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Balmoral Castle
The story of the British royal family’s love affair with the Scottish Highlands began in 1852, when Prince Albert purchased Balmoral Castle for Queen Victoria. The castle, located near the village of Braemar, has been a beloved home of British...
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Crathie Kirk
Just outside Braemar in the village of Crathie, Crathie Kirk is a small church known primarily as a regular place of worship for the British royal family. They visit frequently for Sunday service when they are in residence at Balmoral...
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Culloden Battlefield
In 1746, this sleepy meadow less than ten miles east of Inverness witnessed the culmination of the Jacobite Rising in what is to this day the last great battle to have been fought on British soil. The Battle of Culloden...
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Day Trip: Isle of Skye
A remote island in northwest Scotland, Skye is best known for its rugged and majestic landscapes, medieval castles and picturesque villages. It is connected to the mainland via bridge, and while day trips are possible to Skye from Inverness or...
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Dewar Aberfeldy Distillery
Perhaps the most popular whisky distillery in Scotland, Dewar’s is set in the town of Aberfeldy, a logistical stop between Edinburgh and the Highlands. The estate’s main building is an old stone house that features a small museum dedicated to...
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Eilean Donan Castle
Scotland’s most famous castle sits on a small island located at the meeting point for three lochs. This iconic fortress dates back to the 13th century and has been the subject of many clan feuds. The interiors have been carefully...
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Fairy Pools
These jewel-toned pools lie at the base of the famous Black Cuillin ridge and are an idyllic spot both for photo-ops and for the adventurous swimmer. The journey to the pools from the carpark takes approximately 40 minutes without stops,...
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Farm Tour
In the Scottish Highlands or Lowlands, Indagare can arrange farm tours. These tours include red kite and red squirrel spotting, and teach travelers about local agriculture techniques, sheep herding and the role of beavers. This is a great tour option...
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Glencoe
This deep, verdant valley is as notable for its dramatic scenery as it is for its history. The Massacre of Glencoe took place in 1692, when 38 members of the MacDonald clan were killed by their guests in their own...
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Jacobite Steam Train
Fans of Harry Potter will instantly recognize this steam locomotive as the Hogwarts Express. The two-hour scenic ride (each way) runs between the lakeside town of Fort William to the port of Malleig, the jump-off point to the Isle of...
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Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
Made famous through Loch Ness monster “sightings” over the years, Loch Ness is Scotland’s best-known loch and the largest loch by volume in the United Kingdom, containing more water than all English and Welsh lakes combined. In addition to water...
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Neist Point
This popular, lower intensity hike rewards travelers with one of those quintessential Scotland views (the exact view, in fact, you may come across in popular screensaver slideshows). The hike leads to the Neist Point Lighthouse and is around an hour...
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Old Man of Storr
The most renowned hike on the Isle of Skye, the Old Man of Storr has earned its fame and popularity, unsurprisingly, because of the views and the impressive rock tower (the “old man”) waiting at the end. This is a...
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Portree
The capital of Skye, Portree is a charming village of multi-colored houses with a hilly backdrop. Perched on a bay, this 200-year-old town was founded by the MacDonald clan as a small fishing village, but today is the picturesque center...
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Talisker Distillery
With a prime waterfront location, it would be a challenge to find a distillery with a more dramatic backdrop than Talisker. Opened in Carbost in 1831, Talisker Distillery is renowned for single malt Scotch whisky and is owned and operated...
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The Braemar Gathering
The Braemar Gathering is always held on the first Saturday in September at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar. This iconic showcase of Highland Games and Scottish traditions offers the perfect opportunity for travelers to spot the...
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The Fairy Glen
The Fairy Glen is so named not because of any specific fairy stories or myths linked to the landscape, but simply because it looks like a place where magic is possible. The glen’s lush hills, trickling waterfalls, hidden caves and,...
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The Quiraing
This 6.8 kilometer loop is a great option for those seeking a slightly longer hike with consistent views of the island’s dramatic landscape. This hike takes travelers over gorges and streams, by the walls of an ancient prison, past impressive...
Scottish Highlands

Courtesy of Visit Scotland
Scotland is not a checklist destination; it does not reveal itself in a particular constellation of castles or battlefields, but in its quiet and weather and heroic landscapes. It is a certain kind of experience one is after, an experience of which leisure itself is a more essential component than any single historic site. The best strategy may actually be to let go of strategy altogether – to stay in one place long enough to unpack, develop an indulgent breakfast routine, hone a new skill, nap on drizzly afternoons and see as many or as few castles as each day seems to warrant.