By air
Inverness (INV), the Highlands' main airport
United Kingdom
Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom
Glens, lochs and castles
Getting there
Best time to visit
May to September — the long days
Don't miss
Glencoe
Loch Ness
Eilean Donan Castle
Ben Nevis
Things to do
Loch Ness
Glencoe hikes
The West Highland Railway
Whisky distilleries
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Waterproofs, midge repellent
A quieter corner
The Glenfinnan Viaduct as the steam train crosses
Questions travellers ask
When should I plan a trip to the Scottish Highlands?
May to September, for the long days. Bring waterproofs and midge repellent — you'll be glad of both.
What are the big sights in the Highlands?
Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, Ben Nevis and the hikes of Glencoe. Ride the West Highland Railway if you can.
Is there a moment in the Highlands worth timing right?
The Glenfinnan Viaduct as the steam train crosses — plan your day around it.
Which airport should I use for the Highlands?
Inverness (INV), the Highlands' main airport. Once you're there, venison and a whisky distillery or two are the local pleasures.
About Scottish Highlands
- Mountains
Where it is
The Scottish Highlands cover the mountainous north and west of Scotland, beyond the Highland Boundary Fault, a land of glens, lochs and sea lochs whose main town is Inverness, with Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles.
History
For centuries the Highlands were the Gaelic-speaking heart of Scotland, organised in clans, many of which supported the Jacobite risings until their defeat at Culloden in 1746. In the Highland Clearances, mostly between 1760 and 1850, landlords removed many tenants to make way for large sheep farms, and many Highlanders emigrated to Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
People
Highlanders speak English, and Scottish Gaelic survives above all in the Hebrides, where it is still a community language. Traditions include bagpipe music, ceilidhs, Highland games with events such as tossing the caber, and clan tartans.
Known for
- Loch Ness and its legendary monster
- Glencoe and Ben Nevis
- Eilean Donan Castle
- Whisky distilleries
- The Glenfinnan Viaduct on the West Highland Line
Did you know?
Loch Ness is so deep that it holds more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.