Inverness

Thirty miles north of Fort William, the Highland capital sits where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth. This isn't some sleepy highland village - Inverness proper bustles with purpose, serving as the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness country.

The city centre feels refreshingly compact after the sprawl of Glasgow or Edinburgh. Victorian stonework lines the high street, while the River Ness cuts through the middle with its famous suspension bridges. Inverness Castle dominates the skyline from its hilltop perch, though the current red sandstone building dates only to the 1830s.

Beyond the city limits, the Black Wood stretches across ancient Caledonian pine, while Gallow Hill and Ord Hill offer cracking views over the Moray Firth. Worth the trek north to Redcastle, a proper 12th-century fortress overlooking the Beauly Firth. The archaeological sites around Coul Point crannog tell older stories - Bronze Age settlers knew a good spot when they saw one.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The A9 runs straight up from Perth and Edinburgh, while the railway terminates at the handsome Victorian station. Inverness Airport handles flights from London and Manchester if you're keen to skip the drive.

Staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around the Moray Firth makes perfect sense. You're close enough for evening strolls along the Ness Islands, yet positioned for dawn raids on Loch Ness or day trips into the Cairngorms. Beauly Holiday Park and Fortrose Bay Campsite put you within striking distance of the Black Isle's distilleries and dolphins.