Scottish Highlands
The Highlands
It’s about spotting Highland Cows roaming heather-wreathed glens, it’s taking a sip of golden whisky as you look out over the surface of a deep mysterious loch and much more besides. From the wild West Coast with its myriad islands to the pristine forests and soaring peaks of the Cairngorms, this corner of Britain is as beautiful and atmospheric as it gets.
Outdoorsy-types love its varied mountain landscapes, especially Ben Nevis in the west – the highest mountain in the United Kingdom at 1,344m above sea level. You’ll find two National Parks here: the Cairngorms, and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. This ancient land spans the north of Scotland, above the Highland Boundary Fault.
The most convenient route in is to fly direct from London to the city of Inverness, which takes 1 hour 30 minutes.
Best of the Highlands
Top suggestions for first time visitors to the Highlands.
Inverness
Inverness is a gateway to the Highlands and so makes a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside, historic battlefields and beautiful lochs. The Highland Capital is friendly, welcoming, full of history and compact enough for wandering around by foot. Scenes for TV drama Outlander were shot in and around the city.
Ben Nevis
Hike to the summit of Britain's highest mountain and look out across Scotland. It's a serious undertaking, so make sure you go prepared. If that sounds a bit too strenuous, catch the gondola up Aonach Mor, another mountain in the Nevis range.
Glen Coe
Glen Coe, ‘the glen of weeping’, marries epic scenery with moving history. These days it's a magnificently dramatic backdrop for walking and climbing, plus films including Skyfall, Braveheart, Highlander and Under the Skin were shot here.
Further Readings
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