Highland

The Highlands cover an enormous stretch of ground, so where you base yourself matters more here than almost anywhere else in Scotland. Inverness has the greatest concentration of choice, from the contemporary Ness Walk and Rocpool Reserve to the reliably comfortable Kingsmills Hotel, making it a sound base for exploring Loch Ness and beyond without long drives each day.

Further west and north, the options thin out but improve in character. The Torridon and Inverlochy Castle Hotel offer grand settings amid genuinely dramatic scenery, while the Applecross Inn and Loch Ness Inn are better suited to travellers who want a proper local pub with rooms attached. Ullapool's Ceilidh Place and the Cairngorm Hotel near Aviemore serve very different landscapes, one coastal and one mountain, so it is worth matching the choice to what you plan to do rather than just distance from Inverness.

Eating out across Highland means covering a lot of ground, and the choice reflects that. Inverness has the busiest concentration of restaurants and cafes, from casual daytime spots like Cup & Cone and Cafe Inverness to more considered dinner options, while smaller communities further north and west tend to offer a single good pub or hotel dining room that doubles as the local social hub.

Seafood is a strong theme given the coastline, and places such as Scorrybreac Restaurant show how far a menu built on local landings can travel in reputation. Elsewhere the range takes in everything from curry houses like Maemes Piri Piri to straightforward pub food at spots such as The Crofter, so it's worth deciding whether you want a destination meal worth the drive or something reliable near where you're staying.

The Highlands reward those willing to camp close to the scenery rather than view it through a car window. Choices here range from the woodland pitches at Rothiemurchus Camp and Caravan Park, deep in the Cairngorms and handy for Aviemore's hills and trails, to Applecross Campsite on the west coast, reached via the Bealach na Ba pass and looking out towards Raasay and Skye.

Loch Lomond Glamping offers a softer introduction, with proper beds and shelter for those who want the views without the guy ropes. Between the three, you're choosing between mountain forest, rugged coastline, and loch-side comfort, so it's worth deciding what kind of Highland morning you want to wake up to before booking.

With 807 self-catering cottages across the Highland, this is by far the most popular way to base yourself here, and the choice reflects the sheer scale of the region. Strathconon alone offers a cluster of options, from Braigh na Leitre to the Gate Lodge and Glacour Studio, useful if you want to compare a few properties in one glen without moving far.

Elsewhere you'll find everything from waterside spots like Waterside and Riverside Lodge to remoter bolt-holes such as Einich and Coillessan Lodge, suiting anyone after quiet, self-contained walking or fishing bases. Properties like Tigh An Dun and Terra Verde show the range of style on offer, so it's worth thinking about how remote you actually want to be, and how far you're prepared to drive for supplies, before booking.