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Culloden Battlefield, Culloden

Companionship careHighlands

Days out in the Highlands for an older parent

Nine places in the Highlands that make a good day out for an older parent, from Culloden Battlefield to Loch an Eilein. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

Culloden Battlefield. Photo: Shadowgate, CC BY 2.0

Nine days out across nine towns

The best places to take an older parent in the Highlands

Four of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for two confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Culloden Battlefield, Culloden

Photo: Shadowgate, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Culloden

Culloden Battlefield

Culloden is the site of the 1746 battle that ended the Jacobite Rising, looked after by the National Trust for Scotland. The visitor centre tells the story of the battle from both sides, and paths lead out across the moor to the clan grave markers and the memorial cairn.

The exhibition and café are in the visitor centre beside the car park, so an older visitor can see the displays and look over the moor from the building without walking the full battlefield.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, free for National Trust for Scotland members

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit

Photo: Wknight94, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Drumnadrochit

Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle is a ruined medieval castle on a headland on the shore of Loch Ness, with the five-storey Grant Tower looking out over the water. A visitor centre above the castle has a short film, a shop and a café.

Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be borrowed on arrival and there is an adapted toilet in the visitor centre, but the ramp down to the castle is steep, so a carer should plan for the climb back up.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Fort George, Ardersier

Photo: Monster4711, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Ardersier

Fort George

Fort George is a huge 18th century artillery fortress on a spit of land in the Moray Firth, built after Culloden and still used by the army. Visitors can walk the ramparts, see the barrack rooms and the Highlanders' Museum, and look out for dolphins in the firth.

Parking is free with accessible bays, adapted toilets are in the centre of the site and wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be borrowed, although the site is large and some areas are hard to reach.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, free parking

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie

Photo: Syxaxis Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Dornie

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan is a castle on a small island where three sea lochs meet, reached by a stone footbridge and rebuilt in the early 20th century on medieval ruins. Inside are furnished rooms, a banqueting hall and kitchens, and the visitor centre on the shore has a café and shop.

The visitor centre is level with disabled parking about 20 metres away, and disabled visitors can cross the bridge free to see the outside of the castle, but the inside has many steps and narrow stairs.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free

Their websiteAccess information

Glenfinnan Monument, Glenfinnan

Photo: Paul Stümke, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Glenfinnan

Glenfinnan Monument

The Glenfinnan Monument stands at the head of Loch Shiel where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745, and the Glenfinnan Viaduct curves across the glen behind it. The National Trust for Scotland visitor centre tells the story of the 1745 Rising and has a café.

The monument and loch can be seen from the visitor centre area close to the car park, so an older visitor can enjoy the view without the steeper path up to the viaduct viewpoint.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free to visit, parking charged

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Inverewe Garden, Poolewe

Photo: Raymond Knapman, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Poolewe

Inverewe Garden

Inverewe is a National Trust for Scotland garden on a peninsula of Loch Ewe, where the warm Gulf Stream lets plants from around the world grow this far north. There are walled gardens, woodland paths, Inverewe House and a café by the entrance.

The walled garden is close to the entrance and café, so a carer can plan a short visit to the nearest sections without tackling the longer woodland paths.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, free for National Trust for Scotland members

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Dornoch Cathedral and town, Dornoch

Photo: Marion Timperley, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Dornoch

Dornoch Cathedral and town

Dornoch Cathedral was founded in the 13th century and restored in Victorian times, with fine stained glass, and stands in the centre of the small sandstone town of Dornoch. The town has tea rooms and shops around the cathedral square, and a long sandy beach nearby.

The cathedral is open during daylight hours and free to visit, and the tea rooms are a few steps away on the square, so a carer can keep the walking short.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free, donations welcome

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

West Highland Museum

Museum · Fort William

West Highland Museum

The West Highland Museum on Fort William's high street covers the history of Lochaber, with a large collection of Jacobite objects, including a secret portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie. There are also displays on the Commandos, mountaineering and local life.

It is in the town centre on the pedestrian high street, so a carer can combine it with lunch and a short walk without moving the car.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Loch an Eilein, Aviemore

Photo: Spike, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Aviemore

Loch an Eilein

Loch an Eilein is a loch in the Rothiemurchus estate near Aviemore, ringed by ancient Caledonian pine forest, with a ruined castle on a small island. A three mile path runs round the loch on some of the best low level walking paths in Scotland.

A short stroll from the car park gives views of the pines, the mountains and the island castle, so an older visitor does not need to walk the full circuit.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Parking charged

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Regular groups and events in the Highlands

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in the Highlands.

  • MusicBlas Festival concerts across the HighlandsAn annual traditional music festival run by Feisean nan Gaidheal, with concerts in village halls and churches from Caithness to Lochaber each September. A carer could pick a nearby hall date, book seats near the door and arrange the lift home afterwards.Details
  • Dancing · InvernessHighland dancing at the Inverness Highland GamesThe city's games day at Bught Park includes Highland dancing competitions alongside piping and heavy events. A carer can check the day's layout in advance, bring a folding chair and keep the visit to the dancing platform and refreshments.Details
  • Fishing · InvernessRiver Ness permits with Inverness Angling ClubInverness Angling Club issues day and visitor permits for stretches of the River Ness inside the city. A carer can buy the permit, carry the tackle to the bank and stay for a short session rather than a full day.Details
  • Painting · InvernessArt Society of Inverness meetingsA long running local society for painters, with a programme of meetings, demonstrations and annual exhibitions in Inverness. A carer can help with getting materials to a meeting and with framing or delivering work for a show.Details
  • Painting · InvernessPrintmaking workshops at Highland Print StudioAn open access studio in Inverness that runs printmaking courses and has delivered workshops aimed at older people. A carer could book a short taster session and stay to help with the heavier parts, such as inking and pressing.Details
  • Reading · NairnNairn Book and Arts FestivalAn annual festival of author talks, readings and arts events held in venues around Nairn. A carer can pick one or two afternoon events, book in advance and handle the walk between venues.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in the Highlands

At a glance

The nine places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Culloden BattlefieldCullodenhalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
Urquhart CastleDrumnadrochitan hour or twoPaid entryPartlyYesYes
Fort GeorgeArdersierhalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesAsk
Eilean Donan CastleDorniean hour or twoPaid entryPartlyAskAsk
Glenfinnan MonumentGlenfinnanan hour or twoFree outside, paid insideAskAskAsk
Inverewe GardenPoolewehalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
Dornoch Cathedral and townDornochhalf a dayFreeAskAskAsk
West Highland MuseumFort Williaman hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Loch an EileinAviemorean hour or twoFree outside, paid insideAskAskAsk

Where the places are in the Highlands

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

AlnessMallaigThursoKingussieUllapoolPortreeBroraGrantown on Spey123456789
  1. 1Culloden Battlefield, Culloden
  2. 2Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit
  3. 3Fort George, Ardersier
  4. 4Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie
  5. 5Glenfinnan Monument, Glenfinnan
  6. 6Inverewe Garden, Poolewe
  7. 7Dornoch Cathedral and town, Dornoch
  8. 8West Highland Museum, Fort William
  9. 9Loch an Eilein, Aviemore

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in the Highlands

Carers in the Highlands charge £18 to £25 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in the Highlands has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in the Highlands

Culloden Battlefield in Culloden, Urquhart Castle in Drumnadrochit, Fort George in Ardersier, Eilean Donan Castle in Dornie, Glenfinnan Monument in Glenfinnan, Inverewe Garden in Poolewe, Dornoch Cathedral and town in Dornoch, West Highland Museum in Fort William and Loch an Eilein in Aviemore. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

Urquhart Castle and Fort George have an accessible toilet. Urquhart Castle and Fort George lend wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Glenfinnan Monument (outside free, inside paid), Dornoch Cathedral and town, West Highland Museum and Loch an Eilein (outside free, inside paid). Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in the Highlands shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Companionship care in the counties around the Highlands

Days out in the areas around the Highlands

Companionship care by town in the Highlands

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in the Highlands

See carers near the Highlands who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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