Highland is a council area in northern Scotland and the largest local authority in the United Kingdom by area. It covers 25,657 km2 (9,906 sq mi), about a third of Scotland’s land, and had a population of 235,351 at the 2022 census. The council is based in Inverness.
At nine people per square kilometre it is also one of the most thinly settled parts of Europe. Inverness, with about 48,000 people, is the only city; the next largest settlement, Fort William, holds fewer than 16,000. The council area takes in Skye, the Small Isles and Raasay, and its coastline runs from the Moray Firth round Cape Wrath to Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly point on the British mainland.
| Country | Scotland, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Status | Council area; largest in the UK by area |
| Area | 9,906 sq mi (25,657 km2) |
| Population (2022) | 235,351 |
| Population (2011) | 232,132 |
| Density | 9 people per km2 |
| Largest town | Inverness (47,790) |
| Administrative centre | Inverness |
| Highest point | Ben Nevis, 1,345 m |
| Council | The Highland Council |
| Postcode areas | IV, KW1–KW14, PH19–PH50 |
Towns and Villages in Highland
Highland contains 1,318 named towns, villages, townships and crofting settlements — far more than any other Scottish council area. The lists below give 508 of them, grouped by the eight former districts that the council still uses for local committees: Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Caithness.
Inverness
- Abriachan
- Allanfearn
- Ardersier
- Balloch
- Balnain
- Beauly
- Boat of Garten
- Bunchrew
- Cannich
- Corrimony
- Croachy
- Croy
- Culloden
- Dalcross
- Daviot
- Dochgarroch
- Dores
- Drumchardine
- Drumnadrochit
- Errogie
- Farr
- Fort Augustus
- Fort George
- Foyers
- Gorthleck
- Inverfarigaig
- Invergarry
- Invermoriston
- Inverness
- Kiltarlity
- Kirkhill
- Lentran
- Lewiston
- Milton of Leys
- Moy
- Scaniport
- Smithton
- Struy
- Tomatin
- Tomich
- Tordarroch
- Tornagrain
- Torness
- Westhill
- Whitebridge
Nairn
- Achindown
- Ardclach
- Auldearn
- Barevan
- Cawdor
- Clephanton
- Clunas
- Culcharry
- Delnies
- Dulsie
- Ferness
- Hardmuir
- Kingsteps
- Littlemill
- Moyness
- Nairn
- Piperhill
- Regoul
Badenoch and Strathspey
- Achlean
- Advie
- Alvie
- Avielochan
- Aviemore
- Balavil
- Balgowan
- Broomhill
- Carrbridge
- Catlodge
- Coylumbridge
- Cromdale
- Dalnavert
- Dalwhinnie
- Dava
- Delfour
- Drumgask
- Drumguish
- Dulnain Bridge
- Duthil
- Etteridge
- Feshiebridge
- Glenmore
- Grantown on Spey
- Insh
- Inverdruie
- Kincraig
- Kingussie
- Kinloch Laggan
- Kinrara
- Kinveachy
- Laggan
- Lynchat
- Nethy Bridge
- Newtonmore
- Rothiemurchus
- Skye of Curr
- Slochd
- Speybank
Lochaber
- Acharacle
- Achluachrach
- Achnacarry
- Ardgour
- Ardtoe
- Arisaig
- Ballachulish
- Banavie
- Blaich
- Blarmachfoldach
- Bohuntine
- Bracara
- Bracorina
- Camusnagaul
- Caol
- Cleadale
- Clovullin
- Clunes
- Corpach
- Corran
- Corrour
- Drimnin
- Duisky
- Duror
- Fassfern
- Fort William
- Gairlochy
- Galmisdale
- Glenborrodale
- Glencoe
- Glenfinnan
- Inverie
- Inverroy
- Isle of Canna
- Isle of Eigg
- Isle of Rum
- Kentallen
- Kilchoan
- Kinlocheil
- Kinlochleven
- Kinlochmoidart
- Lochailort
- Lochaline
- Mallaig
- Morar
- North Ballachulish
- Onich
- Roybridge
- Salen
- South Ballachulish
- Spean Bridge
- Strontian
- Tarbet
- Torlundy
- Tulloch
Skye and Lochalsh
- Achmore
- Ardelve
- Ardvasar
- Armadale
- Arnisdale
- Arnish
- Auchtertyre
- Avernish
- Balmacara
- Bernisdale
- Breakish
- Broadford
- Brochel
- Bundalloch
- Camas-luinie
- Camastianavaig
- Carbost
- Colbost
- Dornie
- Drumbuie
- Drynoch
- Duirinish
- Duntulm
- Dunvegan
- Edinbain
- Elgol
- Erbusaig
- Fiskavaig
- Flodigarry
- Glenbrittle
- Glendale
- Glenelg
- Hallin
- Harrapool
- Inverarish
- Inverinate
- Isleornsay
- Kensaleyre
- Killilan
- Kilmaluag
- Kilmuir
- Kyle of Lochalsh
- Kyleakin
- Letterfearn
- Nostie
- Ose
- Penifiler
- Plockton
- Portree
- Ratagan
- Roag
- Sconser
- Shiel Bridge
- Skeabost
- Staffin
- Stein
- Struan
- Talisker
- Tarskavaig
- Teangue
- Torrin
- Uig
- Waternish
Ross and Cromarty
- Achiltibuie
- Achnasheen
- Alcaig
- Alness
- Altandhu
- Applecross
- Arabella
- Ardheslaig
- Ardross
- Ardullie
- Arrina
- Attadale
- Auchtercairn
- Auchterneed
- Aultbea
- Avoch
- Badachro
- Balblair
- Balintore
- Barbaraville
- Belmaduthy
- Boath
- Conon Bridge
- Contin
- Cove
- Cromarty
- Culbokie
- Cullicudden
- Delny
- Diabaig
- Dingwall
- Dundonnell
- Edderton
- Evanton
- Fearnmore
- Fodderty
- Fortrose
- Gairloch
- Garve
- Hill of Fearn
- Hilton of Cadboll
- Inver
- Inveralligin
- Inverasdale
- Invergordon
- Inverlael
- Jemimaville
- Kenmore
- Kilcoy
- Kildary
- Kinbeachie
- Kinlochewe
- Kishorn
- Knockfarrel
- Laide
- Leckmelm
- Lochcarron
- Lochluichart
- Marybank
- Maryburgh
- Mellon Charles
- Mellon Udrigle
- Melvaig
- Muir of Ord
- Munlochy
- Newmore
- Nigg
- North Kessock
- Polbain
- Poolewe
- Portmahomack
- Redcastle
- Redpoint
- Reiff
- Resolis
- Rhicullen
- Rockfield
- Rosemarkie
- Scoraig
- Scotsburn
- Shandwick
- Shieldaig
- Strathcarron
- Strathpeffer
- Stromeferry
- Tain
- Tarvie
- Tore
- Torridon
- Ullapool
Sutherland
- Achfary
- Achmelvich
- Achnacarnin
- Achnairn
- Achriesgill
- Altnaharra
- Ardgay
- Armadale
- Backies
- Badcall
- Balchladich
- Balnakeil
- Bettyhill
- Bonar Bridge
- Borgie
- Brora
- Clachtoll
- Claonel
- Clashnessie
- Clynelish
- Colaboll
- Coldbackie
- Culkein
- Culmaily
- Culrain
- Dalchork
- Dalhalvaig
- Doll
- Dornoch
- Drumbeg
- Durness
- Elphin
- Embo
- Eriboll
- Fanagmore
- Foindle
- Forsinain
- Forsinard
- Gartymore
- Golspie
- Heilam
- Helmsdale
- Hope
- Inchnadamph
- Invernaver
- Invershin
- Keoldale
- Kildonan
- Kinbrace
- Kinlochbervie
- Kirtomy
- Kylesku
- Lairg
- Ledmore
- Linsidemore
- Littleferry
- Lochinver
- Lothbeg
- Lothmore
- Lubcroy
- Marrel
- Melness
- Melvich
- Muie
- Navidale
- Nedd
- Oldshoremore
- Overscaig
- Oykel Bridge
- Pittentrail
- Portgower
- Portskerra
- Raffin
- Rhiconich
- Rhilochan
- Rispond
- Rogart
- Rosehall
- Saval
- Scourie
- Sheigra
- Shinness
- Skelbo
- Skerray
- Smoo
- Spinningdale
- Stoer
- Strathy
- Syre
- Talmine
- Tongue
- Torrisdale
- Torroble
- Unapool
Caithness
- Achalone
- Achavanich
- Achingills
- Achow
- Achreamie
- Achscrabster
- Ackergill
- Alterwall
- Auckingill
- Badnagie
- Barrock
- Berriedale
- Bilbster
- Bowermadden
- Bowertower
- Brabsterdorran
- Brabstermire
- Brawlbin
- Broubster
- Brough
- Buldoo
- Calder Mains
- Canisbay
- Castletown
- Clayock
- Clyth
- Corsback
- Crosskirk
- Dixonfield
- Dorrery
- Dounreay
- Dunbeath
- Duncansby
- Dunnet
- East Mey
- Forse
- Freswick
- Gills
- Glengolly
- Halcro
- Halkirk
- Ham
- Harpsdale
- Haster
- Hastigrow
- Houstry
- Huna
- Inkstack
- Isauld
- Janetstown
- John O' Groats
- Keiss
- Killimster
- Knockally
- Landhallow
- Latheron
- Latheronwheel
- Lieurary
- Lybster
- Lyth
- Mey
- Mid Clyth
- Mireland
- Murkle
- Mybster
- Myrelandhorn
- Newlands of Geise
- Nybster
- Occumster
- Olgrinmore
- Ramscraigs
- Rattar
- Reay
- Reiss
- Sarclet
- Scarfskerry
- Scotscalder
- Scrabster
- Seater
- Shebster
- Shurrery
- Skirza
- Slickly
- Smerral
- Sortat
- Staxigoe
- Stemster
- Swiney
- Tannach
- Thrumster
- Thurdistoft
- Thurso
- Ulbster
- Upper Camster
- Upper Lybster
- Warse
- Watten
- West Dunnet
- Westerdale
- Weydale
- Whaligoe
- Whiterow
- Wick
- Winless
The ten largest settlements are Inverness (47,790), Fort William (15,757), Nairn (10,190), Thurso (7,390), Wick (7,140), Alness (5,700), Dingwall (5,360), Culloden (4,240), Invergordon (3,930) and Tain (3,690).
Geography
The Great Glen splits the area diagonally from Inverness to Fort William along a fault line, filled by Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. North-west of it lie the oldest rocks in Britain, Lewisian gneiss around Assynt and Sutherland, and a coastline broken into sea lochs from Loch Broom to Loch Nevis.
Ben Nevis, above Fort William, is the highest mountain in the British Isles at 1,345 m. The Cairngorms rise in the south-east above Aviemore, and the Torridon and Assynt hills — Liathach, Suilven, Stac Pollaidh — are among the most distinctive in Scotland. Loch Ness holds more fresh water than every lake in England and Wales combined.
The east is different country: the flat, farmed lands of the Black Isle, Easter Ross and the Caithness plain, with the largest arable ground north of Inverness.
Moray and Aberdeenshire border Highland to the east, Perth and Kinross to the south-east and Argyll and Bute to the south-west. The Outer Hebrides lie across the Minch, and Orkney across the Pentland Firth from Caithness.
Demographics
Scotland’s Census 2022 counted 235,351 residents, up 3,219 on 2011. Density is nine people per km2 against a Scottish average of 70, and parts of Sutherland fall below one.
Growth is concentrated on the Inner Moray Firth. Inverness and its ring of commuter settlements — Culloden, Westhill, Smithton, Balloch and Beauly — hold about a third of the council’s population, and Inverness was Scotland’s fastest-growing city through the 2000s. Most of the west and north has continued to lose working-age residents.
Gaelic remains in everyday use in pockets of Skye, Lochalsh and the west coast, and Sabhal MÃēr Ostaig at Sleat on Skye is the national centre for Gaelic language and culture. Across the council area, the share of residents with some Gaelic ability is in the low single figures.
Economy and Local Life
Tourism is the largest employer. The North Coast 500, a 516-mile driving route launched in 2015 that circles the north from Inverness, has sharply raised summer traffic through Applecross, Ullapool, Durness and Caithness. Skye, Glencoe, Loch Ness and the Cairngorms carry the rest.
Energy is the second pillar. Dounreay in Caithness, Britain’s fast-reactor research site from 1955, is being decommissioned in a programme expected to run for decades. Nigg and Kishorn, built for North Sea oil platform fabrication, now serve offshore wind, and the Beatrice and Moray East wind farms lie off the Caithness and Moray coast.
Whisky, aquaculture and food processing matter throughout: salmon farms line the west coast and Skye, and distilleries run from Old Pulteney at Wick and Clynelish at Brora to Talisker on Skye, Ben Nevis at Fort William and Glen Ord at Muir of Ord. Crofting, a form of small-scale tenure created by statute in 1886, still shapes landholding across the west and north.
Inverness carries the public sector: the Highland Council, NHS Highland, Raigmore Hospital and the University of the Highlands and Islands.
History
Highland was Pictish territory, then part of the medieval kingdom of Alba, but the west and the isles were under Norse control for centuries and passed to Scotland only in 1266. The Lordship of the Isles, held by Clan Donald from the 1300s, ruled the western seaboard as a near-independent power until it was forfeited in 1493.
The Jacobite risings ended here. Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard at Glenfinnan in August 1745, and his army was destroyed on Culloden Moor east of Inverness on 16 April 1746. The government response dismantled the clan system: heritable jurisdictions were abolished, and Highland dress was banned for 36 years.
The Highland Clearances followed from the 1780s to the 1850s, as landowners replaced tenant townships with sheep. Sutherland saw the most severe evictions, at Strathnaver and Kildonan, and the population of much of the interior never recovered. Emigration to Canada, Australia and New Zealand ran through the whole period. The Crofters Holdings Act of 1886, won after the Highland Land League agitation, finally gave tenants security of tenure.
Getting There
The A9 runs north from Perth through Aviemore and Inverness to Thurso and Scrabster. The A82 follows the Great Glen from Glasgow through Glencoe and Fort William to Inverness, and the A96 links Inverness to Elgin and Aberdeen. The A87 crosses to Skye over the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh, and the A835 and A838 serve the north-west.
Four railway lines converge on Inverness. The Highland Main Line runs south to Perth and Glasgow; the Far North Line reaches Thurso and Wick in about four hours; the Kyle Line crosses to Kyle of Lochalsh; and the Aberdeen line runs east. The West Highland Line serves Fort William and Mallaig from Glasgow, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Inverness Airport at Dalcross has flights to London, Amsterdam, Dublin and the islands. Wick John O’Groats Airport serves the far north. CalMac ferries sail from Mallaig to Skye and the Small Isles, and from Ullapool to Stornoway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Highland?
235,351 at the 2022 census, up from 232,132 in 2011. Density is about nine people per square kilometre.
How many towns and villages are in Highland?
1,318 named settlements, more than any other Scottish council area. This page lists 508 of them, grouped by district.
What is the largest town in Highland?
Inverness, with about 47,790 people. Fort William (15,757) and Nairn (10,190) come next.
Which districts make up Highland?
Eight: Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Caithness. They were separate district councils from 1975 to 1996 and are still used for local committees.
What postcodes does Highland use?
IV covers Inverness, Ross and Cromarty, Skye and east Sutherland. KW1 to KW14 cover Caithness and north Sutherland, and PH19 to PH50 cover Badenoch, Strathspey and Lochaber.
Is Highland the biggest council area in the UK?
Yes, by area. At 25,657 km2 it is larger than Wales and covers about a third of Scotland.