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Best Outdoor Activities in Highlands & Islands

, 7 Options Found

This national park, located in the heart of the highlands, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Cairngorm mountains, lochs, woodlands, moorlands and wildlife. Regarded as Britain's largest national park, Cairngorms' rich natural beauty is unparalleled by many others in the country. Numerous trails and biking routes, coupled with thick forest cover and versatile terrain, make it a great destination to explore the outdoors. A part of the park that lies 600 meters (1968.5 feet) above sea level is characterized as the 'montane zone'. In the entirety of the British Isles, this zone constitutes the largest expanse of alpine Arctic wilderness.

Get ready for some adrenaline-pumping action at this adventure facility located in Inverary. With an array of 12 games and numerous field settings, their paintball facility is one of the most comprehensive and also most popular in the area. Apart from paintball, the sprawling adventure park also offers horse-riding, rock-climbing, laser tag and bungee trampoline. Their equestrian facilities are accommodates beginners as well as experienced riders. You can also improve on your riding skills with the professional lessons and certificate programs available. Group packages are available. Check website for more.

A site loved by tourists, Glen Coe is a beautiful place with abundant natural beauty. There are several well marked trails and paths for walking enthusiasts and it is a famous spot with the rock climbers as well. Those who are looking out for a good place for camping, can make a visit to this place; there are three officially marked camping places. Legend has it that Glen Coe is the birth place of Ossian, the author of epic poems. The place has also played host to the sets of the much celebrated Harry Potter movies.

The Fairy Pools at Glen Brittle, located on Scotland's Isle of Skye, are picturesque, crystal-clear pools fed by waterfalls from the River Brittle. A popular spot for locals and tourists alike, it requires only a short hike to catch a glimpse of all the pools and their scenic surroundings. It’s even possible to go for a swim in many of the pools, although it isn't recommended for the fainthearted as the water is frigid year round. In fact, taking a swim in conditions like these is referred to as a wild swim! Visitors can hike up to the pools from the starting point on the road to Glen Brittle, or walk from the nearby village of Carbost for a bit of added exercise.

One of the most famous lochs (or lakes as non-Scots say) in the world, Loch Ness is best known for its mystery. Its great depth has fueled speculation that within its waters lives a prehistoric animal, or as it is more commonly known, the Loch Ness Monster. Nicknamed "Nessie," this monster features in Scottish myths and legends and each supposed glimpse only adds to the region's rich folklore. Perched above the lake, Urquhart Castle's dramatic history and stark yet scenic location have drawn visitors hoping to soak in the Highland's untamed charm.

An astonishing spectacle of ethereal beauty, the 1,345 meter (4,411 feet) Ben Nevis mountain is undoubtedly Scotland's most remarkable crest. The highest mountain in the British Isles is perched along the lofty Highlands near Scotland's Fort William, an idyllic alpine town. Here it blends in with the majestic beauty of the Grampian Mountain ridge, attracting a stripe of experienced hikers and mountaineering enthusiasts every year. Resembling a stark Goliathan vision, the mountain was an active volcano millions of years ago that erupted and consequently caved in on itself, leaving in its wake fragments of pale granite that can still be seen today. Brilliantly shrouded in the mellow glow of the Scottish sun, the mountain features a magically colored gradient along its steep sides that becomes lighter as you reach the apex. The name Ben Nevis roughly translates into 'mountain with its head in the clouds' in Gaelic parlance, a profoundly apt description for this magnificent peak.

North West Highlands Geopark is a gargantuan green space, which has been deemed as a geological heritage by UNESCO. The park has a number of attractive features, including the Moine Thrust Belt and the unique Smoo cave. The geopark stretches over a colossal area of 2,000 square kilometers (494,000 acres). Many prehistoric rocks have been found at this site, with some being almost 3 billion years old.

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