Scottish Highlands - Best Things To Do & Places To Visit

Unspoilt nature, dramatic rugged mountains, whisky and romantic reminders of Scottish culture define this rugged part of Scotland. Here are the best things to do and beautiful places to visit in the Scottish Highlands.

One of the last great wildernesses of Europe, the Scottish Highlands is a mix of epic landscapes and romantic history.

Covering the entire northern half of Scotland, great glens and mighty sea lochs carve through wild hillsides and craggy mountains.

Dotted amongst this rugged terrain are the symbols of Scottish history. Castles and abbeys on grand promontories nod to colourful villages that light up grey days.

Descendants of local clansmen while away the hours, adorned in their tartan, sipping a dram of whisky in a cosy pub. 

It’s an exciting place, conjuring a sense of dramatic, old-world charm that the country does so well.

Here’s our guide to visiting the Scottish Highlands including our favourite things to do, the most scenic locations and suggested tours.

WHAT TO DO IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

1. ISLE OF SKYE

We’ve been to the Isle of Skye three times now, and it never fails to impress us.

The weather was kind to us on one occasion; the other two were not so good, but that’s life on this dramatic island in Scotland.

Skye has plenty of dramatic scenery: the razor-sharp pinnacles of the Black Cuillins, the iconic Old Man of Storr, and unusual land formations such as Fairy Pools and The Quiraing.

We also loved Kilt Rock, a waterfall flowing over basalt columns directly into the sea.

Our complete guide to visiting the Isle of Skye has all the details.

2. VISIT THE HIGHLAND CASTLES

One of the things we loved about touring around the highlands in Scotland is the amount of incredible castles there are to visit.

There are too many to see on one trip, but here are the ones we really think you shouldn’t miss.

• Dunrobin Castle – Dunrobin Castle is the largest in Scotland, with 189 rooms connected by a maze of corridors and capped with fairy tale turrets.
• Eilean Donan Castle – Eilean Donan is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. Located on a small tidal island, the rustic building is surrounded by rugged mountains.
• Castle Tioram – In a remote and wild location, Castle Tioram is a crumbling ruin that can only be reached on a windy single-lane track.
• Kilchurn Castle – Jutting out on a promontory into Loch Awe, Kilchurn Castle stands imperiously against heather-strewn slopes. On a still day, its reflection shimmers in the water. 

3. GLENCOE

The Scottish Highlands are full of magnificent mountains and deep valleys. But both these features come together most dramatically at Glencoe.

The A82 road connects one end to the other in just 20 minutes, but you could spend a whole day taking in the sights and hiking the trails.

The highlights include the Three Sisters Viewpoint in front of Bidean Nam Bam, hiking up to the Hidden Valley, admiring the reflections in Glencoe Lochan and driving down James Bond Skyfall Road.

For a well-deserved pint after a day of exploring, the Clachaig Inn is an olde world hikers’ pub packed with atmosphere, and the newly refurbished Kingshouse has massive windows overlooking one of the Scottish Highlands’ most photographed mountains – Buachaille Etive Mor.

All the details are on our Glencoe, Scotland guide.

4. SCOTTISH HIGHLAND WHISKY

One of the best aspects of visiting the Scottish Highlands is the diverse culture.

From fortress castles with a long family history, to hearty meals of haggis and tartan-dressed clansmen, Scotland has an identity that fascinates us and most people who visit.

But nothing defines the highlands more than whisky (spelt without the ‘e’ in Scotland).

Scottish Whisky (or Scotch) began in the 15^th century when illicit distilleries were an underground operation designed to avoid tax. Today, there are 47 distilleries spread across the Scottish Highlands, almost all offering tours and tastings. Here are our favourites:

• Glenturret // Glenturret is the oldest whisky house in Scotland and they have been been crafting single malts since 1763. They have several different tours from £10 pp to £100 pp.  
• Dalwhinnie Distillery // This is the highest and coldest working distillery in Scotland, produces some of the finest single malts.
• Badachro Distillery // This garage-sized distillery in the owner’s backyard does small-batch, handcrafted whisky and gin using local botanicals and artisanal produce.
• Talisker // Paul’s personal favourite, Talisker is the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye. They have a brand new tasting room to try their full-bodied single malt.

5. INVERARY

Inverary is an interesting town on the edge of Loch Fyne.

The high street is a sweep of Georgian architecture packed with eclectic shops, galleries and cute cafes. Pop in for the latest in woolly fashions, a bottle from Loch Fyne Whiskies, or buttery shortbread from the local bakery.

There’s good coffee at Campbell Coffee or a traditional cup of tea at Brambles.

Here are some of the highlights:

Inveraray Castle is the fairy-tale home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyle. We didn’t go inside, but grounds are impressive enough for a quick visit.

Inveraray Jail is one of the country’s best-preserved jail and courtroom complexes. It’s now a museum but the costumed characters were a bit much for us.

The War Memorial is a great spot to take in the views of Loch Fyne.

We loved the Loch Fyne Oyster House at the end of the lake. The location is excellent, and if you like seafood, you’ll love their menu.

6. JACOBITE STEAM TRAIN

One of the great railway journeys in the world, the Jacobite Steam Train runs for 84 miles through some of the most dramatic scenery in the Scottish Highlands.

Starting near Ben Nevis, it chugs over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, sweeps past the silvery beaches of Morar and ends at the deepest seawater loch in Europe.

Taking 2 hours each way, it’s not just the views that bewitch but the train itself. The carriages range from standard to first class, where traditional reading lamps light up classically upholstered chairs. Trains run twice a day through the summer months, and it’s worth booking well in advance.

Book the Hogwarts Express here.

If you just want to catch a shot of the train over the bridge, head to the Glenfinnan Viaduct. There’s a viewpoint up a small hill in front of the bridge. We have marked the position on the map.

7. BEN NEVIS

Rising imperiously above the Scottish Highlands to a height of 4,411 feet (1,345 metres), Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK. A desire to get to the pinnacle of the country attracts 100,000 hikers a year.

The easiest way up (but not very easy!) is using the Mountain Track – sometimes called the Tourist Track or Pony Track. It’s a relentless zig zagging path, and it’s a long, hard slog.

For a more challenging route, the CMD Arête is a grade 1 scramble (no climbing equipment required) along a narrow ridge on the eastern side of the summit.

You’ll need a head for heights, but it’s a wonderful hike with views of the north face right in front of you.

If hiking to the summit is not your thing, then there are wonderful views of Ben Nevis from just north of Fort William. Alternatively, take the shorter walk to the Steall Waterfall and watch it slowly appear behind you.

8. NORTH COAST 500

The North Coast 500 (NC500) is probably the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of the Scottish Highlands.

The route makes a circular loop around the northern end of the Highlands, starting and ending in Inverness. For the most part, it twists and turns along windy roads near the coast.

We havent’ driven the entire route because it takes a week, and there are more things we’d like to see in the highlands than this one route.

But, it’s possible to pick off the two best sections (the Drumbeg Road in Assynt and the Bealach na Bá near Applecross) in one or two days.

If this is something you are interested in, read our guide to the Assynt which has an itinerary and driving route.

9. PLOCKTON VILLAGE

Plockton sits on the edge of a sheltered bay in Loch Carron, possibly the most beautiful village to visit in Scotland.

Often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Highlands’, a string of attractive stone houses line the harbour front.

Breath-taking landscapes of coral beaches, tiny islands, and castled hills stretch into the distance.

The harbour is often packed with visiting yachts, locals taking tourists out to sea, the seals, and adventurers heading out on kayaks. End the day in one of the atmospheric pubs or try the fresh fish on the seafront.

10. SCOTTISH HIGHLAND CATTLE

Highland Cattle have become one of the iconic images of the Scottish Highlands.

These shaggy beasts with their long, pointy horns and low-hanging fringes are a hardy breed, able to withstand the rough weather that Scotland throws at them.

They are scattered all around the Scottish Highlands, and you would be very unlucky not to see them.

However, your chances are particularly good near Bealach na Bá on the NC500, in Duirinish near Plockton Village and between Portree and Broadford on the Isle of Skye.

11. IONA ABBEY

Iona Abbey is one of the oldest Christian religious centres in Western Europe.

It started in 563 CE when Saint Columba travelled to Iona from Ireland and founded a monastery. The Columban religious community survived for centuries until eventually succumbing to Viking raiders.

Around 1200 CE, a Benedictine order was invited to Iona to establish a new community, and Iona Abbey was constructed.

We took the ferry over to Iona and spent a couple of hours strolling around the sites and exploring the few shops on the island.

In addition to the abbey, there are some art galleries, craft shops, farm shops, beaches and a small graveyard with the graves of ancient Scottish kings.

To get to Iona, take the local Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Fionnphort, Mull. The crossing takes 5 minutes, and it’s a 10-minute walk to the Abbey. Up-to-date crossing times are on the Iona Abbey website.

12. FINGAL’S CAVE

The wonderfully weird Fingal’s Cave is cut deep into the Isle of Staffa. The entrance is formed by hexagonally jointed basalt columns (like those you can find at Stuðlagil Canyon in Iceland).

These great pillars of black rock stand in stark contrast to the wild waters that surge below them.

The only way to get here is by boat, but the journey is half the fun. Dolphins, porpoises, puffins and a wealth of birdlife can be spotted on the route.

On stiller days, you can disembark on the island, walk into the cave and try out the echoing acoustics.

On rougher days, the boat ride is a wild adventure.

Staffa Tours runs trips regularly from the Isle of Iona or Fionnphort and takes about 3 hours. They also organise wildlife trips to see puffins, eagles, basking sharks, seals & whales from Tobermory or Oban.

13. ASSYNT

High up in the north-western corner of the Scottish Highlands is an area known as Assynt. Rarely visited and quite remote, it is blessed with amazing landscapes. ‘Island mountains’ rise out of a crinkly fern-covered carpet of hillocks and lakes.

The coast around Assynt is equally blessed.

Powdery white sand beaches provide the vantage point for whale and dolphin watching, along with stunning views over island-strewn lochs marching out to sea.

Two picturesque fishing towns, Ullapool and Lochinver, have good accommodation, excellent seafood restaurants and bags of charm.

It’s a wonderful off-beat destination and one of the most unique places to visit in the UK.

14. SCOTTISH HIGHLAND BEACHES

We’ll admit it, Scotland is wet and cold for much of the year. But if you manage to score some good weather, the Scottish Highlands have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Powder soft white sands are lapped by turquoise waters and backed by craggy rocks. Take a stroll along a picturesque stretch of beach, kayak in a protected cove, or if you’re particularly brave, go for a swim.

There are plenty of excellent beaches to visit along the west coast but here are a few of our favourites:

• Sandwood Bay near Kinlochbervie
• Clachtoll & Achmelvich beaches on Assynt
• Luskentyre & Scarista beaches on Isle of Harris
• Camusdarach Beach & the Silver Sands of Morar
• Knockvologan on the Isle of Mull

15. LOCH NESS & INVERNESS

Reports of the Loch Ness monster (or Nessie) date back to 565 CE and periodic sightings have been recorded ever since.

The actor/game hunter, Marmaduke Wetherell, discovered sea serpent-like prints along the shore. The Natural History Museum was asked to investigate, and it was determined that the tracks were made of an umbrella stand or ashtray.

Today, there is a good deal more to see than the Loch Ness monster.

Take a day trip including Loch Ness & Glencoe or soak up the scenery on a boat tour to Urquhart Castle, an atmospheric ruin set above the lake with grand views of the hills around.

The capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness, is nearby and a worthy stop on any Scottish Highland itinerary.

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS TOURS

Tours into the Scottish Highlands depart from Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow, making it easy to visit without your own transport. Here are some options –  

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS MAP

The Scottish Highlands is the mountainous region in the northwest of Scotland. Loch Ness is in the centre with Inverness to the north and Glencoe in the south.

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