Travel guide · United Kingdom
Scottish Highlands: what to see and when to go
The Scottish Highlands are wild mountains, glens and lochs in the north of Scotland, with castles, whisky distilleries and some of Europe's emptiest landscapes. A drive from Glencoe to the Isle of Skye and on to Inverness is one of the great road trips.
What to see and do in the Scottish Highlands
Glencoe
Scotland's most dramatic glen, with trails through valleys carved by volcanoes and glaciers.
Isle of Skye
The Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and the Fairy Pools, reached by bridge from the mainland.
Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
A ruined castle on the shore of the famous loch.
Glenfinnan and the Jacobite steam train
The viaduct from Harry Potter, crossed by a steam train in summer.
Cairngorms
The UK's largest national park, with reindeer, pine forests and the Speyside distilleries nearby.
Best time to go
Getting there
| From | Flight time | Return flight |
|---|---|---|
| London | 1 hr, 30 min | ≈ €90 · See flights |
| New York | 7 hr, 15 min | ≈ €430 · See flights |
| Los Angeles | 11 hr | ≈ €550 · See flights |
| Dubai | 8 hr | ≈ €480 · See flights |
| Singapore | 14 hr, 30 min | ≈ €640 · See flights |
| Sydney | 22 hr, 15 min | ≈ €810 · See flights |
3 nights from London: ≈ €380 per person, flight and stay included.
Per person. Estimates from distance and local prices; real fares depend on your dates.
Essentials
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Currency
- British Pound
- Good for
- nature · mountains · wild · calm
- How long to stay
- 4–7 days
- Where to stay
- Fort William for Glencoe and Ben Nevis; Portree on Skye; Inverness as a base for Loch Ness and the north.Find a place to stay in the Scottish Highlands
Plan your trip
Flights, a place to stay and what else you need for Scottish Highlands, one tap each.
- FlightsFrom London · about €90 (opens in a new tab)
- StayHotels and apartments in the Scottish Highlands (opens in a new tab)
- Things to doTours, tickets and experiences (opens in a new tab)
- CarPick it up at the airport (opens in a new tab)
- Travel insuranceMedical, luggage and cancellation (opens in a new tab)
- Internet on arrivalData eSIM, no roaming bills (opens in a new tab)
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Frequently asked questions
What's the weather like in the Scottish Highlands and when should you go?
Average highs range from 6° in January to 18° in July.
How many days do you need in the Scottish Highlands?
4 to 7 days is enough to see the essentials without rushing.
What does a few days in the Scottish Highlands cost?
Accommodation runs at around €100 per person per night. 3 nights from London: ≈ €380 per person, flight and stay included. The flight from London takes about 1 hr, 30 min.
Where should you stay in the Scottish Highlands?
Fort William for Glencoe and Ben Nevis; Portree on Skye; Inverness as a base for Loch Ness and the north.
