Best places you have stayed in the Highlands of Scotland

Glasgow and Edinburgh aren’t in the Highlands but I give you Achiltibuie.

May I recommend the RS Scotland guidebook. Or for starters, look at the Scotland pages of the Explore Europe section of this website: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/scotland/highlands

Have a look and see what tickles your fancy. Bear in mind which places are not accessible by public transportation if you aren't going to rent a car.

Try doing some research on the Highlands Scotland website to see if something is of interest to you.

We loved staying in Glencoe! This area is absolutely beautiful with stunning scenery. This was the favorite part of our trip along with the Isle of Skye. We also enjoyed staying in Nairn, a seaside village about 20 minutes from Inverness. We saw lots of castles and coos! And beautiful mountain scenery, valleys, rivers, lakes, etc.

Some castles we visited in the Highlands: Cawdor Castle, Urquhart Castle, Dunvegan, and stopped at Eilean Donan for a photo op.

If you stay in Glencoe, be sure to drive down the Loch Etive Road all the way to the Loch. It's 12 miles each way of gorgeous scenery, and in June was filled with rhododendrons.

Hi, Stan,

In descending order, Plockton, Gairloch, Drumbeg. Not many castles, but lots o' coos (and deer)! Best place to get up close (but not too close!) to the "coos" in their natural habitat is in the village of Duirinish, which is next to Plockton. Best place to get up close to deer (again, not too close) is outside the hostel on Rum.

Mike (Auchterless)

try skibo castle

https://www.carnegieclub.co.uk/

or some of the amazing youth hostels

https://www.hostellingscotland.org.uk/inspiration/highlands/

I always love staying in Glenfinnan. Loch Shield is absolutely stunning, and the huge famous viaduct is there, along with the Glenfinnan Monument.

If you don't have a car, you can come and go via bus or train, including to Fort William, Mallaig for the ferry to Skye, or one of the interim stops for hiking /beaches.

I loved loved loved the Glenfinnan House Hotel, but it was taken over by new people last year (well, really, taken back by the owners), and I don't know if it is even in my stretch budget any more, plus I worry it may have lost significant charm. But I don't know as I haven't been under the new regime. Another option in Glenfinnan is the Prince's House Hotel, but it isn't on the loch with the views but is quite nice and homey.

Stan, we enjoyed our stay at Barcaldine Castle near Oban in 2023. A real 17th century tower castle with comfortable rooms, excellent breakfast, even a hidden passage way.

If your really going North, the Farr Bay Inn in Bettyhill on the North Coast was wonderful with good dinner and breakfast. It is right next door to the excellent Strathnaver Museum that tells the story of the Highland Clearances

Wow! All great ideas I’m sure! Research time! Thanks all!

Isle of Raasay (freedom camping).
Torridon (freedom camping)
Glen Nevis (freedom camping).
Duntulm Isle of Skye (freedom camping).
Firemore Beach near Poolewe (donation box camping area)
Shiel Bridge campground.
Glencoe Red Squirrell campground.