Thinking of planning a staycation in the United Kingdom this year or planning a trip from abroad? The Scottish Highlands is the perfect place to get away from the crowds and enjoy a summer road trip. The scenery is some of the best the UK has to offer and is simply breathtaking. Mountains and loch dominate the landscape. Historic castles await.
Traditionally, the highlands of Scotland cover the northwest portion of Scotland north of the Highland Boundary Fault which runs from Arran in the west to Stonehaven in the east. However, the flat coastal areas to the east are often excluded due to their different geography. Unsure where to visit in the Scottish highlands? Read on for 12 of the most stunning must-see places to see on your road trip.
1) Glenfinnan Viaduct
Glenfinnan Viaduct was built in 1897 and is one of the best examples of a Victorian viaduct in the UK. It was built to carry the West Highland Line across the River Finnan. The viaduct was recently made a popular tourist destination after appearing in the Harry Potter films.
Glenfinnan Viaduct is situated just off the A830 about 17 miles to the west of the town of Fort William. The drive takes around 28 minutes and is the perfect stop on the way to Mallaig if you are taking a ferry to the Isle of Skye. If you are not taking the ferry then it is a worthy detour on your way north. Parking is at the Glenfinnan Visitor Center car park, but if this is full then keep driving along the road as there are a few other car parks.
2) Eilean Donan Castle
If you are taking the road route to the Isle of Skye then you will almost certainly pass Eilean Donan Castle. It is worth the stop, even if just to take photos of its beautiful exterior and connecting arched bridge. For a small entry fee of £10, you are able to explore the castle grounds and interior.
The castle was built in the 13th century at the site where Loch Alsh, Loch Duich and Loch Long all meet. In 1719 it was partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising and did not undergo restoration until the early 20th century. It opened to the public in 1932.
3) The Isle of Skye – The Gem in the Scottish Highlands
The Isle of Skye is one of the most beautiful places you can set foot on in the Scottish Highlands. It should always be factored into your itinerary as there is so much o see here, and is not somewhere you should rush. I could write a post on 12 places you should visit here alone. You should aim to spend at least three days here to make the most of your visit but you could easily fill a week at a slower pace.
Some of the activities that you can do here include:
- Go for a hike up to the Old Man of Storr.
- Go for a hike on the Quiraing.
- Take a boat cruise to Loch Coruisk.
- See the magnificent Fairy Pools.
- Visit the Coral Beach.
- Head out to the lighthouse at Neist Point.
- Stop for a look around Dunvegan Castle.
- Gaze at the Mealt Falls at Kilt Rock.
The only problem you will have on the Isle of Skye is the crowds. It will be the busiest place you go to in the highlands, but this is for good reason. In summer it gets extremely busy and parking can be difficult. The best advice I can give you is to start your day early and go straight to popular sites like The Old Man of Storr before the crowds appear. You will also have a lot more success with parking.
4) Bealach Na Ba & Applecross
The Applecross Peninusla is located to the north of the Isle of Skye and is reached via the famous Bealach Na Ba Pass road. This mountain pass is for experienced drivers and not recommended if you are towing a caravan. Full of twists and turns,this single track road is 11.4 miles in length and ascends from near sea level to 626 meters at the viewpoint on its summit. From the summit you can see as far as the Isle of Skye.
Continue on the road until you reach the small village of Applecross. This is the perfect place to stop for a coffee but parking can be difficult in the afternoon. Continue north and then around to the east and enjoy the stunning views of Loch Torridon and the Torridon hills that await you.
5) Loch Torridon
Loch Torridon is best visited as the next stop on a trip from the Applecross Peninsula. However if the Bealach Na Ba Pass is not for you then you can reach it from the A896. Head west towards Shieldaig and continue on to admire the views before returning.
Torridon itself is a great place to be if you are into hiking. Beinn Alligin is my favourite hike in all of the United Kingdom, with impressive views and an interesting ascent over its three horns. On a clear day, the views are some of the best you will see from a mountain top in Scotland.
6) Achmelvich Bay
Achmelvich Bay is near the town of Lochinver and is famous for its white sandy beach. You could be forgiven for thinking you have been transported to the Caribbean when you arrive. It is one of the most attractive beaches in the UK. It is not the only beach with white sand in Scotland – there are many. However this is the best one I have found on my travels. This is a must see if you enjoy beaches and want to spend a day relaxing.
7) Ardvreck Castle
Ardvreck Castle is an isolated ruined castle on the shores of Loch Assynt. The castle dates back to the 16th century and was destroyed by Clan Mackenzie in an attack in 1672. The ruin is worth a stop as you head to the far northern reaches of the Scottish highlands. You can walk around the ruin and admire the scenery of Loch Assynt. The site also has free parking.
8) Kylesku Bridge
The Kylesku Bridge crosses Loch a’ Chàirn Bhàin and you will cross it if you are heading to the northern coast. This curved bridge was opened in 1984 and is one of the most iconic bridges in Scotland. The bridge was designed in such a way that its effect on the surrounding landscape would be minimal. There is a viewpoint on the north side of the bridge and free parking.
About 3.5 miles before you reach the Kylesku Bridge there is a lesser known attraction that is easy to miss. This is a waterfall known as Wailing Widow Falls and is 50 feet tall. On Google Maps you will not find this marked. Instead look out for Loch na Gainmhich Waterfall and follow the short trail to the falls.
9) Durness
Durness is a small town on the north coast of Scotland with beautiful beaches. It is easy to spend a few days here relaxing if you want to take a break from the highland roads you will have travelled on to get here.
You should spend some time exploring Sango Sands and Ceannabeinne Beach. Nearby you will also find the Ceannabeinne Township Trail which tells the story of the Highland Clearances and the Durness riots that took place in 1842. Other options for things to do include Smoo Cave or paying a visit to the Golden Eagle Zip Line if you are more adventurous.
10) Duncansby Head
Duncansby Head is the most northeasterly tip of the Scottish mainland, however not the northernmost. That title is held by the nearby Dunnets Head – which is also worth a stop if you have the time on your road trip. Duncansby Head is very close to the famous town of John o’ Groats and is the perfect place to get away from the crowds in this tourist town.
Duncansby Head has a lovely nature walk along the cliffs to see some impressive rock stack formations. These are known as “The Stacks of Duncansby”. It is worth spending an hour or two here enjoying the scenery.
11) Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle
No trip to the Scottish Highlands would be complete without a trip to Loch Ness. Made famous by the story of the Loch Ness monster which is said to lurk in its water, it is a popular spot not far from Inverness. There are many pullouts and viewpoints along the shores of Loch Ness but the main attraction is Urquhart Castle.
Urquhart Castle was a medieval stronghold from the 13th century until 1692 when it was destroyed as soldiers left the castle. This was done to prevent it from being used as a stronghold by the Jacobite forces. Today, the ruin is preserved and it is one of the most visited castles in Scotland. The entry fee is £9.60.
Another option is to take a cruise on to the loch from Fort Augustus.
12) Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park sits on the southeastern edge of the Scottish Highlands and contains four of the five highest mountains in the UK. This makes it an ideal place for hikers. The national park is the biggest in the UK, at twice the size of the English Lake District. As such, there are a lot of different attractions depending on what your interests are.
One of my favourite things to do there is to follow the A939 around the back of the park until it joins the A93, and then follow that towards Braemar. Here, you can visit Braemar Castle before getting back on the road and continuing south out of the Cairngorms National Park. The landscape and view you will see are stunning.
