No-one who travels to the Northern Highlands can fail to be struck by a sense of being somewhere different. The sheer atmosphere of these northlands makes a big impression.
The Northern Highlands of Scotland are one of the most remote, rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful regions in the UK. Stretching from Inverness to the northern coast, this area is known for its dramatic mountains, deep glens, wild coastline, and historic sites.
Yet the Northern Highlands also offer splendid variety, all the way from the remote wildness of the austere rock-hewn landscapes of the far north west now Scotland’s first Geopark and Wester Ross, to the quintessentially Scottish architecture of the old burgh of Cromarty at the tip of the Black Isle or the ancient archaeological sites of Caithness.
Getting around the Northern Highlands is easy, with roads radiating out from the natural route centre of Inverness (never too far away) as well as ‘coast’ roads taking in the best of the spectacular northern seaboard. As a further bonus, some of the best of the northern landscapes, for example mid and east Sutherland and the Flow Country of Caithness, can be seen by train.
The Northern Highlands offer an excellent choice of activities for walkers and climbers and there are hundreds of lochs in the north-west to satisfy anglers who love solitude. There is a good choice of boat trips and cruises for close encounters with sea-caves, sea-stacks, seals and dolphins – and even to a special garden accessible only by sea. Golf, cycling, riding and watersports are all to be found here as well.
Highlights of the Northern Highlands
Scenic Drives & Road Trips
North Coast 500 (NC500) – Scotland’s ultimate road trip, covering over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, castles, beaches, and quaint villages.
Bealach na Bà – A famous winding mountain pass leading to Applecross, offering one of the most scenic (and challenging) drives in the UK.
Natural Landmarks
Sutherland & Caithness Cliffs – Dramatic sea cliffs at Duncansby Head and Cape Wrath, home to seabirds like puffins.
Smoo Cave – A massive sea cave near Durness, featuring waterfalls and underground chambers.
Loch Assynt & Ardvreck Castle – A hauntingly beautiful loch with the ruins of a 15th-century castle on its shore.
Torridon & Wester Ross – Stunning mountain landscapes, great for hiking and wildlife spotting.
Beaches & Coastline
Achmelvich Beach – A white sand beach with crystal-clear waters, perfect for a peaceful escape.
Sandwood Bay – A remote, untouched beach with dramatic cliffs and a legendary past.
Hiking & Outdoor Adventures
Ben Hope & Ben Loyal – Two of the most iconic mountains in the far north, offering challenging hikes with incredible views.
Cape Wrath Trail – One of the toughest long-distance hikes in the UK, for serious adventurers.
History & Culture
Dunrobin Castle – A fairy-tale castle with beautiful gardens and falconry displays.
Clava Cairns – Ancient standing stones and burial cairns, said to have inspired Outlander.
Castle of Mey – The former holiday home of the Queen Mother, open to visitors in summer.
The Northern Highlands are perfect for road trips, hiking, and exploring some of Scotland’s most unspoiled landscapes.
Ultimately, however, it is the wildness of the far north and its all but empty grandeur that will stay with you long after you have left.