The Flow Country is an actively forming blanket bog landscape in Scotland’s Highland region. It offers a distinct nature-focused option for a trip to Highland; other possible focuses include longer hikes, wildlife or history.
Nature and landscape
The Cairngorms National Park is home to 25 percent of the United Kingdom’s rarest and most endangered species. For those interested in conservation and biodiversity, it offers a special point of interest. The Highland Wildlife Park offers a different perspective: it showcases cold-climate animals from around the world, and its scenic paths can be explored on foot. Some paths may be subject to seasonal restrictions, and animal populations may change over time.
The Flow Country can be explored along trails such as the Dubh-Lochain Trail and the Forsinain Trail. Access and trail conditions may vary seasonally. The North West Highlands Geopark covers more than 2,000 square kilometres in the far north of mainland Scotland. Activities offered there include mountaineering, scrambling, hiking trails, routes and tours. Water sports are also available in the Scottish Highlands, though this does not refer to any specific activity or location.
Individual landscape features can also provide a reason to focus on nature: Plodda Falls is a vertical cascade beneath Douglas firs that plunges into the Abhainn Deabhag. The Great Glen Way, meanwhile, passes along quiet forest tracks, gentle towpaths and paths leading to elevated viewpoints. These different descriptions can help you decide whether to plan visits to individual natural sites or a longer hike.
Hiking and getting around
The Great Glen Way is a 127-kilometre long-distance trail from Fort William to Inverness and is open year-round. Weather and local trail conditions can change. The Mountain Track to Ben Nevis starts at the visitor centre in Glen Nevis. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Great Britain; in clear weather, the summit may offer 360-degree views extending as far as Northern Ireland. These are two distinct ways to plan: a defined long-distance trail and a hike with a summit as its destination.
You can reach the Highland Wildlife Park by car, bus or train. The Far North Line runs from Inverness to Wick and Thurso, passing through impressive scenery, high mountains and coastal landscapes. As timetables and transport services can change, it is advisable to check your connection before travelling. The trails and rail services described are different ways to explore Highland; they do not automatically form a single route.
Cycling tours are also offered in Glenfinnan. The Highland Folk Museum is on National Cycle Route 7. If you would like to combine cycling with a museum visit, you can take this information into account when planning, without assuming a specific tour or route.
History and culture
Urquhart Castle offers more than 1,000 years of history on the shores of Loch Ness. During its 500 years as a medieval fortress, it was the scene of fierce conflicts. Climbing Grant Tower offers panoramic views of Loch Ness and the Great Glen; maintenance work or closures may affect access. Check before your visit whether the climb is possible.
At the Culloden battlefield, visitors can walk along the battle lines and see the soldiers’ graves beside the memorial cairn. The visitor centre houses a 360-degree immersive theatre about the battlefield. Skylarks also live and breed on the site. The combination of landscape, remembrance and nature makes a visit about more than a single building.
The Highland Folk Museum is an open-air museum with more than 35 reconstructed historic buildings. It shows what life in the Scottish Highlands was like from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. Many areas of Fort George are open to visitors. At the Glenfinnan Monument, climbing the tower offers views of Loch Shiel; the exhibition is presented in English and Gaelic. If you plan to visit several of these places, check the current accessibility of each attraction.
Plan a stay that suits you
Highland offers a wide range of themes, from moorland and wildlife to long-distance trails, battlefields, museums and historic buildings. When choosing accommodation, it helps to first decide what you are most interested in, then consider which of the attractions mentioned you actually want to combine. A long hike, a single visit and several cultural-history stops all call for different day-planning. Check the relevant travel information and conditions rather than assuming the sights form a fixed circular tour.
If you are mainly interested in nature and hiking, you can compare the trails and landscapes described here; those who prefer culture will find several distinct historical and museum themes. This leaves room to tailor your choices to your own interests and avoid overloading your stay with too many stops.
Discover more destinations: Aultbea, Aviemore, Inverkirkaig, Croy, Drumnadrochit, Dundee, Forres, Grantown On Spey, Lochinver, Roybridge, Brora, Watten, Ullapool, Tomatin, Thurso, Tain, Strontian, Strathpeffer, Spean Bridge, Portree, Onich, Lybster, Nairn, Muir Of Ord, Mey, Letterfinlay, Kyle Of Lochalsh, Kyleakin, Kentallen, Keiss, Isleornsay, Inverness, Invergordon, Invergarry, Helmsdale, Foyers, Fort William, Fort Augustus, Durness, Dornoch, Dingwall, Dalwhinnie, Contin, Cononbridge, Broadford, Bonar Bridge, Boat Of Garten, Beauly, Ballachulish, Arisaig, Aird Of Sleat, Morar, Torlundy, Scrabster, Kenmore, Strathan, Wick, Cromarty, Teangue, Castletown, Nethy Bridge, Invermoriston, Ardersier, Staffin, Kincraig, Gairloch, Duror, Totscore, Dundreggan, Plockton, Achnasheen, Whitefield, Portnalong, Kinlochleven, Acharacle, Lairg, Breakish, Duntulm, Dalchreichart, Halkirk, Dornie, Insh, Forsinard, Carbost, Garve, Balmacara, Fortrose, Avoch, Mallaig, Glenfinnan, Tongue, Kinlochewe, Dunvegan, Portskerra, Dores, Croick, Evanton, Scarfskerry, Fassfern, Talmine, Glenmore, Isle Of Raasay, Farr, Kirkhill, Kyle, Greshornish, Isle Of Skye, Cannich, Lochcarron, Golspie, Glenelg, Rosemarkie, Kinbrace, Shieldaig, Rogart, Polloch, Mybster, Letterfearn, Knockbain, Auchlunachan, Torridon, Corpach, Struan, Camusbane, Ardvasar, Applecross, Ardgay, Strome Ferry, Oban, Shandwick, Balintore, Bowermadden, Dunbeath, John o' Groats, Bunchrew, Munlochy, Latheron, Fearn, Culbokie, Altandhu, Tarskavaig, Rhiconich, Alness, Duirinish, Spinningdale
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