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To Stephanie Lawrence and Aashi Vel, the founders of Traveling Spoon, food is the focal point of their travels. They share some of their favorite food adventures.

This compact museum has a very good overview of Highland history. One focus is the Gaelic language, the ancient civilizing Celtic tongue brought here from Ireland by 5th-century pilgrims and monks. The Celts assimilated the Picts, who left behind a visual record via beautiful stone carvings. Displays here cover not only the social history of the Highlands as well as Scotland’s islands but their geology and natural history, too.

Point Reyes is a special location with hiking trails, historic farms, and the small towns of Inverness and Point Reyes Station with lovely local food finds and little shops. To get to the lighthouse just follow the road signs from Inverness, and walk the trail from the parking lot. The day this photo was taken was one of those misty foggy days with bright patches of sun. On the walk to the light house we saw deer grazing, wild flowers blooming, and mist dripping from the trees. Once we reached the point we were in a bright sunny patch all to the right we saw a blanket of fog below us laying on the water, to the left was bright blue waters and sunny skies, and to our great surprise whales in the water!! Whales swim pass the area from march to early may and if you want to take the chance you may get a glimpse of them. The whale sighting was the highlight to our already beautiful day.

If you have a clear day and the fog hasn’t quite yet settled in from the ocean, a great hike in the Point Reyes National Seashore is the Tomales Point Trail. Park at the Historic Pierce Point Ranch and then follow the out and back trail 4.7 miles to the very tip of the park. It’s a level and soft path, with ample opportunities to see the birds and other wildlife that calls this rugged and windswept place home. We’d started walking under entirely blue skies and then had the fog roll in on our return to the trailhead, creating an appropriate setting for the former ranch just before sunset. This walk is a great one for families, since the trail is so easy to follow and the terrain relatively flat. Bring some layers in case the fog rolls in and the wind picks up and be on the lookout for the hundreds of Tule Elk that inhabit the grassland around you and are hidden just out of view.

The craggy-rock view from the top of the staircase out to the Point Reyes National Seashore looks just fine from the top. But you didn’t drive all this way to stand at the top while everyone else descends to see the historic Point Reyes lighthouse.

Good luck if you’ve come here to witness the eponymous monster—though, given the dark, brooding waters of Loch Ness, seemingly anything is possible. At the very least, you’re bound to enjoy some beautiful scenery, from verdant shores to snowcapped peaks. One of the best ways to experience the loch is by boat tour, several of which leave daily from the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition in Inverness. Alternatively, you can drive up the A82 highway along the lake’s western shore, stopping at such spots as Castle Urquhart, a romantic stone ruin that’s some 1,000 years old.

Fancy trying to get a gander at the Loch Ness Monster? There’s only one way and that is on a boat trip out onto the deep and foreboding waters of Loch Ness. “Nessie” has certainly defied many a scientific attempt at location. The earliest mention of the serpentine beast with a snakelike head dates back to Adomnán’s account of the life of St. Columba, completed in the late 7th century. Cruises leave from just south of Inverness and feature interpretive guides who can tell much more than monster stories.

Tipped off by a colleague that lives around the corner from Point Reyes Station, I headed to lunch here on a Saturday to find fuel for a big hike in Tomales Bay. I take the phrase I’m about to write quite seriously, but the beef burger I had here is among the best on the face of the Earth. Ever. Marin Sun Farms takes great care in honoring their surroundings and their animals and the local butcher shop is a lesson in sustainable farming. Their outdoor picnic space is inviting and their intimate cafe is the perfect place to tuck in and warm up with some delicious fare. David Evans is the founder and CEO that oversees operations of two ranch leases just north of Inverness, Marin County, California. They focus on beef, poultry and egg production. In their own words, their goal is ‘to participate in creating a more sustainable food model and inspire an agrarian culture that conserves our landscapes, supports the health of its inhabitants and restores the vitality of a region that has thrived for hundreds of years.’

A standard-bearer for casual elegance in Inverness for nearly 25 years, the Mustard Seed offers simple cooking in a friendly atmosphere. Housed in a converted church building, the restaurant features a double-height ceiling and magnificent open-log fireplace, plus period features mixed with modern finishes. Get a table on the terrace if possible and enjoy views of the River Nessie alongside modern Scottish dishes, many of which feature local, seasonal ingredients. Menu highlights include Scottish salmon with slow-cooked tomato sauce and seared haunch of Ardgay venison with beetroot mash, both perfect for pairing with a bottle from the carefully considered wine list.

After marching within 100 miles of London to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British throne, Jacobite supporters, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, retreated to this site near Inverness in 1746. Here at Culloden, they were slaughtered by forces loyal to King George I and the House of Hanover during one of the most harrowing battles in British history. The aftermath was equally brutal, as a massive military crackdown across the Highlands followed in order to prevent further uprisings from disaffected Scots.

Today, travelers can tour the richly researched Culloden Visitor Centre, which features artifacts from both sides of the battle as well as interactive displays that detail the background of the conflict. You can also walk the front lines where the Jacobites made their final stand, then look inside the newly restored Leanach Cottage—the only surviving building from the battle.

This is a signature outlet for tartan and clan-related gifts for anyone with the slightest hint of Scottish ancestry: from the sublime—a hand-tailored kilt—to the slightly silly—clan-crested candles and fridge magnets. Somewhere between the two, a silk evening bag embroidered with black beading and a tassel is traditional and stylish.

Seafood, like a classic bowl of steaming Inver Bay mussels, is the order of the day at this historic farmhouse on the coastal road between Killybegs and Slieve League. If you’re a bigger fan of turf than surf, don’t worry: There are also lots of other dishes on the menu to try, including Donegal-lamb moussaka.