Scottish Highlands hotels

Absolutely. The Scottish Highlands are one of the most breathtaking parts of the UK, especially if you enjoy natural landscapes, wide open spaces and a bit of adventure. Think dramatic mountains, mirror-like lochs, ancient castles and winding coastal roads. It’s a place where you can spot red deer, watch golden eagles overhead or simply enjoy the peace and quiet. Whether you're after long hikes, scenic drives, whisky tastings or cosy evenings by the fire, the Highlands are a fantastic getaway.

The Highlands cover a large area in the north and west of Scotland. Geographically, it’s the region north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault – stretching from Fort William and Loch Ness up to the northern tip of the mainland, including places like Inverness, the Isle of Skye and Caithness. It’s a vast and varied region made up of rugged coastlines, remote glens, high mountain ranges and quiet villages.

The Highlands are best known for their stunning landscapes – mountain ranges like the Cairngorms and Ben Nevis (the UK’s tallest peak), deep lochs like Loch Ness and dramatic glens like Glen Coe. They’re also famous for their wildlife, including stags, eagles and dolphins, as well as their whisky distilleries, especially along the Highland Whisky Trail. On top of that, the region has strong links to Scottish history and folklore, with plenty of castles, battlefields and stories of clans and Jacobites.

What makes the Highlands stand out is the sense of space and raw natural beauty. It's a part of the UK that still feels wild and untouched in many places. You can be driving for miles without seeing another car, stop to watch a waterfall tumbling down the hills, or come across a centuries-old ruin with barely anyone around. The light changes constantly across the hills and lochs, and the scenery is always dramatic.

Inverness is considered the main hub of the Highlands. It’s a small city, easy to get around and makes a great base if you’re exploring the region. It sits on the River Ness, near Loch Ness, and has a mix of shops, restaurants and historic sites. You’ll find easy access to both the east and west coast from here, plus good train and road connections to other parts of Scotland.

Three days is enough for a taster of what the Highlands have to offer.

• Day 1: Start in Inverness, visit the battlefield at Culloden and take a boat trip on Loch Ness.

• Day 2: Drive through Glen Coe (stunning in any weather), stop for a walk or lunch then head toward Fort William for views of Ben Nevis.

• Day 3: Explore the Cairngorms National Park or take a detour to the Isle of Skye if you’re up for a longer drive and want to see dramatic coastal scenery. Mix scenic drives with walks, a castle visit, and maybe a whisky tour if you’re keen.

Driving is the easiest and most flexible way to get around, especially if you want to explore smaller villages, quiet beaches and off-the-beaten-track spots. The roads are well maintained, though often narrow and winding, so take it slow and enjoy the views. If you’d rather not drive, there are train lines like the West Highland Line (one of the most scenic in the world) and bus tours that cover major sights. Cycling and walking are also great if you're sticking to one area.

There’s loads to do depending on your interests.

• Nature: Hike in the Cairngorms, climb Ben Nevis or go dolphin-spotting in the Moray Firth.

• History: Visit castles like Eilean Donan or Urquhart or check out Culloden Battlefield.

• Lochs and islands: Explore Loch Ness or head to the Isle of Skye for incredible scenery.

• Distilleries: Try a whisky tasting at one of the many Highland distilleries.

• Relaxing: Just find a peaceful lochside spot, enjoy the views and take in the fresh air.

Whether you’re in the mood for adventure or just looking to unwind, the Highlands have something for everyone.

Flex – Pay now or on arrival, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Our most flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 1pm on the day of arrival. You can also amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Semi-Flex – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to three full days before arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to three full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Advance – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 28 full days before arrival, free to amend thereafter until the day of arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 28 full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Standard – Pay now, non-refundable. Free to amend booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Slightly flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel and get a full refund, but you can amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Non-Flex – Pay now. No amends or refunds. Our least flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel or amend your stay after booking.

Our standard check-in time is 3pm. For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

Checkout is by 12 noon on your departure date. If luggage storage is available, our teams will be happy to store any bags for you if you’d like to check out before 12pm.

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

In 2020 we launched Premier Inn CleanProtect™, our rigorous, daily cleaning method that’s used throughout our UK & Ireland hotels. Developed in partnership with Diversey, a global leader in cleaning and hygiene products for the healthcare and hospitality industries, our promise seeks to give you extra peace of mind so you can always book and stay with confidence.

Check-in - minimising contact at reception and providing hand sanitiser in most public areas for peace of mind. 

Bed linen and towels - laundering all our linen and towels at over 60°C to thermally disinfect them, so you can enjoy a great night’s sleep. We’ve also placed spare pillows in a zip-up bag, for extra peace of mind.

Equipping our teams - providing our team members with all the equipment and sanitisers they need, as well as always operating in the safest way possible for our teams and guests.

A generous serving of safety - you can relax knowing that enhanced cleaning measures are in place throughout our restaurants. Tables are cleaned between visits and contactless payment is in place too, so you can dine safely and comfortably with us every time.

Clean on request - if you'd like your room cleaned during your stay with us, just let us know at reception and use the handy door hanger on the back of your door by 12pm each day.

Most Premier Inns have specially-adapted rooms allowing easier access for customers with disabilities. If there is no specially-adapted room available at the hotel of your choice, we will be happy to offer you alternative accommodation at a nearby Premier Inn. If you have difficulty walking, but do not need a specially-adapted room, please feel free to request a room near reception on the ground floor for easy access. 

If you'd like get in touch, you can reach out to our specialist team via email at pi.accessible@whitbread.com or call us on 0333 0919 817 between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday (calls charged at local rate).

Unfortunately, with the exception of trained assistance dogs, we don't allow pets to stay at our hotels.