Inverness

Culloden Moor, a windswept stretch of heath just east of Inverness, is where the last major pitched battle on British soil took place. On April 16, 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army was crushed by government forces led by the Duke of Cumberland in under an hour, leaving more than a thousand dead. This defeat brutally ended the Jacobite cause and forever altered the history of the Highlands. Today, the site is managed by the National Trust for Scotland.

An award-winning visitor center sets the stage with immersive exhibits, historic weapons, and a striking 360-degree film that drops you right into the heat of the battle. Outside, paths wind across the moor—which has been restored to look much as it did in 1746—passing the memorial cairn, clan grave markers, and flags marking the opposing lines. Walking through this quiet battlefield is a moving experience that stays with you long after you leave.

Perched on a hill overlooking the River Ness, Inverness Castle sits right in the heart of the Highland capital. While a fortress has stood here for centuries as a witness to Scotland's turbulent past, the current red sandstone building dates back to the mid-1800s and previously housed the local courts and council offices. Its striking baronial towers are now one of the city's most iconic sights.

After a massive multi-million pound redevelopment, the castle reopened in late 2025 as the Inverness Castle Experience. This new attraction celebrates the Spirit of the Highlands through interactive exhibits and immersive digital displays that bring the region's people, culture, and landscapes to life. With Gaelic-inspired gardens, a restaurant, a gift shop, and a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the city and river, it serves as the perfect starting point for any Highland adventure.

Running for about 23 miles through the Great Glen southwest of Inverness, Loch Ness is easily Scotland's most famous loch. This massive freshwater lake is part of the Caledonian Canal route across the Highlands and actually holds more water than every lake in England and Wales put together. Its dark, peaty waters are known worldwide because of the legend of a mysterious monster rumored to live beneath the surface.

People visit to experience the loch's moody beauty and the surrounding Highland hills and forests. Boat trips glide across the water, giving guests a sense of the loch's scale and a chance to hunt for the elusive Nessie. On the western shore sit the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland's most scenic medieval forts, while local villages and exhibits dive into the monster myths and natural history. Whether the creature exists or not, the atmosphere and landscape leave a lasting mark.