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Why we love the Scottish Highlands

Located in the northern reaches of Scotland, the Highlands are about beauty and adventure. With islands for exploring, thick pine forests to wander and peaks to climb, it’s packed with picture-perfect scenery and exhilarating experiences. From the valleys of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, to the heights of Ben Nevis or the soaring hills of the Cairngorms, expect everything from folk festivals to adrenaline-fuelled off-roading.

Base your stay at the gateway city of Inverness - also the start for the North Coast 500. Within easy reach of Edinburgh, it offers art and culture, foodie festivals to get your teeth stuck into, botanical gardens and a plenty for music lovers. Whether it’s a bracing wild swim, a warming whiskey tour or a royal fix at Balmoral, unleash your imagination in the Highlands.

Things to do in The Scottish Highlands

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Mighty mountains, tranquil lochs and a wild, untamed coastline: welcome to some of the Highland’s most incredible scenery.

Explore off-grid at Lochaber Geopark

VisitBritain/Graham Niven

A woman sitting on a rock wrapped in a tartan blanket
Lochaber Geopark

Welcome to the highest mountain in Scotland. Sheer catnip for hikers, the summit has spectacular views of the Grampian range.

Find your Ben Nevis adventure

VisitBritain/Nadir Khan

Two mountain bikers cycling downhill down a mountain
Ben Nevis

This towering bridge will take your breath away – and if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll know it’s the route of the Hogwarts Express!

Book your seat for the Glenfinnan Viaduct

VisitBritain/Simon Winnall

A couple on a train looking out of the window at landscape
Glenfinnan Viaduct, Fort William

With their one-of-a-kind sports, these traditional Scottish tournaments are the ‘Olympics of the Highlands’.

Visit the Braemar Gathering games

VisitBritain/Highland Games Academy

Woman wearing a kilt learning how to toss the caber with male instructor
Highland Games

A little taste of the tropics in Scotland, this thriving spot features coffee plants, pineapple plants and rare orchids – and is free to visit.

Go wild at Inverness Botanic Gardens
Awaiting image
Inverness Botanic Gardens

Crossing open moors, lofty peaks, and forest-lined lochs, the West Highland Way serves up 96 miles (154km) of invigorating hiking.

Hit the West Highland Way

VisitScotland

Walkers taking in the view of Loch Lomond from Conic Hill part of the West Highland Way
West Highland Way

A sustainable hideaway in the romantic wilds of the Scottish Highlands.

Visit Eagle Brae

©VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Strathglass

Man sitting on the terrace of a wooden lodge with large St Bernard dog, Scottish Highlands
Eagle Brae log cabins

Mighty mountains, tranquil lochs and a wild, untamed coastline: welcome to some of the Highland’s most incredible scenery.

Explore off-grid at Lochaber Geopark

VisitBritain/Graham Niven

A woman sitting on a rock wrapped in a tartan blanket
Lochaber Geopark

Welcome to the highest mountain in Scotland. Sheer catnip for hikers, the summit has spectacular views of the Grampian range.

Find your Ben Nevis adventure

VisitBritain/Nadir Khan

Two mountain bikers cycling downhill down a mountain
Ben Nevis

This towering bridge will take your breath away – and if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll know it’s the route of the Hogwarts Express!

Book your seat for the Glenfinnan Viaduct

VisitBritain/Simon Winnall

A couple on a train looking out of the window at landscape
Glenfinnan Viaduct, Fort William

With their one-of-a-kind sports, these traditional Scottish tournaments are the ‘Olympics of the Highlands’.

Visit the Braemar Gathering games

VisitBritain/Highland Games Academy

Woman wearing a kilt learning how to toss the caber with male instructor
Highland Games

A little taste of the tropics in Scotland, this thriving spot features coffee plants, pineapple plants and rare orchids – and is free to visit.

Go wild at Inverness Botanic Gardens
Awaiting image
Inverness Botanic Gardens

Crossing open moors, lofty peaks, and forest-lined lochs, the West Highland Way serves up 96 miles (154km) of invigorating hiking.

Hit the West Highland Way

VisitScotland

Walkers taking in the view of Loch Lomond from Conic Hill part of the West Highland Way
West Highland Way

A sustainable hideaway in the romantic wilds of the Scottish Highlands.

Visit Eagle Brae

©VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Strathglass

Man sitting on the terrace of a wooden lodge with large St Bernard dog, Scottish Highlands
Eagle Brae log cabins

Places to stay in The Scottish Highlands

Inverness

Embrace Highland heritage with a stay in the capital of the region - sample award-winning food and unique shopping, or set off on a cycling adventure.

Fort William

Often called the ‘outdoor capital of Britain’, Fort William has everything from sandy beaches to dramatic film locations and distilleries.

Ullapool

A popular stopping point on the North Coast 500 route, tuck into fresh seafood or hob aboard ferry services to the Isles of Lewis.

Explore nearby

The Cairngorms is a playground for wildlife lovers, hill climbers, thrill seekers and more.

VisitBritain/Graham Niven

A man canoeing with two spaniels. Clear blue skies

From palaces to cobbled alleys, and a dormant volcano, this city is a real show-stopper.

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Edinburgh

A young couple taking a selfie of view over historic town

Jaw-dropping landscapes wrapped in tales of legends, the wild nature will stay with you forever.

VisitBritain/Dougie Cunningham

A group of deer near a lake, grazing grass

Getting to The Scottish Highlands

Inverness Airport is just 10 minutes from the city centre, and serves domestic destinations across Britain, alongside links to the Scottish Islands. There’s no direct access to the Highlands, but train connections are possible via Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, all taking around 3-4 hours.

Getting around

By Bike

Cyclists can hire a bike  using Ticket to Ride or Hi-Bike in Inverness, which doubles as the start point for the Loch Ness 360° Trail, a 80-mile (130km) circular route around the famous loch.

By train

Scotrail operates services to locations across the Highlands, or jump aboard the Jacobite to cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct and experience one of the world’s best railway journeys.

By car

The Highlands can be taken in on the North Coast 500 touring route, which brims with coastal scenery, castles and historical ruins. Where will your adventure begin?

Want to know more?

Check out Visit Scotland for insider tips and travel inspiration.