Budget travel in the Scottish Highlands

The Scottish Highlands are a bucket list destination for many, with their ancient mountains, crumbling castles, glistening lochs, beautiful forests and raging rivers.

The great news is that it does not cost the earth to enjoy a holiday in this amazing destination. Whether you want to sleep in a castle, a lighthouse, a simple bothy or a campground site, there is a variety of accommodation that is cheap and cheerful.

Some accommodation is completely free of charge – wild camping offers options for the intrepid – while keen mountain climbers, hikers, kayakers and other outward-bound enthusiasts can stay at bothies, small mountain huts that are open to all.

Even if those accommodation options are a little too adventurous and a little too rustic for you, there are still plenty of places to stay that won’t break the bank. Choose a youth hotel, B&B, guesthouse or ‘glamping’ option in a more rural Highlands location and you will save a lot of money on your stay in Scotland.

Rural prices tend to be a lot lower than the prices in the major cities, and rural destinations will offer a wide variety of options for fun and recreation even when you are on a severely limited budget.

Car Rental

If you are keen to see as much as possible of the Scottish Highlands, then you may be tempted to hire a car and take a grand and epic road trip – one example is a trip through the Great Glen, another is the breathtaking journey across Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe.

For a long-distance drive – or cycle – how about the North Coast 500? Enjoy 500 miles of breathtaking scenery and exciting adventure. To save money on fuel when taking a Scottish road trip, always fuel up before you head too far off the beaten track, keep it slow and steady, and keep tyres in good repair and to the right pressure.

To save much more – consider slow travel and get there by bike or on foot – you can always save lots of money by travelling under your own steam.

Consider getting membership or a holiday pass

To save money on Historic Scotland and National Trust sites during your time in the Scottish Highlands, you could consider getting membership or a holiday pass to delve more cheaply into Scotland’s long and fascinating past.

Many historic sites, however, such as standing stones, are completely free of charge. Of course, access to most of Scotland’s most beautiful scenic viewpoints and picnic spots is also entirely free. The right to roam legislation means anyone can wander more or less wherever they want to go in the wilderness, so all that natural beauty is free and at your disposal – make sure you treat it with the care and consideration it deserves.

Whether you like a sedate holiday with nature, wildlife and a distinct absence of crowds, or enjoy more active recreation in the great outdoors, check out the great range of accommodation in the Scottish Highlands and begin your Highland adventure!