interfacing microcontroller with a high inductive load
In most cases you can use a plain diode that is rated for the current you are switching. Up to 100mA (a small relay or pager motor) an 1N4148 will do, up to 1A an 1N400x. 

The purpose of the diode is to dissipate the energy stored in the coil. A sckottky diode has a lower Vdrop, so it will dissipate the energy slower. If you need for instance your relay to fall off quickly, a resistor inseries with your diode, or a zener diode (to ground), or a snubber (R+C) might be a better solution, but that is for advances users.

If you are switching extremely fast (not likely), as schottky diode might still be a better choice because it can switch faster.