Magical Winter Breaks in the North Highlands
Dreaming of a autumn Highland getaway or a cosy winter break? Whether you’re planning your trip to Caithness and Sutherland, or just starting to imagine it, the North Highlands offer some of the most magical autumn and winter experiences in Scotland.
In this guide, avid highland explorers, Alan and Yvonne from Ceol Mor Highland Lodges share some of the best reasons to visit Caithness and Sutherland during the colder months. From snow-dusted mountains and dramatic coastlines to cosy nights under star-filled skies, their favourite spots and seasonal tips will help you make the most of your winter break in this magical part of Scotland.
Breathtaking Sunrises and Sunsets
The quality of light is very special in the North Highlands during the autumn and winter months, making it one of the highlights of any North Highlands winter break. Watching it over breakfast is a never-ending treat. We love catching the reflections on still waters of the Highland lochs and seeing the afterburn that the low sun creates on the underside of the clouds, it’s just stunning. In autumn, the browns and oranges reflect the low light and create magical scenes.
Magical Dark Skies in Caithness and Sutherland
Shorter days mean longer nights—and you can’t let these go to waste by staying indoors.
Our top tip is to use one of the fantastic apps (AuroraWatch UK or the Glendale App) to keep track of the Northern Lights (Aurora) forecast. There are some fantastic spots around the North Highlands to view the aroura dancing overhead.
Top tip number two: don’t forget to take your camera and tripod! Your camera will pick up the rainbow of colours better than the human eye can.
Even if the Northern Lights are not on show, take some time to slow down and watch the sky. There is so little light pollution in Caithness and Sutherland that on a clear night you can see the Milky Way, and we often spot Jupiter and Mars.
Wintery Coastal Walks
Exploring the many incredible beaches across Caithness and Sutherland is one of our favourite things to do, whatever the time of year. There are stunning beaches all over the North Highlands. In the quieter winter months, you can find you have the beach entirely to yourself – it’s quite magical!
There are also many fantastic walks by the beaches. Make sure you take your binoculars, as there is an amazing variety of birdlife on the shores. The beaches and coasts in the North Highlands are known for their rugged cliffs and amazing features, like the Duncansby Stacks near John O’Groats in Caithness.
Chasing Waterfalls across the North Highlands
The waterfalls are best seen in the autumn, winter, and early spring seasons. Whether after rainfall or snowmelt, they are an awesome sight to see! Many are truly exhilarating. Be prepared to get soaked by the spray as they cascade over cliffs and thunder through gorges. Make sure you stay safe though.
We love the adventure of finding the waterfalls. Many are close to a road or path but still require a bit of hunting down. The Alltnacaillich waterfall is one of the most remote and rewarding ones we’ve discovered, and the Wailing Widow Falls in Assynt are a favourite too!
Winter Wildlife Spotting in Caithness and Sutherland
Winter is a fantastic time to spot well-loved highland animals like the otter, there’s a greater chance of seeing them as their feeding opportunities are reduced, but the challenge is finding them! You’ve got to keep your eyes peeled, but if you are patient and know where to look, there’s a good chance of being rewarded with something special.
Deer are a common sight throughout Caithness and Sutherland. In the summer they tend to stay higher up on the hills, but in the autumn and winter months they descend into the glens and are everywhere. Our guests often tell us that seeing deer in the snow is one of the most magical moments of their North Highlands winter break.
Epic Drives around the North Highlands
One of the best parts of our adventures is simply jumping in the car and heading out. No matter the season, the scenery is always epic.
There’s something truly special about catching snow-capped mountains, mirror-like lochs, glorious sunrises, and atmospheric sunsets right from the roadside. It’s the kind of experience we live for.
The snow-covered peaks are breathtaking. Cul Mor is our favourite—partly because we’ve climbed it, and partly because its name reminds us of our own Ceol Mor Highland Lodges. Driving past these mountains in winter feels like stepping onto another planet.
We are lucky to live on one of the most fantastic driving routes in the UK, the NC500, but there are incredible views on every route in the North Highlands, so there’s no end to the places to explore and many more to discover!
Autumn and Winter are a fantastic time to experience the North Highlands!
Our number one top tip for anyone planning to visit Caithness and Sutherland this winter is to slow down and take your time to let it all sink in. The North Highlands is a place to reconnect with what truly matters. Pause, breathe, and remember, you don’t always have to be rushing around.
Sound like your dream winter break? Explore Ceol Mor Highland Lodges and start planning your winter break to the North Highlands today.
