Top Rated Attractions in Highlands & Islands

Located around 19 kilometers (11.80 miles) to the eastern end of the historic Fort William, Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin stands tall at a height of 3625 feet (1105 meters) which makes it one of the tallest Munros in the region. Its neighbor, Stob Coire Easain is taller by merely 10 meters (32.80 feet). Hikers approach Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin from Fersit, a tiny hamlet nearby. Alternatively, one can climb its summit from the railway station at Corrour. The latter route is a longer one and requires a taxing hike.

With an elevation of 3451 feet (1052 meters), Beinn a' Chaorainn is both a Marilyn and a Munro. Found on Glen Spean's northern end, Beinn a' Chaorainn remains a popular summit with hill climbers. The most favorite hiking route begins on A86 highway at Roughburn and car parking space is found at the dam of Loch Laggan. Once at its summit, hikers enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding Munros which envelope Loch Treig.

The beautiful reservoir of Loch Mullardoch lies in the Glen Cannich region of Northwest Highlands. This Scottish lake was established after a part of the River Cannich was dammed in the 1950s. Exploited for water supply and power generation, the loch has been serving the neighboring townships for a long time. The lake’s waters are rich reserves of fish and mollusks which make it an attractive site for fishing enthusiasts.

Achnacarry is a private estate which serves as a seat for the chiefs of Clan Cameron. The estate houses a very famous castle that was originally built in 1655. Destroyed in a battle, it was later reconstructed in the Scottish Baronial style in 1802. It was also used as a training depot during the Second World War. The estate's historical significance can only be matched by its natural beauty. Made up of some fine woods, rugged hills, a lovely loch and an ancient castle, entering this estate is blissful at its least. There are various accommodation options on the estate that can be booked for a peaceful or adventurous family getaway. There are a number of outdoor activities that you can do in and around the estate or you can just lie down on the grass and stare at the sky.

Lording over the River Foyer near the famed Loch Ness, the waterfalls of Foyer are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. Plunging fervently with a height of 50 meters (165 feet), the waterfall has a beautiful cascade and has been an unrivalled muse for many an artist. Shrouded in plumes of pristine-looking mist, this waterfall is a wonderful embellishment on the scenic landscape of Highland, and is fringed by a tracery of forested walkways and slopes. An inspiration for Robert Addams to delve deep into the physical phenomenon of 'motion aftereffect', this site is where an aluminium smelting plant once thrived.

Considered to be one of the most important wetlands of Europe, the Insh marshes are a Special Protection Area owned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The area is home to a large number of plants, animals and birds which includes some aquatic species as well. There are various trails running through the area that range from 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) to 3 miles (4.5 kilometers). The marshes are a bird watcher's paradise with some native species like Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe being common sightings here.