In 1746, this sleepy meadow less than ten miles east of Inverness witnessed the culmination of the Jacobite Rising in what is to this day the last great battle to have been fought on British soil. The Battle of Culloden ended Bonnie Prince Charlie's ill-fated crusade and devastated his beleaguered volunteer army of Stuart-sympathizing clansmen. The consequences of their defeat were grave for many Highlanders, even those who had not collaborated directly in the rebellion. The Duke of Cumberland, commander of the English loyalist forces, punctuated his decisive victory with a brutal assimilation program intended to destabilize clan allegiances, enfeeble Gaelic cultural institutions and subdue, once and for all, a region perceived to be both backward and insurrectionary. A state-of-the-art visitors' center tells the story of the complicated conflict from both Jacobite and English perspectives.

Perhaps the most popular whisky distillery in Scotland, Dewar’s is set in the town of Aberfeldy, a logistical stop between Edinburgh and the Highlands. The estate’s main building is an old stone house that features a small museum dedicated to the legacy of John Dewar, a tasting lounge and a shop. Tours run regularly and include a guided visit to the distillery and warehouse and cask tastings are available. While whisky snobs might scoff at the thought of visiting such a commercial operation, it’s worth noting that this particular facility not only produces the mass-market Dewar’s label, but also an excellent single malt scotch called Aberfeldy.

Scotland’s most famous castle sits on a small island located at the meeting point for three lochs. This iconic fortress dates back to the 13^th century and has been the subject of many clan feuds. The interiors have been carefully preserved and guests can easily explore the entire structure, from the ramparts to the bedroom chambers. At dusk, the castle is particularly picturesque. Eilean Donan Castle is about an hour drive from either Fort William or Inverness, and it’s a good mid-way stop on a day trip to Isle of Skye.

This deep, verdant valley is as notable for its dramatic scenery as it is for its history. The Massacre of Glencoe took place in 1692, when 38 members of the MacDonald clan were killed by their guests in their own home, which was not only a horrific act but it breached medieval hospitality laws, which explicitly states that one does not kill their guest or host). This event was the inspiration behind Game of Thrones’ “Red Wedding” and the landscape was featured in the James Bond film Skyfall.

Fans of Harry Potter will instantly recognize this steam locomotive as the Hogwarts Express. The two-hour scenic ride (each way) runs between the lakeside town of Fort William to the port of Malleig, the jump-off point to the Isle of Skye. The route goes through gorgeous countryside, including a viaduct crossing and picture-perfect vistas of lochs and glens. The train runs twice daily in the summer but has reduced service through the rest of the year.

Opened in Carbost in 1831, Talisker Distillery is renowned for single malt Scotch whisky and has a prime waterfront location.

The Braemar Gathering is always held on the first Saturday in September at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar. This iconic showcase of Highland Games and Scottish traditions offers the perfect opportunity for travelers to spot the royal family (the Queen attends the event every year) and to see the heather in bloom across the Highlands. We recommending booking a room at The Fife Arms in Braemar a year in advance.