Rolling hills, glorious lochs, snow-capped mountains, endless miles of heather, dark, mysterious and inspiring forests – it can only be one place: the Scottish Highlands. This vast area of Scotland – approximately 26,000km² – covers around a third of Scotland’s landmass and over 11% of the UK’s land area. Despite its enormous size, only around 600,000 people live across this area, which is – and always has been – one of Britain’s last truly remote areas.
This guide will show you how to connect with nature and make your way around the stunning Highlands, which have inspired artists, poets, writers, hikers, naturalists, scientists, historians and plenty more people over the centuries. The best way to explore the Highlands is to really connect with nature – leave your car at home and explore this stunning part of the world in a more eco-friendly manner.
There are plenty of reasons to ditch the car and explore the Highlands without one:
Because petrol stations are few and far between in the Highlands, you might think that petrol is cheap. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong. Petrol throughout the UK is notoriously expensive, and the Highlands are no exception. Combine that with costs of up to £120 per day to hire a car, and you’re looking at a very expensive trip before you’ve even considered excursions, food and accommodation.
Leave the driving to someone else and live your best passenger princess life. The roads can be notoriously tricky to navigate, so it’s best to leave it to an experienced and knowledgeable local driver. Or, you could take one of the many scenic train routes which cut through the landscape like a hot knife through butter, while you’re treated to exquisite views all around your train carriage.
Travelling without a car is by far the most eco-friendly way to explore the Highlands. And why wouldn’t you want to decrease your carbon footprint in an area known for outstanding air quality, vast areas of natural beauty and huge populations of native wildlife?
While the Scottish Highlands are largely remote and wild, there are numerous train services that operate throughout the region. If you’ve ever seen the Harry Potter movies, then you’ll have seen the world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, one of the most famous sections of the Highland railway.
There are also several other smaller train services which reach small towns in the region, as well as larger ones that visit different cities, so train travel is an affordable and effective way to travel around the Highlands. We recommend booking your tickets in advance to save money on train travel, and being flexible is key, especially in the winter months when extreme weather can disrupt rail services.
There are also bus services which provide an effective way to travel between Highland towns and villages that may not have train access. These bus services are not as frequent as those in major Scottish cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, so again, being flexible is key.
Travelling by bus is much cheaper than travelling by train, although you are generally restricted to shorter journeys when doing so. Of course, the plus side is that you can see parts of the Highlands that you cannot reach by train.
One of the best ways to experience the Scottish Highlands without a car is by partaking in a day trip put on by a tour company. Because they are a popular area to visit, numerous tour companies offer trips into this beautiful part of the world, including Highland Tour Company, Timberbush Tours and Heartland Travel.
These tours are an excellent way to explore the region while also learning about the history, culture and geography of the region from a knowledgeable, local tour guide.
Flying into the Highlands is another viable option, but it can be expensive. Glasgow Airport is the biggest major international airport to the southern Highlands, while if you’re wanting to explore further north, then flights to the smaller airports of Inverness and Aberdeen are suitable options. However, flight times are few and far between at the latter airports, and can typically cost over £300 per flight.
Wild camping is legal throughout almost all of Scotland, so if you’re keen to explore like a real adventurer, then get your tent packed, your hiking boots on and set off on the adventure of a lifetime throughout the Highlands. Make sure to plan your route accordingly and research the best areas to camp. Make sure that you don’t camp on private land, and always leave an area as you found it, including taking all of your litter with you. You should always prepare for all weather conditions, as the weather in the Highlands can change at the flick of a switch.
Day trips are one of the best ways to explore stunning regions of the Highlands in a short space of time:
Glencoe: Dramatic mountain scenery and breathtaking views, Glencoe is one of Scotland’s most beautiful glens. Take the cable car to the top of the mountain while you’re here for the best views of all.
Loch Ness: The world’s most famous loch. Keep a pair of binoculars on hand in case the famous ‘Nessie’ makes an appearance from the water!
Trossachs National Park: The stunning scenery in areas such as Loch Lomond – the largest inland waterway in Great Britain – provides the perfect backdrop for a day of exploring.
Speyside: Head over towards the coast to visit the Speyside region of the Highlands, most famous for its single malt whisky production. An ideal day trip for whisky enthusiasts.
Culloden: Visit the site of the famous battle of 1746, which formally ended the Jacobite Uprising. A beautiful area with a rich history, and a must-visit for history buffs.
Glencoe, Scotland
Scotland’s biggest northern city, Inverness, is a great place to base yourself if you’re planning on visiting the Highlands without a car. Well-connected to the rest of the Highland region – and Scotland – by trains and buses, as well as being home to a wide range of accommodation, including hostels, B&Bs and luxury hotels, Inverness is a great city to explore and stay in.
Found in the western region of the Highlands, Fort William is another well-connected place to stay when visiting the Highlands without a car. Set at the foot of Ben Nevis – Scotland’s highest mountain – this is a great place to stay if you’re planning on doing lots of walking or hiking, or even if you’re planning on tackling Ben Nevis itself. There are also lots of boat trips to nearby islands, ideal for fishing trips.
One of Scotland’s most picturesque towns, set on the outskirts of the Cairngorms National Park in the heart of Scotland, Aviemore is also well-connected by train and bus to other Highland regions. With plenty of pubs and restaurants in the town, you won’t be short of anywhere to eat or drink and experience authentic Highland hospitality. A great place to base yourself if you want a quieter stay, or to experience the Highlands without staying in a city.
Staying in Inverness for three days might not seem like much, so we’ve also accommodated for an extra couple of days if a long weekend isn’t quite enough for you.
Day 1: Explore the city on foot, visiting famous sites such as Inverness Cathedral, Inverness Castle and the Victorian Market.
Day 2: Visit Culloden Battlefield for a history fix, and then you could also take a trip to the nearby Clava Cairns, a prehistoric burial site.
Day 3: Day trip to Loch Ness. Keep an eye out for Nessie or any strange movements in the water!
Days 4-5: Two great ways to spend an extra couple of days in Inverness include a trip to the Isle of Skye (around 3 hours by bus) on one day, and then finish off your trip with a visit to a local whisky distillery such as Glen Ord Distillery.
Fort William is another excellent location to base yourself in for a trip to the Highlands without a car.
Day 1: Familiarise yourself with your surroundings, and visit the West Highland Museum in the town to garner a deeper understanding of the history, culture and geography of the region.
Day 2: Glen or Ben Nevis. Glen Nevis is the name of the nearby valley, while Ben Nevis is the mountain itself. For skilled climbers and hikers, why not tackle Ben Nevis? For those who aren’t so keen, a day exploring the valley on foot is a good alternative.
Day 3: Loch Linnhe Cruise. Explore the beautiful loch from the water, and with a dedicated tour guide, you’ll learn all sorts of fascinating insights from here. Stop off for a pub lunch and a few drinks to see out the rest of your day.
Days 4-5: A day trip on each day helps to extend your stay in and around the Fort William area. Try and visit Glencoe on one day, and Oban on the next for a mixture of hiking and whisky tasting.
Being based a little bit further south does not mean that you have to miss out on the beauty of the Highlands when you stay in Aviemore.
Day 1: Have a wander around the town centre, check into your accommodation and visit some of the local pubs and restaurants to help you settle in.
Day 2: Cairngorm Mountain. Weather permitting, you can take the funicular railway to the top and visit the Ptarmigan Restaurant and visitor centre at the peak of the mountain.
Day 3: Hiking and reindeer. Keep an eye out for native reindeer and other species of deer as you hike around the moorland near Aviemore. Bring some binoculars and a camera with you.
Days 4-5: Kinguisse Wildlife Park is a short bus journey away, and this safari-style zoo is a great place to visit, especially with children. You can also visit Loch an Eilein with its ruined castle for another good day out, as there are lots of hiking routes nearby.
Overall, it is definitely possible to enjoy a trip to the Highlands without a car. With strong rail and bus connections throughout the region, plenty of interesting and affordable tours, and hundreds of dedicated hiking and walking routes, the Highlands are arguably best explored car-free. Take in the scenery, plan your routes accordingly, and make sure to book day trips and tours in advance, and your car-free trip to the Highlands will be smooth and seamless.