Compare car hire in Highland, Scotland

The Scottish Highlands is considered by many to be the last true wilderness of Europe. It is a dream destination for outdoor sports enthusiasts, who will enjoy climbing the region’s Munros, hiking alongside its many fresh and salt-water locks, and cycling the coastline. If you're considering a journey to this beautiful country, one of the best ways to take advantage of all its natural attractions is to embark on a driving tour. From the region’s capital city of Inverness, with its pink Inverness Castle and the nearby waters of mythical Loch Ness, to the towering sea cliffs of Cape Wrath, the Highlands is a part of Scotland that is not to be missed.

Visitors arriving to the Highlands will most likely be doing so via Inverness Airport (INV), approximately twenty minutes northeast of the city, or the Inverness Railway Station, that sits in the city centre. Both locations will provide visitors with easy access to local and regional transportation, as well as hotels, restaurants, shops, and car hire services. For the most flexibility during your exploration of the Highlands it is certainly worth considering hiring a car, as this will allow you easy access to some of the region’s more remote sites.</p.

Hiring a Car from Inverness Airport (INV) and the City Centre

Like most airports, the Inverness Airport provides its visitors with a range of car hire services that can be both picked-up and dropped-off at the airport upon arrival and departure. The airport car hire services include leading brands such as Budget, Alamo, Enterprise, Inter Car, and Avis. Be sure to reserve your vehicle in advance to ensure you get the style of car you want and the best price.

Those arriving to Inverness via train can also find a variety of available car hire services located in the city centre, including companies such as Thrifty, Enterprise, Focus, and Arnold Clark. To find the closest available service centre, simply head to the rail station information point upon arrival.

Drive the North Coast 500 Route

Those wanting to enjoy one of the United Kingdom’s most scenic road trips should tour the North Coast 500 Route that winds its way around the Highlands’ 500 miles of coastline, passing a number of important historical sites, natural wonders, serene beaches, and quaint towns. The route is billed as the UK’s answer to the famous Route 66, but with chanced encounters with Highland Cattle, potential views of the Northern Lights, along with a number of great dining spots.

If you're hoping to take part in a tour of the Highlands via the 500 Route or are simply planning on discovering other picturesque sites like the Cairngorms National Park, make sure you check the weather conditions, as the region is known for snowstorms and other rough weather, especially in winter. Also, remember to bring a mobile phone with you, as some of the more remote locations are quite isolated.

To begin planning your tour of the Highlands and to reserve hotel rooms for your trip, use the Expedia search tool now.