Our last day in Scotland was dedicated to a day trip to the majestic Scottish Highlands. The Highlands are the northern, most isolated and wildest region of Scotland. They include an abundance of mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and characteristic plains. The Highlands of Scotland are popular for their stunning natural beauty, stunning scenery and wildlife.
This area is also full of history and culture. The Highlands have a long history reaching back to prehistoric times and have played an important role in Scottish cultural and political history. The people of the Highlands are known for their extraordinary nationalism and adherence to tradition. The few Highlanders who still live in the Ηighlands follow the old customs and traditions, while preserving the Scots language with its numerous idiomatic elements.
4 Viewing points – hiking
Loch Lubnaig
Definitely, you need many days to explore the beauty of Highlands and since there wasn’t much time, we focus on the highlights. So starting from Stirling, for a journey of around 2.5 hours, we made our first stop at the stunning Loch Lubnaig. An ideal lake for canoeing, kayaking and picnicking in the organized outdoor area.
Loch Tulla Viewpoint – The Three Sisters
Continuing our trek, Glencoe emerges as an epic scene, with two viewpoints worth spending some time on. First the Loch Tulla Viewpoint, a picturesque location where you will feel the peace of nature. Second viewpoint, the Three Sisters mountains, three mountains in a row that steal the show.
Mountain peaks dominate the landscape, while the emotive atmosphere conveys a sense of anticipation and discovery. It is worth getting away from the parking area, following the various hiking trails that the area has, to be a little alone and calm in a peaceful landscape.
Glencoe Lochan
We then set off for our final walk, Glencoe Lochan. Glencoe Lochan is a man-made lake located near the village of Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands. It is about 2 kilometers south-east of the village of Glencoe and is a neat and friendly place. The lake was created in the 19th century by the mountaineer in honor of his wife, Lady Sybil. The mountaineer chose this particular landscape for its beauty and incredible destination.
Today, Glencoe Lochan is a popular walking destination and an ideal place to enjoy the nature and tranquility of the Highlands. It has an easy and short circular route (as well as many other paths that lead to various parts of the surrounding landscape) around the lake, which is surrounded by firs and other types of trees. Around the lake you will also find monastery-style benches available for barbecues and picnics in nature.
In the late afternoon, we head to the Clachaig Inn, a hotel with a restaurant to enjoy lunch and recuperate for the return trip. We sample traditional Scottish dishes while admiring the beautiful highlands that surround the hotel. Two dishes worth trying here are Haggis, a national dish of Scotland, and the traditional meat plate. Haggis includes various parts of the sheep, which are mixed with oatmeal, chopped onion, beef and spices, while the traditional meat plate is a mix of various meats cooked in red sauce.
Encounter with wild deer
On our way back, we choose to have a coffee break at the Kinghouse hotel Glencoe for one reason only. The outdoor area right outside the hotel is frequently visited by wild deer. So, luck brought us face to face with beautiful wild male deer eating and roaming outside the hotel. You will notice that there are signs reminding you not to feed the deer that live freely in the wild. You can watch these wonderful creatures in their natural environment from a reasonable distance, but don’t forget that they are wild deer with unpredictable reactions if someone approaches them in order to feed them.
More places worth seeing in the Highlands
In case that you wish and have the time to explore more, the Highlands offer endless possibilities. In the Highlands of Scotland there are many beautiful lakes and places worth visiting either on your own or on an organized tour starting from Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Some of these include:
- Loch Ness: World famous for the mythical monster ‘Nessie’, Loch Ness is one of Scotland’s largest and deepest lochs. The scenery around Loch Ness is spectacular and offers amazing walking and photography opportunities.
- Loch Lomond και Trossachs National Park: This national park offers an abundance of natural beauty, with Loch Lomond being one of Scotland’s largest and most spectacular lochs. The park also offers amazing opportunities for hiking, biking and other nature activities.
- Cairngorms National Park: The Cairngorms is the largest national park in the UK and offers a stunning variety of natural scenery. With high mountains, frozen rivers and extensive pine forests, the Cairngorms are ideal for mountaineering, skiing and wildlife watching.
- Isle of Skye: The Isle of Skye is Scotland’s most famous island, a heavenly fishing village with rock formations and natural castles. The Fairy Pools are worth exploring, where you’ll come across waterfalls with incredibly bright blue colours, as well as the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr for epic landscape walks with breathtaking views.
The Highlands is not just a location, it’s a way of life, a world waiting to be discovered and loved. As we depart, we carry with us in our hearts the inexhaustible beauty of the Highlands, but also a sense of peace and renewal.
Enjoy more images from our day trip to Scottish Highlands in the highlight stories #HIGHLANDS on Ιnstagram
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Read also: Edinburgh:The Complete Travel Guide
