Travel in the Highlands of Scotland?

Question

I am starting to research a trip to the Highlands and am looking for info / advice for my trip. Big on my list is high scenic views and to maybe step back in time. Castles, pubs, and scenery are a must. Where to go and where to stay? Anyone who either lives there or has traveled there I would love to hear from.

Answer 1

Are you driving? If so, my very favourite route is northwards from Doune (not far from Stirling), then following the roads up through the magnificent Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe (the Weeping Vale) to Fort William where you can see Ben Nevis.

To take quite a lot in, go from Fort William to Inverness, taking the south route along Loch Ness if you want peace; the north route if you want to do it quickly and see Urquhart Castle where Nessie is most often spotted!

Go north from Inverness to Helmsdale and cut up through the wild scenery until you reach the north coast; from there go west and keep following the roads until you can go no further. From the northwest point (Durness), follow the road down the west coast and take in all the glorious lochs and fantastic, primeval scenery on your way down. Explore the tracks off the main road.

From Loch Torridon you can take the Applecross Pass, the highest point in Britain (I think), with wonderful views and some hair-raising turns on the way down. The Pass is closed in bad weather; we once had to turn back, but saw wild stags on the way.

The roads to Kyle of Lochalsh (to get to Skye) and Mallaig are wonderful. There is so much to see and explore, I can't describe it all here - and I'm missing out the islands!

As I'm writing this, I'm listening to Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda" coincidentally; you could look up Mary, Queen of Scots and follow some of her footsteps through part of Scotland's dark and bloody history. Take in Edinburgh, also, and Holyrood Palace as well as the Castle. Further south, in Jedburgh, there is Mary's house where she stayed for a while, and from where she rode to Bothwell's castle home:
http://www.aboutscotland.co.uk/hermary.html
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/hawick/hermitagecastle/index.html

Here are some Scottish Castles:
http://www.phouka.com/travel/castles/castles.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castles_in_Scotland

You could also visit some places connected with Bonnie Prince Charlie; Culloden is a "haunted" battlefield. There is (west) a monument in a beautiful place on the Mallaig road.

For accommodation, we just drove and about an hour before we wanted to stop, looked out for small, private Bed and Breakfast places - we also stayed, quite unplanned, in some wonderful castles! And I think you should just try all the pubs that look interesting along the way. Many serve tasty traditional Scottish foods.

I envy you; have a wonderful time.

Answer 2

I live there now and when you get there just come to my house I will show you everything you need to see what you want to see and things you didn't think you could see and all for 1 dollar I will even cook for you and dessert is on me literally go to my website IEATTATORTOTS.ORG

Answer 3

Check out the whiskey trail. Enjoy Scotland!!