What to Do
Walks, wildlife, watersports, cultural sites, tours and seasonal events.
108 places across 13 regions.
Attractions
Ballachulish Visitor Centre
Visitor and Information centre at the gateway to Glencoe, beside Loch Leven. Information, café and shop covering Glencoe, the West Highlands and the Lochaber UNESCO Global Geopark.
Cawdor Castle
Privately owned medieval tower-house castle and gardens at Cawdor, near Nairn. Continuously inhabited by the Cawdor family for over 600 years.
Chanonry Point
Lighthouse and shingle spit on the Black Isle reaching into the Moray Firth, the best land-based bottlenose dolphin viewing point in the United Kingdom.
Culloden Battlefield
National Trust for Scotland site at the place of the 1746 Battle of Culloden, the last pitched battle on British soil. Visitor centre, immersive battlefield walk and the surviving Old Leanach Cottage.
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park
Scotland's first national park, set up in 2002 and covering 1,865 square kilometres of the southern Highlands; centred on Loch Lomond, with 21 Munros including Ben Lomond, the West Highland Way and gateway villages such as Balloch, Aberfoyle and Callander.
Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre
Bird of prey centre in woodland beside Loch Lomond Shores at Balloch, home to more than thirty owls, hawks, falcons, buzzards and a golden eagle, with a focus on rescue and conservation; daily flying displays plus hold-a-bird and falconry experiences.
Western Isles Cruises
Wildlife and sightseeing boat trips from Mallaig to the Small Isles and Knoydart. Eigg, Rùm, Muck, Canna and the inner Sound of Sleat by day-cruise.
Ariundle Centre & Accommodation
Lodge accommodation, a licensed restaurant and tearoom, and craft workshops in the Highland village of Strontian.
Armadale Castle
Five-star visitor attraction on the Sleat peninsula of Skye - a romantic ruined castle, 40 acres of gardens and the Museum of the Isles telling the story of Clan Donald.
Ben Nevis Visitor Centre
The visitor centre contains a lot of information and useful resources for climbing up the mountain. Touch screens, quizzes and short films are made available at no cost, to give you some information about the mountain you’re about to climb.
Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park
Safari and adventure park on a 160-acre estate outside Stirling: drive-through reserves of lions, rhinos and Scotland's only giraffes, a boat trip to Chimp Island, walk-through lemurs, birds of prey and sea lion shows, a dinosaur trail and adventure play. Open spring to autumn.
Caithness Seacoast
Guided coastal boat tours from Wick Harbour aboard a RIB, exploring caves, sea stacks, Whaligoe Steps and wildlife.
Castle Menzies
16th-century Z-plan Clan Menzies castle at Weem near Aberfeldy, restored by the clan society, with a tearoom; Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed in 1746.
Deanston Distillery
Highland single malt distillery on the River Teith at Deanston near Doune, a former cotton mill turned to whisky in 1966, guided tours and tastings in the old weaving sheds, powered by its own hydro turbines; the waxy 12 year old is the core dram.
Dolphin Spirit Inverness
Wildlife boat trips from Inverness Marina into the Moray Firth to see bottlenose dolphins, seals and seabirds, on a catamaran or fast RIB.
GALE — Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum
Community hub at Gairloch with a cafe, a shop of local produce and tourist information, run by the Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum.
Glencoe National Trust Visitor Centre
National Trust for Scotland visitor centre in Glencoe, with exhibition on the 1692 Massacre, ranger-led walks, café and shop. The reference start point for the glen.
Glenfinnan Monument & Visitor Centre
National Trust for Scotland monument at the head of Loch Shiel, marking the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Viewing platform for the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Hogwarts Express.
Glengoyne Distillery
Highland single malt distillery below Dumgoyne hill on the A81 near Killearn, distilling since 1833 and home to Scotland's slowest stills: unpeated, sherry-cask whisky, guided tours and tastings, chocolate pairings and a blend-your-own Malt Master session. Open all year.
Halkirk Heritage & Vintage Motor Soc
Volunteer-run heritage and vintage motor centre at Halkirk (opened 2022) with classic cars, motorcycles and a local-history reading room.
Inverewe Garden
National Trust for Scotland garden on the shore of Loch Ewe at Poolewe, a 19th-century planted estate of subtropical species thriving in the Wester Ross microclimate, with garden, woodland, café and shop.
Inverness Castle
The 19th-century sandstone castle above the River Ness, reopened in 2025 as a visitor experience operated by High Life Highland.
Loch Katrine Pier Complex
Pier complex at the east end of Loch Katrine in the Trossachs, home port of the 1900 steamship Sir Walter Scott and the smaller Lady of the Lake; scenic cruises towards Stronachlachar through Rob Roy country, with bike hire, a cafe and a shop on site.
Loch Lomond Shores
Waterfront leisure and shopping complex at Balloch on the southern tip of Loch Lomond: the SEA LIFE aquarium in Drumkinnon Tower, a retail crescent and mall, cafes and a dinosaur-themed grill, a cruise and waterbus jetty, kayak and bike hire, adventure golf and free parking.
Mallaig Heritage Centre
Conveniently sited alongside Mallaig railway station, Mallaig Heritage Centre is a treasure trove of stories, films, collections and displays, all telling the story of West Lochaber, its people and landscape.
Mull Theatre
Producing theatre company based at Druimfin on the southern edge of Tobermory, one of Scotland's smaller-cast professional theatre operations, touring productions out from Mull to village halls and mainland venues, with a studio performance space at its base.
Nessieland
Family-focused Loch Ness Monster attraction in Drumnadrochit, with a kid-oriented visitor experience and outdoor play area beside the loch.
Scottish Real Ale Shop
Specialist shop at the Lade Inn in Kilmahog, a mile north of Callander, stocking the largest range of bottled Scottish beers in the country: over 200 ales from more than 40 microbreweries, Shetland to the Borders, plus the inn's own WayLade, LadeBack and LadeOut.
Smoo Cave
Sea cave on the north coast at Durness, a vast triple-chambered cave eroded into the Durness limestone, with a free walkway into the outer chamber and seasonal small-boat tours into the inner ones.
Sweeneys Cruises
Long-running family boat operator at Balloch on the southern end of Loch Lomond: scheduled one and two-hour circular cruises, a seasonal waterbus linking Balloch, Luss and Balmaha, sunset sailings, speedboat trips and private charters from the Balloch riverside.
The Hill House
Charles Rennie Mackintosh's 1904 Helensburgh masterpiece, currently enclosed in Carmody Groarke's "The Box" steel mesh conservation structure since 2019, elevated walkways round the exterior plus the original interior tour, tearoom and Mackintosh-inspired gift shop, run by NTS.
The Jacobite Steam Train
Seasonal steam-hauled tourist train from Fort William to Mallaig along the West Highland Line. The ride that became the Hogwarts Express.
The Lodge Visitor Centre
Forestry and Land Scotland visitor centre on the A821 above Aberfoyle, gateway to Queen Elizabeth Forest Park: the Bluebell cafe, a gift shop, live osprey and red squirrel cameras, waterfall and woodland trails, a children's play maze, and Go Ape treetop courses on site.
Ulbster Alpacas
Alpaca trekking on the Ward Croft at Ulbster, on the NC500 ten minutes south of Wick - farm visits and guided treks (since 2018).
Activities
Achnalarig Stables
Riding centre on the edge of Oban offering hacks, lessons and trail rides.
Action Adventure Activities
Outdoor activity operator at Gartmore near Aberfoyle, on the edge of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park: 4x4 off-road driving, quad bikes and buggies, archery and air-rifle target sports, paintball, abseiling, gorge walking and group adventure days.
Blairgowrie Tennis Club
Community tennis club with five floodlit all-weather courts at Coupar Angus Road, Blairgowrie; pay-and-play welcome.
Breadalbane Folklore Centre, Killin
Heritage centre in a former mill beside the Falls of Dochart in Killin, once the Breadalbane Folklore Centre and reopened as The Old Mill: a volunteer-run space with heritage displays, a makers' market and the working waterwheel, and the story of the St Fillan healing stones.
Caulders Garden Centre Loch Lomond
Garden centre and cafe on the Stirling Road A811 half a mile past Balloch, the former Loch Lomond Homes and Gardens site now run by the Scottish family-owned Caulders group, light lunches and home baking alongside the plant and home retail floors.
Cruise Loch Linnhie
90-minute wildlife cruises on Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil from Fort William Town Pier aboard the Souters Lass, spotting seals, seabirds and porpoises.
Gairloch Trekking Centre
Pony trekking from Croft 3 at Red Point, south of Gairloch, guided rides along forest tracks and the coast for all abilities, suitable for beginners and children.
Glen Nevis Holidays
Award-winning caravan and camping park at the foot of Ben Nevis, with pods, a shop and a bar-restaurant; open all year.
Loch Tay Highland Lodges
140-acre privately-owned estate park on Loch Tay below Ben Lawers, Scandinavian self-catering lodges in landscaped grounds, on-park Boathouse Restaurant plus clay-pigeon shooting, fishing and RIB boat rides, four miles north of Killin on the road to Aberfeldy.
McLaren Leisure Centre
Community sports and leisure centre in Callander run as a social enterprise, with a 20-metre swimming pool, sauna, indoor sports hall, climbing wall, soft play, fitness suite and a full-size 3G pitch, plus a cafe and a holiday activity programme for all ages.
Pitlochry Golf Course
18-hole par-69 hill golf course above Pitlochry with sweeping Tummel Valley views, a clubhouse, pro shop and driving range; open to visitors.
R W Catering
Ullapool catering business - no verifiable public website found (rwcatering.net is an unrelated US caterer). Likely a local event/contract caterer.
Shearwater Cruises
Daily wildlife boat tours from Ullapool to the Summer Isles aboard the Shearwater catamaran, spotting dolphins, seals and seabirds.
Sunart Camping & Cycle Hire
Family campsite in Strontian, running over 40 years, with camping cabins and tent and hardstanding pitches - Bike Hire a base for exploring Ardnamurchan.
Tours
Isle of Mull Cheese & Distillery
Working dairy, cheesemaker and gin distillery with glass-house cafe and farm shop at Sgriob-ruadh Farm above Tobermory; cheese-making tours.
North Point Distillery
Independent organic distillery at Forss, north-west of Thurso, producing small-batch botanical spirits, gin, vodka and seasonal releases. Tours, tastings and on-site shop.
Kayak Summer Isles
Sea-kayak guiding and instruction from Ullapool. Half-day, full-day and multi-day trips out to the Summer Isles, with all kit provided and BCU-qualified coaches.
RobbieMac Tours
Private guided tours of Caithness and Sutherland (NC500, castles, archaeology, clan and ancestry) by a Green-Badge guide, picking up across the far north.
Seascape Expeditions
Marine wildlife boat trips from Ullapool's pier, run by marine biologists. Guided sea-eagle, seal, porpoise and dolphin spotting trips out to the Summer Isles aboard a converted RIB.
Turus Mara
Wildlife and island cruises from Ulva Ferry and Dervaig, Staffa and Fingal's Cave, the Treshnish Isles, puffins, whales and dolphins.
Museums
Atholl Country Life Museum
Volunteer-run rural-life museum in the old 1865 schoolhouse at Blair Atholl, with reconstructed shops, a smiddy and Scotland's only stuffed Highland cow.
Dunkeld Archive
Dunkeld Community Archive and Chapter House Museum - photographs, records and Scottish Horse regimental collections relating to Dunkeld and Birnam.
Dunollie Castle, Museum & Grounds
MacDougall ancestral castle and museum overlooking Oban Bay, with woodland walks, the 1745 House, tea rooms, and views to Mull.
Gairloch Museum
Award-winning local-history museum in a converted Cold War nuclear bunker at Achtercairn, Gairloch. Crofting, fishing and Highland archaeology galleries; Art Fund Museum of the Year finalist 2020.
High Life Highland
The North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso (formerly Caithness Horizons) - a museum and gallery telling the story of Caithness across three floors.
Inveraray Jail
Living-history museum in a former 1820 prison and courthouse at Inveraray, with costumed characters and an escape room.
Russian Arctic Convoy Museum
Museum at Aultbea on Loch Ewe telling the story of the WWII Arctic convoys mustered in the loch. Permanent exhibition, archive and visitor café.
The Loch Ness Centre
The Drumnadrochit visitor experience covering the natural and scientific history of Loch Ness, geology, ecology and the long search for evidence of the Loch Ness Monster.
Treasures of the Earth
Crystals, gemstones and fossils museum at Corpach near Fort William, with giant amethyst geodes and a UV cave.
Ullapool Museum
Local-history museum housed in the former Telford parliamentary church on West Argyle Street, the British Fisheries Society's 1788 founding of the burgh, the Highland Clearances, the herring fishery, emigrant ships and the working harbour.
Beaches
Other what to do
An Tobar
Arts centre, gallery, cafe and small-scale music venue in a former Victorian schoolhouse on Argyll Terrace above Tobermory harbour, one of the two arms of the island's arts organisation alongside Mull Theatre.
Clava Cairns
Bronze Age burial cairns and standing stones near Culloden, around 4,000 years old. A free Historic Environment Scotland site, with no visitor centre, just the stones, the trees and the river.
Duart Castle
For over 700 years, Duart Castle, the seat of Clan Maclean, has dominated the view to the Sound of Mull and Loch Linnhe with its huge curtain walls and solid keep. Tour the Castle, explore the grounds and learn more about the Clan.
Aberfeldy Information Centre
Tourist information hub in the Locus Centre, The Square, Aberfeldy, with leaflets on local attractions and events.
Aberfeldy Tennis Club
Friendly community tennis club in Victoria Park, Aberfeldy, with two covered hardcourts, coaching, league teams and pickleball; visitors can pay and play.
Ardlui Hotel, Restaurant and Marina
Squires family country-house hotel, restaurant and marina at the northern tip of Loch Lomond on the A82, loch-view rooms, two bars and two restaurants, moorings and slipway access, plus the Ardlui Retreat lodge and log cabins on a private water-frontage.
Atholl Palace Hotel
Grand 4-star Victorian hotel (1878) in 57 acres above Pitlochry, with a spa, pool, self-catering lodges and the Verandah restaurant over the Tummel valley.
Beauly Priory
13th-century priory ruins in the centre of Beauly, twelve miles west of Inverness. A free, unstaffed Historic Environment Scotland site.
Birnam Arts
Community-owned arts venue at Birnam, Dunkeld - auditorium, gallery, cafe, gift shop and a Beatrix Potter exhibition.
Blair Castle and Grounds Blair Atholl
Five-star white-turreted ancestral home of Clan Murray at Blair Atholl - 30 rooms of history, the Hercules walled garden, a deer park and the Atholl Highlanders.
Caithness Cycle Club
The British mainland's most northerly cycling club, based in Thurso - Tuesday-night time trials, Sunday runs and an annual race against Wick Wheelers.
Castle of Mey
Sixteenth-century castle on the Pentland Firth coast, bought and restored by the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1952 and open to visitors in summer. Walled gardens, café and shop.
Chattan Tea Room
Tearoom and Post Office on Perth Road, Birnam (Dunkeld), with homemade breakfasts, lunches, cakes and a wee post-office counter.
Coul House Hotel
Country-house hotel (built 1821) in the hills above Contin, Ross-shire, near Strathpeffer and 25 minutes north of Inverness, with an octagonal restaurant.
Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery
Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery and World of Whisky visitor centre, a short walk from Aberfeldy - tours, tastings and a whisky-lounge cafe.
Dunkeld Cathedral
Medieval cathedral on the banks of the River Tay at Dunkeld (built 1260-1501), still the parish church, cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel
13th-century stronghold of the MacDougalls and later the Campbells, on a coastal headland three miles north of Oban. Cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
Farm Ness
Roadside farm shop, cafe and family farm park at Dunain on the A82 just outside Inverness, with its own beef and lamb, Highland cows and a play area.
Fisk Gallery & Workshop
Working gallery and printmaker's workshop at Polbain on the Coigach peninsula, run by artist Lucy Fisk, original prints and paintings of the Summer Isles, Inverpolly and the north-west coast.
Glenshee
Glenshee Ski Centre, Britain's largest alpine snowsports area, on the Cairnwell Pass between Blairgowrie and Braemar; summer chairlift too.
Glenshee Café & Gift Shop
Cafe, gift shop, farm shop and tourist information on the A93 at Glenshee, between Blairgowrie and the Spittal of Glenshee (formerly The Lair).
H.I.A.L
Wick John O'Groats Airport, a mile north of Wick, operated by Highlands and Islands Airports - air links to Aberdeen plus general and offshore aviation.
Highland Park Distillery
Single malt distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney (since 1798), with a visitor centre and tours - one of Scotland's most visited distilleries. Tours and Tastings available.
Highland Print Studio
Printmaking studio and charity on Bank Street overlooking the River Ness, Inverness (since 1985) - open-access workshops, classes and a gallery.
Highland Safaris
Land Rover mountain safaris, Loch Tay boat trips, a Red Deer Centre and gold-panning near Aberfeldy, with a cafe and gift shop.
Highland Stoneware
Working pottery and shop in Lochinver, hand-painted stoneware made on site, with an open studio that allows visitors to watch the painting and decoration process.
Inchgowan Fine Art
Working art studio and gallery on Flowerdale Bay in Gairloch. Original landscapes and prints by Inchgowan's resident artist; visitors welcome by appointment or on open days.
Inverness Cathedral
St Andrew's Cathedral on the banks of the River Ness (1866-69) - the first new Protestant cathedral in Britain since the Reformation, in pink sandstone.
Mallaig Harbour Authority
The authority running Mallaig's fishing and ferry port and yacht marina - the hub for ferries to Skye, the Small Isles and Knoydart.
Old Pulteney Distillery
Old Pulteney single malt distillery in Pulteneytown, Wick (established 1826), with a visitor centre and tours - the 'maritime malt'.
Puldagon Farm Shop & Restaurant
Farm shop and restaurant near Wick just off the NC500, serving local produce and Highland beef in a converted barn.
Scapa Distillery
Island single malt distillery on the shore of Scapa Flow near Kirkwall, Orkney (founded 1885), known for its honeyed, lightly peated whisky. Tours & Tastings Available
Scifi Planet
Independent shop on George Street, Oban, stocked with science-fiction collectibles, comics, models and games.
Scrabster Harbour Trust
Britain's most northerly mainland port near Thurso (a Trust Port since 1841), handling fishing, freight, cruise ships and the NorthLink ferry to Orkney.
Splash Rafting
Scotland's longest-running rafting provider, based in Aberfeldy - white-water rafting, canyoning and river bugging on the Tay, Tummel and Orchy.
Target Technique at the Bunker
Air rifle and pistol shooting range inside Inverness's only surviving WW2 bunker at Raigmore (with the 'Behind the Radar' museum) - Scotland's only NSRA Approved Performance Venue.
The Birks Cinema Trust
Restored community cinema, cafe-bar and events hub on Aberfeldy's town square (reopened 2013 in a 1939 art-deco cinema).
The Canyoning Company
Guided canyoning trips and courses based at Dunkeld (the UK's only ICOpro centre), running tours in the best canyons across Perthshire.
The Clay Studio
Community pottery studio at Grant Street, Inverness, offering classes, wheel-throwing and pottery-painting parties for all ages.
The Gale Centre
Community-run visitor and information centre at Achtercairn, Gairloch, café, shop, exhibition space and the meeting point for many local events and walking groups.
The Potter's House
Family pottery-painting and wheel-throwing studio at Muir of Ord, with 280+ ready-made pieces, clay workshops and a coffee shop.
The Water Mill
Award-winning bookshop, cafe, design shop and art gallery in a Grade A listed former watermill in Aberfeldy (opened by Michael Palin, 2005).
Urquhart Castle
Historic Environment Scotland castle on the west shore of Loch Ness at Drumnadrochit. One of the largest castles in Scotland and one of the most-visited HES sites.