What to do in Scottish Highlands

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Scottish Highlands

Types of activities

Where to stay

Scottish Highlands travel guide

Oban featuring a lake or waterhole and a house

Oban featuring a coastal town and a bay or harbour

Inverness showing night scenes and a river or creek

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Top places to visit

1. Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. In the western portion of the Grampian Mountains, the picturesque giant dominates the skyline and overlooks several lakes. Join the many hikers and mountaineers who battle the elements year-round to conquer the mountain.

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Ben Nevis showing mountains, forest scenes and tranquil scenes

2. Inverness Castle

Inverness Castle is one of the city’s most prominent landmarks, its baronial turrets dominating the skyline. You might recognize the castle as the location of Duncan’s murder in the Shakespearean play Macbeth. Walk around the castle grounds to admire its architecture up-close and see impressive views of the city and along the River Ness.

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Inverness Castle featuring heritage architecture, heritage elements and a castle

3. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park offer some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, just a 1-hour drive north of Glasgow. The villages in the area are steeped in history and legend, and locally sourced food takes pride of place at many of the local restaurants.

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Visit this Scottish national park to hike through ancient woodlands, relax on the shore of the largest body of freshwater in Britain and enjoy local produce.

4. Urquhart Castle

Bring your camera for your trip to Urquhart Castle. Its crumbling brown walls and spectacular towers, which are set against the tree-covered hills and still waters of Loch Ness, are extremely photogenic. Learn about 1,000 years of history and trace centuries of conflict between the English and the Scots at these stirring medieval ruins.

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Urquhart Castle featuring tranquil scenes, heritage elements and a lake or waterhole

5. Portree Harbour

Portree Harbour is a sheltered, calm space lined by rows of pastel-colored storefronts and fringed by gentle green hills. Embark on boat trips to nearby islands from the pier and enjoy fresh seafood dishes at one of the family-owned establishments lining the harbor.

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Portree Harbour featuring a bay or harbour and boating

What to do in Scottish Highlands

Popular places to visit

Ben Nevis

4.5/5(74 reviews)

Brave the conditions and climb to the summit of this mountain to see the ruins of an observatory from the 19th century.

Inverness Castle

4/5(95 reviews)

A setting in one of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedies, this crenellated castle sits on a hill overlooking the River Ness.

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

4.5/5(490 reviews)

Visit this Scottish national park to hike through ancient woodlands, relax on the shore of the largest body of freshwater in Britain and enjoy local produce.

Urquhart Castle

4.5/5(93 reviews)

Visit one of the most scenic heritage attractions in Scotland, a set of majestic ruins on the banks of the glittering waters of Loch Ness.

Portree Harbour

4/5(64 reviews)

Observe fishing boats coming ashore and dine on fresh seafood in a waterside restaurant at this picturesque harbor.

Dunvegan Castle

4.5/5(20 reviews)

Set on a basalt outcrop overlooking Loch Dunvegan, this historic fortress has been home to the chiefs of a prominent Highland clan for eight centuries.

Inverness Cathedral

4/5(63 reviews)

Discover the intriguing art and artifacts housed inside this controversial cathedral in the city center.

Talisker Distillery

4/5(23 reviews)

Tour a working whisky distillery and sip a dram of the smoky yet sweet single-malt Scotch produced here.

Fairy Pools

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Fairy Pools during your travels in Minginish.

Explore areas of Scottish Highlands

Inverness Castle showing a river or creek, a castle and heritage elements

Inverness City Centre

4.5/5(343 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and stunning river views are just a few highlights of Inverness City Centre. Make a stop by Inverness Castle or Victorian Market while you're exploring the area.

Portree Town

If you're spending some time in Portree Town, Somerled Square and Portree Harbour are top sights worth seeing.

Fort William showing railway items and heritage elements

Fort William City Centre

4/5(18 area reviews)

Fort William City Centre is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Great Glen Way and West Highland Museum while you're in town.

Broadford

Unique features of Broadford include the restaurants and seaside views. Make a stop by Isle of Skye Market Square or Magpie while you're exploring the area.

Crown

While there might not be top attractions in Crown, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Inverness Castle and Eastgate Shopping Centre.