The Scottish Highlands

What comes to mind when you think of the Scottish Highlands? I immediately picture a scene dominated by one color. Green - like the stunning hilly landscape filled with lush meadows that seems to stretch endlessly to the horizon. Join me on a road trip through the Scottish Highlands!

It is an area that feels like humanity has not yet taken control. The little roads are completely adapted to the surrounding landscape, winding like a stream through the hills. When a structure interrupts the natural flow, it is imposing castles and fortresses from a long-gone era. Probably, this is exactly what makes the Highlands so fascinating: the untouched nature, the unique and at the same time mysterious appearance, along with the feeling of escaping the passage of time. Not only tourists are constantly enchanted by the Scottish Highlands; filmmakers have also been ruthlessly drawn to it: Harry Potter, James Bond's 'Skyfall', and the U.S. series Outlander all share this scenic backdrop. I've put together a small Highlands road trip for you that will guide you past the top attractions of this magical region. So grab a cheap rental car and let's hit the road!

Driving on the Left Side in Scotland

Our journey begins in Scotland's largest city, Glasgow. Although this cultural city technically belongs to the Lowlands, its southern location and airport make it a perfect starting point to gradually venture northwards. Unlike most Scottish cities, Glasgow has been spared from aristocratic influences, so you won't find medieval castles and fortresses here. Instead, Glasgow is a cultural hotspot: concerts, theaters, and the largest museum in the city, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, await you here. You can learn more about the city in my article about the most beautiful sights in Glasgow.

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You will catch your first whiff of Highland air at the Loch Lomond Nature Reserve, just 50 minutes away. The lake is the largest in Scotland and rivals its famous sibling, Loch Ness. Green hills and dense forests cradle the Loch in a picturesque landscape. The best way to experience it is to lace up your hiking boots and take a walk around the lake or climb the surrounding mountains. You are guaranteed to get a glimpse of the Highland landscape.

Since we're on the topic of water, let's continue. Follow me to Glen Coe, also known as the Valley of Tears. It earned this name due to the Massacre of 1692, when, on a cold February night, Robert Campbell of Glenlyon, under royal orders, killed all members of the McDonald clan who were younger than 70. The deaths of nearly 80 people, including women and children, were recorded as a low point in the country's history.

Given the view that the valley offers, such a dark past seems unimaginable. But not just the rich colors and the vibrantly glowing greens are worth a visit. For Harry Potter fans, Glen Coe is an absolute must! The valley and its surroundings served as the backdrop for the most famous school of witchcraft and wizardry, Hogwarts. But that's not all; during filming, Hagrid's hut was located here but has since been completely dismantled.

You can linger a little longer in the magical world of young Harry and decide whether to continue your journey north on a steam train reminiscent of the Hogwarts Express. A dream come true for every Harry Potter fan!

The Jacobite Steam Train departs from Fort William station, meanders through the magical scenery, crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and passes along Loch Shiel, which also served as a backdrop for the Harry Potter film series. The ride ends in Mallaig, located a bit further west, after a duration of two hours. This experience is well worth the £29! A dream come true for every Harry Potter fan!

However, you can rest assured: Even with a rental car, this place is definitely worth a visit, as the view of this stunning bridge with its 21 arches is simply fascinating, just like a visit to Loch Shiel, which offers wonderful photo opportunities.

Another highlight on your way north is the famous Eilean Donan Castle, the so-called Highlander's castle. In the film of the same name, it was the shooting location for the home of the MacLeod clan, and it also served as a film set for the James Bond hit 'Skyfall'. This castle, located in the west of Scotland near Dornie, is situated on a small peninsula at Loch Duich and is an attraction that no tourist should miss during a road trip through the Highlands. Upon request, Scottish guides dressed in kilts offer tours of this historic castle. From Fort Augustus, you will drive in about two hours to one of the world's most famous lakes, Loch Ness. When you hear that name, you undoubtedly think directly of its similarly famous monster, 'Nessie' - a myth that still draws countless tourists to this lake. As you search for it, your gaze will inevitably drift to the most historically significant castle ruin in the country - Urquhart Castle.

Not far from Loch Ness lies Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. For the northernmost city in Britain, I have a little insider tip for you. While the place I'm about to share with you is not a typical attraction, Leakey's Second-hand Bookshop in Inverness is a truly well-hidden treasure nestled in a former church just waiting to be discovered by you. I have rarely visited a place that had such an attraction for me. I'm sure you will feel the same way when you enter this store!

We have already passed the halfway point of our journey through the Highlands. But what would a trip through the Scottish Highlands be without a visit to the games they are known for? The Highland Games in Invercharron are a must on your trip through Scotland! Nowhere else will you find so much tradition in one place. The strongest men in the country, dressed in kilts and armed with self-confidence, compete against each other here. Whether it's tug of war or the legendary caber toss - the Highland Games are an extraordinary spectacle.

From the northernmost point of our journey, we now head back south to Perth. The drive will take you two and a half to three hours, but you'll see that time flies. On your way, you'll traverse Cairngorms National Park, which will once again showcase the beauty of the Highlands in all its facets. In Perth itself awaits Scone Palace, a - what else could it be - castle for you. The expansive castle gardens invite romantic walks and provide a place where you can let your soul unwind.

Hard to believe, but by crossing the enormous Firth of Forth Bridge, we reach the end of our road trip through the Scottish Highlands. But what could cap off such a journey better than a visit to the Scottish capital Edinburgh? This medieval city, located on Scotland's east coast, serves as the gateway to the rugged north of the United Kingdom. We have now definitively left the Highlands and are briskly walking through the streets of the Lowlands. This culturally significant city is dominated by the famous Edinburgh Castle, located at the west end of the Old Town and housing one of the oldest buildings in the city, St. Margaret's Chapel.

This was my little road trip through the Scottish Highlands. Of course, there are many other routes that will lead you to further fascinating attractions. Just decide how much you want to see and plan a road trip through magical landscapes that you certainly won't forget anytime soon, based on your budget, time, and desire! I would say that now nothing stands in the way of your road trip through the Scottish Highlands, right?