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!