Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is the most mountainous part of the United Kingdom, a sparsely populated region in northern and western Scotland where towns are few and drives are long.
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The Highlands cover the northern and western part of Scotland and include the northernmost mountain ranges of Great Britain. It is the most mountainous part of the United Kingdom and one of its most sparsely populated areas, with about 9.1 people per square kilometer in 2012. Inverness is regarded as the capital and is the seat of the Highland Council. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, rises here, and the Great Glen separates the Grampian Mountains from the Northwest Highlands.
Travelers come for the scenery, the whisky and the history. The Highland whisky region has over 30 distilleries, and Visit Scotland describes its malts as fruity, sweet, spicy and malty. Western Highlands single malts have a much peatier influence. Gaelic was the traditional language here, but it is now largely confined to the Hebrides, and Highland English is the main language today. Tartan, the kilt, Highland music and the Highland Games are part of the region's traditional culture. The climate is cool, damp and temperate, milder than its latitude suggests because of the Gulf Stream.
Scottish Highlands in five
- Use passing places on single-track roadsMany Highland roads have one lane with passing places. Pull in to let oncoming cars and faster traffic by, and never park in them.
- Plan for midges from May to OctoberTiny biting midges swarm near water on still, damp days, mostly in the west Highlands and islands and at dawn and dusk. Carry repellent and a head net for evenings by the lochs.
- Take the train to Inverness or Fort WilliamTrains run from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness in about 3.5 hours. The Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight from London to both towns.Inverness
- Book rooms early for summerVillages have few beds, and the North Coast 500 route fills them from May to September. Book before you fix the driving plan.North & West Coast
- Get your UK ETA before you flyEach person in the group needs an ETA, children included. Get it approved before you book flights to Inverness or Edinburgh.UK ETA explained
Need to know
- Airport
- Inverness (INV); Edinburgh and Glasgow for more flights
- Getting there
- Train to Inverness about 3.5 hours from Edinburgh or Glasgow
- Getting around
- Car for freedom; trains and buses link the main towns
- Best base
- Inverness for the north, Fort William for Glencoe and Ben Nevis
- Time needed
- 4–7 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain15 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low2°Snow on hillsJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow on hills
- FebruaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Short daysFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Short days
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low2°Cold, quietMarchRain
Good
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Fewer midgesAprilRain
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fewer midges
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Long lightMayRain
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long light
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Midges startJuneRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Midges start
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Midges, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Midges, busy
- AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Midges, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Midges, busy
- SeptemberRain15 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Autumn colorSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- OctoberRain17 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Stag rutOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Stag rut
- NovemberRain16 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low4°Dark, wetNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, wet
- DecemberRain17 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Short daysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Short days
Average daily high and low in Inverness, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Scottish Highlands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Scottish Highlands
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°3°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue10°4°6%Tuesday: Fog. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Wed8°3°2%Wednesday: Fog. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu8°1°0%Thursday: Fog. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri7°-1°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat7°3°8%Saturday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun7°3°4%Sunday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 05:03 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Urquhart Castle, Loch Nessabout 30 to 40 minutes by car from InvernessA ruined castle on the loch shore, with boat trips from Drumnadrochit.
- Glen Coeabout 30 minutes by car from Fort WilliamSteep glen and mountain walks, best started early on busy days.
- Cairngormsabout 20 minutes by car from AviemoreMountain plateau walks in a national park, with a weather check before you go.
Before you go to Scottish Highlands
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Rules for Scottish Highlands, checked
- Some visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. Check the GOV.UK visa page for your passport before you fly.Source
- Scottish access rights let you walk most hill land under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Leave gates as you find them and check the code before you camp.Source
- Check the Mountain Weather Information Service before any hill walk, and carry a map and compass. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the police.
- Expect quiet Sundays in the Outer Hebrides, where Sabbath observance is still widely practiced. Plan to buy food before Sunday.
Plan around Scottish Highlands
Cities, islands and the UK ETA
Read the guideIsle of SkyeThe Storr, the Quiraing and the Fairy Pools
Read the guideEdinburghThe usual start for trains north
Read the guideGlasgowGateway to Loch Lomond and the west coast
Read the guideGetting around BritainRental cars, trains and the Sleeper compared
Read the guideInvernessThe airport and rail hub for the north
Read the guideFort WilliamBen Nevis, Glenfinnan and the Jacobite train
Read the guideNorth & West CoastSea lochs, Torridon and the NC500 west
Read the guideScottish Highlands FAQ
Do I need a car in the Highlands?
It helps. Trains and buses reach Inverness, Fort William, Aviemore and Mallaig, but glens, lochs and trailheads between them are hard to reach without a car.
When are midges worst in Scotland?
VisitScotland says midge season typically runs from May to October, mainly in the west Highlands, islands and damp rural areas, with activity at dawn and dusk on still, damp days. Wind, sun and a September trip help.
Is the North Coast 500 worth it?
It is a long loop of about 500 miles from Inverness with many single-track sections. Allow at least five days, and book rooms ahead in summer.
Can I wild camp in the Highlands?
Scotland's access rights allow responsible wild camping on most unenclosed land, following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Some areas around Loch Lomond need a permit in season.
How many days do you need in the Scottish Highlands?
Four to seven days lets you drive from Inverness through Glencoe or on to Skye without rushing. Single-track roads and photo stops slow everything down, so plan fewer miles per day than the map suggests.