Visit a Visitor Centre!
Educational, fun and a great way to spend some time when the weather is less than ideal, Highland visitor centres offer entertainment, history and a great introduction to the natural world.
Caithness NE Sutherland, Orkney & Shetland
This chambered cairn is one of Orkney’s top archaeological sites. The Stone Age tomb housed an amazing collection of bones and artefacts, placed here some 5,000 years ago, some of which you can handle at the visitor centre.
Moray
Entry is free and you can learn all about dolphins and basking sharks and spot them if you are lucky. An audio-visual installation, shot in and around the bay, reveals the exciting and beautiful life both above and below the water.
Wester Ross & Outer Hebrides
The “Story of the Stones” exhibition explores how these world famous Standing Stones were built and used and what they have meant to people through the centuries. There is also fascinating audio-visual walk-through display with graphic panels and models.
Inverness & Nairn
Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre
One of the many highlights here is the Culloden battlefield guide where you immerse yourself in the story of a momentous day as you visit the site of the last pitched battle on British soil. With specially written audio and supporting illustrations and video, the portable guide’s compelling content is triggered automatically as you explore Culloden Moor at your own pace.
Skye & Lochalsh
Explore the historic gardens and woodland trails around Armadale Castle and learn about Highland history in the fascinating, award-winning Museum of the Isles.
Mid and East Sutherland
Explore the virtual world in the storytelling room, trace your roots in the archive and learn about the past in the museum. There is also a Clearance Trail App you can download to help you explore the surrounding landscape.
Black Isle, Mid & Easter Ross
This is a museum, learning and activity centre dedicated to displaying and preserving the heritage of the Tarbat peninsula. It is the site of the only Pictish monastic settlement excavated in Scotland to date and displays many of the artefacts uncovered during its extensive archaeological investigations along with local exhibitions, parish records, photographic archives and more.
Ardnamurchan & Mull
Ardnamurchan Natural History Visitor Centre
The Living Building is designed to attract a variety of wildlife to enable visitors to watch the birds and animals at close quarters. Children’s activities include a Wildcat Den to crawl through and a short audio-visual presentation recorded by local musicians encapsulates the mood and mystery of the area.
Fort William & Lochaber
Nestling into the landscape at the foot of the glen is this award-winning eco-friendly visitor centre. It features an exhibition, viewing platform, cafe, shop and ranger information point. The Ranger service has a varied events programme throughout the year with guided walks, Landrover safaris and children’s events.
Loch Ness
Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition
This 5 star visitor attraction was opened by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and takes visitors through seven themed areas and 500 million years of history, natural mystery and legend revealing the unique environment of Loch Ness and the famous Nessie legend
Aviemore & the Cairngorms
In the heart of the Forest Park, the visitor centre is an ideal place to start your visit. Find out more about this wonderful forest, choose from a range of trails and relax in the popular café. You can go on a quest to a magical lochan, or stretch your legs to get to one of the best views in the area.
Argyll, Arran, Jura & Islay
The exciting exhibition shows how the power station works, with lots of information of renewable electricity. There are interactive touchscreens, displays of old memorabilia and a working model of a turbine generator. There is also an interactive house where children can play and learn all about renewable energy and local wildlife – with drawing activities, quizzes and even the opportunity to dress up as an engineer.
North West Sutherland
North West Highlands Geopark Visitor Centre
Come along and enjoy superb views, local arts and crafts and an exhibition about the rocks and landscape of the North West Highlands.
Other Islands
This centre houses a fascinating collection of photographs, artefacts and genealogical records related to the social and industrial life of the islands and the slate industry.
