Region in Scotland, United Kingdom
Scottish Highlands for solo travelers
Is Scottish Highlands good for solo travel?
Lochs, glens and mountains based around Inverness suit self-drivers and hikers. Distances are long, buses are thin, and midges and rain are the trade-offs.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Plan transport to remote trailheads in advance and tell someone your walking route. |
How to meet people in Scottish Highlands
Hostels in Inverness, Fort William and Glen Coe, small-group tours, hiking clubs, pub sessions and sea-kayak trips are the easiest ways to meet people.
Good things to do alone
- Walk the West Highland Way for a day
- Drive the North Coast 500 in sections
- Visit Glencoe viewpoints at sunrise
- Take the Jacobite steam train from Fort William
- Watch wildlife in the Cairngorms
Where to stay in Scottish Highlands
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Inverness | Highlands base, trains, shops, hostels and day tours |
| Fort William | Ben Nevis, Glencoe and West Highland Way base |
| Aviemore | Cairngorms hiking, skiing and wildlife |
| Ullapool | Northwest coast and ferry to the Outer Hebrides |
Solo travel across United Kingdom
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| London | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Edinburgh | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bristol | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Manchester | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Liverpool | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Glasgow | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Brighton | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Scottish Highlands | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| York | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Lake District | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cornwall | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Belfast | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cardiff | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Birmingham | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Newcastle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Leeds | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Snowdonia | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Oxford | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bath | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cambridge | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Isle of Skye | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cotswolds | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Scottish Highlands good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Lochs, glens and mountains based around Inverness suit self-drivers and hikers.
How do you meet people in Scottish Highlands?
Hostels in Inverness, Fort William and Glen Coe, small-group tours, hiking clubs, pub sessions and sea-kayak trips are the easiest ways to meet people. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Scottish Highlands?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Scottish Highlands safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Plan transport to remote trailheads in advance and tell someone your walking route.
More about Scottish Highlands
- Solo travelacross United Kingdom
- Safetyin Scottish Highlands
- Cost of livingin Scottish Highlands
- Weather & best timein Scottish Highlands
- Air qualityin Scottish Highlands
- Internet & coworkingin Scottish Highlands
- Getting aroundin Scottish Highlands
- Tap waterin Scottish Highlands
- LGBTQ+ friendlyin Scottish Highlands
- Healthcare & insurancein Scottish Highlands
Going to Scottish Highlands solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Scottish Highlands meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.