If you’re visiting the Highlands, try to make time to visit one of the islands just off the west coast.
The Highlands in 2-3 days
Starting from Glasgow, head up to Oban and jump on the ferry (40 minutes) to the Isle of Mull, where you can spend a couple of nights exploring the mountains, coastline and villages. Don’t miss the Tobermory distillery. Then head up to Fort William for some fantastic Highlands scenery and the historic town of Glencoe. On the way back to Glasgow, drive along the shore of the picturesque Loch Lomond.
In 7-9 days
As above, but from Fort William head over to Mallaig and take a ferry to the Isle of Skye. Make sure you check out the Talisker whisky distillery and Dunvegan Castle. Return to the mainland via Kyle of Lochalsh. It’s worth spending a night in the unbelievably pretty village of Plockton. The scenery north towards Torridon is stunning, then head over to Inverness, from where it’s a short drive to Loch Ness.
In 2 weeks +
With two weeks plus it’s worth venturing further afield in the Highlands, such as along the north-west coast from Torridon or Ullapool to John o’ Groats, or heading out to one of the outlying island groups: the Outer Hebrides, Orkney Islands, or the Shetland Islands.
