{2026} 9+ Enchanting Things to Do in the Scottish Highlands

Planning a trip to The Scottish Highlands? Let your favorite history nerd walk you through the top fun things to do during your time in The Highlands, from fairy-tale castles to scenic landscapes.

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Planning a trip to the Scottish Highlands?

With dramatic landscapes, lovely whisky, historic sites, and far fewer tourists than you'd expect, The Scottish Highlands are one of the most romantic regions to explore in the United Kingdom. From exploring castles perched atop craggy cliffs, to searching for Nessie in Loch Ness, there's more than enough to keep you entertained in The Highlands.
We had the pleasure of visiting The Scottish Highlands on our first trip to Scotland, and loved everything minute of it, from the minute our train left Edinburgh. I didn't have any luck conjuring up the Outlander magic, but I can promise you I touched a lot of standing stones. I'll walk you through the best places we saw in The Scottish Highlands, and tips and tricks for making the most of your time!

Interested in learning more about a "road trip" to the Scottish Highlands without renting a car and relying only on public transportation, check out The Ultimate Guide to Exploring The Scottish Highlands without a Car.

Frequently Asked Questions about visiting The Scottish Highlands

FAQ: What are the Scottish Highlands? The Scottish Highlands are Northern Scotland, from Stirling northward, including scenic areas like Isle of Skye. The traditional 'capital' of The Scottish Highlands is Inverness.

FAQ: What should I wear in The Scottish Highlands? Depending on where you'll be visiting in The Scottish Highlands, the weather might be slightly cooler/winder etc than what you'll experience in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Inverness is a pretty casual city. I wore the same things in Inverness that I wore in Edinburgh and fit in just fine in September.Want to know more about what to wear to accommodate Scotland's changeable weather? Check out What to Wear in Scotland.
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FAQ: Can you visit The Scottish Highlands without a car? Yes! There are plenty of fun things to do and beautiful places to see, even if you're reliant on 'public transport.' Small group tours are another option. we've had family take that route and really enjoy it.

FAQ: When is the best time to visit the Scottish Highlands? As with most European destinations, summer months tend to be 'the best,' with longer days and warmer temperatures. The summer also tends to be more crowded. For me, you can't beat autumn in The Scottish Highlands. The scenic train return trip through The Highlands offered scenic views of Scottish fall I'll not soon forget.

{2026} 9+ Enchanting Things to Do in the Scottish Highlands

Inverness

Inverness (JSB)

Let's start our exploration of The Scottish Highlands by taking a closer look at what also happens to be most visitors first stop, and The Highlands' largest city, Inverness. The northernmost city in the UK, Inverness is home to only around 50,000 people. It's an easy, fun place to spend a couple days, as your home base as you explore Loch Ness and the surrounding region. Inverness is most well-known for its role in The Rising, and, honestly, its recent depiction in Outlander. Inverness is cute, accessible, and worth seeing. While you're there, be sure to visit Leakey's Bookshop a charming hidden gem.

FAQ: What is Inverness Castle?
Though meant to look much older, Inverness Castle is a mid-19th century building overlooking the River Ness. They're premiering an 'immersive experience' later this year to make it more of a tourist attraction. Traditionally, it was just an administrative building.

Loch Ness boat tour

View from atop the boat during our Loch Ness boat tour (JSB)

One of the best things we did during our time in The Highlands was also one of the most 'touristy:" a boat tour on Loch Ness in search of Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. Really it was just a guided tour around the loch, with a stop at Urquhart Castle. They sold food and drinks on the boat, and it's a great way to see a stunning place. We took a boat tour with the aptly named Jacobite tour company.

Urquhart Castle

Loch Ness' iconic castle is undoubtedly worth a visit. Urquhart Castle offers scenic vistas across Loch Ness, this abandoned fortress was the highlight of our time in The Highlands.

Culloden Moor

Culloden Moor (JSB)

Study up on the Battle of Culloden before your trip to The Highlands, because you'll be hearing about it a lot. It was at Culloden that the Jacobite uprising made its last stand, and were brutally crushed by the British Army. The Culloden visitor center and battlefield are a must-see for any history buff, and even the least historically inclined will surely be captivated by the evocative romance of the setting. Culloden was the last 'pitched battle' ever fought on British soil, in 1746, and after the defeat, Highland culture, including the wearing of clan tartan, was brutally suppressed by the victorious government, for decades.
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FAQ: Where should I stay in Inverness?
If you have a car, Culloden House would be my recommendation. It's a historic mansion-turned-hotel, that was used by Bonnie Prince Charlie as his headquarters during his failed command at Culloden. If you don't have a car, there are many inns and a few hotels walkable from the station in Inverness. We enjoyed our stay at Glenmoriston Townhouse, right on the River Ness.
  
FAQ: I'm interested in Jacobite and Scottish clan history. Where else should I visit during my time in The Highlands?
Fort William and Glen Coe are two other major Scottish historic sites that will appeal to your Jacobite inclinations!

Balmoral Castle

For those interested in a different side of Scottish history, certain portions of the estate at Balmoral Castle is now open for tourists, at certain times of the year (this was a change made by King Charles when he ascended the throne). Check out Balmoral visitor information to see what will be open when you're visiting!

FAQ: What other historic castles should I see in The Scottish Highlands?
If you fell in love with Edinburgh Castle during your time 'down south,' never fear - there are plenty of castles to explore in The Highlands, including 13th century Eilean Donan Castle and Stirling Castle.

Stirling

The National Wallace Monument, Stirling (SPC)

Stirling, the "gateway to the highlands" Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument evoke the rich history of Scotland's medieval period (yes, I'm going to name-check Braveheart, which is a great, if problematic, movie). Stirling is easily accessible as a day trip from Glasgow or Edinburgh, if you aren't up to make the trek all the way up to Inverness, etc.
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FAQ: Can I ride the Hogwarts Express in Scotland?
The Jacobite steam train that carries rides across the Glenfinnan Viaduct is generally considered the "Hogwarts Express" of Harry Potter fame. The Jacobite steam trains leaves from a station near Ben Nevis, which is about 2 hours south of Inverness

Thanks for Stopping By!

I hope I gave you some useful ideas as you plan your trip to The Scottish Highlands. The Highlands are a lovely part of the world that keep us tourists coming back century after century. Have some whisky for me. And, while you're here, I hope you'll explore the many free resources I've created for Americans exploring the UK and Europe.

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