The Scottish Highlands is one of the most beautiful places in the world! Once you experience it for yourself, it will never leave your heart.
So, to give you just a taste of what’s waiting for you in Scotland, here are ten things to do when you visit the Highlands.
Soak up the scenery
The Scottish Highlands is simply breathtaking! There is nowhere else like it on earth, and you have to see it to believe it.
Majestic mountains, glistening lochs, dusky glens, and golden beaches surround you, so take some time to soak it up.
Discover the city
Be sure to visit the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. This lively, friendly, picturesque place has everything you need for a Highland city break. Visit Inverness Museum and Art Gallery for some culture.
Stroll alongside the River Ness and take in the views. And enjoy a night on the town with Scottish pubs, bars, and restaurants galore.
Go into the wilderness
Stay in a log cabin off the beaten track at Eagle Brae. These magnificent luxury cabins are out in the Scottish wilderness, where you can get close to nature without leaving your home comforts behind.
Breathe in that clean air and watch out for roaming deer, soaring eagles, and other wild animals during your stay.
Climb a mountain
The ambitious among you may aim to conquer Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK. But there are hundreds more mountains to climb in Scotland.
With something for everyone, from the experienced hiker to the beginner. And once you get to the top, the views are truly incredible.
Explore a castle
You can’t visit the Highlands without exploring at least one Scottish castle. The beautiful ruins of Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness for example.
Or perhaps the majestic Eilean Donan Castle overlooking the Isle of Skye. Step back in time and learn more about the rich history of Scotland with a tour of one of these ancient fortresses from a bygone era.
Search for monsters
Get out on the legendary waters of Loch Ness, in search of its mythical monster. Climb aboard with Loch Ness by Jacobite and look out for the creature that may lurk beneath.
Then head to the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition to sort the fact from the fiction.
Dance in a ceilidh
Get your dancing shoes on with a flash of tartan and experience a traditional Scottish ceilidh dance (pronounced kay-lee). Many venues in the Highlands put on regular ceilidhs that you can join. Check out Hootenany and Gellions Bar in Inverness, or look out for one in your nearest town.
Taste the whisky
The Scottish Highlands is home to many whisky distilleries, each one with its own unique style and taste. So be sure to visit a local distillery on your travels.
Head to Speyside for the largest choice, with the likes of Glenfiddich, Aberlour and Glenlivet, and Macallan.
Try the haggis
When you visit the Highlands, you MUST try the local delicacy. Most Scottish pubs and restaurants in the Highlands serve it.
Haggis is a meat pudding made with lamb offal, onion, oatmeal, suet, and spices. It’s traditionally served with mashed neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes). And it’s delicious with a whisky cream sauce!
See the lights
Finally, in areas with minimal light pollution, such as the Cairngorms, and the isles of Harris and Lewis, you might be treated to the greatest natural light show on earth.
The Northern Lights! In autumn and winter time, and when the conditions are just right, look up to the skies in awe and wonder.
Summary of things to do in the Scottish Highlands
Scottish Highlands is truly a magnificent place to visit. With its majestic mountains, glistening lochs, ancient castles, and traditional ceilidh dances, there is so much to see and do.
Whether you’re soaking up the breathtaking scenery, searching for the Loch Ness Monster, climbing mountains, or tasting the local delicacies, the Highlands is a destination that will stay in your heart forever.
And if you’re lucky enough to witness the Northern Lights, it will be an experience of a lifetime. So pack your bags, head to the Highlands, and prepare to be enchanted by this beautiful part of the world.
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