Northwest Highlands

The larger part of the region is formed from rocks of the Moine succession much of which is metamorphosed sandstones (psammites) and schist.

Considering its high northerly latitude of about 57 to 58 degrees north and the mountainous terrain, the climate is mild, moderated by the warming influence of the North Atlantic Drift which is a powerful warm western boundary current within the Atlantic Ocean that extends the Gulf Stream northeastward.

The Northwest Highlands are, on average, not as cold as the higher, snowier Cairngorm mountains which lie to the southeast.

Naturally, the area would be a vast birch, pine and montane shrub forest, such as those surviving in Glen Affric.

The highest point is the summit of Càrn Eige at an elevation of 1,183 metres (3,881 feet) above sea level.

By comparison, across the Great Glen to the south, the Grampians includes Ben Nevis which is highest point in the British Isles at 1,345 metres.