Top Things to do in Scottish Highlands
Top Hotels in Scottish Highlands
- 1. The Onich Hotel
- 2. Premier Inn Inverness Centre River Ness
- 3. Travelodge Inverness Fairways
- 4. The Garrison Hotel
- 5. Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa
- 6. Ness Walk Hotel
- 7. The Morar Hotel
- 8. Craigmonie Hotel Inverness by Compass Hospitality
- 9. Premier Inn Inverness East hotel
- 10. Premier Inn Thurso hotel
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Scottish Highlands, Scotland
The moody, romantic Scottish Highlands start at Loch Lomond just north of Glasgow. Comprising a slew of mountain ranges, this sparsely populated land is best seen by train on the West Highland Line. Mountains, lochs, bright heather and rhododendrons give way to white sand beaches and rugged coves as the train nears Mallaig. For a more active take on the region, hike the West Highland Way or visit the Trossachs National Park. Ben Nevis, a popular climbing spot, looms over the town of Fort William.
Restaurants in Scottish Highlands
1. Steall Waterfall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,434 reviews
Reviewed By I4996RBjoannap - Brough, United Kingdom
Drive down a single track road until it comes to an end which is a small free car park so arrive early; there was another car park at beginningof road however it charged for parking and would be quite a walk to get there. We arrived at 9am and had no issues with parking. A great walk along the river with mini waterfalls coming over the path which then opens up to see Steall Waterfall. There is a wire bridge to get closer to see it however there is a great view without crossing. We were lucky enough not to have midges even though it was warm and dry.
2. Glen Coe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,423 reviews
The National Trust for Scotland cares for Glencoe National Nature Reserve, a 14,000 acre estate with 60 kilometres of footpaths for you to explore, marvel at the panoramic mountain views and spot internationally-renowned wildlife. Glencoe is a natural wonder, the remnants of a 'caldera' or super-volcano, formed many millions of years ago and later shaped by glaciers during numerous Ice Ages. Its history is a poignant one, most famed for the 'Massacre' of 1692 and more recently as a playground for pioneering mountaineers and climbers. Find out more or support the conservation work of Glencoe's Ranger team at the NTS Glencoe Visitor Centre at the western end of the Glen.
Reviewed By AlanMcCleish - Glasgow, United Kingdom
Stunning landscape rich in wildlife and natural beauty.History is also a major asset to this place although some of it is a wee bit dark.Some of the hills look like they deserve a lot of respect when venturing into them up high.
3. Durness Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 390 reviews
Reviewed By drjasonclark - London, United Kingdom
I went here for my 50th birthday. It was stunning and very very special. White sand, blue sea, and freezing cold (it was January!). A must-visit part of the UK.
4. Glen Etive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 443 reviews
Reviewed By Krs922v - Balloch, United Kingdom
Whilst staying at the Kingshouse Hotel we took a drive to Glen Etive and kept going until we ran out of road at Loch Etive. Lovely drive with single track and lots of passing places. It's very peaceful at the Loch and the scenery was hauntingly beautiful.
5. Loch Morlich
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 593 reviews
Reviewed By andytM4330OL - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
We had a great weeks weather in Aviemore and Loch Morlich was visited nearly every day.There is so much to do and the girls enjoyed Paddle boarding,Kayaking and swimming in the Loch.We had a lovely beach BBQ one evening as well several picnics
6. Eilean Donan Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,314 reviews
This picturesque castle, built in 1220, holds the title of the most photographed castle in Scotland.
Reviewed By Armaska - Tallinn, Estonia
Eilean Donan was our third castle after Stirling and Inveraray and they all were worth the visits! They all have picturesque locations but they are super different in the inside. We really liked the Eilean Donan audio tour and we specially liked the kitchen and bedrooms - super interesting to see how noble people lived. And do not miss the before pictures - it is unbelievable that a family (and restoration worker) had the vision and means to build it up again. Definitely a gem!
7. West Highland Way
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 418 reviews
Well-marked walking path stretching from Glasgow to Fort William.
Reviewed By Dom682014 - Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
I did the whole thing 10 Yeats ago, this time I just did half if it. Drive to Tyndrum and stay st 'By the Way'. Leave car there. Day one - 11 mikes to Inberoran. Lovely hotel. Day Two - 11 miles to Kings House Day Three - 11 miles to Kinlochleven. Day Four - 17 grueling miles (700m assent) to F William. Get train back to Tyndrum! As others have said, last two miles into F William is on the road and not great. Plus they have moved the official finish line to the other side of town - seems harsh. But nothing can take away from an amazing walk. Just remember, as you leave Tyndrum, the Green Welly shop is the last shop of any kind until Kinlochleven and the ONLY shop directly on the route.
8. Urquhart Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,250 reviews
Discover 1,000 years of drama, experience a glimpse of medieval life and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands. Climb the Grant Tower that watches over the iconic loch, peer into a miserable prison cell, said to have held the legendary Gaelic bard Domhnall Donn, and imagine the splendid banquets staged in the great hall. A more comfortable view of the iconic ruins, against a backdrop of Loch Ness and the hills of the Great Glen, can be enjoyed from the café. Urquhart’s stories are also told through a remarkable collection of artefacts left by its residents, historic replicas, including a full-sized, working trebuchet siege engine, and a short film. The castle has a distinctly Highland heritage and the site has witnessed some of the most dramatic chapters in our nation’s history. This is where St Columba is said to have worked miracles in the 6th century, where acts of chivalry and defiance provided inspiration during the Wars of Independence and where the MacDonald Lords of the Isles struggled with the Crown for power.
Reviewed By 882davidh - Seamill, United Kingdom
What an amazing castle, even though it is a ruin. We were there nearly 2hrs wandering around and taking pictures. It was a brilliant day of still water and bright sunshine, almost shorts and tee shirt weather, and this was in mid November!! We were told in the summer that is very busy. If I was going to make one recommendation, be there as soon as it opens. We were able to walk around, take loads of pictures solely of the castle and grounds, and not other visitors. There is an excellent visitor centre as well, full of information (including a short film on the history), things to buy (obviously), and a large café with panoramic views of the castle (indoor and outdoor seating). There is also disabled facilities, a lift to the lower level and they provide 4 wheel mobility scooters as well to get down the pathway to the castle. The staff are really friendly, so helpful and very knowledgeable about the ruin.
9. Inverness Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 624 reviews
Opened in 1993 by Prince Edward, Inverness Botanic Gardens, formerly Inverness Floral Hall & Gardens, are an oasis of calm and beauty within walking distance of the city centre. With each new season the outside gardens are an explosion of colour and texture, and borders are planted to demonstrate a wide variety of plants and growing conditions. The impressive glasshouses reveal the drama of plant diversity ranging from the tropical rainforests to arid, heat scorched desert.
Reviewed By valt644 - County Durham, United Kingdom
Visited last Sunday. Free to enter but made a donation. Took about an hour to wander round. Beautiful plants and flowers, the colours were still very vibrant and especially loved the dahlias which were glorious. Also loved the bug hotel. A lovely place to visit.
10. River Ness
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,422 reviews
This wide peaceful river flowing through the city of Inverness is great for fishing salmon.
Reviewed By rolfk232 - Uster, Switzerland
A guided city walk offers plenty of information and views about the urban areas of Inverness. You can expand that with a walk out to the locks in the Caledonian Canal (which we did), or by taking a tour in the harbor & the Moray Firth (we just walked to the harbor) — that covers a lot of the tourist aspects of Inverness. In about an hour you can experience a vastly different aspect of Inverness—the calm, idyllic, scenic atmosphere of a park. It's best to start near the castle, or at Inverness Town House: walk down to the River Ness, then follow the East bank upstream, via Ness Bank, then don't cross the river, but continue on Lady's Walk, then cross a little bridge to the first island, continue upstream, take the next bridge, finally a third one. Soon, you will find a bridge that crosses to the other side of the River Ness. But rather continue on the island, upstream, up to the tiny resting place very end. On the way back, you could switch to the West bank — I rather recommend staying on the island, strolling back on the East side path, passing a couple of sequoia trees (impressive, even though of course not comparable to those in the West of the US). Once you have left the islands, you can still decide to switch to the West bank to visit the cathedral—but without that, you should be back in the city center5 within less than an hour: a beautiful, scenic, peaceful and relaxing walk!
