Highland

Scotland's largest council area, covering classic Highland scenery such as Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Isle of Skye, and sparsely populated.

The Highland council area covers a large expanse of mountains and coastline across northern and northwestern Scotland. Its administrative centre is Inverness, and it is the largest local authority area in the UK. It brings together some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes: Loch Ness and its castle ruins, the glen of Glencoe, Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, and the Isle of Skye, famed for its striking rock formations and coastline. The North Coast 500 driving route is also popular. From May to September the days are long and transport is easier, while in winter some facilities in certain areas close. Inverness Airport and the Highland railway line via Perth are the main gateways.

Destinations

Itineraries

Classic Highlands and Isle of Skye Loop – Depart from Edinburgh and loop clockwise through the Highlands via Glencoe, the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, and Pitlochry.
North Coast 500 Anticlockwise Loop – Drive the NC500 anticlockwise from Inverness, taking in Bealach na Bà, Assynt, the north coast, and east coast castles.
London to the Highlands: 10-Day Rail Journey – Take the train north from London to York and Edinburgh, ride the West Highland Line to Skye, and finish in Inverness.
Outer Hebrides: Barra to Lewis 7-Day Island Hop – Island-hop from south to north along the Hebridean Way, from Barra's beach airport to the Calanais Standing Stones.
Shetland and Orkney: Northern Isles – Take the overnight ferry from Aberdeen north to Shetland, then head south to Orkney to explore brochs, seabirds, and Ne…
Isle of Mull, Iona, and Staffa – Cross from Oban to drive around Mull, visiting the colorful harbor of Tobermory, spotting sea eagles, visiting Iona Abb…
Eastern Scotland: Fife to the Cairngorms – Travel from the fishing villages of Fife to Dunnottar Castle, then cross Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms, returning vi…