View from Annat over Upper Loch Torridon and the mountains of Torridon beyond in the western Scottish Highlands

Scottish Highlands Holidays

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The bleak and raw splendour of the Scottish Highlands is the country as its most wild. From enchanted mystical glens and deep mysterious lochs cloaked in ancient legend, to breathtakingly wild and rugged mountain peaks, the epic landscapes of this diverse region will be sure to impress even the most intrepid traveller. 


Scottish Highlands Holidays


Map of the Highlands

Highlands Map

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Getting there & Getting around

View of the the Jacobite stream train travelling through the Scottish countryside to Mallaig in the Highlands

Getting to The Scottish Highlands

There are a number of ways to reach the breath-taking landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, either by plane, train or car. Take advantage of the regular flights from a number of UK airports and fly to Inverness in the heart of the Highlands. Alternatively, start your adventure by booking a ticket for the Caledonian Sleeper, an overnight railway service from London. For a longer, epic adventure, opt to self-drive and experience spectacular views of Scotland's rugged landscapes along the way. Whatever you decide, we can pre-book all your flights, tickets or car hire.

Kylesku Bridge, Scotland Colin Horn Unsplash

Navigate the North Coast 500

This epic driving adventure exhibits the Northern Scottish Highlands at their very best. Start in Inverness, the capital of the region, before following the winding roads north, hugging the coast toward John O'Groats and back down. Whether you travel clockwise or anticlockwise, you can expect to find picturesque lochs, historic castles, diverse wildlife, freshly-caught seafood and a whole range of exhilarating outdoor activities along the way. We can help you curate your own unique NC500 itinerary from the 516 mile circular route based upon what you want to see. 


Experiences in the Highlands

Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich at Dornie in Scotland

Visit Eilean Donan Castle

Featured in a number of television series and films including James Bond and Highlander, Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland’s most iconic and famous sites. Perched on a small tidal island where the three sea lochs of Duich, Long and Alsh meet, this picturesque castle is rich in history, with sweeping views of the forested mountains beyond.

Bealach na Bà road through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula in the Scottish Highlands

Drive the Bealach na Ba Route

The notorious Bealach na Ba is a winding single track route which weaves through the rugged mountain landscape of the Applecross penisula in the western Highlands. Both one of the most scenic and most challenging drives in the world, this highland road offers magnificent views from the peak at 626m above sea level.

View of Glencoe mountain and the river rushing down the valley in the Scottish Highlands

Discover the Magical Glencoe Valley

Wander amongst the bubbling brooks and misty woodlands of the Glencoe valley and nature reserve. The awe-inspiring scenery and Machiavellian history will transport you to another time in this magical land of outstanding natural beauty.

A rainbow over the loch and mountains at Stac Pollaidh in Ullapool in the Scottish Highlands

Eat Fresh Seafood in Ullapool

Located on the banks of Loch Broom, the picturesque village of Ullapool is a gateway to the wilderness beyond. Made up of colourful fishing boats and pastoral crofts, the town itself is a centre for arts and the perfect place to try freshly caught and prepared seafood, including langoustines.

Dolphins hunting salmon off the Munlochy on the Black Isle on the east coast of the Highlands in Scotland

Spot Dolphins on the Black Isle

In the chilly waters of the Moray Firth off the Black Isle, 200 Bottlenose dolphins live year round. Walk down the mile-long peninsula from the village of Fortrose to the beach and lighthouse at Chanonry Point, named as one the best place to spot dolphins in the UK. Later, be whisked out onto the open waters on a wildlife watching boat trip from the quaint village of Cromarty. Visit the local bakery whilst you're there.

View of the formal gardens and Dunrobin Castle near Golspie, Sutherland on a sunny day in the Scottish Highlands

Explore Dunrobin Castle

With spectacular views across the Moray Firth, the fairy tale castle of Dunrobin looms over its elaborate formal gardens below. As one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses, dating back to the 1300s, the castle is a great site for exploring the rich history of the local area whilst marvelling at the beautiful architecture and impressive gardens.

Loch Ness Ramon Vloon Unsplash

Locate the Monster at Loch Ness

Scotland's most enthralling mystery of the Loch Ness monster means thousands of visitors flock to the area every year. Away from the crowds of the main castle, we recommend a 2 hour hike through beautiful woodland and past cascading waterfalls along a single track road to the tranquil hamlet of Foyers. Enjoy the quiet and unwind in the stillness and peaceful surroundings of ancient Caledonian pine forests on the loch's banks.

View of the white sand and clear turquoise waters at Camusdarach Beach, Mallaig in the Scottish Highlands

Picnic on Camusdarach Beach

Made famous in the iconic film Local Hero, Camusdarach Beach is a picturesque bay of crisp white sand and sparkling turquoise ocean. A short walk from the car park by Glenancross, lined by wildflowers in the summer, will lead you onto the arch of white sand - a perfect spot to enjoy a picnic and look out towards the Isles of Rum and Eigg.

Duncansby Stacks, Near Duncansby Head Kenny Lam Visit Scotland

Drink at Britain's most remote pub

With no roads in or out, The Old Forge on Scotland's west coast, is reached by an 18 mile hike over munros or a 7 mile sea crossing, making it the most remote pub in Britain. Indulge in the fresh seafood caught in the surrounding local waters, including Loch Nevis langoustine, hand dived Arisaig scallops, Loch Nan Uamh rope mussels, Mallaig smoked salmon and Isle of Rum waters lobsters. 

A person walking the West Highland Way towards Fort William in Scotland

Hike the West Highland Way

Stretching 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, the West Highland Way is the perfect hiking route to experience the varied Scottish landscapes from countryside parks to loch-shores and open moorlands to steep mountains.


Highlights of The Highlands

A river weaving through the Cairngorms National Park with the mountains beyond in Scotland

Cairngorms National Park

The fertile farmlands and thick ancient woodland of the Cairngorms National Park make it a wildlife metropolis. Formed throughout history by vast, crushing glaciers which have shaped everything from the rugged mountains to the mossy moorlands, the park is also a living, working landscape, curated and cared for by the many passionate people who work there. This diverse natural wilderness is home to a number of unique and endangered animals including Scottish wild cats, mountain hares, red squirrels, soaring ospreys and golden eagles. 

The rocky path up Ben Nevis near Fort William on a clear and bright day in the Scottish Highlands

Conquer Ben Nevis and Bag a Munro

Hike up Britain's highest peak and bag yourself a munro! Cross cascading rivers, skirt the edge of the glass-like Loch Meall and navigate a series of well-worn routes through the boulders and scree. The route to the top is strenuous, consisting of rocky, steep and zigzagging terrain; however, upon reaching the summit at 1,345 metres above sea level, you can expect unparalleled, panoramic views from the peak of Ben Nevis across the spectacular Highlands landscape. 

The Wim Hof Method

Coined by the legendary Iceman, the famous Wim Hof Method is a simple, powerful method for surviving extreme cold conditions based on the foundation of three pillars; Breathing, Cold Therapy and Commitment. The Alladale Wilderness Reserve is the place in the UK to learn to master these skills to achieve enhanced mental and physical strength, sounder sleep, increased energy and focus, greater cold tolerance and creativity of the mind. Speak to a Scotland specialist to hear about how you can escape and recharge on one these exclusive life-enriching courses.

As you travel around the Scottish Highlands, look out for the famous Highland cows, the oldest cattle breed in the world

Bjorn Snelders Znnpsqkrr2c Unsplash

Glenfinnan Viaduct

The iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct is recognisable to many as the route the Hogwarts Express steamed across in numerous Harry Potter films. Located in the Western Scottish Highlands, the viaduct curves seamlessly into the mountain landscape, offering views over the Glenfinnan Monument and the shimmering waters of Loch Shiel. Take the West Highland railway line to Mallaig to travel across the Glenfinnan Viaduct yourself. Alternatively, discover the bridge on foot on one of the many walking trails which snake around and under the magnificent concrete structure.

A clear starlit night over Loch Cluanie in the northwest Highlands of Scotland

Marvel at the Northern Lights

The vast, unpolluted skies of the Scottish Highlands make the region a great place to spot the dancing spectacle of the Northern Lights. Experiencing this theatrical auroral display is best on cold nights, clear of clouds during the autumn and winter seasons. Caithness and the Morary coast in the Highlands are particularly well-known as places to marvel at the luminous spectrum of colour across the sky. Wrap up warm and head out on an aurora-hunting adventure you'll never forget.


Wonderful places to stay in the Highlands


The Highlands in Pictures

The Three Sisters Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands
The Three Sisters, Glencoe
A headstone of the Mackintosh clan with the sunset behind at Culloden Battlefield near Inverness in the east Scottish Highlands
Culloden Battlefield, near Inverness
A Highland cow and calf on a wet day in the Scottish Highlands
Highland cows
Aerial view from a heather covered hillside of Plockton on the south side of Loch Carron in Wester Ross in the Scottish Highlands
Plockton, Loch Carron
A red deer stag facing the camera in the wilderness of the Glencoe valley, in the western Scottish Highlands
Red deer stag, Glencoe
Aerial view of the gardens and castle of Mey in Caithness and the sea beyond on the north coast of Scotland in the Highlands
Castle of Mey, Caithness
The white sand beach and blue waters at the Morar beach, Lochaber district on Scotland's west coast in the Highlands
Morar Beach, West Coast

Our Scotland team can't wait to help you start planning your trip to The Highlands