The Scottish Highlands is home to rugged landscapes, misty mountains, wildlife and a tonne of history. It’s one of the best areas in the UK for road trips, camping and seeing castles.
We’re so excited to share our Scottish Highlands bucket list full of the best things to do in Scotland. After spending 2 weeks exploring the region in our car camper, we got to tick off a lot of things from our bucket list (including hiking the UK’s tallest peak & seeing puffins).
Whether you want to spend your time cosying up in pubs, seeing crazy rock formations, wandering through castles or hiking Scottish peaks – you will fall in love with Scotland’s nature.
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The Complete Scottish Highlands Bucket List
Without further ado, let’s jump into the best things to do in the Scottish Highlands! In no particular order, we have a whopping 18 items on this Scottish Highlands bucket list.
1. Tingle your tastebuds on a Whisky Distillery Tour
Scotland has a long history with whisky dating back hundreds of years, there’s no wonder why the very best whisky is distilled here!
Scotland is a powerhouse whisky maker with nearly a whopping 150 distilleries all over the country still in operation, so why not make your Scotland trip extra special and take a guided tour around one of the many distilleries?
Scotland is divided into five whisky-producing regions: Highland, Campbeltown, Speyside, Lowland and Islay. Here are just a few distilleries worth keeping on your radar for a tour:
- Talisker Distillery (Isle of Skye)
- Clynelish Distillery (Highlands) – Book your experience on GetYourGuide!
- Lagavulin Distillery (Isle of Islay)
- The Glenturret Distillery (Highlands)
- Lochranza Distillery (Isle of Arran)
- Glengoyne Distillery (South Highlands) – Book your experience on GetYourGuide!
2. Spot a Highland Cow (Coo)
I think it’s safe to say seeing a majestic Highland Cow is on everyone’s itinerary while visiting Scotland. With their unique flowy long ginger hair, and sometimes strong pointed horns, be sure to keep your eyes peeled while driving the Scottish Highlands in the hopes of seeing a Highland Cow!
‘Coo’ is also the old Scots word for ‘cow’, so there’s a good chance you might hear this name too! Don’t be confused, Highland Coos are the same fluffy, orange cows you’re searching for!
While there is no specific area to see a Highland Cow, you will likely see them in surrounding farm fields as they are domesticated and not wild.
3. Explore romantic Edinburgh
While not technically the Highlands, a visit to Edinburgh has to be one of the best things to do in Scotland. There is a reason Edinburgh is so popular with tourists visiting Scotland. Its cobbled streets and medieval old town give it a charm that can only be found in a few other cities around the UK.
It’s great to visit any time of year, be it wandering the streets in the sun or cosying up with a book in a quaint cafe as the rain patters on the ground. Edinburgh is a must-visit while in the highlands.
And did we mention? It’s riddled with Harry Potter inspiration as JK Rowling spent time here while writing the books, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled!
➤ We’ve also written about what there is to see and do in this 3 Day Edinburgh Itinerary, check it out if it takes your fancy!
4. Snap a photo by the John O’Groats sign
Standing by the John O’Groats sign is a big achievement and feels like you should receive an award just for making it there. Take in all the glory, you’ve made it to the top of the UK!
In John O’Groats you’ll find a few cafes, tourist shops selling gifts and a rather nice distillery making whisky (7 Doors Distillery). Other than this there isn’t too much to do, so you won’t need much time here!
5. Dunnet Head – The most northern point of mainland UK
Despite being over-shadowed by John O’Groats, Dunnet Head is officially the most Northern point of mainland UK. Take a picture with the faded slab to commemorate your achievements!
Wander down to the coast just passed the lighthouse and you’ll come to a viewing platform by the wall. Stand and watch the hundreds of seabirds roosting on the cliffs or battling with the strong winds while airborne. Better yet, you can see Puffins here, just like in Iceland! We can tick that off our Scottish Highlands bucket list!
➤ We’ve also explored Iceland if you’re interested in reading our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary!
6. Chanonry Point – See dolphins play by the coastline
The waters surrounding Scotland are bursting with marine wildlife, some of which can be seen from the shores without the need for a boat! Chanonry Point is a great place to come and see dolphins play in the waters close to the shoreline.
Your best chances to see dolphins here are at low tide. Come roughly one hour after low tide as the tide starts to come in, cross your fingers and be patient!
Dolphins are a regular sight at Chanonry Point, you just know when to visit and to be patient. We saw a few dolphins during our visit to Chanonry Point, and we hope you do too! We also saw a solo seal that occasionally bobbed their head up above the surface.
➤ Check out our 1 Week Scottish Highlands itinerary!
7. See the iconic Hogwarts Express cross over Glenfinnan Viaduct
Did you know during the summer months, you can watch the Jacobite steam train (similar to the Hogwarts Express) cross over Glenfinnan Viaduct just like in the movies? It’s a magical moment and one not to be missed! Add this to your Scottish Highlands bucket list!
➤ IMPORTANT TO KNOW
Trains operate from March to October, so outside of these months, you won’t be able to see the steam train cross the viaduct. During the summer months when the train is operating, be sure to be at the viewing point by the following times to see the train crossing:
- Morning train crossings at 10:45am + 1:30pm – These are westbound trains towards Mallaig, they are the best viewings for photos as the train will be facing the camera.
- Afternoon train crossings at 3:20pm + 6:05pm – These are eastbound trains towards Fort William, they are still good, but the train will be facing away from the camera as it passes by.
You can find the most up-to-date information for train times and operating hours on the official Jacobite Steam Train website. Be sure to check, as they do sometimes cancel the service with short notice due to weather and crew shortages.
8. Discover Harry Potter filming locations in the Highlands
If you didn’t know already, a lot of Harry Potter was filmed right here in Scotland! Many of the establishing lake shots for Hogwarts can be seen around various lochs (lakes) in the Fort William area, including the above-mentioned Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Another cool filming location we were able to visit was the location for ‘Hagrid’s Hut’. You might recognise this location from times when Harry and the gang ran over to visit Hagrid in his home. This particular spot can be found in Glen Coe Valley.
Here’s a quick list of Harry Potter filming locations in and around the Highlands to get you started:
Glenfinnan Viaduct – The iconic bridge that the Hogwarts Express crosses over. Most memorable from Chamber of Secrets.
Rannoch Moor – For the keen eye this is the scene where the Death Eaters board the Hogwarts Express in Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Loch Shiel – Used as one of the lake shots for Hogwarts, known in the movies as the ‘Black Lake’ and also the ‘Great Lake’. You’ll most likely remember it from the Goblet of Fire during the Triwizard tournament when the crew take to the waters to save their loved ones.
Loch Eilt – The burial place of Albus Dumbledore. The most recognisable part of this loch will be Eilean na Moine island, a small island within the lake dotted with a few trees!
Hagrid’s Hut in Glen Coe Valley – Now, before you rush here, sadly Hagrid’s Hut doesn’t actually exist here. The prop now lives on at Universal Studio, but it was here during filming! It’s well worth the short trail to get here to re-live some childhood memories from the big screen in real life.
We opted to do the Hagrid’s Hut trail, which is a circular loop including Hagrid’s Hut through some really nice forest. Take a look at AllTrails.
9. Star Gazing
With a lot of the Scottish Highlands being mountainous and uninhabited, it makes for a great star-gazing location! With little-to-no light pollution and pitch-black skies, why not venture out into the wilderness and do some star gazing?
On one of our other visits to the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh, we were driving through the mountains in Glen Coe Valley late at night and couldn’t help just how beautiful the starry skies were.
It’s useful to know a few tips before star gazing to maximise the experience:
- Try to time your star gazing when there is no moon (new moon). This is because when the moon is visible / large it creates a lot of light pollution, meaning you’ll be able to see less of the night sky!
- Wear warm clothes, chances are you’ll be out past midnight, depending on the time of year.
- If you want to increase your chances of seeing the Milky Way, be sure to check the Milky Way visibility calendar. Believe it or not, its position in the sky changes based on the time of year, affecting which part and how much is visible during any given month.
10. Visit the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is an absolute MUST when visiting the Scottish Highlands. For us, this was one of the highlights while travelling around Scotland in our little van. For a small island, it certainly packs a punch!
Imagine a small island where you can hike along ancient landslides that are stuck in time, white sand beaches where you can see dinosaur prints moulded into rock beds and mystical landscapes where enchanted waters flow….that’s all here and more!
➤ You can read more about the Isle of Skye in our 3 day itinerary!
Here are a few highlights not to be missed when visiting the Isle of Skye:
Fairy Pools – A long chain of rock pools being continuously fed by crystal clear mountain water. Very mystical and a great way to spend a few hours in nature.
Old Man of Storr – Ancient volcanic plug dating back millions of years. Its unique shape and hiking trail to the viewpoint attract thousands to the Isle of Skye.
Quiraing – Both haunting and breathtaking, the Quiaraing is an ancient landslip that has created an utterly beautiful and unique landscape. Naturally, it has become popular for hiking, much like the Old Man of Storr it attracts thousands of tourists every year. Come here with a few hours spare to hike the 6.8km loop trail!
Coral Beach – Possibly Skye’s most beautiful beach and Scotland’s best-kept secret, Coral Beach offers pure white sands and deep blue tides. Sounds good, right?
Sligachan Old Bridge – A 3 arched cobblestone bridge standing strong over a mystical river, feels like something straight out of Lord of the Rings! The natural beauty here is truly breathtaking and we didn’t find anything similar to this in the whole of Scotland. It’s certainly one to add to the Scottish Highland Bucket List!
11. Hike Ben Nevis
Not for the faint-hearted, but also not impossible! Ben Nevis is 1 of 3 peaks that make up the famous ‘3 Peaks Challenge’ here in the UK. This is where adrenaline junkies hike Snowdon (Wales), Ben Nevis (Scotland) and Scafell Pike (England) all within 24hrs (yes this includes driving too!).
For the average walker, expect to climb, enjoy the views at the peak and climb down Ben Nevis in about 6-8 hours. What makes Ben Nevis difficult is not the terrain, but the constant incline for around 4 hours or more.
Not thinking about the numbers too much helps, and you’ll be rewarded with amazing views from the top and the fact you conquered climbing the tallest peak in Scotland! It’s one of the best things to do in the Scottish Highlands!
➤ If you’re interested in hiking, take a look at our guide on How to Climb Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
12. Look for Nessie in Loch Ness
Another Scottish Highlands bucket list item is a visit to the famous Loch Ness.
You might be wondering, “Is the Loch Ness monster real, and if so, where did it come from?”. To give you a quick run down, the first ever recorded sighting of Nessie dates back to 565AD when an Irish Monk was travelling Scotland and sighted the unknown beast.
Following this, the idea of the Loch Ness monster didn’t take off until 1933 when a couple reported a sighting of a large beast crossing the road and entering the lake in right front of them. One year later in 1934, the famous ‘Surgeons photo’ is taken, showing hard proof some form of large creature lives in these mythical waters….
Now, whether the Loch Ness monster really exists you’ll have to come and take a look yourself. Over the years there have been claims of sighting Nessie, but these could merely be ducks or driftwood floating in the water.
But you have to admit, it would be cool if they existed! After all, Loch Ness is the largest lake in the whole of the UK, who knows what lives in the depths!
➤ Book a Loch Ness round-trip cruise from Urquhart Castle to take a look at the waters up close!
13. Drive the iconic NC500
One of the best things to do in the Scottish Highlands is to explore the North Coast. Nicknamed ‘Scotland’s Route 66’, the NC500 is a stunning stretch of road spanning some 500 miles around the north coast of Scotland. Covering mountains, lakes, white sand beaches and some of the best camping the UK has to offer!
The official NC500 route starts and ends in Inverness, taking you around places such as Gairloch, Durness, Torridon and John O’Groats. If you’re looking for inspiration, be sure to check out our 7 Day NC500 Roadtrip Itinerary.
➤ If you’d love to know more about the NC500, take a look at our 7 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary. We cover every detail you’ll need to know on how to create an awesome trip!
14. Glen Coe Valley
Glen Coe is a breathtaking mountain valley area just below Fort William and Ben Nevis, and let me tell you, you need to add this to your Scottish Highlands bucket list! It was at this point we couldn’t believe we were still in the UK, it honestly felt like we had been transported to a Nordic country with the snow-topped peaks towering around us.
If you’re short on time, driving through with a few photo stops is enough to get a feel for what Glen Coe has to offer. If you have more time to squeeze in a few hikes, we really enjoyed venturing on the Lairig Gartain trail. Alternatively, head out on a guided tour of Glen Coe and more of Scotland.
Not too strenuous but a good continuous incline to get the heart pumping. As mentioned above, we also embarked on this circular trail to see Hagrid’s Hut!
Glen Coe has a bit of something for everyone! From scenic drives, heart-pumping hikes, 360-panoramic views and even snow sports during the winter months. Make sure to add Glen Coe to your Scottish Highland Bucket list!
➤ Plan the rest of your Scotland trip with our 1 Week Scottish Highlands itinerary!
15. Hike in Cairngorms National Park
Next up on our Scottish Highlands bucket list is one of two national parks in Scotland. Cairngorms National Park might be easily overlooked for people heading home from Scotland back down South, but it’s certainly worth AT LEAST a day on your Scotland itinerary, we wished we had spent longer here!
Not only is this national park home to the royal Balmoral Castle & Estate, but it’s also a nature-lovers paradise with an abundance of pine tree-lined trails, rugged peaks and emerald-green lakes.
It’s also thriving with wildlife, such as birds of prey and red squirrels! If you have some, make sure to pack your binoculars.
We had an amazing day hiking the Meall a’ Bhuachaille trail and spending some time around Loch Morlich. There’s a lovely golden sand beach here with kayak and SUP rentals available.
16. Visit a royal Scottish Castle
If you’re a history buff and really want to step back in time and witness a well-preserved castle first-hand, Scotland is the place to be! Depending on where you are in the Scottish Highlands, you have a handful of options to check out!
We personally visited Dunrobin Castle & Gardens, so we can only speak from experience for this one! But here is a list of Castles worth checking out or adding to your Scottish Highlands bucket list:
- Dunrobin Castle & Gardens – £16.00 admission
- Dunvegan Castle & Gardens – £17.50 admission – Alternatively, book a tour from Portree on GetYourGuide!
- Eilean Donan Castle – £13.00 admission – Alternatively, book a tour from Inverness on GetYourGuide!
- The Castle & Gardens of Mey – £17.60 admission
- Cawdor Castle & Gardens – £15.50 admission
**Please note that prices are as of February 2026, and are subject to change. If they are outdated, we will try our best to update them asap!
17. Explore a forgotten Castle Ruin
Unfortunately, some castles didn’t survive the test of time, and over the decades have crumbled to a ruin. It’s been said that castle ruins usually signify a battle loss during war, and with the clan defeated the castle is left to the land to be reclaimed.
Castles that are restored and still open to this day, like the ones listed above, are usually owned by the surviving clans that successfully won battles and continued to be wealthy and rich.
Here’s a quick look at some castle ruins that are worth checking out and adding to your Scottish Highlands bucket list:
- Ardvreck Castle
- Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
- Urquhart Castle – While you’re here, why not book a round-trip Loch Ness cruise!
- Invergarry Castle
18. Relax on a white sand beach
Believe it or not, Scotland is home to some of the most breathtaking, award-winning white sand beaches in all of the United Kingdom. The only downside is, that you’re not exactly going to get the same weather conditions as the likes of Spain, Greece or Türkiye!
However, if the weather is on your side and the sun is beating down, expect to see crystal clear, turquoise waters washing up against beautiful white sand beaches stretching for miles around Scottish coastlines.
Grab your beach towels and pack your picnic in your favourite cooler, it’s time to add one of these amazing beaches to your Scottish Highlands bucket list:
- Coral Beach
- Achmelvich Beach
- Oldshoremore Beach
- Sandwood Bay Beach
- Big Sand Beach
- Red Point Beach
- Clachtoll Beach
And that’s a wrap! We’ve covered lakes, mystical creatures, popular hikes, Harry Potter filming locations, too many castles to count and more! We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about all of the amazing things Scotland has to offer, and that you can add them to your own Scottish Highlands bucket list.
Where to stay in the Scottish Highlands
Here’s a quick guide on a select few accommodations worth booking while travelling around the Scottish Highlands.
Portree, Isle of Skye – Portree Pod – Cute chalet pod on the mystical Isle of Skye
Inverness – Pinewood Cottage Apartment & B&B Inverness – Large double room with breakfast included
Gairloch – The Old School House B&B – King room with sea view, breakfast included
Thurso – Westlea Bed and Breakfast – Double room with breakfast included
Wick – Bank Guest House – Double room with breakfast included
Edinburgh – Princes Street Suites – Studio apartment in a central location
Glasgow – Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel – Signature double room in central Glasgow
Popular tours to book without a car
If you don’t have access to a car to explore our Scottish Highlands bucket list, but still want to see some of the highlights dotted around the Highlands why not take a look at some of the popular tours below!
Tours from Edinburgh
– Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour
– Glenfinnan, Fort William, & Glencoe Day Tour
– Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle & Kelpies Tour
Tours from Inverness
– Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Trip
– Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle
– Jacobite Steam Train and Highlands Tour
Tours from Glasgow
– Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles Tour
– Loch Lomond, Trossachs & Stirling Castle Tour
– Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Tour
When to visit Scotland
As many know, when travelling in the UK you never really know what sort of weather you’re going to get, and yes, we do like to complain about the rain! However, the best you can do is plan to come when you think is best for you. See below for a quick break down on when to expect what weather when exploring the best things to do in the Scottish Highlands:
Low season: November – March
During the low season, roads will be quieter and accommodation is likely to be cheaper too! You will find the weather colder and days shorter, with autumn and spring having higher chances of rain.
Saying this, we visited Edinburgh and the highlands in mid-December and were treated to snow and sunny blue skies! You might find that smaller businesses close during long periods of the low season due to lower footfall. A good option if you want to save some money and experience less tourists.
Shoulder season: October + April
In shoulder season you have a better chance of warmer, longer days compared to the low season. Smaller businesses are more likely to be open but you may find a few more travellers on the road. It’s a great time to see leaves turn to orange during October, and flowers starting to blossom in April!
High season: May – September
Days are at their longest during the high season, especially around mid-June when we hit summer solstice, with the sun setting as late as 10:30 pm. May to early June is a great time to visit as this will be before the UK school holidays, the same with late September too. Late June, July and August are peak travel times for Europe so you will see a lot more tourists around.
As these are the summer months you are more likely to get sunny hot weather, although don’t bank on it! We embarked on our 2 and a half week road trip from late May in to early June and were unfortunately greeted with a brutal arctic weather front blowing from the front. Meaning we had gale-force winds and temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, we were meant to experience summer!
Keep in mind, the warmer and more humid the weather is, the more midges and mosquitos you are likely to encounter, they are BAD in Scotland. We got off lightly, but have heard horror stories of the huge swarms that bite people, not fun!
Planning a trip to the Scottish Highlands
Now that the ULTIMATE Scottish Highlands bucket list has been covered, let’s take a look at some other tools that help you plan a trip up to the Great North!
- Check for any public holidays on your date of visit.
- Book your flights – check Skyscanner prices!
- Book your accommodation on Hostelworld here or on Booking.com here!
- Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! – SafetyWing Nomad Insurance!
- Get an E-sim on Airalo if you’re looking for data in Scotland!
- Pack appropriate clothing for every season (in every season)
If you’ve made it this far, check out our other UK travel guides. We’ve linked a few posts below we thought you might enjoy based on reading this Scottish Highlands Bucket List guide.
- 7 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary
- 3 Day Isle of Skye Itinerary
- 1 Day Highlands Road Trip from Edinburgh
- 1 Week Scottish Highlands Itinerary
- 3 Day Edinburgh Itinerary
- How to Climb Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
- 1 Day York Itinerary & 1 Day Cambridge Itinerary
- 4 Days in London & 1 Day Bristol Itinerary
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