Scottish Highlands and Islands: 13 best things to do
21.07.2023 - 07:52
/ roughguides.com
Landscapes of wild and enigmatic beauty, imbued with a sense of myth and ancient history. Dense forests and forbidding mountains, lonely lochs and rivers at almost every turn – and craggy coastlines revealing stunning beaches to rival any in the Caribbean. An unparalleled playground for outdoorsy types, opportunities for adventures are endless. The Scottish Highlands and islands may be officially part of Britain, but they are a world apart.
If you’re looking for inspiring ideas of things to do in this outstanding area of Scotland, check our guide to the 13 best things to do in the Scottish Highlands and islands. And for even more ideas and practical information buy our Rough Guides Scottish Highlands and Islands.
If you truly want to get away from it all – two words: Knoydart Peninsula. This wild and beautiful area of the Highlands, just northwest of Fort William, has no roads and just one dinky hamlet. The only way to get there is by boat from Mallaig or on foot. Walking, most likely from Kinloch Hourn, or Loch Arkaig, will most likely take you two to three days, sleeping overnight in bothies, or wild camping. But with scenery this stunning – rugged monros, lochs and tufted moorland, and views out to neighbouring islands – what’s the rush? If you do need a dangling carrot, the village of Inverie is home to a welcoming pub. The Old Forge has fantastic loch views and holds regular live music sessions. It also happens to be the most remote pub in Britain.
Dawn on the Knoydart Peninsula © N Mrtgh/Shutterstock
Accommodation is mostly in Inverie, with a hostel, B&B, and self-catering options. And Doune Knoydart Hotel, six miles from the village, provides the perfect Highlands hideaway. Owners can pick you up by boat from Mallaig.
From seals to whales, dolphins, beavers and birds of prey – when it comes to wildlife, the Scottish Highlands has it covered. It’s exciting to catch sight of a beaver, particularly as these furry water-loving creatures were hunted out of Scotland 400 years ago. But 2009 saw a project to reintroduce them into the wild around Knapdale Forest, in Argyll. Head to Dubh Loch for the most likely sightings and marvel at their construction of a 60-ft-long dam.
Wild reindeer in the Cairngorms © A D Harvey/Shutterstock
You can see bottlenose dolphins and porpoises in Moray Firth, particularly in spring or summer, whales and puffins off the Isle of Mull, and basking seals on Mousa, in the Shetlands. And there's no match for the sight of 12,000 storm petrels flying in to the ancient broch, on the island at dusk. Eager bird spotters should also head for the Cairngorms for the chance to see ospreys, as they migrate from West Africa to Loch Garten, and possibly even golden eagles and peregrine