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
Things to do in Scottish Highlands, Scotland: The Best Private Tours
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. Select South Private Tour from Invergordon Cruise Port
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
This is a Private Tour by Luxury MPV from Invergordon heading South taking in a number of iconic attractions. This tour is laid back and at a speed to suit my customers. Whilst there will be an itinerary it is your day and this can be changed in real time as we go to change what we see or do. Tickets for attractions are not included but can be acquired at short notice at cost price.
Inclusions: Pick up and drop off from the Port of Invergordon, Complimentary water and snacks are carried in the vehicle, There is complimentary wifi where reception allows, Good craic, Snacks, Bottled water
Exclusions: Entrance tickets to attractions, meals
Reviewed By spinart2016
My husband and I had a wonderful day last week (Oct 2020) exploring the Northern Highlands from Inverness with Craig. Prior to our visit, I communicated with Craig via email to plan our day. I had a few things in mind that I wanted to see, such as the Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns and Dunrobin Castle, but mostly explained that we wanted to get a sense of the history and culture and stop and take in the beautiful landscapes and take photos. Craig delivered all that and more, exceeding our expectations, with his knowledge of the area and his delightful stories. In addition to all of the above, Craig whisked us off to a surprise visit to fascinating Wardlaw Mausoleum to learn more about the Clan Fraser (Outlander fans will understand!), Beauty Priory, Shin Falls to see the salmon leaping (yes, we did get to see actual salmon!). We had another surprise at Dunrobin Castle with a Falconry demonstration, which normally would not be operating this time of year. Many stops along the way to see beautiful vistas, Loch Fleet World Heritage site where we had a good view of the seal colony, and Clootie Well. Craig was the ultimate host, picking us up and dropping us off at our Inverness hotel, driving us in comfort, complete with safety measures of hand sanitizer and masks, and more importantly a picnic hamper full of snacks. He was very responsive and communicative before and after our trip. I highly recommend Craig as your personal tour guide to the delightful Highlands.
2. Skye in brief, shorter luxury tour to Isle of Skye
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
This well featured tour from Inverness to the Isle of Skye is shorter than my other tour but remains feature packed with visits to iconic locations. Collection from your accomodation , train or bus stations, airport or any other specified place in the Inverness area.
Inclusions: Complimentary Bottled Water and Snacks are routinely carried in the vehicle, WiFi is available where reception allows, Snacks, Bottled water
Exclusions: There are options/opportunities to visit various paid attractions throughout the tour, such fees are not included, Any required meals are not included
Reviewed By spinart2016
My husband and I had a wonderful day last week (Oct 2020) exploring the Northern Highlands from Inverness with Craig. Prior to our visit, I communicated with Craig via email to plan our day. I had a few things in mind that I wanted to see, such as the Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns and Dunrobin Castle, but mostly explained that we wanted to get a sense of the history and culture and stop and take in the beautiful landscapes and take photos. Craig delivered all that and more, exceeding our expectations, with his knowledge of the area and his delightful stories. In addition to all of the above, Craig whisked us off to a surprise visit to fascinating Wardlaw Mausoleum to learn more about the Clan Fraser (Outlander fans will understand!), Beauty Priory, Shin Falls to see the salmon leaping (yes, we did get to see actual salmon!). We had another surprise at Dunrobin Castle with a Falconry demonstration, which normally would not be operating this time of year. Many stops along the way to see beautiful vistas, Loch Fleet World Heritage site where we had a good view of the seal colony, and Clootie Well. Craig was the ultimate host, picking us up and dropping us off at our Inverness hotel, driving us in comfort, complete with safety measures of hand sanitizer and masks, and more importantly a picnic hamper full of snacks. He was very responsive and communicative before and after our trip. I highly recommend Craig as your personal tour guide to the delightful Highlands.
3. Isle Of Skye Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Looking for the perfect tour of Skye to see all the amazing sights of this rural slice of Scotland? IT Tours has a fantastic 10-hour tour that will whisk you away through the Highlands of Scotland to see some of the most iconic sights and lesser-known gems Scotland has to offer!
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions:
Reviewed By 483pauline7
The best trip I've ever been on. Professional service, great knowledge of places visited, the guide was very pleasant and tolerant for small children. I highly recommend, especially to families with small children. And not only.
4. Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Private Day Tour from Edinburgh
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Travel deep into the Highlands of Scotland on our monster-sized day tour. You will hear the legendary stories of the Jacobites, get a chance to spot the mythical Loch Ness Monster, as well as get lost in the beauty of Glencoe. It’s a tour packed with bewildering beauty and its perfect for those who are short on time and want to experience Scotland as much as possible. Places you explore: Callander, Loch Ba, Three Waters - waterfall, Glencoe, Laggan Locks, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness, Laggan Dam, Dalwhinney Distillery. • Full-day small group tour from Edinburgh (maximum 4 passengers) • Personalised attention, private tour (no one apart from you and your family members, friends will attend this tour) • You have more free time for sightseeing compared to similar bus tours • Enjoy privileged, personalized attention from your driver/guide on this small group tour • Mercedes V Class • Please note that tours stops and timings are flexible and for reference purposes only
Inclusions: Driver as a guide, Bottled water
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified, Admission fees
Reviewed By meghanc746
Ed was the perfect guide for a Girl's Day Trip. We had some extenuating circumstances on a previous tour earlier in the week that precluded us from completing it. We decided to try a private tour for the end of our trip and so glad we did. We had a few ideas of what we wanted to see and he was able to help us customize a day trip to see as many of those items as we could. He was a perfect tour guide and so patient and kind when we wanted to stop and look at various things and places (hairy cows and shopping!). We never felt rushed during our trip and he was also able to guide us through several castles so we go to see everything in our allotted time. Had we toured these places by ourselves I feel like we would have missed so much. We had a great time on our day trip and I would highly recommend Ed for a private tour of Scotland and the country side.
5. BMW X5 SUV Ultimate Speyside, Macallan, Cardhu, Glenfiddich, Aberlour, Glenlivet
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Gavin Nicholson, the two metre tour guide has been discovering Scotland his whole life and over the last 8 years he has become one of the most sought after tour guides in Scotland. Gavin is a knowledgeable and passionate born and bred Scottish Highlander who will entertain you with stories and anecdotes about growing up in Scotland. Sit back and relax while you tour in one of the most technologically advanced luxury tour vehicles in Scotland. Gavin's BMW X5 M50d 4x4 SUV can take you to parts of Scotland other tour vehicles can only dream of. An elevated vantage point so that you can see more of the beautiful Scottish Highland scenery throughout your tour. Panoramic roof for 360° degree views. Widescreens front and back to view maps and information throughout your journey. Heated seats front and back for those chilly days where you need warmed up. Chocolate paired whisky tastings from Gavin's extensive private collection.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water, Snacks, Kilted Highland Guide, Whisky and Chocolate Tasting, Face Mask and Hand Sanitiser, Free WIFI so that you can stay connected
Exclusions: Lunch, Entrance Fees
Reviewed By wontonshawn
I honestly do not have enough good things to say about Gavin and his company. He organized a great day of distilleries and sights for us and it was easily the best day of our vacation. It is obvious he does this because he genuinely loves sharing Scotland (and its whisky) with people. We basically left all the planning up to him and it was the correct choice. He was also able to get us last minute reservations at a fantastic restaurant in Inverness and coordinated a taxi driver (John, who was also a lot of fun to spend time with) for us as well. In short, this is the kind of experience one hopes to have when traveling and very rarely gets. Do yourself a favor and book Gavin himself if you have the opportunity, we can't recommend him highly enough.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. GHD Clan Tour of Loch Ness (Round Trip)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
There is no better way to see and hear about the views, culture and history as you travel the whole way round the Famous Loch (and it is a loch not a lake) than from a kilted Highlander. On this tour George will transport you through time and back again.
Inclusions: Bottled water, One of the best driver/Guides in the Highlands, Local Knowledge
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.
9. Tour 3 - Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Loch Ness, Inverness, incl. Outlander sites
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Our tour is based on a quality experience from feedback from our customers in 2019. We are a new company who aim to please and our guides will offer you local knowledge and answer all your questions. This tour is provided in a luxury 4 seater car (BMW or Lexus) or a luxury 8 seater minvan (Tourneo or Mercedes). You are guaranteed the personal touch from our friendly and expert guides. If you are a German guest we can sometimes provide you with a German-speaking guide, but usually our tour is in English.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Parking Fees
Exclusions: Snacks
Reviewed By 14clubs
We were very disappointed to cancel this tour when our cruise was cancelled but were EXTREMELY pleased when we were given our refund instantaneously and heard from the owner. She expressed her disappointment about not being able to take us on the tour. This is definitely a company that cares about its customers and we will be booking with them when we travel again
10. Full-Day Outlander Experience in the Scottish Highlands from Inverness
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 28 reviews
The success of Diana Gabeldon’s “Outlander” novels, and the resultant TV series, has been something of a phenomenon and has brought a new focus and a virtual explosion of interest to many of the historic sites throughout Scotland. The Highlands is the centre stage of the unfolding story both in fact and the tapestry of fictional story. Hame Tours have responded by creating an “Outlander” day, integrating features of our existing tours which have an Outlander connection into an eight-hour itinerary with visits to the actual sites which either feature in the series and books, or are almost certainly the inspiration for the characters and events portrayed. These are, of necessity, not always where the filming was undertaken but are the real theatre and stage of this romantic, but tragic, period of history. You will visit the following places in the company of our driver/guide whose commentary will bring alive the relevance of these visits.
Inclusions: Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By troythrace
My guide, Seoras, was exceptionally knowledgeable, and his passion for Scottish culture, the Highlands and the Gaelic language is palpable. He is a natural storyteller, eager to regale you with tales both personal and epic. I had the absolute pleasure of touring Inverness, Culloden and Chanonry Point. Including visits to famous inspirations for the book and tv series Outlander. Serolas was incomparable with his generosity and eagerness to share. Unmissable tours with amazing guides!!
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