Schottische Highlands & Loch Lomond — Tagesausflüge von Edinburgh
The Scottish Highlands (the mountainous northern and western Scotland, a landscape of dramatic beauty defined by mountain ranges (the Cairngorms, the Northwest Highlands), deep glens, lochs, and moorland) are accessible from Edinburgh as day trips or short overnight excursions: Loch Lomond (the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area, 1 hour from Edinburgh by car or train), the Cairngorms National Park (2.5 hours by car, the largest national park in the UK), and the Isle of Skye (5-6 hours by car or coach) are the primary Highland destinations from Edinburgh.
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Loch Lomond — Scotland's Largest Loch by Area
Loch Lomond (1.5 hours from Edinburgh by train to Balloch) is the largest loch by surface area in Great Britain (71 km², 36m average depth) — the Highland Boundary Fault crosses the loch midway, making the northern half classic Highland scenery (steep, wooded, narrow) while the southern half is lowland (wide, islands, open water); Ben Lomond (974m) rises directly from the eastern shore.
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The Trossachs — Rob Roy Country and Wooded Lochs
The Trossachs National Park (2002, 1,865 km²) occupies the area between Loch Lomond and Stirling — Loch Katrine (the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott's 'Lady of the Lake', 1810) has a Victorian steamship (SS Sir Walter Scott, launched 1899) still operating summer cruises; the Rob Roy Way hiking trail follows the outlaw's routes through Glen Gyle and Balquhidder.
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Stirling Castle — Where Mary Queen of Scots Was Crowned
Stirling Castle (1km from Stirling railway station, 55 minutes from Edinburgh) is one of Scotland's most important royal residences — Mary Queen of Scots was crowned here at 9 months old in 1543; the Great Hall (1503, the largest medieval banqueting hall in Scotland) has been restored to its original golden-ochre limewash colour; the views from the esplanade cover the Wallace Monument and seven historic battlefields.
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Glencoe — The Most Dramatic Highland Scenery
Glencoe (2.5 hours from Edinburgh by car via A82, or by bus via Citylink) is the most iconic Highland glen — the Three Sisters (Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach, Aonach Dubh) form a sheer 900m-high amphitheatre of ancient volcanic rock; the 1692 Glencoe Massacre (38 MacDonalds killed by Campbell soldiers acting on government orders while accepting Highland hospitality) is documented at the NTS Visitor Centre.
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Ben Nevis — Britain's Highest Summit from Fort William
Ben Nevis (1,345m, Fort William, 3 hours from Edinburgh) is Britain's highest mountain — the 8-hour return hike via the Mountain Track (pony path) is accessible to fit walkers with proper footwear and gear; the summit has a ruined observatory (1883–1904, the world's highest weather station at the time); the view in clear conditions extends to Northern Ireland (230km).
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Loch Ness — Urquhart Castle and the Monster Business
Loch Ness (Inverness, 3 hours from Edinburgh) is 37km long, 230m deep, and holds more freshwater than all English and Welsh lakes combined — Urquhart Castle (ruins on the loch shore, staffed visitor centre, £11 entry) was where most 'Nessie' sightings have been reported since 1933; the Official Loch Ness Exhibition at Drumnadrochit explores both the geology and the cultural phenomenon.