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List of towns and villages in the Scottish Highlands facts for kids

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The Scottish Highlands are a truly amazing and wild part of Scotland. Imagine towering mountains, deep, mysterious lochs (that's what Scots call lakes!), and vast, open spaces. This article is your guide to many of the towns and villages found across this incredible region. While there's a specific area called the "Highland council area" (like a local government district), the term "Highlands" actually covers an even bigger part of Scotland, including bits of other council areas too!

Exploring the Scottish Highlands

The Highlands are famous for their stunning natural beauty and rich history. It's a place where you can find some of the UK's highest mountains, like Ben Nevis, and some of its most famous lochs, such as Loch Ness. These towns and villages are often nestled in beautiful valleys or along the coast, offering gateways to adventure and a peek into Scottish culture.

Many of these places are popular with visitors who come to hike, cycle, spot wildlife, or simply enjoy the peaceful scenery. They are also home to friendly communities that keep the traditions of the Highlands alive.

Highland Council Area Towns

The Highland council area is the largest local government area in Scotland. It covers a huge part of the northern Highlands. Think of a council area as a big neighbourhood or district that has its own local government to manage things like schools, roads, and local services.

Here are some of the interesting towns and villages you'll find in this area:

  • Inverness: Often called the "Capital of the Highlands," Inverness is the largest city in the region. It sits on the River Ness and is a great base for exploring the surrounding areas, including Loch Ness.
  • Fort William: Located near the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain, Fort William is a hub for outdoor sports. It's known as the "Outdoor Capital of the UK."
  • Aviemore: This town is a popular spot for skiing and snowboarding in winter, and hiking and mountain biking in summer. It's right on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park.
  • Thurso and Wick: These are two of the main towns in Caithness, the very northern tip of mainland Scotland. They have a strong connection to the sea and fishing.
  • Ullapool: A charming fishing village on the west coast, known for its beautiful harbour and as a ferry link to the Outer Hebrides.
  • Dingwall: A historic market town in the Easter Ross area, with a long history stretching back to Viking times.
  • Dornoch: Famous for its beautiful sandy beach and historic Dornoch Cathedral.
  • Kyle of Lochalsh: A small village that is the mainland gateway to the Isle of Skye via the Skye Bridge.

Many other smaller villages dot the landscape, each with its own unique character:

  • Achfary, Alness, Altnaharra, Applecross, Arisaig, Auldearn, Aultbea, Avoch, Back of Keppoch, Balintore, Ballachulish, Balloch, Banavie, Beauly, Bettyhill, Bonar Bridge, Braetongue, Cannich, Carrbridge, Castletown, Coldbackie, Conon Bridge, Contin, Corpach, Cromarty, Culbokie, Culloden, Dalwhinnie, Dornie, Drumbeg, Sutherland, Drumnadrochit, Dulnain Bridge, Dunbeath, Dunnet, Durness, Edderton, Evanton, Farr, Sutherland, Farr, Strathnairn, Fort Augustus, Fortrose, Gairloch, Gillock, Glencoe, Glenelg, Glenfinnan, Golspie, Grantown-on-Spey, Halkirk, Helmsdale, Hilton, Invergordon, Invermoriston, John o' Groats, Keiss, Kiltarlity, Kingussie, Kinlochbervie, Kinlocheil, Kinlochleven, Kinlochewe, Kirkhill, Laggan, Lochailort, Lochcarron, Lochinver, Lybster, Mallaig, Maryburgh, Morar, Muir of Ord, Nairn, Newtonmore, North Ballachulish, Nethy Bridge, Plockton, Poolewe, Portmahomack, Reay, Rosemarkie, Scourie, Shandwick, Shieldaig, South Ballachulish, Spean Bridge, Strathpeffer, Strathy, Strontian, Tain, Tongue, Torridon, Watten, Whaligoe.

Towns in Other Highland Regions

The "Highlands" also includes parts of other council areas that share the same wild and beautiful landscape. These include Argyll and Bute, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Stirling, Na h-Eileanan Siar (the Outer Hebrides islands), and North Ayrshire.

Here are some towns from these areas that are considered part of the wider Highlands:

  • Oban (Argyll and Bute): A busy ferry port and a gateway to the Inner Hebrides islands. It's known for its seafood and the impressive McCaig's Tower.
  • Pitlochry (Perth and Kinross): A popular Victorian tourist town with beautiful scenery, famous for its hydro-electric dam and salmon ladder.
  • Ballater (Aberdeenshire): Located in Royal Deeside, close to Balmoral Castle, the Scottish home of the Royal Family.
  • Elgin (Moray): A historic cathedral city with a rich past, including the ruins of Elgin Cathedral.
  • Stornoway (Na h-Eileanan Siar): The main town on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, a vibrant cultural hub.
  • Tyndrum (Stirling): A small village in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, often a stop for hikers on the West Highland Way.

Other towns and villages in these regions include:

National Parks in the Highlands

Many of the towns and villages in the Highlands are located within or near two of Scotland's amazing National Parks:

  • Cairngorms National Park: This is the largest National Park in the UK. It's a fantastic place for wildlife, with rare animals like red squirrels, ospreys, and golden eagles. Towns like Aviemore, Ballater, Blair Atholl, Boat of Garten, Braemar, Carrbridge, Dalwhinnie, Dulnain Bridge, Grantown-on-Spey, Kingussie, Laggan, Newtonmore, Nethy Bridge, and Tomintoul are all within or very close to this park.
  • Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park: This park is famous for its beautiful lochs, including Loch Lomond, and its wooded hills. It's a popular spot for water sports and hiking. Villages like Ardlui, Arrochar, Auchtubh, Balquhidder, Crianlarich, Inverbeg, Inveruglas, Killin, Lochgoilhead, Lochearnhead, Strathyre, Tarbet, and Tyndrum are found here.

The Scottish Highlands are a truly special place, offering a mix of wild nature, rich history, and welcoming communities. Each town and village on this list plays a part in the unique story of this incredible region.

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