Know Before You Go: Visiting the Scottish Highlands

Outdoor enthusiasts will find a four-season playground in the Scottish Highlands. Year-round adventures include skiing on the slopes of Glenshee Ski Centre in winter, bird watching in spring, cruising the lochs in summer, and hiking the West Highland Way in fall. May through September typically offer the optimal conditions for exploring the Scottish Highlands. During these months, the days are long and the weather is at its warmest and driest (relatively speaking). The peak visitor months of July and August can bring the frustrations of crowded attractions and booked-up accommodations, so try to avoid those months.

At least a week is the ideal time to spend exploring the Scottish Highlands—while the region is small, getting around, whether by car or public transit, can be time consuming. If you have limited time, book a tour to knock out multiple locations without the hassle of driving or navigating public transportation. Scottish Highlands day tours visit several attractions, including Glen Coe, Loch Ness, and Pitlochry. With a multi-day tour, you could add the Isle of Skye.

One of the top attractions in the Scottish Highlands is the world-famous Loch Ness. The deep, dark lake is a popular destination regardless of whether or not you spot “Nessie,” the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Hauntingly beautiful, Glen Coe is a narrow horseshoe-shaped valley flanked by steep mountains—as notable for its cultural history as its scenery, it was the site of the infamous 1692 Massacre of Glencoe. For outdoor enthusiasts, Cairngorms National Park is a top draw: As the United Kingdom’s largest national park, it offers hiking, mountain biking, wildlife watching, and skiing. Experience them on a guided tour that combines all three attractions.

From Glasgow or Edinburgh, you can take a scenic train ride, drive, or bus journey of 3-4 hours to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. The journey itself is a treat, passing through the mountain-studded Cairngorms and skirting quaint villages. If you’d rather leave the driving or timetable planning to the experts, book a day trip that includes pickup from Glasgow or Edinburgh.

The best way to get around the Scottish Highlands is by private car or guided tour. While the region is reasonably well-served by public transportation, traveling only by bus or train can be time consuming, especially in more remote areas where service is limited. Drivers should be prepared to drive on narrow or single-track roads and to make use of signposted “passing places” when necessary—if you are on a single-track road and see a vehicle approaching you, pull into a passing place (you may have to reverse if there is not a passing place close ahead).

Whether you want to spend multiple days exploring the Scottish Highlands or check off the most important landmarks in just one day, there’s a tour option to suit your travel style. Day trips departing from Inverness can take you along the banks of Loch Ness to the west coast; some even include a ride on the famed Jacobite steam train (aka Hogwarts Express). Another popular day trip from Inverness is the Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle tour. Alternatively, book a specialized tour focused on your interest, whether that’s whisky or wildlife.

Visitors to the Scottish Highlands should expect changeable weather conditions, including multiple climates in one day. Pack layers that are easy to get on and off, as well as a waterproof jacket. If you’re planning to get out onto one of the lochs, it’s a good idea to also pack a pair of gloves. For any kind of hill walking or hiking, you’ll need comfortable footwear, too. Even though it is often chilly in the Highlands, don’t forget your sun protection: Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Finally, prepare yourself for the biting summertime nuisance that is the dreaded Scottish midge by packing bug spray and perhaps even a head net.

Exploring the Scottish Highlands independently is rewarding, but it’s a good idea to at least spend part of your time in the region with a guide. Local guides can provide historical and cultural background that deepens your understanding of the Highlands. Where a first-time visitor may see a “wild” and “empty” landscape, for example, a guide can provide context on how the region has long been inhabited and shaped by humans and explain the forces that removed those people from the land.

While the Scottish Highlands are rugged, with some planning the region is accessible to travelers with disabilities. Although many guided tours are not wheelchair accessible, many do allow service animals. Most public transportation (including trains, buses, and ferries) is accessible and has dedicated wheelchair space. Major attractions, including the Loch Ness Centre, are wheelchair accessible. Outdoor activities, too, are accessible, with adaptive hiking paths and snow sports available in the Cairngorms, for example.

• How is the Scottish Highlands defined? The exact boundaries of the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands are not precisely defined. However, the dividing line is generally considered to be the Highland Boundary Fault, a geological fault line that runs across Scotland from the Isle of Arran in the west to Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire in the east.

• What language is spoken in the Scottish Highlands? English is the primary language spoken across Scotland, including the Scottish Highlands. However, Scottish Gaelic has a strong presence throughout the country and especially in the Highlands. Visitors will notice Scottish Gaelic on road signs, in train stations, and in place names.

• What is the Scottish Highlands known for? The Scottish Highlands is principally known for its dramatic landscapes, which include world-renowned landmarks such as Loch Ness and the highest mountain in the United Kingdom, Ben Nevis. The Highlands is also known for its strong Gaelic culture, which is expressed in language, song, and literature.