The Highlands is the part of Scotland which reflects perfectly most people's romantic image of Scotland. The main towns are Inverness and Fort William, which lies in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. North from here stretches a dramatic shoreline of deep sea lochs and sheltered coves of pure white sand backed by towering mountains and looking across to numerous Hebridean islands (see Outer Hebrides Guide). West of Fort William, via the lyrical 'Road to the Isles', is Mallaig, now the main departure point for ferries to Skye. Further north is Ullapool, one of the main ferry ports for the Outer Hebrides and the ideal base from which to explore the wild and near-deserted far northwest.

Highlands of Scotland Introduction

You can trace your way around using the pages below:

Inverness |  The Moray Firth |  Things to do in the Highlands | Ardnamurchan Loch Ness To Fort William |  Highlands Hotels |West Of Inverness | Wester Ross | The Cairngorms | North Of Ullapool | The Far North |  The Road To The Isles And The Kyle Of Lochalsh | West Of Inverness | The North East Coast |

Inverness is the largest town in the region and 'capital of the Highlands'. It lies at the northeastern end of the Great Glen, which cuts diagonally across the southern Highlands to Fort William, linking deep and mysterious Loch Ness with the west coast and giving access to Glencoe, one of the most beautifully evocative Highland glens and a major climbing and skiing centre. Inverness is also ideally situated for exploring the northeast coast, with its charming old fishing ports, and the storm-lashed north coast, running west from John O'Groats to Cape Wrath, as wild and remote a place as you could ever wish for.

• Inverness
• The Moray Firth
• West Of Inverness
• The Cairngorms
• Loch Ness To Fort William
• Ardnamurchan
• The Road To The Isles And The Kyle Of Lochalsh
• Wester Ross
• North Of Ullapool
• The Far North
• The North East Coast
• Things To Do In The Highlands