Highlands a mountainous region; especially in the Highlands, the mountainous part of Scotland, to the north of Glasgow and Stirling, often associated with Gaelic culture.
Highland clearances the forced removal of crofters from their land in the Highlands of Scotland in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The clearances, carried out by landlords wanting to install sheep and deer on their estates, led to extreme hardship as well as to widespread emigration to North America and elsewhere.
Highland Games a meeting for athletic events, playing of the bagpipes, and dancing, held in the Scottish Highlands or by Scots elsewhere. The most famous gathering is that held annually at Braemar.

See also White Highlands at white.

Highlands Scottish mountain and moorland region, lying n of a line running roughly sw to ne from Dumbarton to Stonehaven; the administrative centre is Inverness. The area is split into the Northwest Highlands and the Grampian Highlands (separated by Glen More). Hydroelectric power and forestry schemes have been introduced in an effort to halt the decline in population through emigration. Industries: tourism, forestry, fishing. Area: 25,396sq km (9804sq mi) Pop: (2000) 208,600.