Northern Highlands of Scotland
North of Loch Ness and Fort William, the land takes on three aspects - mountains, coast lines of often startling beauty and wild and uninhabited moorlands. Welcome to the Far North!
North from here stretches a dramatic shoreline of deep sea lochs and sheltered coves of pure white sand backed by towering mountains and looking across to numerous Hebridean islands (see Outer Hebrides Guide). West of Fort William, via the lyrical 'Road to the Isles', is Mallaig, now the main departure point for ferries to Skye. Further north is Ullapool, one of the main ferry ports for the Outer Hebrides and the ideal base from which to explore the wild and near-deserted far northwest.
North of Ullapool you enter a different world. The landscape becomes ever more dramatic and unreal - a huge emptiness of bleak moorland punctuated by isolated peaks and shimmering lochs. A narrow and tortuously twisting road winds its way up the coast, past deserted beaches of sparkling white sand washed by turquoise sea. There's not much tourist traffic this far north and once you get off the main road and on to the backroads, you can enjoy the wonderful sensation of having all this astonishingly beautiful scenery to yourself.
Adjoining Regions
Fort William & Lochaber | Inverness & Loch Ness | Isle of Skye | Orkneys | Outer Hebrides | Shetland IslandsActivities
-
Climbing at Kushi Adventures - Inverness
Scale new heights with mates and kill your fear for heights in your Inverness climbing event. -
Kayaking at Kushi Adventures - Inverness
Time to headout for some paddling session with your friends and experience a great time out trying this watery treat in Inverness. -
Canoeing at Kushi Adventures - Inverness
Experience a cool watery treat with mates and enjoy paddling on some of the most picturesque outdoors in Inverness in your canoeing day. -
Paintballing near Inverness
Solve the clues while you save the earth from invasion with this paintball day package. We can book other activities, transport & accommodation. Group Deals -
Mountain Biking Hire Perthshire
A 2 hour racing treat in the mountain ranges- Truly challenging!
Walks
-
Achnahaird Beach
Lovely crescent of sand in Wester Ross that is considered one of Scotland's best beaches
-
Beinn Eighe NNR
Scotland's first national nature reserve and and home to a wonderful variety of local wildlife. For visitors who would like to find out more about Beinn Eighe, there’s a visitor centre open from Easter to October just outside Kinlochewe. The three trails which start here are open all year and a further path links the visitor centre with the village of Kinlochewe. The visitor centre has a small shop area with tourist information and a shop selling books and products about nature.
-
Balmacara Estate
Large NTS managed estate on south of Lochalsh peninsula. Excellent easy walking on trails through woodland, lochside and coastal. Ideal for younger kids as well.
-
Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve
While most of the Torridon massif is managed by the NTS, Beinn Eighe (which means 'File Peak' in Gaelic) is under the control of Scottish Natural Heritage. It is Britain's oldest National Nature Reserve, set up in 1951 to protect the ancient Caledonian pine forest west of Kinlochewe. It has since been designated an International Biosphere Reserve and extended to cover 30 square miles. The reserve is the home of a great variety of rare Highland wildlife, including pine martens, wildcats, buzzards, Scottish crossbills and golden eagles. There's also a wide range of flora which can best be appreciated on the excellent mountain trail described below which climbs from the ancient pine woods through alpine vegetation to the tundra-like upper slopes.
Popular Visitor Attractions
-
Shieldaig Sea Trout Project
Small project to determine the cause of population failure in sear trout and salmon with special trap to catch the fish. -
After the Gold Rush
Your chance to pan for gold at the site of the old gold rush near Helmsdale. -
Moirlanich Longhouse
Visit this perfectly preserved cruck frame cottage and get a glimpse of Scottish village life in the 19th century. 2 miles north of Killin
-
Loch Fleet Nature Reserve
Tidal nature reserve south of Golspie that provides varied marshy habitat for both migratory birds and waders. Located to the east of the A9 as it passes north.
-
Strathnaver Museum
Interesting little museum in Bettyhill that chronicles the histories of the very far north of Scotland from the Norse through the clearances to the present day. Espeical focus on Clan Mackay and local Gaelic customs.
-
Locholly Lodge, Achiltibuie with Sea Views - Sleeps 8
Locholly Lodge - luxury holiday accommodation with a hot tub in a beautiful setting on the Achiltibuie peninsula. Situated on the south side overlooking the Summer Isles. Sleeps up to 8.
- Sleeps: 8
-
Stac Polly Cottage, Achiltibuie with Ocean Views - Sleeps 8
Stac Polly cottage is in a beautiful location on the Achiltibuie peninsula, with stunning sea views. Facilities include a hot tub. Awarded 5 stars by the AA! Sleeps 6 to 8.
- Sleeps: 6 to 8
-
Windyhill Self Catering Cottage in Achiltibuie - Sleeps 6
Wonderful luxury self catering cottage with amazing views over the Summer Isles - fantastic living space. Now with a hot tub!
- Sleeps: 6
-
Willow Croft Gairloch sleeps 6
Willow Croft is a bungalow that stands in the crofting township of Big Sand, 5 miles from Gairloch in the Scenic Area of Wester Ross.
- Sleeps: 6
-
Apronhill Cottage Gairloch sleeps 4
Nineteenth century restored croft cottage, alone on a Gairloch hillside in 1 1/4 acre of private fenced ground.
- Sleeps: 4
-
Rona and Canna self Catering villa sleeps 6
2 Villa flats set in a 1/2 acre woodland that offers modern accommodation.
- Sleeps: 3
-
Tigh an Aullt Holiday Cottage, Loch Duich - Sleeps 6
Classic highland cottage for six overlooking Loch Duich. This three bedroom bungalow offers families and friends a holiday in paradise with outstanding views in every direction.
- Sleeps: 6
-
Creigard Holidays Lochniver sleeps 2
The comfortable cottage, set in a secluded part of the garden, has a light and airy but cosy feel. Its large windows give you the views of heather-clad hills, the sea and distant mountains to enjoy.
- Sleeps: 2
-
Ocean View Holiday Cottage sleeps 6
Ocean View is a lovingly restored, detached traditional croft cottage peacefully situated near Dunnet Head with spectacular views of the sea and Orkney Isles.
- Sleeps: 6
-
Novar Cottage Tongue Sleeps 6
Bungalow style cottage on the north coast of Scotland that sleeps 6 (max) with wonderful views west towards the Kyle of Tongue. Set in own grounds with decking for the sunsets.
- Sleeps: 6