What's February Really like in the Scottish Highlands

February is a real transition month in the Scottish Highlands. Although it's still cold and dark, the evenings seem to feel like they are getting much longer after the darkness of November to January. February is one of my favourite months to explore the Scottish Highlands. Normally lots of businesses are starting to reopen again after winter breaks, but places are still fairly quiet. The snowdrops start to pop through the earth, the first sure sign here that Spring is on it's way. It's just a really lovely time of year here in the Scottish Highlands!

In February 2025, my husband and I went a number of mini staycations around the Scottish Highlands during the month of February, when places are open again but it's still pretty quiet. Our first adventure was to Glencoe to stay overnight at the Clachaig Inn. We regularly pass through Glencoe when travelling between our home in the Highlands and Glasgow. We loved the chance to learn more about the area at the Glencoe Visitor Centre and explore the area at Glencoe Lochan. It's an area that so many people love and it was such a fun weekend.

That same month, we spent a couple of days exploring one of our favourite places in the Highlands: Oban. Oban is a fantastic place to visit during the winter months in the Scottish Highlands, especially since it's so walkable and there are so many interesting small businesses and gift shops to wander about. We stayed in a beautiful hotel in Oban town centre and I love seeing the ferries coming and going each day. During our visit last February, we also visited the wee island of Kerrera on the other side of Oban bay. I love visiting Scottish islands, and knew very little about the island before visiting, so it was so interesting to find out more about this place during our time there.

Another place, I'd highly recommend visiting during the month of February in the Scottish Highlands is Inverness. I love a wintery visit to Inverness, when you can explore the city and go for walks along the river all wrapped up warm. In February 2024, we stayed in Ness Walk Hotel along the banks of the River Ness for a wee staycation. It was the trip that really cemented Inverness as one of my favourite spots in the Scottish Highlands and helped me discover all the beauty and quaintness of the Highlands' only city (you can read all my Inverness blogposts here).

Some events happening this February in the Scottish Highlands

• 1st February: Winter Day Retreat at Altyre Estate, Forres

• 12th-15th February: Fort William Mountain Festival

• 14th February: Queen by Candlelight, Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness

• 27th February: Taste of the Highlands Dinner, Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness