The celebration of my graduation from the University of Edinburgh was as good a time as any to travel and explore the Scottish Highlands. I had a winter graduation around the end of November. This, in UK terms, means extremely short days (the sun showed up at 9 am, and it was pitch black by 4.30 pm) with cloudy skies and bouts of unpredictable rain.
So, in other words, typical.
This also meant that I visited someplace meant solely for the night, I was on a tight leash where time was concerned. Cloudy skies also meant that I got diffused light all throughout the day and that was good for travel photography. Armed with all this information, I was ready to go.
We first landed in Edinburgh and rented a car from the airport. We booked the car in advance, but you can go ahead and book it on the spot too.
Before you sign any document, please check all the charges, even after you’ve spoken to the representative. Although we had included insurance in our initial payment, we were charged an enhanced insurance of 192 pounds. Since we were in a hurry, we blindly overlooked it and due to the fact that we had signed the document, we weren’t refunded the money. We found out about this blunder much later when the credit card was charged. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
About The Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands comprise of landscapes spanning over the northwest of Scotland. They are famous for their scenic backdrops, mountains and valleys amongst beautiful trees and lochs.
Many films like Harry Potter and Prometheus have been shot here at various locations. It also forms the backdrop for the popular TV Series, Outlander.
Map of Attractions
How To Use This Map: The icon at the top left corner displays the sidebar which has individual layers. This helps you view the destinations as a list. If you click on the tiny star next to the map title, you’ll be able to save this map into your personal library.
The square bracket icon on the extreme top right helps you view the map on a larger screen. If you want to get details on individual locations, you can click the purple markers on the map.
Enjoy your exploration!
Day 1
We started the trip from Edinburgh with Fort Augustus as our final location for day 1. On the way, we drove through the beautiful village of Dunkeld, right on the edge of the highlands. While you can skip it (and you probably will if you keep continuing down the A9), we stopped for coffee and were not disappointed.
After our stop at Dunkeld, we continued on the A9 and arrived at the Culloden Battlefield. It is absolutely important to do the tour to understand its historical significance. If, however, you’re late, the highlights tour provides a more than enough summary of the historic battle. While the visitor center shuts down in the early hours of the evening, the grounds are open 24hrs.
After 20 minutes of driving, we reached Inverness. We didn’t stop at Inverness as most do. Instead, we drove straight to Fort Augustus via the Great Glen Road. The Great Glen Road, the picturesque route, takes you to Fort Augustus via the Loch Ness.
Since it was dark already, we roamed around for a bit in Fort Augustus and retired for the day.
Day 2
Day 2 of our trip around the Scottish Highlands began with a nice early morning walk exploring Fort Augustus where you will find the most picturesque viewpoints for the Loch Ness as can be seen below.
We then drove from Fort Augustus to Portree as our last destination for the day. On the way via the A887 and A87, we visited the Eilean Donan Castle located on a small tidal island at the meeting point of Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh. It’s best to check the visiting hours before going as they vary with season.
We continued towards the Isle of Skye via the Skye Bridge on the A87. We arrived at Portree at the centrally located Tianavig View Apartments. That evening, we also visited the Sligachan Old Bridge, which was a 15-minute drive from Portree via the A87. The Sligachan Bridge, a place shrouded by Viking myth, has recently become popular as it is said to be a shooting location for the Game of Thrones prequel.
Day 3
Day 3 of our escapades in the Scottish Highlands began with a drive to the Old Man of Storr which is a popular hiking location that has been used as a backdrop for many popular movies like Prometheus. The hike to the point usually takes 45 minutes to an hour. We didn’t hike up though as we had a lot more to see.
10 minutes of driving later, we reached the Lealt Gorge waterfalls and the Kilt Rock and Lealt Falls viewpoint.
We then drove for about 30 minutes along the A855 to the Fairy Glen. It is a miniature green valley with conical hills, dwarf forests, and plenty of grazing sheep.
After spending some time in the fairy glen, we drove for a little over an hour to visit the Neist Point Lighthouse. Since the darkness would set in soon, we almost skipped this place but trust me, the view was worth it. It’s a little bit of a walk/hike to reach the lighthouse but watching the sunset from there makes it completely worth the while. 10 on 10 would recommend this place for sure. We then drove back to our apartment in Portree where we retired for the day, thus bringing Day 3 to an end.
Day 4
Now that we visited most of the Isle of Skye, it was time to check out and move on to the next location on the list, Glencoe valley.
Day 4 in the Scottish Highlands began from Portree, where we drove to the famous Fairy Pools. There are three sets of pools, the first one appearing after a 15-minute walk and the very last one after 45 minutes to 1 hour of walking.
Pro Tip: The Fairy Pools are difficult to find so ask around and try entering ‘Glen Brittle’ in your maps to reach the right location. Keep in mind that the mobile signal isn’t the best so I suggest downloading the directions beforehand.
From the Fairy Pools, we drove to the Glenfinnan Viaduct via the Skye Bridge, NOT the ferry route. The Glenfinnan Viaduct was a bucket list essential for me considering my affliction towards Harry Potter. This was where the iconic Hogwarts Express scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was shot. Rest assured, my Potterhead self, removed my jacket, let my Hogwarts sigil tee out and took some pictures while braving the cold.
From here we drove to our stay for the night in Onich which was close to Fort William. After resting for a bit, we visited the Glencoe Valley and Rannoch Moore viewpoints which are also popular Harry Potter filming locations. The views are stunning, and since the tourists were few to none, we got to take in the view in all its glory! We then drove back to our hotel, knowing that Day 5 brought lots of driving.
Day 5
Our last day in the Scottish Highlands, i.e. day 5 commenced with a 1.5-hour drive to the Stirling Castle. It takes at least an hour to tour the whole castle and the last entry was at 16:15 when we went in November. Click Here for more information
We then roamed around Stirling for a bit, and then visited the Helix: Home of the Kelpies which is essentially a popular monument of 2 horseheads located near Falkirk.
After visiting the Kelpies and enjoying a few moments of rest in the park, we drove back to Edinburgh, thus, completing our trip around the highlands.
If You Have Time to Spare
If you enter each location on maps in the order in which they appear on the post, you’ll notice that the entire journey forms a loop that starts and ends at Edinburgh.
Depending on the duration of your visit, you can add or remove places from the list. If you’ve got more time on your hands, I would suggest taking a look at Oban and Glasgow as well.
Getting Around The Scottish Highlands
There are two major ways to get around the Scottish Highlands i.e. walking and with a vehicle. A car is absolutely necessary when touring the highglands. It is the only way to go from one location to the other.
You can either rent a car and explore yourself or you can avail a good tour. Touring of course takes away all the decision fatigue but having your own vehicle lets you enjoy your trip at your own pace, spending as much time as you want in a destination.
Within the location, however, walking is your best friend. In order to visit certain spots (like the Old Man of Storr, Fairy Pools, Neist Point Lighthouse), you have to do a ton of hiking. Good shoes, with a good grip are a must.
Best Time to Visit The Scottish Highlands
- We went around the highlands during November and December as an extension of my graduation. However, that isn’t the most feasible time to go. The days were extremely short and more often than not we were driving in the dark and the rain. I’m sure we could’ve cut some time from our 5-Day itinerary if we had more daylight.
- Visit the Scottish Highlands anywhere between May and September for pleasant weather and longer days. Try and avoid July and August since they’re the peak months. As such, this is a non-issue since the highlands are too vast to feel crowded.
- October / fall months are great if you’re a fan of pretty sceneries. The entire landscape turns into beautiful shades of orange and red and it’s a treat to the eyes. We got to see a few glimpses and it was pretty as a picture.
Where to Stay in The Scottish Highlands
Honestly, this depends on which place you decide to make your base for the night. Where you stay is a matter of personal choice but I’ll give you a low down of our accommodation during the trip for reference.
- Edinburgh – Cityroomz Edinburgh. Located on Princes Street. Extremely good location in terms of connectivity and being close to all attractions. They’re self catering hotel apartments so you can avail room service.
- Fort Augustus – Whitehouse. A simple BnB in Fort Augustus. The rooms are extremely clean and well kept. The hospitality is superb and the breakfast spread is decent. They have parking facilities and the inn is quite centrally located.
- Portree – Tianavaig View Apartments. Centrally located self catering apartments in Portree. They are extremely spacious and beautiful private residences with a private parking space. Well connected, about a 5 minute walk from the city centre and a local grocery store.
- Onich (close to Fort William) – Corran Bunkhouse. The rooms are small and more like a hostel. There are common kitchens for cooking and common rooms for relaxation. The hospitality, however is top notch. We did not anticipate the room size for the three of us and the owner gave us an extra room, free of cost. Would definitely recommend them to everyone.
What to Eat in the Highlands
Local eats in the highlands are similar to anywhere else in Scotland. Try some authentic Scottish food like
- Haggis. Sheep’s pluck minced with oatmeal, salt, spices and onions. It’s a Scottish breakfast essential. If you’re adventurous, go ahead and sample some Haggis. It’s the most authentic Scottish thing you will find.
- Neeps and Tatties. Which is essentially Turnips and Mashed Potatoes but they’re a Scotland Staple.
- Fresh fish. Atlantic Salmon and Trout. Plenty of mussels and oysters.
- Cullen Skink. Scottish soup with potatoes, leek and smoked haddock.
- Cured meats and cheese
- Whiskey. Oh! The joys of Scotch Whiskey. With every sip, you can taste the local artisanal goodness. There are several pubs and restaurants where you can enjoy a sublime drinking experience.
- Shortbread. These biscuits are a great sweet addition to your tea. It’s the staple evening snack in Scotland and a must-try.
- The Sticky Toffee Pudding. This sweet delight is a staple, believe it or not. It is usually served with vanilla ice cream.
- Battered Mars Bar. Extremely decadent chocolate bars covered in batter and deep fried. They say you shouldn’t leave Scotland without trying these.
Budgeting Tips
- Hire a car. This is a travelling tip but also an important budgeting tip. You get to visit free locations and save money on guided tours.
- Fuel. Fuel costs seem to be cheaper in bigger cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow. Fill up before you leave to save some bucks.
- Accommodation. You’ll get the best prices for budget bookings on booking.com. Be sure to research before you make a reservation. Time of visit impact these rates greatly. Look for BnB’s over hotels for better prices.
- Don’t eat in restaurants. Enjoy the stunning landscapes. Park somewhere and enjoy your meal in the arms of nature. Save on service charge costs while you’re at it.
- Lidl and Aldi. Always pick them if you have an option. They’re the most budget friendly supermarkets. Next is Sainsbury’s and Tesco. Marks and Spencer and Waitrose are extremely high end.
Scottish Highlands Travel Tips
- Weather and Rains. No matter the season, the most unpredictable thing about the UK is its weather. Rains come and go at any time. Anticipate the cold. Make sure to pack accordingly
- Footwear. Visiting certain locations on the Highlands warrants for a good amount of hiking. Pack shoes and gear for the same.
- How many Days. You need at least 3 to 4 days to do justice to your Highlands trip
- Mobile Networks. You may not always get good cellular signal. If you’re relying on navigation apps, make sure to plan in advance.
- A vehicle is absolutely essential to tour the Highlands. If you don’t have your own I would highly suggest a tour. Although public transport is available, having your own vehicle is much more convenient.
- Pay attention to certain single lane roads for two-way driving. They usually have cul-de-sacs on the side to pull off and let other cars pass. Drive carefully.
- Stop and take the picture. Not a tip as such but a love filled PSA. The highlands are full of lovely landscapes and picture perfect sceneries. Make sure to stop for that perfect backdrop.
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The Scottish Highlands are extremely beautiful and anyone who visits, leaves with wonderful memories that they keep forever. I hope I’ve managed to make this post extensive and detailed enough to help you when you plan your trip and make your own memories.
As always, the floor is open for discussion so if you have any questions or suggestions leave them in the comments below. Tell us about your highlands experience. Or even drop by just to say Hi!
Until then, Bon Voyage!