Highlands and Islands | Scotland Schools Map

The Highlands and Islands is Scotland's most expansive region, covering a vast and varied landscape that stretches from Argyll and Bute in the south to Shetland in the far north. The region includes Highland, Argyll and Bute, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands — each with its own distinct character, culture and community.

Explore school performance, compare local house prices and crime data, and discover the communities that best match your family's needs.

WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE Highlands and Islands

From Inverness to Skye and the Northern Isles, the Highlands and Islands offers a remarkable quality of life — outstanding scenery, close-knit communities and a pace of living that's hard to find anywhere else in Britain.

Committed Schools

From large secondaries in Inverness to small rural primaries serving island communities, schools here are known for their strong community values and dedicated staff.

Unique Places to Live

Whether it's a Highland town, a coastal village or one of Scotland's remote islands, every community here has its own distinct identity.

Inverness city centre with the River Ness

Scenic Connections

Some of Britain's most scenic rail routes, ferry links to the islands and improving road connections keep communities well connected.

Unmatched Outdoors

Ben Nevis, Skye's Cuillin, Loch Ness and the white-sand beaches of the Outer Hebrides — the natural environment here is simply extraordinary.

Growing Opportunities

Tourism, renewables and the food and drink sector are all expanding, providing real career opportunities across the Highlands and Islands.

Close-knit Communities

Strong community spirit, Gaelic culture, local festivals and a genuine sense of belonging make the Highlands and Islands a special place to raise a family.

TOP SCHOOLS

Top 10 Primary Schools

#	School	Rating	Score
🥇	Ollaberry Primary School Shetland Islands	Excellent	6.0/6
🥈	Lochaline Primary School Highland	Excellent	5.5/6
🥉	Kirn Primary School Argyll and Bute	Very Good	5.4/6
4	Fair Isle Primary School Shetland Islands	Very Good	5.4/6
5	Lochdonhead Primary School Argyll and Bute	Very Good	5.2/6
6	Shapinsay Community School Orkney Islands	Very Good	5.2/6
7	Arrochar Primary School Argyll and Bute	Very Good	5.0/6
8	Colgrain Primary School Argyll and Bute	Very Good	5.0/6
9	Dunbeg Primary School Argyll and Bute	Very Good	5.0/6
10	Glenbarr Primary School Argyll and Bute	Very Good	5.0/6

Top 10 Secondary Schools

#	School	Rating	Pass rate
🥇	Gairloch High School Highland	Excellent	69%
🥈	Mallaig High School Highland	Very Good	50%
🥉	Farr High School Highland	Good	43%
4	Millburn Academy Highland	Good	43%
5	Portree High School Highland	Good	43%
6	Oban High School Argyll and Bute	Good	42%
7	Sir E Scott School Na h-Eileanan an Iar	Good	41%
8	Tarbert Academy Argyll and Bute	Good	39%
9	Lochaber High School Highland	Good	39%
10	Ullapool High School Highland	Good	39%

Property Prices

Detached £260,282

Semi-detached £175,267

Terraced £137,932

Flat £97,562

Scotland average (detached): £338,748 · Source: UK HPI, March 2026

Crime Overview

Overall crime

1,461

Scotland: 539

Violent crime

408

Scotland: 128

Housebreaking

Scotland: 13

Car crime

Scotland: 12

Anti-social behaviour

264

Scotland: 86

Recorded Crime in Scotland 2024/2025, Scottish Government

Local Authorities

Argyll and Bute 87 schools Explore → Highland 197 schools Explore → Na h-Eileanan an Iar 26 schools Explore → Orkney Islands 26 schools Explore → Shetland Islands 34 schools Explore →