The Scottish Highlands is world-renowned for its rugged rural beauty and superb hiking trails; however, there is more to the gorgeous mountainous region than meets the eye.
The historic area offers many fun and unusual activities that will ensure your trip stands out from the crowd. To ensure you never waste one second during your break, find out about the five unique things to do in the Scottish Highlands.
1. Feed Reindeer in the Cairngorm Mountains
Believe it or not, you don’t need to visit the North Pole to see a reindeer, as you can find the beautiful animals at Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, which is in the Cairngorm Mountains. You’ll be able to stroke and feed one or more of the 150 free-range reindeer that thrive in the windy climate and happily munch on leaves, grass, birch, and lichen. Pop in to experience the stunning animals in a natural setting.
2. Take a Walk Down the World’s Shortest Street
According to The Guinness Book of Records, you’ll find the shortest street in the world in the Scottish Highlands. If you’re visiting Wick, take a minute out of your day to stroll down Ebenezer Place, which has only one address, No.1 Bistro, which is a part of Mackay’s Hotel. It became a street when the hotel owner advertised the name of the above building on the side of the property in 1887. Look for the Ebenezer Place sign located above the bistro door!
3. Take a Dip in the Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools in the Isle of Skye should not be missed when traveling to the Scottish Highlands. The public can access the aquatic phenomenon from Glen Brittle, and it offers crystal clear blue and green waters that look like they house various mythic creatures, which has inspired Scottish folklore. It is a popular spot with wild swimmers, but the water can be more than a little chilly, so bring some warming clothes with you.
4. Go on a TV Tour
Inverness is not only the capital of the Scottish Highlands, but it provided the beautiful backdrop for the hit TV series Outlander. If you’re a fan of the show, you can enjoy a tour of the various recognizable locations, such as Urquhart Castle, Clava Cairns, and Culloden Battlefield, to name only a few. It’s a great way to learn more about the show and picturesque settings. Find out more about an Outlander tour here.
5. Place a Rag at Clootie Well
If you make your way into the hidden woods of the Black Isle, you’ll find a grove of trees that have been adorned with rags, which are known as Clootie Well. It is due to the pagan tradition of knotting bits of cloth or whole items of clothing onto tree branches to heal pain and sickness. It is also bad luck to remove any of the offerings from the branches, so don’t be tempted to take one as a souvenir.
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