Scotland
The land of wild landscapes and countless castles
Rolling hills, rocky cliffs and long valleys dotted with a myriad of colors, crystalline lakes sparkling even on the coldest days, and castles scattered across the countryside make you wonder what it would be like to go back in time.
Legend and tradition are deeply rooted in the Highlands. Ruined forts and monastic cells were once home to Irish Gaelic chiefs and saints; deserted beaches and mountain passes once echoed in clashing clan battles; and empty valleys are still haunted by the ghosts of the Clearances.
The Highlands are probably one of the most iconic places to visit in Europe. As such, they have a lot of things to see and places to visit. With that in mind we suggest at least 5 days for your visit. Assuming you will take 5 days on your trip, prepare to least spend 2 days for the Isle of Skye. If you have more time for this wonderful adventure, you can easily extend your visit to 8 or 9 days to enjoy the entire north of the country with the calm that nature deserves.
As in the rest of the country the high season in during the warm months. The tourists peak is during the summer, so we recommend you avoid this period. We suggest to visit this part of the country from late April to early June or late Septemberto October. The temperatures are still good and you will have more space for yourself.
In our opinion freedom of movement brings a lot of benefits on the Highlands. Although you can get a guided tour and visit the main spots, you will not have the same chances to see everything you want and at your pace. So, the best way to move around the Highlands is definitely by car. Although driving is on the opposite side to the “normal” side of the road, you will quickly get used to it and you will realize the enormous advantages of being able to go to all places in your bucket list. We recommend Celtic Legend since we have had a good experience with them.
Although it is not a risky adventure, not that far from civilization or with difficult routes, there are always some important things to consider for this trip. Even though the mobile network is almost always good, you should download offline maps from the area since there will be some place where you may lose your mobile wireless network. Alternatively, in the good traditional style, take some paper maps (making the trip only with access to these maps will certainly be interesting and an adventure that you will remember). It may be important if the GPS fails.
In addition, a small first aid kit, water and some food are always essential goods in case of any unforeseen event along the way. And of course, comfortable clothes and shoes to trek and visit most of the many fantastic trails in the area. In addition, you will not regret bringing a good camera with you, you'll take great photographs.
All the Highlands are pretty safe and we didn't had any kind of trouble during our trip. Just be careful driving on remote areas and tiny streets, because help could take some time to arrive.
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As previously mentioned, 5 days is the bare minimum to enjoy most of the wonders that this land has to offer. For this, we recommend that you rent a car on the first day very early, to start the day full of energy. Next, we will present a suggested guide which we believe covers the most well-known and popular places. We will present the Edinburgh-Glasgow route, however it can be done in the opposite order if it is more practical for you.
Restaurant Suggestions: | The Kitchen Brasserie ($$), Great place in the center of Inverness. |
Where To Stay: |
The King's Highway Wetherspoon |
Praised for its location at the centre of Inverness, close to everything.
Highland Apartments by Mansley |
Luxurious apartments located at the banks of river Ness, right in the center of Inverness.
Restaurant Suggestions: | Urquhart's Restaurant ($$), Good restaurant serving local cuisine. McBains Restaurant By The River ($$), Offers good food at a selective range of prices. |
Where To Stay: |
Portree Independent Hostel |
A cheap option for those traveling on a budget. Facilities include a shared kitchen, a shared lounge and free WiFi in all areas.
Portree Youth Hostel |
Hostel with a shared dining area and a common lounge. All rooms are heated and very comfortable, with option for a private bathroom.
Cuillin Hills Hotel |
This luxurious and very expensive hotel has spectacular views over Portree Bay and the Cuillin Mountain Range. It features an award-winning restaurant and serves a variety of whiskeys.
Raasay House Hotel |
Located at Isle of Raasay, this is a magnificent award-winning hotel. It offers rooms at a very large selection of prices. It is necessary to use the ferry to reach the island.
Restaurant Suggestions: | The Red Brick Cafe ($), Quite famous for providing good breakfasts Pizza in the Skye ($), Fantastic pizza for take away. |
Where To Stay: |
Glen Nevis Youth Hostel |
Located at the base of Ben Nevies, this hostel has access to a multitude of hiking trails.
Moorings Hotel |
Situated at the banks of the Caledonian Canal, a 10 min drive to Fort Williams. The rooms offer panoramic views over Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor.
Restaurant Suggestions: | The Village Rest ($), Good food at cheap prices. The Pier Cafe ($$), Great location at the shore of Loch Katrine |