Scottish Highlands
3
Day Itinerary •
UK
Three days in the Scottish Highlands covers the essential circuit that makes this the most dramatic landscape in Western Europe. Glencoe and its extraordinary Three Sisters, the Great Glen along Loch Ness, and the Torridon mountains with the finest drive in Scotland over the Bealach na Ba to Applecross are the three experiences that define the Highlands. This route runs from the south at Glencoe north through the Great Glen to Inverness then west to the extraordinary ancient mountains of Torridon and the remote coast of Applecross. Three days of extraordinary Highland scenery that covers the essential landscape of the north without rushing.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Fly into Inverness (INV) or train to Fort William
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 180 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some hill walking on rough paths
DAY 1
GLENCOE, STEALL FALLS AND LOCH NESS
MORNING
GLENCOE AND THE THREE SISTERS
Glencoe is the most dramatic glen in Scotland and one of the most atmospheric landscapes in Europe. The extraordinary Three Sisters ridges rise sheer from the valley floor and the dark history of the 1692 Campbell massacre of the MacDonalds adds to the extraordinary atmosphere. The Glencoe visitor centre tells the story well. Stop at the Meeting of the Three Waters viewpoint for the finest photograph of the glen. The Lost Valley walk into Coire Gabhail takes 90 minutes return. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
THE STEALL FALLS WALK
The Nevis Gorge walk from Torlundy opens into an extraordinary glacial cirque at the head of the valley. The Steall Falls, the second highest waterfall in Scotland at 120 metres, are extraordinary. The wire bridge crossing the river below the falls is remarkable. The walk takes about 90 minutes return and is one of the finest short walks in the Highlands. The combination of ancient birch forest, gorge and mountain is outstanding. Free. Drive: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
URQUHART CASTLE AND LOCH NESS
Urquhart Castle on the western shore of Loch Ness is the most dramatically sited castle ruin in Scotland. Loch Ness, the largest freshwater body in Britain by volume at 230 metres deep, stretches 37km through the Great Glen. The extraordinary combination of dark peat-stained water, the castle ruins and the surrounding Highland hills make it one of the most atmospheric loch views in Scotland. Entry approx 12 GBP.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Falls of Foyers on the southeastern shore of Loch Ness, where the River Foyers drops 60 metres into a remarkable gorge, are far quieter than Urquhart Castle and almost as dramatic. The woodland walk to the falls takes 20 minutes. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe at Glencoe or Fort William Coffee and porridge before the glen. | Lunch: Clachaig Inn, Glencoe The finest Highland pub lunch in Scotland. Stovies and local ale. | Dinner: Inverness restaurant Local Highland produce in the Capital of the Highlands.
DAY 2
TORRIDON AND THE BEALACH NA BA
MORNING
THE TORRIDON MOUNTAINS
The Torridon mountains are among the oldest on earth, their extraordinary Torridonian sandstone laid down 750 million years ago. Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe rise above Loch Torridon in the most dramatic Highland mountain profile in Scotland. The Torridon Countryside Centre has excellent interpretation of this extraordinary landscape and the NTS ranger team leads walks in summer. The glen road to Upper Loch Torridon is outstanding. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LOCH MAREE AND THE ANCIENT PINEWOODS
Loch Maree is the finest loch in the Northwest Highlands, its extraordinary combination of ancient Caledonian pine forest on its islands, the extraordinary Ben Slioch mountain reflected in the water and the remarkable sense of true Highland wilderness giving it a quality unlike any other loch in Scotland. The Victoria Falls near Poolewe, where the River Ewe drops through a remarkable gorge, are extraordinary. Free. Drive: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
THE BEALACH NA BA DRIVE
The Bealach na Ba, the Pass of the Cattle at 626 metres, is the highest road pass in Scotland and the finest drive in the country. The road climbs in extraordinary hairpin bends from sea level to the summit plateau. The view from the Bealach summit over Skye, Raasay and the Outer Hebrides on a clear day is the finest coastal panorama in Scotland. Arrive at Applecross for sunset. The extraordinary drive rewards every extra minute given to it. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve has the finest ancient Caledonian pine forest in the northwest. The Coille na Glas-Leitire woodland trail is outstanding and the mountain trail to the corrie above is remarkable. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, Inverness Early start for Torridon. Good breakfast before the long drive. | Lunch: Torridon Inn or Annat tearoom Simple Highland lunch before the mountain views. | Dinner: Applecross Inn The finest pub dinner in Scotland. Fresh seafood with a view of Skye.
DAY 3
APPLECROSS AND EILEAN DONAN
MORNING
APPLECROSS VILLAGE AND THE INNER SOUND
Applecross in the morning, when the extraordinary Inner Sound is calm and the mountains of Skye and Raasay are reflected in the still water, is one of the finest sights in Scotland. The beach walk south from the village to the sand flats at low tide is remarkable. The extraordinary sense of remoteness, the remarkable community and the outstanding natural setting make Applecross one of the finest places in the Highlands to simply be. Free. Drive: 2.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
THE EILEAN DONAN CASTLE
Eilean Donan Castle, at the confluence of three sea lochs near Dornie, is the most photographed castle in Scotland. The extraordinary 13th-century castle on its tidal island, connected to the mainland by a stone bridge, with the mountains of Kintail behind, is the defining image of the Scottish Highlands. The interior contains an extraordinary collection of Jacobite relics. Entry approx 10 GBP. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE FIVE SISTERS OF KINTAIL AND GLEN SHIEL
The Five Sisters of Kintail, the extraordinary ridge of five Munros rising above Glen Shiel, is the finest mountain view from a road in Scotland. The Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719, where Spanish Jacobite forces made their last stand, took place on this extraordinary hillside. The Rag and Famish Hotel at Shiel Bridge has the finest Highland bar in the area. The drive south to Fort William or back east completes the Highland circuit. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Glenelg Brochs of Dun Telve and Dun Troddan near Arnisdale are the finest Iron Age brochs in mainland Scotland, their extraordinary dry-stone towers standing 10 metres high in remarkable preservation. The Glenelg ferry to Skye runs nearby in summer. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Applecross Inn morning Final remote Highland breakfast before beginning the return journey. | Lunch: Cafe in Dornie or Kyle of Lochalsh Simple lunch near Eilean Donan Castle. | Dinner: Hotel en route or return city Highland venison or seafood to end the journey.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Fort William or Glencoe, Night 1 Close to the glen and Ben Nevis. Approx 80 to 160 GBP per night. Inverness, Night 2 Central for the northwest drive on Day 3. Approx 80 to 160 GBP per night. Applecross or Torridon, Night 3 The most extraordinary remote Highland inn experience. Book ahead.
Top Tips
1. Midges are ferocious June to August. Bring a head net and repellent. Avoidable in wind and rain.
2. Glencoe is most atmospheric in mist and low cloud. Do not wait for a clear day to visit.
3. The Bealach na Ba to Applecross is the finest drive in Scotland. Allow extra time and enjoy it slowly.
4. Always carry waterproofs, extra layers and emergency food when walking in the Highlands.
5. Book the Applecross Inn dinner well ahead in summer. It is the finest pub in Scotland.
6. The Torridon mountains are among the oldest rocks on earth. The landscape is extraordinary geology.
Total Budget
150 to 300 GBP/day