Last updated on August 21st, 2020
Discover the best free attractions in Scotland with my list of free attractions in The Highlands
If you’d like to discover even more places to visit take a look at my Scottish Tourist Attractions Map – but don’t forget to check my Weather Forecast Map before you leave home.
Ben Nevis
Address: The Glen Nevis Visitor Center car park is located approx. 1.5 miles from the roundabout in Fort William located next to the River Nevis. Latitude: 56°48’38.90″N Longitude: 5°4’38.17″W. Postcode: PH33 6PF
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: N/A
Email Address: mailto:[email protected]
Website: Ben Nevis
About: Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The mountain is particularly popular with walkers due to the well-constructed mountain track from Glen Nevis on the south side of the mountain. Climbers and mountaineers can enjoy some of the best rock and ice climbs in the country.
Loch Ness
Address: Loch Ness, Inverness-shire, IV63 6TU
Opening Times: N/A
Tel Number: 01463 219 219
Email Address: N/A
Website: Loch Ness
About: The area around Loch Ness features picturesque towns and untamed wilderness, with breath-taking rolling hills surrounding the world-famous loch that is home to the legendary Loch Ness monster.
Culloden Battlefield
Address: Culloden Moor, Inverness , IV2 5EU. Map reference: NH 745449 Lat: 57.47702, Long: -4.09302
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: 0844 493 2159
Email Address: mailto:[email protected]
Website: Culloden Battlefield
About: The Culloden Visitor Centre, which stands beside the battlefield, features artefacts from both sides of the battle and has interactive displays that reveal the background to the conflict.
Glen Coe
Address: Glencoe, Argyll, PH49 4HX
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: +44 (0)1855 811252
Email Address: mailto:[email protected]
Website: Glen Coe
About: Glencoe is Scotland’s most famous and scenic glen, and arguably Scotland’s most historic glen. Glencoe is not only a holiday centre for hill walking and mountaineering but is also the perfect base to explore the Highlands.
Glenfinnan
Address: Glenfinnan, Highlands, PH37 4LT
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: N/A
Email Address: N/A
Website: Glenfinnan
About: Glenfinnan is famous for several reasons, but perhaps it is most renowned for the Jacobite gathering in 1745, when Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied 1200 Highlanders. The memorial at Loch Shiel is clearly visible against the Glenfinnan viaduct, made world-famous as the setting of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Express train journey.
Inverness Botanic Gardens
Address: Bught Lane, Inverness, IV3 5SS
Opening Times: Mon-Sun: 10:00 – 16:00
Tel Number: 01463 713553
Email Address: mailto:[email protected]
Website: Inverness Botanic Gardens
About: Inverness Botanic Gardens are an oasis of calm within walking distance of the busy city centre. The glasshouses contain plants from tropical rainforests and hot deserts, while a waterfall pours into a pond filled with Koi carp, surrounded by bird of paradise plants and orchids.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Address: Castle Wynd, Inverness, IV2 3EB
Opening Times: Tuesday – Thursday 12.00-16.00, Friday-Saturday 11.00-16.00.
Tel Number: 01463 237114
Email Address: N/A
Website: Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
About: The Inverness Museum and Art Gallery aims to teach visitors about Scottish history while also showing how the Highlands are linked with the rest of the world through informative displays. After browsing the collections you can relax in the café or browse the extensive shop.
Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve
Address: Balmaha, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, G63 0JQ. From Stirling- follow the A811 to Gartocharn. From Glasgow- take the A82 north to Alexandria, and take the Balloch turning onto the A811 to Gartocharn.
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: 01786 453354
Email Address: mailto:[email protected]
Website: Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve
About: There are a multitude of available activities at this nature reserve. You can take tranquil walks on a wooded isle, or head down to the loch shore in search of fishing osprey. There are also geese, wigeon, teal and shelduck to keep a look-out for, against a background of dramatic mountain peaks.
Lochaber Geopark
Address: Visitor Centre: 55A High St, Fort William, PH33 6DH
Opening Times: The park is Open year-round.
Tel Number: 01397 705314
Email Address: mailto:[email protected]
Website: Lochaber Geopark
About: Lochaber Geopark boasts some of the best geology in the world, along with the UK’s highest mountains and deepest lochs. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts will love the mountain trails and the beautiful landscapes.
Smoo Cave
Address: Durness, Lairg, IV27 4PN
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: 01971 511259
Email Address: mailto:[email protected]
Website: Smoo Cave
About: This dramatic sea cave is set into limestone cliffs in Sutherland, and can be explored by boat or by the path from the car park on the cliffs. The cave boasts one of the largest entrances to any sea cave in Britain and is floodlit inside.
Steall Waterfall
Address: Old Military Rd, Fort William, PH33 6SY
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: N/A
Email Address: N/A
Website: Steall Waterfall
About: Steall Falls offers a first-class walk below Ben Nevis and the surrounding mountains as it passes through the stunning Glen Nevis. The lower Falls are extremely impressive as they thunder below your feet under a bridge, and the Glen is particularly stunning with its carpet of wild flowers.
The Commando Memorial
Address: Spean Bridge, PH34 4EG
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: N/A
Email Address: N/A
Website: The Commando Monument
About: This monument in the area around Spean Bridge is the place where thousands of allied troops came to train for warfare during World War II. The three-figure bronze statue commemorates the sacrifice given by thousands of Allied troops, and is set against a stunning mountain backdrop
The West Highland Museum
Address: Cameron Square, Fort William, PH33 6AJ
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 10:00 – 16:00/17:00. Sun 11:00 – 15:00 (July – Aug)
Tel Number: 01397 702169
Email Address: mailto:[email protected]
Website: The West Highland Museum
About: The West Highland Museum’s collections tell the story of the region, its people and its history, and includes fascinating artefacts from the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite uprising.
If you’d like to find free attractions in Aberdeenshire read this guide: Free Attractions in Aberdeenshire and Moray.