Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle
Scotland's most famous loch with dramatic ruined castle and daily monster-spotting cruises from Fort Augustus and Inverness.
Scotland · Highlands
Highlands
Top attractions, upcoming events, festivals and family activities across Highlands.
About Highlands
The Scottish Highlands cover almost half of Scotland's land area but only a fraction of its population — meaning open glens, ancient forests, dark skies and some of the most dramatic coastline in Europe. Inverness serves as the Highland capital, with Fort William, Aviemore and Ullapool acting as gateways to Ben Nevis, the Cairngorms and the North West coast.
Highland events blend traditional culture — Highland Games, ceilidhs and pipe band contests — with a growing calendar of food festivals, music weekends and adventure sports. Whether you're driving the North Coast 500, catching a Highland Games weekend or looking for family attractions near Aviemore, this page is a good place to start.
Below you'll find the region's top attractions, seasonal highlights and a live feed of every Highland event we're tracking.
Top attractions in Highlands
Ben Nevis & Glen Nevis
The UK's highest mountain, plus one of the country's most cinematic glens for gentler walking and picnics.
Cairngorms National Park
The UK's largest national park — reindeer, ospreys, ski slopes and the Speyside whisky trail all in one.
Culloden Battlefield
A moving, well-curated visitor centre on the site of the 1746 battle that ended the Jacobite rising.
Cairngorm Reindeer Herd
Britain's only free-ranging reindeer herd, high on the Cairngorm plateau above Aviemore.
North Coast 500
A 516-mile scenic loop starting and ending at Inverness Castle, taking in beaches, castles and cliffs.
Upcoming events in Highlands
See allNo upcoming events currently listed for Highlands. Check back soon or browse all Scottish events.
Festivals in Highlands
Braemar Gathering
First Saturday of SeptemberThe most famous Highland Games in the world, traditionally attended by the Royal Family.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
July / AugustA three-day music and arts festival near Beauly with a distinctly Highland atmosphere.
Blas Festival
SeptemberA nine-day celebration of Gaelic music and culture across the Highlands.
Rockness Reunion / XpoNorth
JuneIndustry-facing music showcases and gigs in Inverness.
Cowal Highland Gathering
AugustMassed pipe bands, heavyweight athletics and traditional dance.
Family activities in Highlands
Ideas for families visiting Highlands — most work rain or shine and pair well with the events listed above.
- CairnGorm Mountain Railway and adventure park at Aviemore
- Landmark Forest Adventure Park at Carrbridge
- Nessie boat trip from Fort Augustus
- Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig
- Jacobite steam train from Fort William
- Beaches at Achmelvich, Sandwood and Dornoch
- Rothiemurchus Estate mountain biking and fishing
When to visit Highlands
Summer is peak season for the North Coast 500, Highland Games and midge cream. Autumn delivers stunning colour in the Cairngorms and quieter roads.
Winter turns Aviemore and Nevis Range into working ski resorts, and delivers the best chance of catching the Northern Lights from Caithness and Sutherland. Spring brings ospreys back to Loch Garten and calving red deer to the glens.
Popular venues in Highlands
All venuesWe're still building our venue directory for Highlands. Browse all Scottish venues.
Explore Highlands by category
Curated landing pages for the biggest event types in Highlands.
Local guides
Free things to do in Scotland
Highland-friendly ideas that cost nothing.
Family days out
Editorial guide to family attractions across Scotland.
Summer events guide
Our pick of Scottish summer festivals and outdoor events.
Best festivals in Scotland
Where to find the biggest Highland Games and music weekends.
Highlands — Frequently asked questions
When are the Highland Games?
Most Highland Games run between May and September. The Braemar Gathering on the first Saturday of September is the most famous, but there are gatherings almost every weekend across the summer.
What's the best base for exploring the Highlands?
Inverness is the biggest hub with rail links from the south. Fort William suits Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, while Aviemore is best for the Cairngorms and family-friendly attractions.
Can I see the Northern Lights in the Highlands?
Yes — the far north around Thurso, Caithness and the Isle of Skye offer some of the darkest skies in the UK. October to March is the best window.
How long does it take to drive the North Coast 500?
The 516-mile loop is usually driven over 5 to 7 days to allow time for stops. Doing it in fewer than 4 days is not recommended.
Are there family-friendly Highland events?
Plenty — Highland Games, Landmark Forest Adventure Park, the Cairngorm reindeer herd and the Jacobite steam train are all firm family favourites.