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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:

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:

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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