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Scottish Highlands in Winter

The UK’s most northern country is known for wild landscapes, whisky, and welcoming locals. While most visitors chase the verdant hills of summer, Scotland is a wonderful winter destination. Head to the Scottish Highlands to experience frozen lochs and snow-capped peaks.

Scotland’s highlands have Britain’s highest peaks and largest lakes. Nature reigns supreme with a royal cape of sheep pastures and a crown of castles. The area’s infrastructure is largely built up for tourism which can mean things are expensive, but you’re also unlikely to have problems. Many places are closed in the winter, but it just makes a winter trip more epic and cozy. The Highlands area also includes the fabled Isle of Skye.

Ben Nevis and Fort William

Fort William is a cute port town nestled in the shadow of Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis. Climbing the beast in winter is only recommended for the hardiest of climbers. The rest of us can enjoy views of the peak from various locations around the town. Fort William makes for a good jumping off point in the Highlands that is less crowded than Inverness.

One of the best places to view Ben Nevis is from this famous shipwreck in Corpach. It’s easy to get to and also provides a harbor view of Fort William. Locals told me the very best place to view the Scottish Highlands’ crowned peak is at the Commado Memorial in Spean Bridge. I visited at sunrise three mornings but it was too foggy to see. Finally on the third day the fog cleared as the sun rose all pink and yellow.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

In a different life I would be a film location scout so I could make famous places like the Glenfinnan Viaduct of Harry Potter fame. Like most places in Scotland it is a drone-free zone (on one building someone has defiantly nailed up what I assume are confiscated drones), but you can get views above the viaduct by hiking up one of the hills it crosses. The best is up the Glenfinnan Trail which you can hike to get amazing vistas of not just the viaduct, but also the surrounding mountains, Loch Shiel, and the Glenfinnan monument. Glenfinnan is about a half hour from Fort William.

Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

Of all the lochs in the Scottish Highlands, perhaps none is better known than Loch Ness of monstrous fame. It also holds the title of Great Britain’s deepest lake, a perfect hiding spot of creatures of the deep.

Standing out into this mysterious loch is Urquhart Castle. It’s now in ruins, but the information center and museum has a lot of information about its history and that of the loch and surrounding region. There is also a cafe, but in winter it’s much too windy to enjoy anything outside.

Isle of Skye

The famous Isle of Skye is as mystical as its name suggests. In the high season, many locals and travelers complain that it is overrun with tourists. If you can brave the winds and driving on the snowy backroads (with the help of some salt-and-shovel-wielding locals), then winter time offers you a chance to have the wilds of Skye mostly to yourself. However, you won’t be able to enjoy some of the sights as they’re buried under snow (the Uig Fairy Glen‘s fairy rings).

Another little disappointment in winter on Skye is the Fairy Pools. These are largely frozen so their interesting color and cascading waterfalls are underwhelming. Add that to a tough hike in the snow and a frozen road and parking lot and they’re really not worth the visit in winter.

If you liked this photo series of the Scottish Highlands, you can see more series here.