You can’t help but feel as though you’ve just stepped back in time when travelling through the dreamland that is the Scottish Highlands. From rolling mountains to bustling waterfalls and castles, Scotland is pure bliss. I travelled through the highlands with my mother a while back, staying in an Airbnb in Glencoe, and renting a car to explore all that the great outdoors had to offer. The highlands are a place where you often find some of the most beautiful areas by chance while driving, but I have created this list to guide you through some of the must-see spots.
Cue the Outlander theme song because it’s time to head to the Scottish Highlands!
Glencoe
Nothing has ever taken my breath away quite like Glencoe. You’ll know you’ve reached Glencoe without having to check your map because you will experience an overwhelming amount of green mountains staring right back at you. Check out the Glencoe Mountain Resort in the summer to experience the view shown in the picture above.
Culloden Battlefield
We may have seen one too many films before our trip to the highlands because it just wouldn’t have felt right to pass Culloden Battlefield without a visit. Scotland is beautiful and full of history. The Battle of Culloden has been the centre of shows like Outlander and films like Braveheart. It truly feels surreal to stand on the field.
Isle of Skye
Portree, which is the largest town on the Isle of Skye, reminded me of Reykjavik, Iceland with it’s coloured buildings and small city vibe. The island can be driven in an afternoon and offers ocean views, rolling hills, waterfalls and history with every mile.
The Fairy Pools
Crystal clear water pools at the base of the Cuillin mountains are just a 2.5km hike from the carpark. Start this hike early to experience the sunrise over the mountains and shine over the clear stream. Some say the fairy pools are the most magical place they have ever been.
Cawdor Castle
If you’re a Shakespeare fan look no further than Cawdor Castle as it is not only stunning but also connected to the Thane of Cawdor — thus the location in which Duncan was murdered. Although the new castle was built after the death of Macbeth, the original castle was only a mile away.
BONUS: FIND A STONE CIRCLE ON YOUR JOURNEY
Hike and ye shall find….
