Tourist Information & Hotels in Inverness, Loch Ness & North Highlands
Spanning a huge area of Scotland, the Highlands are for many visitors what Scotland is all about. The turbulent history, the culture which is so different to other areas in Scotland, the scenery and the outdoors. Once you have experienced the Highlands, you will want to come back again.
Wherever in the Highlands you decide to stay, you will experience outstanding views, from Loch Ness, just south of Inverness, to Ullapool and Loch Maree in the west. To the north lies Thurso, the Orkneys and the rugged northern coastline is unspoilt and full of wildlife and activities. Miles of expanse, deserted beaches, peaceful mountain tops, quiet roads. Total relaxation, no stress, and quite often nobody else to be seen for miles around.
Around the Inverness Area
The capital of the Highlands is Inverness. Over half the population of the Highlands lives in the Inverness area, the fastest growing city in the UK. Top class hotels (see list), fine shopping; with a castle and the River Ness splitting the city into 2 halves.
7 miles south of Inverness at the northern end of the Great Glen is Loch Ness. From here many loch cruises are available, and keep an eye out for "Nessie" , the lochs resident - Take your camera just in case! The Loch Ness Clansman Hotel has its own jetty, so by staying at this hotel, you can catch one of the cruises from the hotel.
Another worthwhile experience is to take the train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, by the Isle of Skye. The journey is reported by Michael Palin, as one of the most beautiful railway journeys in the world. The journey takes about 2 hours, with time in Kyle of Lochalsh, before returning. It is not expensive either.
Other areas of interest around Inverness are: Beauly a thriving little market town 14 miles from Inverness. Nairn with its fine golf course and seaside location. The Moray Firth, where you can catch a dolphin watch boat trip. The Black Isle just north of Inverness where you can visit the spa town of Strathpeffer and Dingwall. Moniack Castle Winery , where believe it or not Scotland's only wine industry flourishes. Cawdor Castle and gardens with its link the MacBeth. Culloden Moor, where the last battle on British soil took place in 1746. This is just a sample of the many things worth seeing. All Classic's hotels in the Inverness area have information leaflets near reception.You can view Hotels in Inverness on the right hand side of the page.
Around Ullapool & Ross-shire
If you are thinking about staying outside Inverness area, then you will discover a completely different experience. 60 miles NW of Inverness is Ullapool and Ross-shire. A most awesome & inspiring area. Sparsely populated, and a landscape shaped by wonderful seascapes and dramatic mountain peaks.
Dundonnell Hotel, Dundonnell is a favourite for guests wanting to view the true splendour from the hotel, and take advantage of all the outdoor activities available. Just down the road there is Inverewe Gardens , with a plethora of different exotic plants, which survive due to the warmth of the Gulf Stream. Loch Maree is a particularly attractive loch surrounded by mighty mountain ranges and further on the small & interesting resort of Gairloch from here there are whale watch cruises.
The fishing port of Ullapool, is the NW Scotlands largest town, and the hub for catching the Caledonian McBrayne ferries to Stornoway on the Outer Hebrides. Ullapool is a popular holiday destination, and a good area for walking the peaks or cycling the byways and tracks which abound in this area. Attractions in the area include: Award winning Ullapool museum, Inverpolly National Nature Reserve home to pine martens, wildcats, buzzards and golden eagles, Seaside Poolewe with golden beaches and rocky islands, and Lael Forest garden.
Around Thurso and the Northern Highlands
North of Inverness, the landscape becomes more rugged, the coastline more dramatic. The A9 between Inverness and Thurso hugs the coastline, so the journey in itself is far from tedious. The journey by car or by train takes under 3 hours. Stop off in the ancient town of Tain, where there are many craft shops and coffee stops. Or a little further on there is Brora, with its wonderful beach and golf course.
Make sure you allow time to see Dunrobin Castle. It is a true "fairytale" castle. Perched high on the cliffs. Visitors have access to this great Scottish castle and gardens. Wick is the commercial centre of the Northern Highlands, with its airport and infrastructure. 14 miles further on is Thurso and from near here you can catch the ferry over to the Orkney Isles. John O Groats, the most northerly point of mainland Britain is just along the coastline, passing the village of Castletown, Off the coast near Dunnet is some of the best sea angling in Europe and there trips out can be organised from the Castletown Hotel, Castletown.
Nearby there are superb beaches, Dunnet Head and lighthouse, affording 1st class views of the sound and the Orkneys. The Queen Mum's residence Castle of Mey is close by too, and visitors can access the Castle, when not in residence by a member of the Royal Family.
Without doubt the inspiring landscape and the tranquillity and space which it offers are without doubt the main attractions of the Highlands. However the Highlands offer unsurpassed opportunities for the great outdoors: Top Class mountaineering & climbing and off road biking are recognised world wide as the amongst the best available in the world.
Castles in the Scottish Highlands
Gardens in the Scottish Highlands
The Gulf Stream bathes the western seaboard of Scotland, making the temperature more moderate for the Highland gardener to grow exotic plants, trees and shrubs:
Activities in the Scottish Highlands
Golf A choice of 44 courses including Nairn and Dornoch recognised as one of the top 10 courses in the world. See hotels offering golf.
Skiiing In the winter there are 3 centres. Cairngorm near Aviemore, Nevis Range & Glencoe near Fort William and the Lecht near Tomintoul.
Fishing The best of angling is in the Highlands, from sea Angling off the north coast near John O Groats, to Loch Fishing on the dozens of lochs for brown trout, sea trout and salmon, to River Fishing on some great Rivers like the River Spey one of the best salmon rivers in Scotland.
In addition there is mountain biking, Off roading on the Rothiemurcus Estate near Aviemore, cruising on Loch Ness, shooting and all kinds of watersports from windsurfing to river kyacking & white water rafting. Classic's hotels will be happy to assist you with advice and information.
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