How to travel from Edinburgh to the Highlands

Getting to Inverness and beyond from Edinburgh

A visit to the Scottish Highlands is on many people’s to-do list. The images we see on TV and movie screen sof towering mountains, rolling mist, rugged landscapes and enchanting lochs are all even more beautiful in real life. Getting here is easy, especially if you are coming up from Edinburgh. The Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness offers a perfect base for you to stay and explore this part of the world, from Loch Ness to Culloden and the Cairngorm National Park. We are conveniently placed close to Inverness train and bus station and have plentiful parking, making your journey up to us from Edinburgh as enjoyable as possible, however you want to arrive.

How to travel to the Highlands from Edinburgh

There are a few ways to travel from Edinburgh to the Highlands, and they all have their own pros and cons. Here are some of our suggested ways to get here. 

Drive yourself by car

Driving from Edinburgh to the Highlands will take you through the heart of Scotland, giving you sceneic views including that of the Cairngorm National Park. On your way along the A9, you will pass beautiful towns like Perth and Pitlochry, both offering handy pit stops. Having your own car means you can make a detour if something seems interesting but is off-route slightly, like a visit to the beautiful Fort William. However if you drive straight to Inverness from Edinburgh using the A9 road, it will take you around 3 to 4 hours. 

Take the train

If you would rather put your feet up and let someone else take you to Inverness, whilst still enjoying the lovely scenery, then perhaps a train is a better option. Up to 13 trains per day depart from Edinburgh Waverley station to Inverness station. The fastest train takes around 3.5 hours, but if you’re not in a rush you could take the overnight sleeper which is an 11 hour journey up to the north. This is an experience all to itself that you might like to enjoy during your visit to Scotland. 

As an extra bonus, most trains to Inverness form Edinburgh will take you over the UNESCO Forth Rail Bridge! This stunning piece of engineering is internationally famous, and this is a perfect opportunity to see it from a different angle. 

Hop on the bus

If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, then jumping on the bus from Edinburgh to Inverness is a good idea. Several companies including Citylink and Megabus provide regular routes to the north for low prices. The journey takes around 4 hours, and most busses come equipped with Wi-Fi to help pass the time. However, the scenery should certainly help keep your interest on this journey!

What to do when you get here

Once you’ve decided how to get there, the next thing to do is choose where to visit. The Kingsmills Hotel is close to many stunning sights and popular attractions in the Highlands, so here are some of our highlights. 

Loch Ness

Will you get a sight of our famous monster? Take a trip to Loch Ness for a chance. But even if you don’t, you’ll have breathtaking views of this stunning body of water. Make sure you visit nearby Urquhart Castle on the loch’s banks.

Tomatin Distillery

For whisky lovers, visiting the Highlands means distillery tours, and nearby Tomatin Distillery is a great choice. It was built in 1897 and produces some fine Highland scotch!

Culloden Battlefield

Immerse yourself in history with a visit to Culloden Battlefield. This was the battle which saw Bonnie Prince Charlie’s defeat before his escape over the seas to Skye. 

Inverness Botanic Gardens

If you would like to stay within Inverness city, then a trip to the Inverness Botanic Gardens is a great idea. It offers guests the chance to explore formal gardens, a secret garden, their tropical house and a cactus house, as well as a café and shop. 

Easy travel from Edinburgh to the Highlands

Your travel from Edinburgh to the Highlands is the easy bit – choosing what to do when you get here is the difficult part! However staying at the Kingsmills Hotel is a great first step to making sure your break in the Highlands of Scotland is luxurious and welcoming. Check out our special offers and book your room today.