Have you ever thought of visiting UK and especially Scotland? Then, Highland is a must place to visit in your Scotland tour. The Scottish Highlands offers majestic and wild scenery and blissful seclusion amid lochs and mountains. This northern part of Scotland beamed to a global audience in the likes of the Harry Potter films and the Outlander TV series. From hunting for the Loch Ness Monster to scaling Ben Nevis and even kicking back on one of the region’s stunning, tropical-style beaches, every inch of the Scottish Highlands seems to promise adventure and mystery.
Loch Ness
Loch Ness is a freshwater lake that’s known the world over as the reputed home of the famous, dinosaur-like Loch Ness Monster, more affectionately known as Nessie.
Stretching for almost 37 km and reaching depths of over 200 meters, Loch Ness sits south of Inverness at the heart of the Scottish Highlands, and it figures high on the itinerary of most visitors to Scotland. It’s possible to walk or cycle all the way around Loch Ness in a few days, but if you’re pressed for time, you can head out on a boat tour for some Nessie-hunting of your own.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Traveling across the Scottish Highlands by train is an excellent way to take in the region’s abundance of unmissable views. The scenic West Highland Railway Line connects Glasgow with the town of Fort William and the ports of Oban and Mallaig. The scenery is worth the ride alone, and you’ll catch plenty of glimpses that just can’t be had other than by train thanks to a total lack of roads.
The route also passes some of the most low-key and isolated train stations in the UK, and Harry Potter fans will be thrilled with the chance to pass over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, just as the Hogwarts Express has so many times.
Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan Castle is quite simply an iconic image of Scotland. The framing of this privately owned 13th-century castle takes the term ‘picturesque’ to extremes, set on its own small island, surrounded by lochs and mountains, and even with views of the Isle of Skye.
The Eilean Donan Castle – the name of which translates as the Island of Donnán, after a Celtic saint – has had a rich history since being founded as a monastic cell. It was ultimately destroyed during the 18th century’s Jacobite uprisings, and what you see today is actually a 1930s reconstruction of the ruins.
Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis is where it’s at when it comes to serious British mountain climbing. It is, after all, the tallest peak to be found anywhere in the UK. This monster of a mountain soars 1,345 meters above sea level and forms of part of the Three Peaks Challenge, which involves climbing Nevis plus England’s Scafell Pike and Wales’ Snowdon – all within 24 hours.
Ben Nevis’ 2 main tracks are suited to walkers and climbers with different levels of experience. The mountain is part of the Grampian range and was first climbed in 1771. These days, some 125,000 people still make the ascent each year.
Isle of Skye
During your trip to the Highlands, you must go the Isle of Skye! There, you will discover spectacular landscapes of moores, rocky valleys, mountains, steep cliffs, and white sandy beaches. For hikers and nature enthusiasts, this is the paradise on earth! You should stay a minimum of 2 full days to really appreciate the island.
To go there, you can cross the Skye bridge, connecting the village of Kyle of Lochalsh to the island, or take the ferry from Mallaig.