FROM SEA RIGHT up to summit, the Highlands really encapsulates what Scotland is all about.
Dramatic mountains with craggy peaks, imposing down on blustery lochs – all steeped in Scotland’s fascinating history stretching back thousands of years. All in all, there’s something kind of magic about the Scottish Highlands.
But, unlike the more beaten tracks of Glasgow and Edinburgh, many tourists might not know where to start when it comes to holidaying there. So we’ve taken the best bits and compiled them into a ready-made Highlands bucket list… Thank us later.
(PS – like what you see? Well, enter our competition to win a trip to the Highlands here.)
First things first: the infamous Loch Ness. The daily trips out on the Loch are the best way to take in the sights – and try to spot Nessie, of course. Tranquil cruises or power boat rides are on offer, or you could even hire a fleet if you really want to push the boat out (pun intended).
Urquhart Castle is close by, just on the banks of Loch Ness. It was once one of Scotland’s largest castles, although now lies in ruins. Urquhart was at the centre of plenty of conflict in its 500 years, and its history is told in an audio-visual display in the visitor centre – alongside lots of medieval artefacts.
In the 300th year since the Jacobite uprising, there’s no better time to visit Culloden to step back in time to the spot where the last hand-to-hand battle on British soil was fought. It was here that the Jacobite rebellion collapsed against the British government.
Fort George could be described as the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain – if not Europe. It was built following the 1746 defeat at Culloden, in order to mount the ultimate defence against Jacobite unrest. Military buffs will eat up the amazing features, including garrison buildings, arms, artillery defences, canons, and lots more. (See if you can spot a dolphin in the water next to the barracks, too.)
Feel like a spot of whisky (that’s without the ‘e’)? Well, there’s no better place for a dram than in Glen Ord, on the edge of the Black Isle in the Highlands. You can watch distillers at work, then sample their wares. The perfect way to combat a bracing Scottish afternoon out by the lochs.
Now you can fly directly from Dublin to Inverness, with Flybe’s handy new route from just €48 one way. You could be in the heart of the Highlands in just over an hour, with Inverness Airport just a 15 minute drive to Inverness city centre. In fact, we’re even closer than many Scots are. So what are you waiting for? Start your Highlands adventure now.
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