Where Are the Scottish Highlands?
The Scottish Highlands are comprised of more than 11,000 square miles to the north of Glasgow. This includes a vast section of mainland Scotland and four island groups off the north and west coast. If you’re looking at a map, you will find the Highlands north of Edinburgh and Glasgow and west of Aberdeen and Dundee.
What Are the Scottish Highlands Famous For?
Nessie of Loch Ness, Lagavulin whiskey (and countless other varieties), the Highland Games, kilts, pints and pubs, castles, haggis – the list goes on. What shall you do first? There are hikes for days in Cairngorms National Park. There’s the UK’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis. Take a tamer walk (though still on the wild side) at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park or along the cliffs at Ducansby Head. Visit the castles of Glencoe or Eilean Donan. If you can, venture to the magical Isle of Sky.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit the Scottish Highlands?
For optimal temperatures, visit the Scottish Highlands between June and August. The high typically only reaches 70 degrees, so it’s wise to wear layers. Visiting in the spring and fall will save you money, but you’ll have to contend with cooler temperatures. And come winter, it’s not only cold, but rainy.
How Do You Explore the Scottish Highlands?
Traveling by car is undoubtedly the best way to explore the Scottish Highlands. You’ll have the freedom and flexibility to go where you want, when you want, and to stop for as long as you want at various attractions. The sights you’ll most want to see are fairly spread apart, making self-driving the most efficient means of transportation. Remember, however, that you’ll be driving on the left side of the road! Or, leave the driving to someone else and sign up for a Scottish Highlands tour. There are trains and buses running throughout the region, as well, which will take longer to reach certain destinations. Rail service connects gateway Highlands cities, including Fort William, Aviemore and Inverness. As for how to get to the Highlands in the first place, fly to Glasgow or Edinburgh international airports and then rent a car.
Where Should I Stay When Visiting the Scottish Highlands?
Within the giant outdoor playground that is the Scottish Highlands, there are countless charming villages and medium-sized cities perfect for a vacation homebase. To really get a feel for the countryside and to take advantage of its unique geography and culture, try to work a couple different hotels or inns into your itinerary. Here are some of the best areas to stay in when you’re touring the Scottish Highlands:
Inverness
From its castle overlooking the River Ness, to its museum and art gallery, to St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the Victorian Market, the bustling city of Inverness is an excellent jumping-off point for your Highlands vacation. The dining and distillery scene is on point, too.
Nairn
Base yourself at one of the quaint B&Bs or luxurious golf and spa resorts in Nairn, then venture out along the A96 highway to explore the local distilleries, the beach or one of the two championship golf courses nearby.
Glencoe
For jaw-dropping views, stay in Glencoe off the A82 Glencoe Pass. Choose from B&Bs and guesthouses in a picture-perfect village – and keep an eye out for the area’s red deer and golden eagles.
Arisaig and Morar
These two adorable villages are considered the most beautiful spot in the Highlands – and are pretty much exactly what’s in your mind’s eye when you think “Scotland.” If you take the A830 “Road to the Isles,” you will pass through both. Stay for an overnight in one of the guesthouses right along the coast.
Fort William
Stylish hotels set inside historic buildings and cozy inns fill up the accommodation scene in Fort William. There are many to choose from, particularly along the Corrour Lodge. Shop, dine and hoist a pint to your heart’s content. This is a great base for exploring the Highlands area (from there, you can drive the “Road to the Isles,” then take the ferry across to the Isle of Skye).
Portree and Broadford
Portree is the capital town of the Isle of Sky and offers plenty of accommodations choices. Broadford is the island’s second-large town and offers hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses, many with outstanding views of the Inner Sound. Stay here if you’re planning to hike in the Cuillins mountain range.
Ullapool
A bustling village for just 1,500 residents, Ullapool is a good homebase choice for exploring the northern Highlands. The seafood is sublime, so bring an appetite.
Helmsdale
If you’re a golfer, you might want to stay in Helmsdale, where you might even glimpse His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales fishing on the salmon river while you’re teeing off.
What Should I See in the Scottish Highlands?
Your most pressing question – what should I see and do while I’m visiting the Scottish Highlands. We have the answers:
- Isle of Skye
Have a limited amount of time in the Scottish Highlands? Get thee to the Isle of Skye. Consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places in the region, this west-coast island in the Inner Hebrides will dazzle you with its stunning geography. The highlights include the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr, Neist Point and the Fairy Pools by the Black Cuillins Mountains, but really anywhere you go, you’ll see craggy cliffs, verdant hillsides, monolithic rock formations, lovely lochs and beguiling waterfalls.
- Glencoe
What is a glen, anyway? A glen is a narrow valley, which you’ll find absolutely everywhere in the Scottish Highlands. The one that most people think of when talking about the Highlands is Glencoe – located south of Ben Nevis along Loch Leven. It’s a great destination on a Scotland road trip – the A82 highway cuts right through it. If you can, carve out enough time to stop an enjoy it instead of cruising through it. Two of the most popular hikes are the 2.5-mile Coire Gabhail (Lost Valley), the 5-mile Buachaille Etive Beag and the 7-mile Bidean nam Bian. The latter two hikes bring you to the summit of two of Glencoe’s munros (Scottish peaks over 3,000 feet tall). If you’re a Harry Potter fan (and who isn’t?), you can walk the road to the Clachaig Inn (site of Hagrid’s hut).
- Cairngorms National Park
Spend a couple days, or spend a week, in Cairngorms National Park – the UK’s laregest national park. Four of Scotland’s five tallest mountains are here, providing ample opportunity for hiking, biking, skiing and more. Balmoral Castle is here, too – and a must-see – as well as the chance to see the free-ranging Cairngorm Reindeer, ride the rails up Cairngorm Mountain and visit a huge number of breweries and distilleries. Don’t miss Loch an Eilein, where you can see 13th-century castle ruins on a quiet island out in the middle of the lake.
- Eilean Donan Castle
The iconic, 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle has a storied history and a lovely location where three lakes meet (Loch Alsh, Loch Duich and Loch Long). The castle was built by Alexander II of Scotland to protect against Viking invaders before its takeover by the Jacobites. The castle was subsequently ruined in battle and lay in disrepair for centuries. In the early 1900s, the land on which the castle sits was purchased and the castle was completely rebuilt. Walk the stone footbridge to get to the castles and once inside, notice the period décor, weaponry and artifacts from the Jacobite era.
- Glenfinnan/West Highland Line
Another must-see for Harry Potter fans, Glenfinnan is home to the Glenfinnan Viaduct, that picturesque stone bridge over which the Hogwarts Express crosses. The Jacobite Steam Train (which itself looks similar to the Hogwarts Express) runs along the West Highland Line, considered to be one of the most scenic train routes in the world. If possible, plan for a ride along the west coast of the country, through Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and into areas of the Highlands you can’t reach by car. If a train ride isn’t in your Scottish Highlands itinerary, get a good view of the viaduct from the Glenfinnan Trail View Point.
- Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
Water is the main actor on the natural stage that is Loch Lomond and The Trossachs. Within 720 square miles, you’ll find 22 additional lakes, 39 miles of coastline and 50 rivers. Loch Lomond sees the most visitors, followed by The Trossachs, which itself includes two National Scenic Areas (Great Trossachs Forest and Queen Elizabeth Forest Park). Avid hikers will enjoy the trail up Ben A’an, while those seeking something less challenging can tackle part of the 30-mile Great Trossachs Path, which, depending on the section, takes you past Loch Katrine, Loch Arklet and Loch Venachar. The remaining two sections of the park Bredalbane and Cowal Peninsula.
- Loch Ness
Seek the mythical Nessie on Scotland’s largest loch (23 miles long and 700 feet at its deepest). While you’re in the area, take a cruise from Fort Augustus, Drumnadrochit or Inverness, visit thousand-year-old Urquhart Castle, hike the Fall of Foyers trail or trek to the top of Meall Fuar-mhonaidh.
- Golf in the Scottish Highlands
Avid golfers shouldn’t leave the Highlands without a round or two on some of the world’s best fairways. Choose from water-side and inland courses, with the highest concentration in Caithness, Ross-Shire, Speyside, Sutherland and Inverness. The seven most popular courses in the Highlands are Macdonald Aviemore, Boat of Garten, Castle Stuart, Nairn Golf Club, Wick Golf Club, Brora Golf Club and the Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
- Duncansby Head
The striking, jagged cliffs of Duncansby Head are a staggering sight, overshadowed only by the Duncansby Stacks. These incredible rock formations stand out of the water, looking like they were carved right out the cliffs, only to be separated by the powerful sea. Hike the 5-mile trail to the stacks, starting from the village of John O’Groats. Look for seals and puffins on the beach and cliffs.
- Highlands Beaches
It may not be warm enough to swim, but the beaches of the Scottish Highlands are worth a visit for their dramatic natural beauty. You may be surprised to find white sands akin to Caribbean beaches, and clear blue water. You’ll also find rugged cliff-lined bays and soft sand dunes. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the Scottish Highlands are Camusdarach Beach in Morar, Achmelvich Beach in Lochinver, Sandwood Bay and Sango Bay in Durness. Really love the beach? Head to the Shetland Islands, where St. Ninian’s Isle Beach steals the show, or the Inner and Outer Hebrides to visit the Isle of Harris’ Luskentrye or the Isle of Mull’s Fidden Bay.
Can You See the Northern Lights in Scotland?
While it’s not as likely to see the Northern Lights in Scotland as opposed to, say, Iceland and Finland, it can happen. Your best bet for viewing the dancing sky will be winter or autumn (your reward for putting up with the damp, cold weather conditions of the season). Optimally you’ll need a clear, dark night away from light pollution, between September and March. To increase your chances, visit Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Skye, Aberdeenshire or Moray Speyside.