Highlands and Islands Overview

Misty and remote, the untamed wilds of the Scottish Highlands have long been the stuff of legend and fantasy. These sheep-dotted moors, sliced by the narrow lochs of the Great Glen and framed by stoic granite mountain ranges, have endured for thousands of years. Once home to kilted clans, the Highlands’ current residents include some of Scotland’s last Gaelic-speaking Scots, artisans, and crofters. Raging winds and ocean currents can be forbidding, but the land’s unparalleled beauty draws thousands of visitors every year.

Climb Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, whose 4406 ft. peak hides behind a layer of clouds. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Ireland .
Discover an unsurpassed wealth of ancient ruins set amid sheep, sky, and ocean in the Orkney and Shetland Islands .
Trek through the Cuillin Mountains and misty waters of the Isle of Skye .

Transportation

Although it’s possible to travel by public transportation through the Highlands in the summer months, advance planning is essential, as bus and train schedules seem to shift with the winds. In winter, treacherous weather conditions and many fewer buses and trains make travel even more difficult. The essential Public Transport Travel Guides, free from TICs, are region-specific and up-to-date. Trains (☎08457 484 950) travel to major destinations and shipping areas, and Scottish Citylink buses (☎08705 505 050) often connect train travelers to smaller towns. Citylink offers an Explorer Pass (3 consecutive days £35, 5 days in 10 £59, 8 days in 16 £79), which includes 50% off on CalMac ferries. The Royal Mail operates a postbus service (www.postbus.royalmail.com) that is often the best way to access remote areas in summer months. Driving in the Highlands is more convenient but involves navigating single-lane roads, icy winter conditions, and sheep with a death wish (see By Car). Most ferries, especially on the west coast, are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac; ☎08000 665 000; www.calmac.co.uk). Peruse the website for the combination ticket (“Island Hopscotch” pass) that best suits your trip.

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