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 Historical & Heritage Tours 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. GHD Clan tour of OUTLANDER series
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
George will personaly guide you through time pointing out all the references to the Outlander Series in the Highlands. Visit the Culloden Battlefield and other areas where Claire and Jamie travel.
Inclusions: Bottled water, To hear George talk about Culloden, you'd think he was there
Exclusions:
Reviewed By mutleymushu
I wanted to book a trip where myself and my husband were the only passengers but I wasn’t paying stupid money, and this trip fitted the bill. We had an excellent trip with George, who went out of his way to find us as many distilleries as he could. Unfortunately because of coronavirus many had shut their doors to visitors. Unsurprisingly none of the distilleries we did visit were doing tours of where they do production, but the ones we visited for tastings were well worth it. The highlight for us was Glenmorangie. We’d highly recommend a day with George, a true gent and Highlander.
2. Legendary Glenmorangie Distillery Visit... and more from Inverness
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Go off the beaten track and explore some little-known, but fascinating, places within easy reach of Inverness and Invergordon. In a small group of no more than eight, visit Loch Fleet Nature Reserve, and Dornoch and its impressive cathedral. Complete your experience with a stop at Glenmorangie Distillery for an optional dram of whisky. Explore places missed by most visitors to Scotland Get insight into the culture and history of the region from your guide, Johnny. This is a very small-group tour for a more personal experience No-fuss round-trip transport (No more than 8 People)
Inclusions: Bottled water, Wifi On-board, Air Conditioned Vehicle, Local Guide
Exclusions: Attraction entry tickets
Reviewed By ArmyMan33711
A beautiful distillery in a park-like setting on the water. The tour guide was friendly and well-informed...took us through the distillery and cask storage facilities explaining the entire process. Tasting on one scotch included in the “Original” tour. Which was fine with us...a couple other options available
3. Loch Ness, Whisky and Outlander Day Tour from Inverness
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Depart central Inverness and journey to the world-famous Loch Ness, where you will have the option to join a cruise to the ruins of the 13th century Urquhart Castle, or to explore the nearby village of Drumnadrochit. Free time to enjoy lunch in one of the charming local cafés in beautiful Beauly and walk it off exploring Beauly Priory; used in the filming of Outlander. Our next stop is a Highland whisky distillery, where you can join an optional tour to learn about whisky production and sample a wee dram. Listen to tales of the Jacobite rebellions and the brutal Battle of Culloden, on our visit to Culloden Battlefield. Outlander fans will love the mysterious burial chambers and standing stones at Clava Cairns. When you’ve heard the harrowing history behind the Outlander story, you might not want to travel back in time to meet Jamie Fraser after all! Return to Inverness in the early evening.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Local Scottish Guide
Exclusions: Food and Drink, Loch Ness Cruise & Urquhart Castle (buy on site), Distillery tour and tasting (buy on site), Culloden Battlefield Exhibition (buy on site), Gratuities
Reviewed By 180rebecar
Despite Covid-19 this tour company makes us feel very safe, they had sanitisers and a considerable social distancing inside the tour bus. Was the best way to see the highlands and their incredible landscape, our tour guide Caitlin was incredible, knowledgeable, full of energy, kind, and happy, if you take this tour make sure you ask for her as she did this experience much more memorable. The visit to Loch Ness was fantastic we had the boat trip there also a must to do!
4. Walk Inverness City Centre With Cath An Experienced Local STGA Green Badge Guide
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Take a walk with Cath, a local to the area, and an experienced Scottish Tourist Guide Association Green Badge Guide around her beautiful City of Inverness. Each tour is bespoke and planned around the opening times of various venues of historical interest and importance. A Walk Inverness tour contains lots of local history, beautiful scenery, architecture, and romantic (yet sometimes bloody) tales which have over time, shaped Inverness into the thriving city that stands today. In the true spirit of Outlander, find out more about the short but final confrontation of the Jacobite Rising, The Battle of Culloden in 1746, in which the fate of between 1500 Jacobites was sealed by a poor decision and a hostile terrain. Cath will fascinate you with references to Outlander along with life in 18th century Inverness right up to the present day. Sharing stories of clan history, folklore and legends. Step even further back in time to 565 AD and learn about St Columba’s visit to the Highlands.
Inclusions: Experienced local guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Broomas11
We were guided by Cath and had a great experience. Cath explained all the history and was highly knowledgeable and good fun. She took photos for us and sent them on and really helped us understand the relevance of all the places of interest we visited. Well worth doing
5. GHD Clan Tour of Speyside Distilleries
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
You will be transported through time as you travel towards Speyside getting closer to George's Home town. You may hear his accent change slightly the closer he gets to the area of his childhood NOTE: It will depend on how early you book this tour as it is not always possible to gain entry to all distilleries on the same day as they are usually very busy. George will always do his best to ensure you get to visit and enjoy the distilleries of your choice around the area.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Local knowledge from a (TRUE) Highlander in a Kilt :)
Exclusions:
Reviewed By mutleymushu
I wanted to book a trip where myself and my husband were the only passengers but I wasn’t paying stupid money, and this trip fitted the bill. We had an excellent trip with George, who went out of his way to find us as many distilleries as he could. Unfortunately because of coronavirus many had shut their doors to visitors. Unsurprisingly none of the distilleries we did visit were doing tours of where they do production, but the ones we visited for tastings were well worth it. The highlight for us was Glenmorangie. We’d highly recommend a day with George, a true gent and Highlander.
6. Full-Day Loch Ness Glencoe and the Highlands Tour from Glasgow
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Visit Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands on this one day tour from Glasgow. Departing Glasgow you'll have the opportunity to enjoy morning refreshments and take some great photos at Loch Lomond. Your tour will then continue through the desolate Rannoch Moor, one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe. We will stop for photographs in Glencoe which has very dramatic scenery and a dark past. Travelling through Fort William with Ben Nevis looming overhead, you will follow the Great Glen Canal on it’s journey to Fort Augustus at the southern top of Loch Ness. You’ll have time to enjoy some lunch here and explore the town.You can then choose to purchase tickets for a 1 hour monster spotting cruise on the loch, you may even see Nessie!. We'll travel through Inverness and the Cairngorms National Park before reaching our final refreshment stop in the Victorian town of Pitlochry. After some time there we continue back to Glasgow.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Services of your Driver-Guide
Exclusions: Meals and Refreshments, Loch Ness 1 Hour Cruise. Can be purchased on the day: Adult £16.00 Concession £16.00, Child £10.00.
Reviewed By CannonisGod
Another Quality day trip completed (10th May 2021) Jeff was excellent with his knowledge and is very caring and makes the whole trip come together. Will definitely be back again.
7. The Ultimate Isle of Skye Day Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 177 reviews
Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and stories of this magical island with a local Highland company. We are proud to be able to offer you the best rated tour guides and the most spacious and well-appointed mini-coaches. We are a 5 star Visit Scotland rated operator, who are number 1 rated on TripAdvisor in Inverness. However, we don’t just offer tours; we offer you the opportunity to fall in love with the place we call home.
Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Experienced driver, Live commentary on board
Exclusions: Hotel pick-up/drop-off, Lunch, Snacks/drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By Liam G
In the words of Bill Medley... "Now I've had the time of my life No I never felt like this before Yes I swear it's the truth And I owe it all to you..." I went on this incredible tour on Saturday 1st May 2021 and loved every second. Gordon and Rob's knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye is second to none! Not only did we get a tour of the modern day Scotland that we ventured through but we also got a tour of Scotland through hundreds of years. It takes incredible skill to navigate the roads that we drove through as well as constantly describing the areas we are driving through and tell stories, jokes and play a soundtrack relevant to the area at the same time. I went away with a great deal of knowledge of Geology, History, questionable comedy and Politics. Gordon's unwavering passion and knowledge of his home country is masterful and provides you on the tour with everything you need to know about why you are there. The bus for the tour was comfortable, impeccably clean and covid measures and social distancing were at the forefront throughout the tour. I felt nothing but safe and well informed the entire tour. Wow Scotland were also able to pick me up and drop me off right outside the door of where we were staying! This tour is highly recommended and being run by a local family you know you are getting nothing but the best. Particular highlights were Eilean Donan Castle, the Quiraing, Urquhart castle and "You'll never find a Nessie in the Zoo" 11/10 and I can't wait to do another one!
8. Glenfinnan Viaduct and The Great Glen 8 Seater Tour from Inverness
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 72 reviews
Would you like to visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the famous bridge crossed by the Hogwarts Express steam train in the Harry Potter movies? Would you like to take in beautiful views of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK? Why not take a trip into the absolutely stunning Lochaber region in the West Highlands of Scotland and see the Great Glen all in the comfort of one of our 8-seater vehicles?
Inclusions: Bottled water, Professional guide, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board
Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Entry fees to attractions, Lunch, Entrance to Urquhart Castle
Reviewed By cindynor41
john mcgillivray coleman was the world’s best tour guide! Too much cool and kind stuff he did to mention but I wanted to post this picture of him clowning around with us.
9. The Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle from Inverness
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 207 reviews
Leave the city for the day and explore the beautiful Isle of Skye. Visit Eilean Donan Castle; one of Scotland's most photographed castles and cross the bridge to the scenic Isle of Skye. Visit Portree, it's village-capital and marvel in the beautiful scenic nature all in one day.
Inclusions: Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Local guide
Exclusions: Food and drinks
Reviewed By Beardless92
Truly a one of a lifetime experience! Marita is a very knowledgeable and entertaining guide! I should also add she is a great driver, cause those Highland roads can get a bit narrow ???? The experience is very immersive, and just listening to Conquest of Paradise while driving through the Highlands is EPIC! Hope you get lucky with the weather as we did, cause all the main photo stops, the sky was clear and lighting was just perfect! ???? The views are stunning, the castles bring their own stories and mysteries and the Isle of Skye is truly another world in itself! I would like to thank the whole Timberbush Team for this ride! I can only wholeheartedly recommend to anyone!! ????????????????????????????❤️
10. 2-Day Inverness and the Highlands Small Group Tour from Edinburgh
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 145 reviews
Join this small group tour for a magical two day escape to the Highlands. Traveling through spectacular scenery, this tour is the perfect way to see Scotland and many of her highlights. These include stops at Doune Castle, Glen Coe, Glenfinnan Viaduct (April - October only) and Loch Ness. Overnight is in the bustling Highland capital of Inverness followed by visits to Culloden Battlefield, prehistoric standing stones, Pitlochry (optional whisky distillery tour) and a riverside walk at Dunkeld.
Inclusions: Small-group tour - 13 passengers or less, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes mini coach
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Attraction Entrance Fees, Accommodation: See the Additional Info section below to select your preferred accommodation choice
Reviewed By EmJo
23 October 2020. Almost everything is so good, but Glencoe stood out due to its natural beauty. We were on the foot of the mountains. I highly recommend this tour to everyone!! Keith was our tourguide and driver. Very professional. :)
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