The Scottish Highlands: 15 Must Visit Places

So maybe you have heard of this mythical place or maybe you've even visited before. If you haven't, you should definitely go, because words can't describe the remoteness and beauty of this place. It is also called one of Europe's last true wildernesses, and this is no exaggeration. Once you've passed Inverness, there's no more cities and the term ‘town’ gets a new meaning. This is where the fun really begins.

For this guide I have compiled a list of amazing things to see and do - from Inverness all the way up to Durness, which covers the most exciting part of the NC 500, a 516 mile long coastal route leading around the entire Northern part of Scotland.

• Corrieshalloch Gorge
  This sixty metre deep gorge is really impressive, there's a Victorian suspension bridge, allowing you to cross the gorge right above a large waterfall. Nature's finest. There is also a couple of smaller waterfalls called Rogie Falls, located not far from Inverness.

• The Summer Isles
  Catamaran cruises to the Summer Isles operate from Ullapool harbour during the summer months. There's a good chance you will spot some dolphins and Shearwater Cruises' tours also include a visit to the main island, Tanera Mor, which is actually for sale. If you happen to have a spare £1.95 million, how about a private, remote little island just for yourself? Back in Ullapool, The Ceilidh Place has rooms, good food, live music and the cutest little bookshop!

• Stac Pollaidh
  Down the windy single track road to Achiltibuie, you will pass a small mountain perfect for hiking. At 613 metres it's not huge, but offers amazing views over the area. If you just can't get enough, get in touch with Hamlet Mountaineering and go rock climbing or canoeing on Loch Lurgainn below.

• Bone Caves
  Big favourite here! The path leads through an ancient glacial valley alongside a small stream, all the way up a steep hillside to a couple of ancient caves. The remnants of animals such as lynx, reindeer and polar bears who used to roam this area probably millions of years ago, have been found here. It's one of those special places that just have so much natural history it almost feels sacred. You can find the parking lot for the Bone Caves near Ledmore Junction.

• River Inver Adventure Walk
  Once you get into Lochinver, you'll find parking on the bridge just coming into town. There's a small gate which is your starting point for this walk. Just follow the wild river upstream. There's an easy version following the main path and the, what I call adventure version, following the smaller paths close to the gorge edge, which eventually lead down to the shallower part of the river. Also, don't leave Lochinver without popping into the Pie Shop, officially called Lochinver Larder. As the name suggests: This is Pie Heaven!

• Quinag
  At 808 metres, this is one of the bigger hills to climb. The mountain is Y-shaped, so there are three different peaks to explore and each one offers breathtaking views. Also, the summit is one of the few places in the area that have phone signal!

• Drumbeg Road
  THE Drumbeg road - every driving enthusiasts wet dream. This road is basically a single track rollercoaster, but driving it also gives you access to some stunning places like the tropical looking, but way colder Achmelvich Beach and Stoer, the Western headland, featuring a lighthouse and sea stack. Sometimes you can even spot whales from the clifftops.

• Scourie
  A picturesque little village with a population of only two-hundred, definitely worth visiting. Scourie has a lovely bay, campsite,
  hotel & bar, a small grocery shop and a petrol station. Apparently Scourie is home to the most Northern palm trees in the world. Make sure to explore the headland past the bay!

• Handa Island
  This island is a nature reserve and bird paradise - if you want to see puffins, this is the place to go! Small boats to the island run from the tiny village of Tarbet, which also has a fantastic family run seafood restaurant called The Shorehouse, about six miles from Scourie. Handa has some spectacular cliffs and wildlife. You can walk around the entire island within a couple of hours and the paths are very well kept by volunteers. (Yes, you can live on the island as a volunteer with the Scottish Wildlife Trust!)

• Oldshoremore
  One of the best beaches in the area. Lots of sand, a tidal island and a second, secret bay hidden behind the headland at the far end of the beach. This has 'adventure' written all over it, but it is also the perfect place to relax on a sunny day or enjoy the magnificent sunsets.

• Sandwood Bay
  Ah, Sandwood Bay... This beach is just something else. Accessible only via a four mile long footpath, this beach offers huge dunes and a whole mile of sand. There are plenty of local legends about this place which has seen many shipwrecks in the past and the isolation creates an almost eerie atmosphere. It's not easy to get to, but it's definitely a must visit place.

• Balnakeil Craft Village
  This former early warning station from Cold War times should be your main stop in Durness. Chocolate - do I need to say any more? What has the Cold War got to with chocolate, you might be wondering...
  Back in the 1960's, the place was reborn as an El Dorado for creative minds. Today Balnakeil Craft Village is full of artists, craft shops and home to the famous chocolaterie & café, Cocoa Mountain.

• Smoo Cave
  Another must visit place in Durness for your bucket list. This cave system is located at the end of a sea canyon and consists of one big cave which is connected to two smaller freshwater caves. One of them even has a waterfall. In good weather conditions, you can take a boat tour inside the smaller caves. Smoo Cave is believed to have been used by Norse settlers as far back as 5.000 years ago.

• Beaches
  Following the road out of Durness towards Rispond, you will soon be able to spot some pristine beaches with perfect views of a small uninhabited island called Eilean Hoan. Ceannabeine Beach is one of the most beautiful ones - at low tide you can walk around a big cliff and explore the far end of the beach, where a stream coming down from the hills meets the sea.

• Lotte Glob's Paradise
  Lotte Glob is a Danish ceramic artist, who created her own little paradise just on the banks of Loch Eriboll. Her creations are beautiful and even if you're not into ceramics, she will likely invite you to have a walk around her huge gardens, which back on to the sea. Truly inspiring!

I hope this little guide will help you make the most out of your Highlands Roadtrip. You haven't planned one? Well, it's about time then!

A tiny piece of advice: The best time to visit is May to June. At this time of year, both tourist and midge numbers are relatively low and this is also the best time for a chance to see puffins. Be careful on the roads and watch out for deer and especially sheep - they just love taking a nap in the middle of the road.

The only places that have groceries and petrol on this stretch are Ullapool, Lochinver, Scourie and Durness, so it’s best to prepare in order to avoid getting stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Have you visited any of these places? What do you think? Anything to add to the list? Let me know if you have any more suggestions! If you liked this blog, make sure to upvote and follow for more!