As the snows subside the countryside of Scotland is waiting to be explored this spring. So get planning, then packing and then enjoying!

In the far north of Scotland is ASSYNT, a fantastic area of high mountains thrusting above a lochan-studded landscape. The coast is just as exciting with turquoise waters and white beaches nestled between rocky cliffs.

Once beyond Ullapool the road opens out to reveal this spectacular scenery. Take a detour off the A835, along the Achiltibuie road, to marvel at Stac Pollaidh. It rises like an impenetrable fortress above Loch Lurgainn but in fact it is very easy to follow the path to the top and enjoy one of the best views in Scotland - it only takes a couple of hours to go up and down.

If you go on to Achiltibuie you can look out over to the Summer Isles - boat trips run from Ullapool with a chance of seeing dolphins. Also in this delightful little village at the end of the road you can visit the Achiltibuie Hydroponicum, where vegetables and fruit are grown using nutrients, but no soil, in greenhouses. The village also boasts the Summer Isles Hotel, a great place to base yourself.

Heading up the coast is Lochinver, nestled below the sugarloaf mountain of Suilven. A fabulous place to eat there is the Lochinver Larder which serves award winning pies, this is good quality fare that has won national awards. Beyond Lochinver is Achmelvich beach - one of the best on the whole of Scotland’s coast. Enjoy the beautiful sand and crystal clear water and if your lucky the campsite chip shop next to it might be open.

The CAIRNGORMS provide all year round outdoors entertainment and to list everything on offer would take pages and pages. Here are some highlights.

The possibilities for mountain walking are endless but for those who want to admire the grandeur without the need for too much strain head for Loch Morlich to gaze over the water and up to the wonderful serrated ridges above. Another stretch of water, Loch an Eilein in the Rothiemurchus Forest, has a path all the way round, offering one of the best short walks in Scotland.

To really get in the mountains take the funicular railway up the slopes of Cairn Gorm itself and enjoy a bite to eat at the Ptarmigan Restaurant, just below the summit. The panoramic view could persuade you to hang around all day.

There are plenty of places to stay in nearby Aviemore, including the grandly titled Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort in the centre of town which will add a real bit of comfort to your stay. Eating isn’t a problem either but one of the best places to go after a day outdoors in the Old Bridge Inn on the edge of the town.

In Perthshire lies CRIEFF, a beautiful spa town backed by high mountains country.

For some proper luxury go to the Crieff Hydro, a great hotel serving great food. Just make sure you get outside for a few hours. One place to head is right next door, up the Knock of Crieff. It is a short, if steep, walk and at the top you can enjoy a brilliant view of the rolling farmland to the south and east and the majestic Highlands to the north and west.

Also in the town you will find the Famous Grouse Experience at the Glenturret Distillery. If you like uisge beatha then this is the place for you, with tours and tastings.

Heading over to Argyll where the deep sea lochs penetrating far inland giving a sense of travelling in another country.

On the way to INVERARY this is certainly the case as the A83 winds through the Arrochar Alps and down to Loch Fyne.

Once in the loch-side town Scotland comes home with a whammy of tradition. The huge neo-Gothic Inverary Castle is first on any "must-do" list. The family home of the dukes of Argyll is open to the public and certainly worth exploring. If you are feeling energetic walk up Dun na Cuaiche behind it for a bird’s eye view of the castle, loch and surrounding mountains. I once met a man from Yorkshire at the top and over the period of about 20 minutes he just kept repeating the words "absolutely fantastic" before walking back.

In the centre of the town you will find Inveraray Jail, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. The clue’s in the title - you can learn, and experience, all things relating to incarceration. Great for children.

The Argyll Hotel will look after you but to eat you really should head back up the shore of the loch to THE Loch Fyne Oyster Bar where all seafood tastes are catered for.

For complete escapism it is hard to compete with an island. And for convenience the ISLE OF CUMBRAE is superb.

Only ten minutes by CalMac ferry from Largs this place is a cyclist’s paradise but not the lycra-clad Tour de France wannabees. The roads are quiet and people, mostly, drive at the pace of islands (slow) leaving families to pedal at their own pace around the shore - either using their own bikes or ones hired in the capital, Millport. With views out to sea it is the perfect way to while away a few hours.

If you don’t fancy cycling, take a drive up to the Glaid Stone at the island’s highest point for a stunning view of the sea lochs of Argyll, and the islands of Bute, Arran, Jura and Little Cumbrae.

Millport is everything a traditional seaside town should be, a promenade, ice creams and a few trampolines. There is also Crocodile Rock, a curious feature painted to look like the animal which has been a landmark there for years.

To eat, go to the Garrison House in the middle of the promenade where there is also a museum.

For a different place to stay try the College of the Holy Spirit next to the Cathedral of the Isles, handily placed for Millport.