Outdoor Activities in the Scottish Highlands
With its fantastic natural beauty, it is no wonder that many people who enjoy outdoor activities are drawn to the Scottish Highlands. A stay at Inverglen Guest House puts you within easy reach of many of the best locations for these outdoor activities. In particular, Loch Ness and the surrounding areas offer plenty of activities on both land and water – all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Highland scenery.
Water-based activities include sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, and even white water rafting. Fishing for salmon, trout, sea-trout, char, or pike is also popular. For the brave, you can even go for a swim.
Loch Ness is surrounded by fantastic walking trails that cater for all abilities. These include well signposted and accessible walks through to challenging hill walks and long-distance hikes. For those looking for the greatest long-distance challenge take a look at the Great Glen Way, the newly completed Loch Ness 360 (a trail that goes all the way around Loch Ness), or even the Affric Kintail Way.
Want to give your legs a rest? Why not try horse riding with trails giving excellent views of Loch Ness and the surrounding countryside.
Biking is also popular and there are plenty of bike hire operators in Inverness offering a range of bikes, including some great e-bikes.
To help you plan your day why not take a look at the Visit Inverness Loch Ness walking guides. Another great resource for walkers is Walk Highlands.
You can also check out some of the local walks we have taken ourselves on our Highland Walks & Hikes page.
For the more energetic, there are plenty of adventure sports on offer in the area – mountain biking, windsurfing, paragliding, and skiing.
Remember, Scotland is the home of golf, so don’t forget to pack your clubs (see our golf page for more details).
Spotlight on Rothiemurchus
Just a 30-minute car ride from Inverness will bring you to the magnificent Cairngorm National Park. This is the largest National Park in the UK at 4,528 sq km (1,748 sq miles) – twice the size of the Lake District National Park and bigger than the whole of Luxembourg.
Located in the heart of the park is Rothiemurchus, a special and unique place with a blend of stunning landscapes, exciting outdoor activities, and locally sourced Scottish crafts and foods.
You may choose simply to walk or cycle around the carefully maintained paths, taking in the spectacular scenery. Or perhaps you would like to take part in some of the many outdoor activities they offer; from clay shooting, fishing, and pony hacking, and to archery, wildlife watching and river kayaking.
You can learn more about Rothiemurchus and all they have to offer on their website – http://rothiemurchus.net/
Activity Operators
Why not check out some of the operators that can help you be active:
- Inverness Bike Hire – Mountain bike hire in the centre of Inverness
- Ticket to Ride – A large range of bikes for hire in Inverness
- Inverness Bike Tours – 2 hours guided tour of the waterways of Inverness
- Loch Ness Riding – Trekking and riding lessons
- In Your Element– Fantastic adventures on land and water (also offering canoe and equipment hire)
- Explore Highland – Bespoke canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding experiences
- Rothiemurchus – A whole host of outdoor activities in the Cairngorm National Park
- Learnie Red Rock – Mountain biking trails.
Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running
How would you like to run in one of the UK’s best marathons (or 10K or 5K races)? If this sounds like a challenge you want to take up then check out our Festival of Running Page.