Scottish HighlandsUnited Kingdom
natureadventureroad-triphistoricalphotography
Mist-shrouded glens, ruined castles, single-track roads, and whisky distilleries — the Highlands are Britain's last true wilderness. The landscape shifts from brooding moors to white-sand beaches that rival the Caribbean (minus the temperature).
Best Time to Visit
May to September
Daily Budget
$80-160/day
mid-range tier
Weather
Maritime. Cool summers (12-18°C), mild wet winters (2-7°C). Rain is frequent and unpredictable. May-June often the driest months.
Top Things to Do in Scottish Highlands
- Isle of Skye — dramatic Cuillin mountains, Fairy Pools, and Old Man of Storr
- Glen Coe — Scotland's most atmospheric valley
- NC500 road trip — 516-mile loop around the northern Highlands
- Eilean Donan Castle — the most photographed castle in Scotland
- Whisky distillery tours — Speyside has the highest concentration in the world
Travel Tips
- 1.Midges (biting insects) are brutal June-August — carry repellent and a head net
- 2.Book accommodation in advance for Skye in summer — it sells out months ahead
- 3.Drive the single-track roads slowly and use passing places — locals appreciate courtesy