Inverness
The main attraction in Inverness is a leisurely stroll along the river to the Ness Islands. Planted with mature Scots pine, fir, beech and sycamore, and…
Must-see attractions in Central Highlands
The Cairngorms
This place features a drive-through safari park as well as animal enclosures offering the chance to view rarely seen native wildlife, such as wildcats,…
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Highland Perthshire
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland, magnificent Blair Castle – and its surrounding estates – is the seat of the Duke of Atholl, head…
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Central Highlands
When George Bullough, a dashing, Harrow-educated cavalry officer, inherited Rum along with half his father’s fortune in 1891, he became one of the…
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The Cairngorms
The Rothiemurchus Estate, which extends from the River Spey at Aviemore to the Cairngorm summit plateau, is famous for having one of Scotland’s largest…
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Fort William
The Jacobite Steam Train, hauled by a former LNER K1 or LMS Class 5MT locomotive, travels the scenic two-hour run between Fort William and Mallaig…
The Cairngorms
Built for Queen Victoria in 1855 as a private residence for the Royal Family, Balmoral kicked off the revival of the Scottish Baronial style of…
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The Cairngorms
West of Braemar spreads the National Trust for Scotland's Mar Lodge Estate, one of the country's most important nature conservation areas, covering 7% of…
Inverness
The hill above the city centre is topped by the picturesque Baronial turrets of Inverness Castle, a pink-sandstone confection dating from 1847 that…
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Highland Perthshire
Waymarked walks lead upstream from Dunkeld Cathedral through the gorgeous grounds of Dunkeld House Hotel, formerly a seat of the dukes of Atholl. In the…
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Highland Perthshire
Situated on the grassy banks of the River Tay, Dunkeld Cathedral is one of the most beautifully sited churches in Scotland; don’t miss it on a sunny day,…
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The Cairngorms
The national park's most popular attraction is this funicular railway that will whisk you to the edge of the Cairngorm plateau (altitude 1085m) in just…
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The Cairngorms
This open-air museum comprises a collection of historical buildings and artefacts revealing many aspects of Highland culture and lifestyle. Laid out like…
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The Cairngorms
The Strathspey railway runs steam trains on a section of restored line between Aviemore and Broomhill, 10 miles to the northeast, via Boat of Garten…
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The Cairngorms
Ruthven Barracks was one of four garrisons built by the British government after the first Jacobite rebellion of 1715, as part of a Hanoverian scheme to…
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Highland Perthshire
Castle Menzies is the 16th-century seat of the chief of clan Menzies (ming-iss), magnificently set against a forest backdrop. Inside it reeks of…
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Fort William
This small but fascinating museum is packed with all manner of Highland memorabilia. Look out for the secret portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie – after the…
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The Cairngorms
Ten miles up Glenesk from Edzell is a former shooting lodge that houses a fascinating collection of antiques and artefacts documenting everyday life in…
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Highland Perthshire
At the eastern end of Aberfeldy, the home of the famous Dewar's blend offers a good 90-minute tour. After the usual overblown film, there’s a museum…
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The Cairngorms
The Rothiemurchus Estate's visitor centre, a mile southeast of Aviemore along the B970, sells an Explorer Map detailing more than 50 miles of footpaths…
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The Cairngorms
In the wild hills of the eastern Cairngorms, near the A939 road from Cockbridge to Tomintoul, is the impressive fortress of Corgarff Castle. The tower…
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Highland Perthshire
You could while away several hours at this converted watermill, which houses a cafe, bookshop and art gallery exhibiting contemporary works of art. The…
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The Cairngorms
This reserve is a great place for short hikes across steep hillsides covered in natural birch forest where you can spot wildlife such as the peregrine…
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Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Centre
Highland Perthshire
Loch of the Lowes, 2 miles east of Dunkeld off the A923, has a visitor centre devoted to red squirrels and the majestic osprey. There’s a birdwatching…
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The Cairngorms
Just north of Braemar village, turreted Braemar Castle dates from 1628 and served as a government garrison after the 1745 Jacobite rebellion. It was taken…
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Central Highlands
The only part of the island that still belongs to the Bullough family is this mausoleum in Glen Harris. It's a miniature Greek temple that wouldn’t look…
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Highland Perthshire
This eccentric collection housed in the old village school celebrates local life through the ages, with exhibits ranging from a letter from a Canadian…
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Beatrix Potter Exhibition & Garden
Highland Perthshire
In the middle of Birnam village is the small, leafy Beatrix Potter Garden; the children’s author, who wrote the evergreen story of Peter Rabbit, spent her…
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Highland Perthshire
The Queen's View at the eastern end of Loch Tummel is a magnificent viewpoint with a vista along the loch to the conical peak of Schiehallion (1083m)…
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RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Centre
The Cairngorms
Ospreys migrate here each spring from Africa and nest in a tall pine tree beside Loch Garten – you can watch from a hide as the birds feed their young…
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Inverness Museum & Art Gallery
Inverness
Inverness Museum & Art Gallery has wildlife dioramas, geological displays, period rooms with historic weapons, Pictish stones and exhibitions of…
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The Cairngorms
A small museum that chronicles the history of the town and its relationship to Clan Grant; also houses a tourist information point.
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Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre
The Cairngorms
This visitor centre and rural museum celebrates local history, with reconstructions of a crofter's kitchen and a blacksmith's forge.
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Fort William
A tour of this distillery makes for a warming rainy day alternative to exploring the hills.
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