The Scottish Highlands welcomed nearly 1.8 million overnight visitors in 2024, as people are drawn to the rugged mountains, ancient castles and island landscapes. Many hold an image of the Highlands as winding single-track roads, but in fact, much of the region can be explored by train, bus, ferry and guided tour.
For most vacations, it’s standard practice. You disembark the plane and head to the rental counter. But in the Scottish Highlands, travelers can begin exploring on foot almost immediately, using Inverness as a hub for day trips. You don’t need a rental car.
Visit Scotland’s latest tourism data records 4.4 million international vacationers visited Scotland in 2024. Of those, nearly half visited the Highlands, consistently one of Scotland’s most visited regions. Inverness sits at the center of many of those journeys.
Make Inverness your home base
For travelers who begin their trip farther south, the Caledonian Sleeper offers an alternative to flying or driving. The overnight train arrives in Inverness the following morning, turning the journey north into part of the vacation while eliminating the need for an extra hotel night. Inverness works well as a car-free base because so much of the city is within walking distance of the railway station.
Start with the recently opened Inverness Castle Experience, where interactive exhibits explore Highland history, culture and traditions through stories gathered from residents. The rooftop viewpoint offers panoramic views across the River Ness and the city beyond, while afternoon tea in the castle provides a chance to linger after exploring the exhibits.
A walking tour introduces visitors to the River Ness, Old High Church and Inverness’ layered history. Leakey’s Bookshop, housed inside a former church, rewards slow browsing, while the Victorian Market brings together local food and independent shops under one roof. Nearby, Rebel Row showcases tartan woven in the Highlands, and This is Nook offers a relaxed stop for coffee and a hands-on craft workshop.
Evenings require very little planning. MacGregor’s combines Highland music, storytelling, local food and whisky into an experience that feels more like an introduction to the region than simply dinner. Traditional music also spills out from pubs, including Hootananny, Highland Nights at An Seòmar and The Highlander, all within walking distance.
Stay where walking makes sense
Choose accommodations close to attractions and transportation to keep the itinerary simple. The Glen Mhor Hotel and the Palace Hotel and Spa both make convenient bases, as many of Inverness’ biggest draws are within walking distance. The Glen Mhor offers a relaxed riverside stay close to The Inverness Castle Experience, with its own restaurant, distillery and brewery. Meanwhile, the Palace adds a more upscale city-center experience with a restaurant, spa, leisure club and castle-view rooms.
The Culloden House Hotel has something entirely different. Set a short taxi ride outside the city, the historic country house trades immediate access for quiet gardens, elegant public rooms and a slower pace before returning to the city.
Travelers can choose accommodations that fit their preferred style. That could be a historic country house, a luxury hotel in the heart of the city or a relaxed riverside stay, all available without giving up easy access to transportation.
Let guided tours reach farther afield
Some of the Highlands’ most iconic places sit beyond regular rail routes. However, that doesn’t automatically require a car rental.
Small group tours bridge many of those gaps. Rabbie’s offers day trips from Inverness as well as multi-day itineraries that reach destinations including the Isle of Skye, Lewis and Harris and the northern Highlands. Guides handle the driving while sharing local history, folklore and cultural context that can easily be missed when traveling independently.
For travelers interested in history, the Highlanders’ Museum also operates guided minibus tours from Inverness. One itinerary combines Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns and Fort George into a single day, making it easy to visit three of the region’s most significant historic sites without coordinating multiple bus connections.
Explore Loch Ness your way
Loch Ness is one of the Highlands’ biggest draws, and travelers without a car have more than one way to experience it. For a classic introduction, half-day tours with Jacobite Cruises depart directly from Inverness Bus Station. You get a cruise on Loch Ness and plenty of time to explore Urquhart Castle that overlooks the lake.
Visitors with more time can also explore the loch independently using public transportation. An Ember electric coach reaches Drumnadrochit in about 40 minutes, where the Loch Ness Hub serves as a convenient starting point for local experiences. From there, a guided Highland Cow Tour takes visitors onto a nearby farm to meet Scotland’s iconic shaggy cattle and admire their view of Loch Ness.
The journey becomes part of the destination
Even with a rental, driving in Scotland can be a challenge. Jean Campbell, a FROSCH by Chase Travel Advisor, says concerns about driving on foreign territory are common among overseas visitors. “I’ve definitely had clients feel intimidated by driving in Scotland, especially on unfamiliar roads and on the left,” Campbell said. “We typically tailor an itinerary that lets them experience the Highlands without having to drive themselves.”
Those concerns are common enough that the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland renew their seasonal Drive on the Left campaign each year. The public service materials encourage overseas visitors who choose to rent cars to familiarize themselves with local driving rules before setting out.
For travelers who choose to go car free, the journey itself becomes part of the experience. Travel without the responsibility of driving leaves more time to notice changing light across the hills, castles emerging above the trees and conversations with guides and fellow travelers that become part of the trip.
A different way to experience the Highlands
Traveling without a car doesn’t mean seeing less of Scotland. It simply changes the rhythm of the journey. Using Inverness as a base makes that possible, with rail connections, local buses, guided excursions and ferries all within easy reach. Travelers can experience everything from Highland history to island landscapes without the stress of navigating narrow single-lane roads. The result is more time looking out the window than watching the road ahead.
Jessy Hamel is a syndicated travel writer and the creator of Tartan & Teacups, a travel site that inspires women to stop waiting and start traveling. She covers destinations across the United Kingdom and Europe, with a focus on Scotland, Ireland, Italy and Portugal.