Glasgow is close to the Western Highlands. If you're looking to visit the likes of Oban, Fort William, Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, the Western Isles, including the magnificent Isle of Skye, then Glasgow is the city of choice.

Glasgow is generally considered the closer and more practical gateway to the Highlands, particularly for accessing the rugged West Coast and the "near" Highlands. The stunning Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is only about 25–30 miles away (a 40-minute drive or train ride), and most major tours to Glencoe, Oban, and the Isle of Mull depart more frequently from Glasgow. Edinburgh is well-positioned for reaching the eastern and central Highlands, such as Perthshire, the Cairngorms, and the historic city of Inverness, but the travel time to the most iconic "mountainous" Highland landscapes is typically longer from the capital. If your goal is to see the greener, more rugged western mountains and islands, Glasgow is your best home base. If you prefer the drier, heather-clad hills and whiskey distilleries of the east, Edinburgh may be more convenient. Ultimately, while both cities are close, Glasgow's western location provides a faster "escape" into the heart of the wild Highland scenery.