If you have watched too many movies about Middle Earth, overflowing with magical creatures and beautiful landscapes, you will feel at home visiting the Scottish Highlands, it is exactly how you imagine Scotland to be: Green grass dancing with the wind, huge mountains with snow on top of it, that Game of Thrones feelings all over.
The cool part of visiting the Scottish Highlands is that the stunning views you get, are not only, well…stunning, but also full of history, and I’m not talking about fiction, but real history involving tribes, clans, and Vikings.
There are many things to ddo in the Highlands of Scotland, taking into consideration it extends through a vast area from the middle to the north of Scotland. To visit it, you can take one of the many tours leaving from the main cities, or drive your way through.
If you are planning to venture on your own, here goes a list of places you must visit in the Scottish Highlands that will help you a little bit planning your trip.

Best Places to visit in the Scottish Highlands: What to do in the Highlands, Scotland
The Highlands

Scotland is divided into Highlands to the north and Lowlands to the south. Back in time, the Highlands were occupied by the Gaels, an ancient people who had their own culture and language, while the Lowlands were the land of the Scottish people. With time, due to many factors, the Gael people started to migrate to the Lowlands, leaving the Highlands little populated.
Although the Gael culture almost disappeared, many people in the Highlands still preserve part of it, including the language. In some areas, it is still taught in schools and some elders are still able to communicate in this language. Some words used in Scotland are also from the Gaelic vocabulary, such as Loch (lake) and Glen (valley).
The Highlands are not only rich in beautiful places but also in history, there are many historical places to visit, such as many castles, battlefields, old villages, and standing stones. Many battles happened in the highlands from the invasion of Viking to the occupation of the British army and the rebellion of the Jacobites.
With time, these conflicts and the increase in industrialization in the central belt promising work for the now ex-farm labor forced the population to migrate to the south part of Scotland, leaving behind, small populated villages.
Check here the best castles in Scotland to visit.
Villages and Cities

The Scottish Highlands are made up of mostly small cities and villages, besides Aberdeen, all big cities of Scotland are located in the south part of the country. Highlands is perfect to spend some vacations if you are seeking a chill place away from the crowd to rest. It has beautiful places to see and amazing outdoor activities if you are into that.
These are the main Highland cities in Scotland:
Callander

There is always divergences in pointing where exactly the Lowlands end and the Highlands start but in general, we consider Callander to be the first city, the gateway to the Highlands.
It is a pretty small city with a population of only 3,000 people. There is nothing much to see and do in the city, BUT from there you can have access to the Callander Crags, as well as many other trails and walks.
Highlights:
- Callander Crags
- Loch Lomond
- Trossachs National Park
Inverness
Known as the capital of the Highlands, Inverness was first established by the 6th century and is located close to two important battle sites, one in the Aird that took place in the 11th-century and the other located in Culloden Moor that took place in the 18th-century.

Inverness stands at the mouth of the famous River Ness, so it is really easy to get to Fort George and Loch Ness from here. Home of strong tradition and culture, many will remember this city from the Outlander series. Inverness also has its own castle, built-in 1836, unfortunately, it is not open to the public, but you can admire the building from the outside.
Highlights:
- Loch Ness
- Fort George
- Inverness Castle
Fort Augustus

Another small city, according to the last census, the city has only 650 residents, BUT it’s here that you can take the cruise for the Loch Ness, which I really recommend!
Besides that, there you can also see the locks of the Calledonian Canal, a very interesting construction, you will find it exactly in front of the dock where you take the Loch Ness Cruise.
Highlights:
- Loch Ness
- Calledonian Canal
- Loch Ness Monster Statue
Natural Place
Loch Lomond

Located in the gateway of the Highlands, Lake Lomond and the Trossach National Park are great places to visit if you are an outdoor person who loves adventure and to have contact with nature, or even if you just want to chill admiring the great views from this lake. There are many things to do in Loch Lomond.
Glen coe

Home of the beautiful complex of mountains called Bidean Nam Bian, where the most famous part is known as the Three Sisters of Glen Coe. The Glen Coe is part of a National Park and considered one of the most beautiful places in Scotland!
Glen Coe also keeps a bloody past, it was here that one of the most famous events that took place in Scotland happened in 1692, known as the Massacre of Glen Coe when the MacDonalds were pursued and killed by their guests for not prompt pledging allegiance to the new monarchs.
For Harry Potter fans, visiting Glen coe and Fort William, a village nearby, is a must, as many scenes were filmed here.
Glen coe, for example, was the place chosen as the location of the Hagrid’s hut. Unfortunately, the hut is not there anymore to be visited. Harry Potter was not the first movie to use the Glen coe as scenery though, another dear one was Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail.
How to see the real-life Harry Potter train.
Loch Ness

Do I really need to describe it?! The location of probably the most famous legend of the world: Lake Ness Monster! There are many cities on its border but the most famous one to visit the is Fort Augustus, there you can take the cruise and hunt for the monster. Lake Ness is long in extension and really deep, the water is so dark it looks like coke.
If you want, you can book a boat trip across Lake Ness, it is definitely a fun experience and I really recommend!
For those who are not really into cruises or doesn’t like the idea of being in a dark, black and cold river, you can drop it and have a picnic instead, there are many places in its border where you can have a beautiful view while you enjoy your meal.
Commando Monument

This is actually a man made memorial in honor of the British Commando Forces during the World War II. The memorial stands on the top of a hill, and from there, you can get a beautiful view from the Highlands
Castles
Urqurhat Castle

It’s a castle beside the Loch Ness, the ruins date from 13th and 16th century but the fortification was built on another fortification dating from the early medieval period. The castle was held as royal castle from the 14th century to the 17th when it was abandoned.
Nowadays it is the most visited castle in Scotland and considered. It is open to the public and from the castle that sits on the top of a hill, you can have a view from the Loch Ness.
Eilean Donan Castle

This is probably the castle that appears more often photos. One of the most well preserved of Scotland. He is located on its own little island, and a stone bridge leads to its entrance. The castle overlooks the Isle of Skye and is surrounded by a forest.
The castle was built in the 13th as a stronghold of the Clan Mckenzie, but it was destroyed in 1719 during the Jacobite rebellions. In the 20th century, the castle was reconstructed, producing what we see today.
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This is just a small list of the cool things you can visit in the Highlands. But of course, the list goes on. It is impressive the number of unique places to visit in such a relatively small piece of land. There are many other castles, loads of mountains to admire and, if you are an adventurous person, to hike, islands and beautiful cities.
There are tours leaving from the major cities of Scotland almost every day. You can find many tour companies in the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. The option is many, you can take tours that go from 1 day to 20 days! Yeah, I told you there are many things to see in the Highlands!
22 Comments
Frank Hubeny
29 de March de 2017 at 17:43Very nice description. It makes me want to visit there sometime.
Isadora
29 de March de 2017 at 17:55You should if you ever get a chance!! It is an amazing trip!!
Reena | Just24Days.com
1 de April de 2017 at 11:48Gorgeous! Adding this to my travel wishlist!
Madi | Restless Worker
1 de April de 2017 at 11:52Love this post! I’ve wanted to visit Scotland for as long as I can remember, I just haven’t had the chance yet. Definitely saving this for my next trip 🙂
Erin
1 de April de 2017 at 12:10I studied abroad in Edinburgh and went to the highlands a couple of times! I would definitely also visit Culloden battlefield as that has a big significance in Scottish history. This post makes me want to go back!!
Isadora
1 de April de 2017 at 23:31I agree with you!! Thats one of the reasons I want to go back there, last time I didn’t have a chance to visit it! :/ I definitely should
Kaisa Lee
1 de April de 2017 at 12:11I love seeing anything with Urquhat Castle and Highland Cows. Awesome to see a post about the Highlands that isn’t aaaaaaalll only about Loch Ness 😛
Isadora
1 de April de 2017 at 23:30hahahah Highlands has so many things to be seen, it is not fair to forget all the rest for the Loch Ness hahaha 😛
Becky
1 de April de 2017 at 12:58Wow I have no idea why I have never really explored Scotland that much. I think maybe I need to book a trip and check it out!! Stunning photos too 🙂
Isadora
1 de April de 2017 at 23:19You really should, you will not regret!! 😀
Penelopi
1 de April de 2017 at 14:57Love Highlands!!! I was studying in Edinburgh for a year and I had the chance to visit all areas in the highlands!! Magnificent!! 🙂 Between your photos are great!!
C-Ludik
1 de April de 2017 at 16:46I visited most places you describe in your post ! The city of Inverness has many beautiful old monuments, including a red sandstone castle built in the Victorian style overlooking the river Ness. Driving along Loch Ness, we passed beautiful scenery, majestic valleys and mysterious ruins like Urquhart Castle… so much good memories 🙂
Brooklyn
1 de April de 2017 at 16:49Wow beautiful photos! I would love to explore the Scottish Highlands.
Renee
1 de April de 2017 at 18:17Love this post! I have always dreamed of visiting Scotland so thank you for sharing your tips 🙂
Janette Marais
15 de November de 2019 at 09:02Just got back from the Scottish Highlands ………… one of the best places to visit, but don’t rush it as there is so much to see especially if you love history and beautiful scenery
Helen
2 de April de 2017 at 06:27Lovely pics! I’m from the UK and still haven’t visited the Highlands, I think that needs to be fixed soon 🙂 Thanks for this useful list of sights!
Delilah
3 de April de 2017 at 06:09Such an informative guide! I like all the contemporary and historical facts you included. (I feel like) Scotland is really underrated, and this guide totally makes me want to go.
Stephanie
3 de April de 2017 at 07:39This looks amazing and is definitely on my list of places to go! I hadn’t considered going in winter but something about the snow makes your photos look so charming! I especially am intrigued by the two castles 🙂 so beautiful! Great to know that there are tours as well in the case that you didn’t want to rent a car. Great post !
Paul
26 de April de 2017 at 17:48Beautiful Scotland is one of our favorite countries. Thanks for sharing!
Travel help
17 de January de 2020 at 19:57What a wonderful post and very interesting pictures!
Isadora
20 de January de 2020 at 15:55Thank you so much dear! 😀
Lilija
1 de February de 2020 at 10:31The great review. Thank you for the project!