Home of the Highlands, custodian of unspoilt beaches hidden in natural coves and encircled by the epic North Coast 500 route; Northern Scotland contains some of the country’s most dramatic and most beautiful landscapes.
A wonderful selection of wildlife - from deer to bottlenose dolphins - ancient clan castles and fun family attractions can be found dotted throughout this stunning region. The city of Inverness is the cultural capital of the north while the Caledonian Canal is a winding manmade waterway that extends south to Fort William. For an unforgettable day out, take a trip on The Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig and cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct – the same journey the Hogwarts Express makes in the Harry Potter films.
Outdoor pursuits are popular due to the stunning scenery: try sailing, walking or mountain biking across unforgettable terrain which includes the largest park in the UK – the Cairngorms. Travel to north-coast beaches that could rival tropical islands with their white sands and turquoise seas; visit famous natural landscapes like Loch Ness, Glencoe and Loch an Eilein; or take on the ultimate outdoor challenge by scaling Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. And no visit to Scotland would be complete without sampling a dram of whisky – seek out one of the many Highlands distilleries to taste it straight from the source.
When the day is done, stay in a magnificent castle or retreat to a cosy cottage – whether you choose the coast, the countryside or the mountains, we have a wide range of fantastic places to stay in Northern Scotland.
View our guide to Scotland