What to see in the Scottish Highlands, attractions and places to visit while wandering through the wonderful landscapes of this mountainous region of Scotland.
Tourist information
Scotland is crossed diagonally by a fault line called by the geologists Highland Boundary, to the north of it are the Highlands, a mountainous region where the rocks rise in hills covered with solitary moors furrowed by long dry stone walls and picturesque lakes occupy the valleys.
The landscape of great beauty, which also includes the coast and the islands, extends from the town of Helensburgh, on the west coast, to the port of Stonehaven, on the east coast, characterized by some fertile and flat areas.
The main historical centers of this region are Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness and Perth.
What see
Argyll is the region located on the Atlantic coast, its main center is Oban, from where ferries leave to visit some of the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
The Hebrides are an archipelago that stretches into the Atlantic Ocean west of the Scottish coast.
Balmoral Castle, a royal private residence, is located in Aberdeenshire, in an area characterized by remarkable natural beauty.
The Cairngorms National Park includes the mountain range of the same name, with peaks above 1200 meters above sea level.
It is an area that preserves an important natural heritage, the most direct access to which is from the town of Aviemore, which is located on the road between Inverness and Perth.
The Strathspey Railway, an ancient steam railway line, allows a magnificent journey from Aviemore to Broomhill, along the famous Spey River valley.
Dunnottar Castle, located about 30 km from Aberdeen, is a spectacular ruin overlooking the North Sea.
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At Edzell Castle the gardens are very beautiful, of the castle dating back to the sixteenth century only the ruins remain.
Eilean Donan Castle, is located on an islet at the intersection of Loch Duich, Loch Alsh and Loch Long.
The castle is important from an artistic and historical point of view, not far away is the deep bay of Loch Carron and the town of the same name, famous for its tartan weaving.
Elgin, a town located just inside the North Sea coast, is architecturally distinguished by its partially ruined thirteenth-century cathedral.
Loch Ness, located south-west of the city of Inverness, is the lake famous for the monster, which according to legend would inhabit its waters.
Along the shore, on the rocky promontory, the ruins of the fourteenth-century Urquhart Castle rise.
At the southern end of the lake is Fort Augustus, continuing south to reach Loch Lochy and the town of Fort William.
Ullapool, located on the shores of Loch Broom lake, is one of the most important tourist centers in the Wester Ross area.
To the north of the town lies the County of Sutherland, characterized by the presence of many lakes and beautiful landscapes.
The Port of Ullapool is used by the ferries that provide the connection to Stornoway, in the Outer Hebrides islands.
From Ullapool to the north, via the Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, you reach the picturesque village of Lochinver.
Further north, embarking on Keoldale on a ferry that crosses the Kyle of Durness, you reach the lonely and fascinating Cape Wrath.
Following the northern coast you can continue to Thurso, from whose port ferries leave for Orkney.
