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
Top 10 Historic Sites 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. Wardlaw Mausoleum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
Wardlaw Mausoleum is the 17th Century Mausoleum of the Lovat Frasers. It's inhabitants inclue Simon Lord Lovat the 'Old Fox' of the Jacobite Rebellion (Grandfather of Outlander's Jamie Fraser). Open on request at Pilgrim Cottage. Contact us in advance to ensure that someone can do a tour.
Reviewed By SusanT629 - Inverness, United Kingdom
Beautiful location, great architecture, amazing history and the best guide you could ask for! Erik was fantastic: extremely knowledgeable, engaging, friendly and funny! He brought the place alive. Would highly recommend a visit and definitely check out the graveyard too.
2. 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!
3. Clava Cairns
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 680 reviews
Mysterious ancient ruins and burial chambers similar to Stonehenge.
Reviewed By I3351YCmaryg
I learned about this place by chance, from a taxi driver the night before. It is a hidden gem at the back of Culloden Moor battlefield - you can walk to it (about 30mins) or a few minutes drive. We were there in late autumn and the glorious colours added to the beauty. There were only 3 other people there, so very quiet which added to the almost mystical aura. There's 3 large stone structures, thought to be ancient burial sites and one smaller one so you can see it all and read the very informative boards in about 30 mins. Well worth a visit. It's free of charge with a donation for upkeep box.
4. 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.
5. Fort George
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,709 reviews
Fort George is now open and we are delighted to welcome you back. Booking in advance is essential. Find out more and book at restarthistory.scot. Fort George is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain. Following the 1746 defeat at Culloden of Bonnie Prince Charlie, George II created the ultimate defence against further Jacobite unrest. The result, Fort George, is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not Europe. Its garrison buildings, artillery defences bristling with cannon, and superb collection of arms - including bayoneted muskets, pikes, swords and ammunition pouches - provide a fascinating insight into 18th century military life.
Reviewed By LJH_Worcs - Worcester, United Kingdom
If you want to see the aftermath of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion, then this is it! Built after the '45 with the intention of being able to crush any further rebellions on their own ground, Fort George offers a wonderful chance to go around a major historical site which is still in use as a working barracks today, and that adds its own atmosphere to the place. The fort is built to the classic plan which would remain in use throughout the Napoleonic Wars and beyond, so great for history lovers, but also for children as there's a lot to explore.
6. Glenfinnan Viaduct
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,417 reviews
Reviewed By rafvik
We stopped at the viaduct on our way to Skye and we were certainly not disappointed! Timed to perfection we managed to be there for the passing Jacobite Steam Train and found the perfect spot to capture some amazing video footage and photo’s. Our visit was topped off with a beautiful double rainbow over the viaduct!! If you are a Harry Potter fan this is not to be missed - if you appreciate the beautiful countryside and architecture; again this is not to be missed.
7. Hugh Miller Museum and Birthplace Cottage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By Lincsman
This is part of the NTS and is hidden within Cromarty itself. There are two buildings and two gardens. It gave lots of information about Hugh Miller's life (about whom we knew nothing prior to the visit!) and had rooms set up for the period he was alive. One of the gardens contained modern sculptures inspired by his work on nature, geology and fossils. The staff were friendly and helpful. Being original old homes there is no cafe, etc but plenty of choice in Cromarty.
8. Beauly Priory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Reviewed By dennissU1613AA - Glasgow, United Kingdom
A beautiful ruin. Walk around the Abbey and adjacent graveyard reading the story board and learn of the visit of Mary Queen of Scots. In late evening can be really quite haunting. A true piece of highland history. Bus stops right outside from Inverness and entry is free.
9. Stoer Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Stoer Lighthouse is a fully furnished Self Catering Lighthouse located on Stoer Head, north of Lochinver in Sutherland, North West Scotland. The Lighthouse itself dates from the 1870's, has been recently refurbished to a high standard, and is now comprised of two flats each with 2 twin bedrooms, well appointed kitchen, bathroom and lounge.
Reviewed By Aggerstheone - Dunfermline, United Kingdom
It was quiet when we came and that was a blessing in it's self such an amazing place and panorama wow. Watch the decptive cliff edges and it will send the odd person wobbliekneed . But wonderfull definitley looking at renting one of the lighthouse flats wow
10. Grey Cairns of Camster
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By scothighlands - Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom
We approached the cairns from the A882 near Watten, and really enjoyed the drive, around 15 minutes, past Strath to Camster. There is a nearby wind farm and forest, and lots of plants and wildlife in the area, which we found beautiful. We parked up at the roadside and enjoyed reading about and visiting each of the cairns. Some were wet underfoot to crawl into, but on a dry day with waterproof trousers or similar, I would like to return to view inside. I did enter one of the passages in the long cairn as this was dryer and less daunting. If you enjoy natural spiritual places, the cairns are well worth a visit. If you continue the drive south towards Lybster, you are also in close proximity to the Waterlines Museum for a crab sandwich, The Hill O’Many Stanes and Whaligoe Steps, for other ideas to see and do. With an hour or two on a nice day, this is an enjoyable drive and visit.
