The Royal Yacht Britannia

"Britannia sailed between 1954 and 1997 and during her 43 year career travelled more than one million nautical miles around the globe. It is now moored at Leith in Edinburgh where around 390,000 visitors a year pay to board and look round the former ‘floating palace.’

"Back in the 1960s and 70s it was a regular summer visitor to the west coast of Scotland, with members of the royal family enjoying stopping to visit local secluded beaches to picnic in peace. The Queen would visit Applecross, coming ashore in a small boat at Milltown Pier to have lunch along at the Big House at the head of the bay with her relative Mrs Wills, whose family then owned Applecross Estate.

"As a young child in the late 1960s, I remember my mother’s excitement as we gathered with other villagers to watch the Queen come ashore. I also remember the disappointment when a rather plain woman in slacks and headscarf arrived with her children- not a crown, cloak, jewels or gown in sight.

"In more recent years Prince Charles has visited Shieldaig and Loch Torridon to find out more about the sustainable creel fishing methods used by local fishermen. Arriving by helicopter he spent time chatting with local residents and schoolchildren. Princess Anne has also been seen sailing in local waters, even calling at Badachro Inn for a morning coffee and purchasing local pottery in the village."

As told by Anne MacRae, resident of Torridon

More information on visiting the area can be found here.