouse







Weekend courses ??75, children aged 12 or under ??50, bunkhouse accommodation from ??21 pp per night (01879 230217; collbunkhouse.com/coll-the-cosmos),cheap jordans online.

5. A tasty lochside treat


A restaurant under new family ownership on the shores of Loch Fyne is earning rave reviews for fresh seafood from the waters outside and game from the hills. Inver at Strathlachlan is becoming one of the best spots in the Highlands for creative Scottish cuisine. Open for lunch and four course dinners, and a bar menu with simply prepared oysters,cheap jordans for sale, crab, langoustines and native meat and game in season. Craft ales on tap in a cosy bar.


Dinner ??35 pp (01369 860 537; inverrestaurant.co.uk),cheap authentic jordans.

6. Land of the Gaels


The Western Isles are a stronghold of Gaelic language and culture, and they are celebrated in a new museum and archive due to open in April at 19th century Lews Castle overlooking Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Poetry, songs,cheap air jordans, stories and beliefs of the Gaels are portrayed in audio-visual displays that focus on their relationships with the land and sea. Six of the famous Lewis Chessmen will be on permanent display as part of a loan agreement with the British Museum. The castle stands in 600 acres of woodland and gardens. (01851 822746; lews-castle.co.uk). Admission free,cheap real jordans.









Puffins can be seen in season at breeding sites

Credit: Getty






7. Take to the water


For adventurous spirits one of the finest sea kayaking trails in Europe has opened with a 94-mile route hugging the coast and islands of Argyll, and passing through the Crinan Canal to the sheltered waters of the Firth of Clyde. Starting at Ganavan near Oban, the trail is split into nine manageable sections with pontoons, wild camping sites and car parking, ending at Helensburgh. The area is rich in wildlife, with a variety of accommodation to suit all budgets. Argyll Sea Kayak Trail (paddleargyll.org.uk).





"The vast open vistas of the Outer Hebrides are home to the highest densities of golden eagles in Europe."





8. Fish for your supper


A cookery school overlooking islands near Lochgilphead has come up with a novel way of ensuring fresh produce. The 'fish, fillet and fry??? packages of Corrie Cook School take guests on a mini-cruise on its boat Jenny Wren to catch ingredients, and return for a seafood cookery class. Two night residential courses include a picnic lunch on an uninhabited island and a journey through the Gulf of Corryvreckan and its famous whirlpool (at slack tide).Mini fish, fillet and fry course ??95pp, residential ??375pp (01852 500 305; corriecookschool.com). &nbsp,jordans for cheap;









Mongolian style yurts have arrived on the Isle of Arran at Runach Arainn

Credit: Runach Arainn Yurts






9. Glamping and Tramping


Luxury camping Mongolian style has arrived on the Isle of Arran with yurts sleeping two to six people, equipped with double beds, futons, bathrooms with showers and wood burning stoves. Village shops, pubs and restaurants are within easy driving distance and chickens, ducks, geese and bees on site ensure supplies of fresh eggs and honey. This is an ideal base for exploring stages of the newly improved Arran Coastal Way, a 65-mile footpath around the island often called 'Scotland in miniature???.


Runach Arainn yurts ??200 for short breaks in low season, ??350 in high season (01770 870515; runacharainn.com). Arran Coastal Way info, see coastalway.co.uk

10. Follow the Eagles


The vast open vistas of the Outer Hebrides are home to the highest densities of golden eagles in Europe, along with white-tailed sea eagles, hen harriers and short-eared owls. A Bird of Prey Trail has been created linking the best places to observe Scotland???s most iconic predators on a self-guided journey from Barra in the south to the tip of Ness in the north. The route connects 11 locations and two ferry journeys across the 130-miles archipelago that can be explored by car, bike or public transport (01851 703088; visitouterhebrides.co....urneys/bird-of-prey-trail),http://users.atw.hu/probdesign/index.php?site=forum_topic&topic=14096cheapjordanshoesfreeshipping.com/bolg.



• Revealed:...'s state pension shake-up
The new state pension will leave many people better off than they would have been under the current system, with many women receiving more state pension under the new system. Figures released this week show that more than three million women will receive an average ?11 per week more by 2030 as a result of the changes – helping to address the gender inequalities that have persisted under the old scheme.
And they are not the only ones to benefit. People who have previously been “contracted out” of the earnings-related state pensions will also often receive more from the new state pension than they would have had in the old system. Those who are “contracted out” pay less into the National Insurance system. This is because they are building a private pension instead of the state pension they have been opted out of. However, most will be able to build more new state pension in future, leaving them better off under the new system.
Contracting out has been one of the most complex elements of the state pension and ending it from April will simplify the system. Even though some people will see an increase in their National Insurance contributions, 90pc of those who previously contracted out will receive enough extra state pension over their retirement to offset the increase in these NI contributions.
Baroness Altmann is addressing the Work & Pensions Select Committee today Photo: AFP
Today I am speaking to the Work & Pensions Select Committee about the importance of this state pension reform – and I am fully committed to ensuring that the public understands the new rules. We have been running a campaign to communicate the changes and have recently revised state pension statements to help people understand what they can expect to receive in pension income, based on their individual NI record.
While many of our pensions reforms, including the new state pension and workplace pensions, are about the retirees of tomorrow,http://users.atw.hu/promotionscorp/index.php?site=forum_topic&topic=16680cheapjordanshoesfreeshipping.com/bolg, this government is also committed to supporting those who have already retired. I’m glad to say that, thanks to our commitment to the “triple lock”, they’ve seen their basic state pension rises by at least 2.5pc each year.
We also recognise that people in certain circumstances might benefit from delaying their state pension or making voluntary contributions, which can increase their future state pension.
• 'I&#x...2013; and no one told me'
In addition, to help those who continue to receive their pension under the old rules, we have also launched the state pension top-up scheme.
This allows those eligible to secure up to ?25 a week more state pension in return for a lump sum National Insurance contribution. The scheme will be open until April 2017,http://users.atw.hu/team-axone/index.php?site=forum_topic&topic=13903cheapjordanshoesfreeshipping.com/bolg, and I would encourage anyone who thinks that they might benefit to find out more by using the State pension top-up calculator and take financial advice.
• Q&A: ...op up your state pension?
• The best ...u top it up, or defer it?
Of course, reforming the state pension is important, but is not enough to ensure that everyone will have the retirement income they want. A state pension foundation must be complemented by a private pension system that makes it easier and cheaper to save.
In 2012 we began to implement &am...; into workplace pensions, designed to make pension saving the norm for all employees. Already 5.8 million people have been automatically enrolled and we expect nine million to be newly saving or saving more by 2020. And of course most readers will be familiar with our new pension freedoms, which allow people to access their money in a more flexible way.
Our major pension reform package is all about ensuring a secure retirement for ourselves and our children. The state will of course provide a base but, as pensioner numbers are set to rise significantly and more of us are living longer, we are doing all we can to encourage private savings, so that people can have a better income in later life.