Highlands of Northern Scotland

Worked and toured in Aberdeenshire and a few other jaunts west and south. Flew Delta/BA via Amsterdam to Aberdeen.
Aberdeen area... golfing nearby (Carnostie)
Stayed in Inverurie, which is in the middle of a castle and a whisky tour - (most of the Speyside "Glen" whiskies). Town had a Pict obelisk and a 'henge' circle you can walk on. No major hotels, but the Strathburn and staff were fantastic in INverurie.
Inverness was an hour drive north. Worth a visit and have the haggis... it won't kill ya.
Trek west for the Carringorms... hiking.
Head more north than Inverness and see Culloden.

Timing is everything. Late Spring through early Summer, the Broom is in bloom and butter yellow everywhere. Late Summer to mid-Fall the heather is abloom.

Was in last in Inverness in July 2019 and plan to go back this summer if allowed to travel. I'm partial to the area due to family history and I'm a member of Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club. I love the Highlands because the western mountains create a micro-climate in the area very different that Eastern Scotland. I played golf in shorts or short sleeve shirts four of the seven rounds. Still a great area if not a golfer - lots of history and distillers.

Travel: I have flown direct DFW -London and then BA to Inverness. I have also landed at Edinburgh and taken the train. Enjoyable if you have the time.

Inverness is a great base city on the Ness River. Lots of options to stay/eat/sightsee. From there you must go North to Dornorch. Great old town. If you do, you will go by Tain (village) and the Glenmorangie Distillery

South to Loch Ness. Its cool the first time but a bit tourist trappy. There are lots of historical sights near buy, hiking areas and pubs.

But Like I said, I'm baised, but I have been to Scotland five times in the past eleven years and Covid cancelled the last trip. Not sure I will be able to go this summer.

If you have specific questions, let me know. I also agree with Sageson - good advice.

I flew United to Edinburgh. Spent a couple of days there then rented a car and drove to Inverness. Lots of distilleries and cool sights to see on the back roads.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Some of the planned activities include:
- Trekking the Scottish Highlands to the Glenfinnan Viaduct
- Nevis Range Gondola rides to view the tallest mountain in the UK
- Cruise ride up Loch Ness to the Urquhart Castle
- Fort Augustus to view the Neptune Staircase locks
- Highland Coos & Dores

Likely staying at the Glen Mohr Hotel.

Any yeas or neas?

Re: Neptune’s Staircase, unless you’re an engineering or waterways/canals nerd, it’s not much to see. If you’re gonna be in the Ft William area, there are much better things to do/see.

Check out the wonderful Walk Highlands website: LINK. It offers maps, trail descriptions and route photos, as well as difficulty ratings for trails throughout the highlands. Often, an amazing waterfall or viewpoint is jus off the road...unless you’ve researched the area, you’d drive right by and never know.

How many days is enough to see Edinburgh?

And what are the main sights and towns to visit north of Inverness? Thanks

We went the week of Thanksgiving 2018. Of course, they don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Scotland.

Flew in to Edinburgh & went to All Blacks vs Scotland Rugby match. Walked from Murray Field to Heads & Tails for a night cap.

Next day went to Edinburgh Castle & purchased an Explorer Pass which provides access to heaps of attractions all across Scotland.

Next morning rented a car & drove out to Aberdeen, stopping in a small village to see a well. Went to a few other historic sites in and around Aberdeen.

Next morning drove through Speyside stopping at a few distilleries for tastings. Pro tip: make reservations for Balvenie as they have by appointment only tastings. Unfortunately, the castle was closed so we went to Glennfidich right across the street. Headed out after that up to a couple lesser known local distilleries. I'll have to look up the names. These were family run places that our friend in Scotland recommended.

Made our way to Inverness & woke up the the next morning to snow. Went to a fort and a castle before heading out to Culloden. Then on to Urquhart Castle and down along Loch Ness. Stopped in Loch Fyne for a Thanksgiving Dinner of langoustine and oysters before heading on to Glasgow.

Next morning headed to Sterling for two more castle tours. Before making our way back to Edinburgh.

Four days 1000 miles and a lifetime of memories. When we go back, we're renting a car & driving west to begin our adventure.

I went to Doune.....my spouse, a Monty Python fan since childhood, forced me. Be warned that it's on the Outlander (tv show and books) tourist trail.

But it is also quite close to the Deanston Distillery: LINK, where part of the movie Angels Share was filmed. Distillery gives tours, ours was small and personal, and the distillery generates its own power from hydroelectricity. It occupies the site of a historic cotton spinning mill. It also has a decent cafe/coffee spot, operated by a family business that also runs a farmstead cafe/coffee spot called Blairmains closer to Stirling Castle.

And if you're in the area, you might as well go see Stirling Castle & the Wallace monument.