Lochs, glens, castles and ferry crossings across the north and west of Scotland
The Highlands cover the mountainous north and west of Scotland, and distances are large. This guide covers six bases: Inverness and Loch Ness, Fort William with Glencoe and Ben Nevis, the Isle of Skye, the Cairngorms, Oban with the ferry to Mull, and the Black Isle with Easter Ross.
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles, Urquhart Castle looks over Loch Ness, and Dunvegan Castle is the seat of the MacLeod chiefs. Some of the most scenic roads are single-track, ferries run to Skye, Mull and Kerrera, and weather can change a plan quickly, so allow time and check operators' pages before you travel.
Areas
Each area has its own mini guide with 83 sights, places to eat and drink, and where to stay across the city.
The Highland capital on the River Ness, with Culloden, Loch Ness and the Moray Firth coast within reach
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Base for Ben Nevis, Glen Nevis, Glencoe and the Glenfinnan railway line
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Harbour town, clan castles and the Cuillin, reached by bridge or ferry
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Mountains, ancient pine forest, steam trains and wildlife around Strathspey
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Harbour town and ferry gateway to Mull, Kerrera and the Inner Hebrides
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A peninsula of Pictish stones, Cromarty and dolphin-watching, with whisky country to the north
Open the mini guide →Sights
A sight from each area. Every area guide lists the rest, with directions and official links.
Red sandstone castle above the River Ness, completed in 1836 on a site fortified since 1057, now a Highland heritage visitor attraction.
Highest mountain in Scotland and the British Isles, at 1,345 m, rising above Glen Nevis south-east of Fort William.
Rock pinnacle among the remains of ancient landslips below The Storr, on the Trotternish peninsula north of Portree.
Mountain resort in the northern corries of the Cairngorms, with a mountain railway and a bike park.
Circular granite tower on Battery Hill above Oban, a listed monument with 94 lancet arches.
Spit between Fortrose and Rosemarkie where bottlenose dolphins can often be seen from the shore. The lighthouse was first lit in 1846.
Museum and gallery on Castle Wynd, managed by High Life Highland on behalf of Highland Council.
Mountain resort on Aonach Mòr, a Munro about two miles north-east of Ben Nevis.
1 / 12Animal attractions, railways, science centres, beaches and caves from our the Scottish Highlands guide, grouped by type. We hold no age ratings or child prices: check each place’s own site for age limits, height rules and family tickets.
Cairngorm Reindeer CentreReindeer herd, The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-Spey
Highland Wildlife ParkWildlife park, The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-Spey
Glenfinnan Station MuseumRailway museum, Fort William, Glencoe & Ben Nevis
The JacobiteSteam train, Fort William, Glencoe & Ben Nevis
Cairngorm MountainMountain railway and resort, The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-Spey
Strathspey RailwayHeritage railway, The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-Spey
Landmark Forest Adventure ParkAdventure park, The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-Spey
Cruachan Power StationPower station visitor centre, Oban, Argyll & the Mull ferry
Loch MorlichLoch and beach, The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-SpeyPractical help: travelling with children and where to stay in the Scottish Highlands.
Theatre
3 theatres and performance venues across 2 areas: see where each one is, how to get there and where to find what is on.
Filter 3 venues by area, type of show and step-free access.
Open the directory →One link to each venue's own programme page, plus seasonal highlights.
See what's on →Inverness’s main theatre and arts centre beside the River Ness, with an on-stage programme and cinema.
Venue page →Itineraries
Short routes that stitch the areas together.
Getting there
Inverness is the main air and rail gateway to the Highlands, and Glasgow is the usual starting point for Fort William and Oban. Always check each operator for current times, fares and disruption, particularly for ferries in bad weather.
Highlands and Islands Airports Limited lists flights from Inverness Airport to London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Belfast, Dublin and Amsterdam, among other destinations.
Inverness station is the terminus of the Highland Main Line. The West Highland Line serves Fort William and Mallaig, with a branch to Oban. The Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight from London Euston and lists Inverness, Fort William and Aviemore among its Highland destinations.
Citylink gives journey times to Fort William of about 2 hours from Inverness, 3 hours from Glasgow and 4 hours from Skye. CalMac says the bus from Glasgow to Oban takes just under 3 hours, and from Inverness to Oban 3 hours 30 minutes with a change at Fort William.
CalMac gives 45 minutes for Oban to Craignure on Mull and 45 minutes for Mallaig to Armadale on Skye, and recommends vehicle reservations for Mull. A small ferry crosses to Kerrera from Gallanach in 5 minutes.
Journey times on this page are the operators' own headline figures. We do not publish timetables or fares.
Portree, the main town on Skye, is about 119 km from Inverness according to Wikipedia, and each base here is a long drive from the next. Choose two or three areas rather than trying to see all six.
Many single-lane roads have passing places where vehicles pull in to let oncoming traffic pass. VisitScotland also asks drivers not to block passing places when they park.
VisitScotland points drivers to the Traffic Scotland route checker for roadworks, accidents and weather disruption.
Ferries to Mull, Skye and Kerrera are run by CalMac. Vehicle reservations are recommended for Mull, and electric vehicle drivers can find charging points through ChargePlace Scotland, according to CalMac.
Trains and coaches link Inverness, Aviemore, Fort William and Oban. Reaching sights such as Glenfinnan, Glencoe, Fairy Pools or Culloden without a car needs extra planning, so check local bus operators.
Regional coaches, buses, trains and ferries
ScotRail (Scotland’s trains).ScotRail runs most trains within Scotland. Its tickets page refused automated access, so check ticket types and any Scotland-only offers on its site.ScotRail tickets (opens in new tab)
Best time to go
Many attractions, ferries and cafés change their hours by season, so check each website before you travel.
Seasonal sights such as Glenfinnan Station Museum open from April, and hill and loch walking is easier than in winter. Midges are most active just before dawn and sunset and are less active in wind.
Some visitor sites and ferry timetables shorten as the season ends, so confirm opening before you plan a day trip. Mountain weather can still turn quickly.
Glencoe Mountain Resort runs snow sports in winter. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service reports on hazards on the hills, and severe weather can close roads and lifts.
Day trips
Ideas for a day away from the Scottish Highlands. Check the operators for times and tickets.
A castle on a small tidal island at the meeting of three sea lochs, about 1 km from Dornie.
eileandonan.com →
An early Gothic Revival country house on the shore of Loch Fyne, near Inveraray in Argyll.
inveraray-castle.com →FAQ
Each base works for two or three days. Distances between them are long, so most visitors choose two or three areas rather than all six.
Drive over the Skye Bridge, which carries the A87 across Loch Alsh, or take the CalMac ferry from Mallaig to Armadale, which CalMac says takes 45 minutes.
CalMac says the Oban to Craignure crossing takes 45 minutes and recommends vehicle reservations. Check the timetable before you plan a day trip.
Trains and coaches reach Inverness, Aviemore, Fort William and Oban, and Citylink serves Skye. Many sights are away from the stations, so check local buses and tours before you rely on public transport.
They are single-lane roads with passing places. VisitScotland says vehicles pull in so oncoming traffic can pass, and asks drivers not to block passing places when parking.
Yes. Highland midges are most active just before dawn and sunset and are less active in wind. Carry repellent or a head net in summer.
Urquhart Castle stands beside Loch Ness on the A82, about 21 km south-west of Inverness. Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus are also on the loch.
Check the Mountain Weather Information Service forecast and, in winter, the Scottish Avalanche Information Service. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code gives guidance on responsible access.
Nearby places
Our closest other guides, by straight-line distance between centres. Road and rail distances are longer: check a journey planner.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Plan it properly
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