Must-Visit Attractions in the Highlands

A good place to start, this tiny village is often the last place people visit, simply because they’ve walked, run, cycled or driven the length of the UK – typically from Land’s End. It’s not actually the northernmost point on mainland UK, as many think – that honour goes to Dunnet Head, just down the road – but it’s a great place for a coastal walk or, if you’re lucky, to see the Northern Lights.

In a word: iconic. The scenery here is stupendous and if you are the outdoorsy type you will find much to do. If you aren’t, then the road through the glen affords some incredible views nonetheless. During the colder months, fun activities you can enjoy here include snowshoeing and dog sledging.

In the wake of the Jacobite uprising, the British government commissioned this artillery fort in order to secure its army and prevent any future threat – but luckily for them, it was never put to the test. Inside the thick, geometric walls of the fort, you can visit the Highlanders Museum – Scotland’s largest regimental museum outside Edinburgh – explore the grand magazine and its impressive collection of weapons and visit the old barracks to see a graphic recreation of soldiers’ living conditions over the centuries. The walls are also an excellent spot for spotting wild dolphins leaping from the waves in the distance.
>> Make sure to capture the entire beauty of the fort on this tour!

This is one of the best places in the region to get up close and personal with the native wildlife of Scotland. Red squirrels run free across the park and a captive breeding programme for the Scottish wildcat offers hope for this rare species. Other residents include amur tigers, European grey wolves and red pandas.

Built at the end of the 19th century, this tower was never finished to John McCaig’s original design. Instead, it houses a beautiful garden and affords wonderful views over the wee town of Oban and beyond which can all be seen on this tour!

Travelling the last part of the West Highland Line – from Fort William to Mallaig and back – over summer, this steam train carries people along a railway regularly voted the best in the world. Harry Potter fans will recognise parts of the line, too.

>> Hop on board with this tour!

Visible from the appropriately-named Jacobite train, this monument marks the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie unfurled his banner and rallied the clans to his cause. Beyond is Loch Shiel, a stunningly wild area. Expect to see deer, eagles and more on this tour!

Less famous than the renovated castle on Eilean Donan, the ruined Tioram guards the western entrance to Loch Shiel and remains an awe-inspiring sight. Located on a tidal island, a visit here is likely to avoid the crowds associated with some of the other Scottish castles.

The most remote pub on the mainland of the UK, you can only get here via a ferry ride – or a very long walk indeed – as there are no roads into the tiny village. Once you arrive, you may be surprised at just how good the locally sourced food is. The friendly welcome and warm atmosphere should keep you entertained for many hours.

A visit to Culloden – located just outside Inverness – is a poignant one. The wind that almost constantly blows across the battlefield adds to this feeling, as though the past is somehow much closer. The visitor centre is full of interesting artefacts and stories, but it’s the battlefield itself that will leave a lasting impression.

Ardvreck is surrounded by some of the most beautiful and wild scenery in the UK. Built in 1590 by the Clan MacLeod and destroyed fewer than 100 years later, the ruins stand on a promontory in Loch Assynt as a stark reminder of the past to those who travel the nearby road, the route of the North Coast 500. The location is definitely worth a visit, the surrounding countryside is inspiring and the ruins, loch, mountains and moors make for excellent photographs.

Not only is this Iron Age Broch a fantastic place to visit in itself – the narrow and winding road to reach it is epic, passing through wild and remote parts of the Highlands. Dun Dornaigil was built around 2,000 years ago, but no one is exactly sure why brochs were constructed. These circular stone towers are found only in northern Scotland and surrounding islands and contain a stairway leading up to chambers and galleries. Today, Dun Dornaigil stands at 23ft (7m) at its tallest surviving point, but would likely have been at least twice that height all those years ago.

Built in the 13th century by the Bishop of Caithness – and later Saint – Gilbert de Moravia with funds from his own pocket, Dornoch Cathedral was eventually burnt down in a clan feud in 1570. It stood in ruins until it was extensively renovated and repaired during the 1800s and brought back into use. Some of the stained glass windows were donated in memory of Andrew Carnegie, who stayed nearby on his estate at Skibo. The town of Dornoch also features a castle and a premium golf course.

The original monks of Beauly hailed from France and named the valley they migrated to ‘Beau Lieu’, meaning ‘Beautiful Place’. Originally constructed in the 13th century, the Priory remained in use until it was dissolved during the reformation in 1634. The standing ruins are extensive, with remarkable and well-preserved stonework still present on the site. Not far from Inverness, Beauly Priory is a must-see if you’re staying in the Highland capital.

These twin Neolithic tombs date back more than 5,000 years – and are among two of the oldest stone monuments in Scotland. They’ve undergone several reconstructions through the years, but the Grey Cairns of Camster still provide a fascinating insight into Neolithic funerary practices. The long cairn leads down a tunnel of 200ft (60m) to two internal chambers – you can crawl through it, although there isn’t much room so perhaps not a great idea if you are claustrophobic. Inside the chambers there are skylight windows, allowing light to enter in long beams.

These fluffy coos need little introduction. They are to be found all over the Highlands and come in several different colours. Driving around the back roads of Scotland, it’s a common sight to see people pulled over and taking selfies with these friendly beasts.

The ruins of Urquhart are a short distance along the Great Glen from Inverness and attract not just fans of history, but also those keen to use the tower as a viewpoint to spot Nessie. Loch Ness is vast, but there are few more iconic shots of the loch than those with this castle in the frame which can all be seen on this tour!

On the North Coast 500 route, this little museum crams a lot into a small space. If you want to see how the crofting communities in this part of the world lived and worked, the tools they used and the homes they lived – and still live – in, this is a fascinating place to visit. There is also an excellent tearoom to enjoy a late afternoon tea in which can be seen on this tour!

Until recently this small town was overlooked, as visitors rushed north to catch the ferry to Orkney. However, this is changing and for good reason – Wick has a long history and a wonderful museum to showcase it all. A walk around the former herring town is fascinating and includes the shortest street in the world. In winter, this is also an excellent place to try and catch the Northern Lights – or the Merry Dancers, as they are known in this part of the world.

In one word: vast. This huge cave is near to Durness on the far north-western coast of the Highlands and features an array of fascinating geological features – an underground waterfall and lake being just two. Although entry to the cave is free and it’s open all year, in order to get the most from the experience, it’s worth joining a tour that operates from April to September.

A fairytale castle on the eastern side of the Highlands, Dunrobin also has stunning gardens and an array of activities – including a famous falconry display. Make sure to do all the activities and see all the sights on this tour!

Plockton is a picture-perfect wee village, situated where the mountains reach the relatively warm waters of the west coast of Scotland. How much warmer is it here than the east coast? Perhaps the palm trees growing in the village will give you a clue.

Ullapool is a popular spot for refuelling, whether refilling cars to make the epic journey further north or for filling your stomach. There is a ferry west to Stornoway and attractions on this tour which include the spectacular Corrieshalloch Gorge, a local heritage museum and both a book festival and a music festival – the wonderfully-named Loopallu.