Cool place of the day: Bealach na Ba, Scotland

Every day, a new place to discover or explore from coolplaces.co.uk

Bealach na Ba (Shutterstock)

There is nothing quite like the legendary Bealach na Ba. There are many spectacular roads in Scotland, but few worth losing your car over, and that is exactly what might happen to you if you try to take a remotely dodgy motor up from Loch Carron and over the rugged fold of mountains to meet the Atlantic again at Applecross – and indeed signs warn off learner drivers and large vehicles.

It is a thrilling drive, hefting up 626 metres up (2054ft) from sea level deep into the mountains, where a viewpoint offers glimpses of Skye and even the Outer Hebrides. Then the single track curls down the mountainside by way of single-track hairpins and gradients of around 20% to the ultra-remote village of Applecross on its eponymous peninsula – and most importantly the welcoming arms of the Applecross Inn, which is always alive with gregarious locals and spellbound visitors.

Here you can enjoy huge “Applecross Prawns” – local langoustines, as fresh as can be – and fabulous lobsters, cooked simply and left for you to spend the rest of the night tackling. Or maybe just treat yourself to a pint of squat lobster tails – irresistible, and best enjoyed outside with a backdrop of the sun melting over Skye.

Cool Places is a website from the creators of Rough Guides and Cool Camping, suggesting the best places to stay, eat, drink and shop in Britain (coolplaces.co.uk)