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25 Best Things to Do in Scotland

Consider Scotland, if just for a moment, and it’s more than likely you’ll conjure up images of the Loch Ness Monster, tartan kilted Highlanders, blaring bagpipes, magnificent scenery, shaggy Highland cattle, ghostly castles, and of course, the birthplace of golf.

All together, these things are part and parcel of the fabric that makes Scotland so unique. The country lends itself to travel and explore in many different ways.

You can walk around the castles and the fabled battlefields where the ferocious clans fought against the English. You can follow in the footsteps of illustrious kings and queens. Or you can track the literary trails which were trodden by the likes of Sir Walter Scot and Robbie Burns.

A further great attraction of Scotland is its solitude, together with its remote stretches of purple, heather-laden moors, secluded expanses of beaches, and wildly romantic mountains with their lochs and deeply-set glens, all waiting to be explored. Here are the best things to do in Scotland !

1. Castle Rock, Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle

The most famous fortress in Scotland, Edinburgh Castle has played a dominant role in the city’s skyline since the reign of King David I during the 12th Century. For good reason, it is the most popular national monument in the country.

Perched atop the plug of an extinct volcano, the spectacular castle offers terrific views over city landmarks, including Princes Street, the Royal Mile, and Holyroodhouse Palace, which lies at the far end of the Royal Mile.

Also see: Best things to do in Edinburgh .

To gain entrance to the castle, a drawbridge spans over an old moat which has its entryway from the broad Esplanade, the location for the much-famed Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which is held as an annual event in August. As you walk along the Esplanade, you’ll witness bronze statues of two Scottish heroes – Robert the Bruce and William Wallace, both of whom fought and defeated the English during the late 13th and early 14th centuries.

2. Inverness: Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

If you think of Loch Ness, near the small city of Inverness, you’ll likely picture the mythical monster, which, according to legend, has made a home of the loch for countless centuries. For a thoroughly detailed portrayal of the monster, there’s no place that does a better task of fueling the legend than that of Drumnadrochit Hotel’s Loch Ness Exhibition.

To add further allure to the loch, the much-photographed Urquhart Castle stands over the water as it sits on a strip of land which juts out into the loch. Irrespective the castle is now a ruin, it, together with the loch, remains among the most popular of tourist attractions within the country.

3. St. Andrews: The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews

The Scots are responsible for many inventions, including the postage stamp, tarmacadam, the steam engine, the bicycle, and not least, the telephone. Arguably one of their most abiding inventions is the game of golf. Among the country’s biggest visitor draws is that of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Recognized as golf’s ruling body and founded in 1750, St. Andrews frequently plays host to the famed British Open. Worth a look is the British Golf Museum which relays the history of the “home of golf”, beginning in the Middle Ages and progressing to the present day.

4. Trossachs National Park: Loch Lomond

Situated about 14 miles (23 km) north of Glasgow, and part of the Trossachs National Park, lies Britain’s largest lake – Loch Lomond. With its plentiful supplies of salmon, trout, and whitefish, it serves as an extremely popular locale for anglers the world over. And surrounded by spectacular mountain slopes and streams, it’s also celebrated by hikers, day-trippers, and water sports enthusiasts.

For those with boundless amounts of energy, a stiff hike up Ben Lomond, the tallest peak in the area, which stands at 3,192 ft. (973 m), is well and truly worth it merely to take in the spectacular surrounding views. At the southern end of the loch, Cameron House makes for an excellent place to experience the wonders of a Scottish castle, take in the fresh loch air, and savor the expansive range of outdoor activities.

5. Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye, known as “Cloud Island” on account of the heavy mists that often blanket the isle, and also by the Viking name “Sküyo”, is the largest of the country’s inner isles. It’s an extremely popular destination among nature lovers, and the wild, amorous mountain scenery together with the lush green glens and caves, beautiful waterfalls, and sandy beaches, which are all packed into an island that is merely 50 miles (80.5 km) in length and 15 miles (24 km) in width (at the center), serve to add to the overall appeal.

Add to this the quaint little villages and the deep inlets, the island still offers some remnants of primeval oak forests, in addition to a variety of wildlife species, including seals, otters, and over 200 species of birds. Visiting the island can be achieved either by passenger ferry or by taking a short drive across the bridge that connects to the mainland.

6. The Northern Highlands

Stretching from the city of Inverness up to Thurso at the northern peak of the Scottish mainland are the magnificent Northern Highlands. The ancient fault line gave rise to the creation of the Caledonian Canal, which extends from Inverness on the east coast over to the Corpach near Fort William on the west coast.

Though much of the mountainous region is entirely uninhabited, making it an ideal location for biking and hiking adventures, the area is dotted with many beautiful small towns and villages. Perhaps the most charming is the little coastal town of Dornoch, which is noted for its castle and cathedral ruins.

7. Ayrshire: The Burns Heritage Trail

A super way to experience a little insight into the life and times of Robbie Burns’ – Scotland’s favorite poet – is to take the Burns Heritage Trail. Starting in Alloway on the outskirts of Ayr, at the Robert Burns Museum, you’ll witness a wonderfully preserved thatched cottage where the poet was born and where he remained for most of his childhood years.

Upon visiting other related landmarks, the tour heads to the town of Dumfries in the south and to Robert Burns House, where he remained for the final four years of his life until he died at a young age of 36, in 1796. His final resting place is a short walk away at St. Michael’s Churchyard.

8. Aberdeenshire: The Castle Trail

The Castle Trail mainly focuses on castles located in Aberdeenshire, where 17 of Scotland’s most dramatic and best preserved castles remain. The itinerary, which utilizes the city of Aberdeen as a base, is anything from a single day up to four days in duration. You’ll be treated to such marvels as the 13th century Drum Castle, the fairy-tale looking 16th century Crathes Castle, as well as the 15th century Craigievar Castle, together with its round oriental windows, delightful towers and gables, and its quaint conical roof tops.

The tour is also a magnificent way to enjoy the dramatic coastlines and majestic mountains within the Grampian Region.

9. Stirling: The Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle

Perfectly situated between Glasgow in the west and Edinburgh to the east, Stirling is famed for a number of bloody historic battles, including the Battle of Bannockburn which witnessed Robert the Bruce’s defeat of the English in 1314, and the Battle of Stirling Bridge, whereby the legendary William Wallace helped to secure Scottish independence from the English King Edward I.

Just outside Stirling at Abbey Craig stands the courtly Wallace Monument, a splendid 246-step tower, which offers sumptuous views over the entire area, in addition to being the home to a number of artifacts which are claimed to have belonged to Wallace. Then, there’s the 12th century Stirling Castle, which is reminiscent of Edinburgh Castle, sitting atop a volcanic crag close to the center of the city.

10. Isle of Mull: Reside in Glengorm Castle

Occupying a wonderful position and surrounded by the cobalt blue ocean and ruined stone circles, together with white sandy beaches with a dramatic backdrop of the dark rocks on Mull’s northern coastline, stands Glengorm Castle.

The castle was built in 1860 and offers the perfect location for patrons to the island whereby they can book a room and enjoy their stay under the auspices of the castle’s owner Mr. Tom Nelson. The castle sits within the heart of its 5,000 acre estate, making it the ideal location to marvel at the surrounding views during an energetic hike, or sit back and relax while enjoying a dram of the local whisky.

11. Orkney: Skara Brae

Skara Brae, a semi-subterranean village which is situated on the island of Orkney, is among the very best preserved villages from the Stone Age within Europe, and is estimated to have been built over 5,000 years ago. For centuries, it was completely covered by a sand dune, until, in 1850, a great storm revealed the site.

Almost immediately upon the site being abandoned, the dwellings were suffused by sand, thereby preserving the stone walls and ensuring their currently relatively unmarred appearance. Older than the Great Pyramids and Stonehenge, Skara Brae has been given the title of the “Scottish Pompeii” due to the outstanding preservation.

12. Loch Duich, Western Highlands of Scotland: Eilean Donan Castle

Connected to the mainland by way of a simple footbridge which was created during the castle’s restoration during the early part of the 20th century, Eilean Donan, which is situated in the western Highlands of Scotland, is a small tidal island perched where three lochs meet – Loch Duich, Loch Alsh, and Loch Long. The castle, which takes the same name as the island, was originally established in the early 13th century, and served as a defensive port against marauding Vikings.

Today, the castle is a popular venue for both film and weddings, and is one of the most photographed structures in Scotland. It has appeared in films such as James Bond (The World is Not Enough), Bonnie Prince Charlie, The New Avengers, and Highlander.

13. Princes Street Gardens/ Edinburgh Castle: Festival Finale Fireworks

Edinburgh’s Festival fireworks display takes place at the culmination of the Festival, on the 31st of August each year. It represents the world’s largest annual pyrotechnic display which is accompanied by live music, and is watched by around 250,000 revelers, which represents almost half the entire population of Edinburgh.

Among the best vantage points are Princes Street Gardens, Carlton Hill, Arthur’s Seat, and Inverleith Park, unless you have a room with a view up to Edinburgh Castle, in which case you’re in luck. The sight of 100,000 fireworks being set off by four metric tons of explosives is one not to be missed.

14. Loch Garten near Aviemore: Watch Ospreys in Close Proximity

At Loch Garten, about 10 miles (16 km) north west of Aviemore, you’ll have the opportunity to watch nesting ospreys in their natural habitat. Other than the fact that these are very beautiful birds, it’s estimated that there are less than 150 breeding pairs within the UK. Watching from a hide offers the very best opportunity of witnessing these white-bellied fish-eaters.

Besides the ospreys, the forest at Loch Garten is inundated with red squirrels, crested tits, and red deer, so it really is a nature lover’s paradise. Do note that the hide is open from April to August.

15. North West Highlands: Bag Seven Munros in a Single Day

Arguably, there are some 284 ‘Munros’ peaks that rise above 3,000 ft. or 915 m in Scotland. No less than seven of those are located on a single long ridge in Kintail, North West Highlands, above Glen Shiel. As such, for those with a passion for bagging Munros, this is indeed the Munro-baggers cricket score! The first Munro, Creag a’ Mhaim, which is the easternmost of the Munros located on Cluanie Ridge, is 3,107 ft. (947 m), makes for a stiff climb, even for an experienced hiker. Once the first has been victoriously ascended, the final six await!

All seven Munros can easily be completed in a day, albeit a long day, and the Cluanie Inn makes for a good starting point, as well as the ideal finishing point to rest those weary legs and enjoy some fine Scot’s ale.

16. Isle of Arran

Only 166 square miles (267 sq. km) in size, and being a mirror image of the mainland’s rugged landscapes, it’s for obvious reason why the little Isle of Arran is recognized as “Scotland in Miniature”. Just like the mainland, Arran boasts sandy beaches, majestic mountains, castles, moorland, a diverse array of wildlife, beautiful little fishing harbors, and extremely friendly people.

Even though the isle’s highlights, among them being Goat Fell Mountain and Brodick Castle, can be visited within a single day, it’s best to allow for a few days in order to explore this wonderful wee Scottish island.

17. Gairloch, Wester Ross: Live in a Lighthouse

If you’ve ever fancied staying in a lighthouse, now’s your chance. Rua Reidh lighthouse, not far from Gairloch in Wester Ross, is located at the very end of a single-track road which stretches 11.8 miles (19 km) and is merely used as an ambling pathway for sheep and deer. The lighthouse is perched atop the black rocks overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean and over to the Outer Hebrides.

Like all lighthouses in the UK, Rua Reidh is now fully automated and thus the keepers’ quarters have been transformed into en-suite bedrooms, bunkrooms, and a cosy living room together with a wood-burning stove. For more information, contact the lighthouse owner at www. ruareidh.co.uk

18. Outer Hebrides: Sea Kayaking Around an Archipelago

Paddling to an island that is entirely deserted and then having a BBQ on the beach might seem like something you can only achieve in a dream, but it’s perfectly possible to achieve in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland where almost all of the 200 plus islands are uninhabited. And the best way to experience the archipelago is to do so by boat. The surrounding waters are crystal-clear and the destination is prime territory for sea kayaking.

Fortunately, for those with little to no experience of kayaking, there are local professionals who will take you out. And if you are seriously committed, you can turn the adventure into a week-long camping expedition. To get started and pick up your kayak, visit the isles of Harris, Lewis, Barra, or Uist.

19. Pollok Country Park, Glasgow: The Burrell Collection

The Burrell Collection in Glasgow’s Pollok Country Park hosts everything from Rodin sculptures, ancient tapestries, Chinese ceramics, to Impressionist works by Cézanne and Degas. The collection, which was donated by Glaswegian shipping magnate and art collector Sir William Burrell, is open daily and entry is free of charge. Art lovers who have already witnessed the treasures on offer claim that the museum’s milieu and variety of art is almost beyond comparison.

20. Islay and Jura: Whisky at its Finest

The islands of Islay and Jura, both situated on the west coast of Scotland, play host to some of Scotland’s very best whisky distilleries, including Ardbeg, Jura, Bowmore, Kilchoman, Laphroig, and Lagavulin.

Although the distilleries can be visited at any time of year, for the whisky aficionado, the best time to go is during the weeklong whisky festival which occurs every summer. Besides the gargantuan quantity of whisky to be had, the festival includes ceilidhs (traditional Scottish dance), cooking-with-whisky evenings, Celtic music concerts, in addition to a charity whisky barrel ‘push’ across Islay. And on the final day, festival revelers are treated to a carnival held on Port Ellen Green.

21. Melrose: Melrose Abbey

Founded back in 1136 by Cistercian monks, Melrose Abbey was built on the behest of King David I of Scotland. Although it is now a ruin, you can still witness the lavish masonic décor which is considered to maintain the embalmed heart of David I’s great-great grandson, Robert the Bruce. The abbey represents one of Scotland’s most historically significant structural remnants.

22. Grampian Mountains: Climb Britain’s Highest Peak

If you have at least some hill-walking experience, don’t be tempted to take the Tourist Path in order to reach the summit of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, which stands at 4,409 ft. (1,344 m) above sea level. Instead, follow the far more adventurous and spectacular Carn Mór Dearg Arête, which is one of the finest ridges in the country, as it sweeps in an almost perfect arc over to the North Face. Once you reach the top, you’re welcome to join the masses of tourists as they make their descent along the main route, and at the bottom, take pleasure from a pint of real ale served at the Ben Nevis Inn.

23. South Harris, Outer Hebrides: Luskentyre Beach

Located on the breathtaking west coast of South Harris overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the Outer Hebrides, Luskentryre Beach offers a peaceful and timeless getaway for the intrepid visitor to the islands of Scotland. The beach is among the most beautiful coastal areas in Scotland, together with its creamy, white sands, blue-green seas, and vibrant green hillside which makes for the perfect backdrop.

24. Laggan, Kingussie: Go Mountain Biking

Scotland has the reputation as one of the world’s best destinations for those who like to partake in the sport of downhill mountain biking. And that’s a reputation that is well deserved as a plethora of dedicated downhill tracks now dot every part of the country. One that stands above the crowd is Laggan Wolftrax, located 1.25 miles (2 km) from Laggan, which is near Kingussie in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

If you’re a teenage thrill seeker, there are a number of black runs (the most severe) available for you. For those who prefer a gentler jaunt around the woods, there are easier-going blue runs (moderate) as well as flat trails, and tea and cake await you in the caféteria at the end.

25. Aviemore, Cairngorms: Rothiemurchus Forest

The largest tract of ancient forest that remains in Britain is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) from Aviemore in the Cairngorms. The Caledonian pine forest provides a good way to escape from it all and enter a world that’s akin to a Lewis Carroll novel, as the pine trees twist and turn and spread their woody fingers over the surrounding juniper and heather.

For the best chance to witness capercaille, badgers, and pine martens, pay a visit to the hide which is heated and provides night-vision cameras.

25 Best Things to Do in Scotland:

• Castle Rock, Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle
• Inverness: Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
• St. Andrews: The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews
• Trossachs National Park: Loch Lomond
• Isle of Skye
• The Northern Highlands
• Ayrshire: The Burns Heritage Trail
• Aberdeenshire: The Castle Trail
• Stirling: The Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle
• Isle of Mull: Reside in Glengorm Castle
• Orkney: Skara Brae
• Loch Duich, Western Highlands of Scotland: Eilean Donan Castle
• Princes Street Gardens/ Edinburgh Castle: Festival Finale Fireworks
• Loch Garten near Aviemore: Watch Ospreys in Close Proximity
• North West Highlands: Bag Seven Munros in a Single Day
• Isle of Arran
• Gairloch, Wester Ross: Live in a Lighthouse
• Outer Hebrides: Sea Kayaking Around an Archipelago
• Pollok Country Park, Glasgow: The Burrell Collection
• Islay and Jura: Whisky at its Finest
• Melrose: Melrose Abbey
• Grampian Mountains: Climb Britain’s Highest Peak
• South Harris, Outer Hebrides: Luskentyre Beach
• Laggan, Kingussie: Go Mountain Biking
• Aviemore, Cairngorms: Rothiemurchus Forest

PRESENTED BY VISITSCOTLAND

• DESTINATION GUIDE

10 whimsical ways to experience Scotland

A grand UNESCO Heritage trail, an island of whisky, a pagan fire festival—these are some of the experiences visitors shouldn’t miss.

Scotland’s deep glens and dramatic coastline have long been a fixture of the silver screen. But nothing compares to discovering the place in real life: the endemic wildlife, the family-owned distilleries, the native writers who tell its tales. Here are the top 10 ways to experience this windswept country.

Cross a sandbar to Shetland Island beaches

On the Shetland Islands , a hundred miles north of the Scottish mainland, a 550-yard-long sand causeway connects two postcard-perfect beaches: one on the main southern island, and the other on the tiny St. Ninian’s Isle . On St. Ninian’s, the ruined chapel was the site of a large excavation of Pictish silver (now in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh). The coast wends its way around deep inlets, home to birds including skerries, gannets, and puffins.

Time travel to Scotland’s ancient past

Near the town of Oban in the West Highlands, Kilmartin Glen comprises around 350 archaeological sites that span 5,000 years of history. Many of these date from the Bronze and Neolithic Ages and include stone circles, cairns, and rock art. Learn more on a guided walk from Kilmartin Museum (booking essential). The museum has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and houses ancient ceramics and weapons, many of which were excavated just outside.

See all of Scotland’s UNESCO sites in one trail

Scotland’s UNESCO Trail , launched in 2021, is the world’s first tourist path linking all of a country’s UNESCO-designated sites. As well as the six World Heritage sites—including the Roman Antonine Wall and the far-flung island of St. Kilda —the route includes two global geoparks and two biospheres, and the UNESCO cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee. The full trail takes around 40 days to complete, but can also be done in part: a suggested six- or eight-day Northern Isles route , for instance, takes in the Shetland Global Geopark and the Heart of Neolithic Orkney .

Journey to “Whisky Island”

Plentiful peat gives Islay’s whiskies their distinct smoky character, says Anthony Wills, founder of Islay’s Kilchoman Distillery . Though only 25 miles long, this Hebridean island has nine working distilleries, making it ideal for whisky tours. “The small-town feel and incredible location, the rugged coastlines and wild landscapes become a key part of the tour experience,” says Wills. He suggests visiting for the Fèis Ìle festival in May, when the island comes alive with folk music and dance.

Visit the world’s first rewilding center

Scotland is leading the world in rewilding efforts , which aim to restore landscapes to their original, uncultivated state. Central to this movement is the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre near Loch Ness. Visitors can take guided walks of the area and tour the tree nursery, which grows 100,000 rare and native specimens annually. There are also self-guided paths up to 2.5 miles long, passing by heather-covered moorland and pine forests both new and ancient.

Party like a pagan

Pagan Scots marked the beginning and the end of summer with fire festivals: Beltane on April 30 and Samhuinn on October 31. In 1988, a group of enthusiasts in Edinburgh formed the Beltane Fire Society and reimagined both festivals for the modern era, with drumming, costumed dancing, and pyrotechnic displays. Shetland’s Up Helly Aa   festival in January—which started as a rowdy New Year celebration in the 19th century—sees torchlight processions through Lerwick, culminating in the burning of a Viking-style longship.

Spot breaching whales from a Hebridean island

The Hebridean Whale Trail , launched in 2019, brings together 30 wildlife-watching spots from Cape Wrath to the Isle of Arran. In most cases, you can see marine creatures from land rather than from a boat, minimizing environmental impact. Bottlenose dolphins, orcas, and humpback whales are among the species that can be spotted all year; basking sharks and minke whales join them in summer. Perhaps the finest site of all is Tiumpan Head Lighthouse   on the Isle of Lewis, known for its population of blunt-nosed Risso’s dolphins. Check Whale Track for news of the latest sightings.

Feast on fine food in Fife

“Fife is lucky to have some of Scotland’s best farmland while also being surrounded on three sides by a bountiful coastline—it’s a chef’s dream,” says Rosie Jack, who runs the Bowhouse   weekend market at the Balcaskie organic farming estate near Anstruther. Tuck into farm-to-table steaks at the Balgove Larder in St. Andrews, or mackerel and lobster at the East Pier Smokehouse , which overlooks St. Monans Harbour. Jack also recommends her local greengrocer Greens of Crail for its cheeses, preserves, and homemade gin.

Take a city tour for social good

Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that trains unhoused people to become tour guides in Edinburgh and Glasgow. “Having a guide is like having a friend who already knows everything about the place and is willing to share its secrets,” says founder Zakia Moulaoui, one of National Geographic’s Travelers of the Year 2024 . The guides’ knowledge extends far beyond the main sights: Edinburgh tour themes range from witchcraft to queer history . The Alternative Glasgow tour runs from the 19th-century People’s Palace museum to George Square, the site of both pro- and anti-independence rallies .

Delve into Edinburgh’s literary history

Edinburgh became the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004; most of its bookish attractions are in the walkable city center. Scale the 200-foot-high Scott Monument , dedicated to Sir Walter Scott; view first drafts by Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson at the Writers’ Museum ;   stroll through the graveyard at Greyfriars Kirk , where J.K. Rowling found inspiration for Harry Potter characters. The three-week Edinburgh International Book Festival takes place every August, part of the world famous Edinburgh festivals .

( For more tips on what to do in Scotland, see our Explorer’s Guide .)

Related Topics

• CITY GUIDES
• CULTURAL TOURISM
• FOOD TOURISM

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How to Plan the Perfect Scotland Vacation

From fairy-tale castles to charming small towns, the Scottish countryside is every bit as spectacular as you've heard.

Best Times to Go to Scotland

Best things to do in scotland.

• Getting to the Scottish Highlands

Where to Stay in Scotland

With its stately castles , glass-like lochs, and voluptuous glens, Scotland has always been a showstopper. The country's magic extends from its quaint small towns to the snow-capped peaks of its romantic, rugged Highlands to its dynamic modern cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh. It's home to some of the best national parks in the U.K. and more than 900 offshore islands with extraordinary wildlife like regal red stags, majestic golden eagles, humpback whales, and massive salmon (not to mention the fabled inhabitant of Loch Ness, too).

The raw, poetic beauty of this ancient land — formerly known as Caledonia — is difficult to overstate. If you're hoping to head to the U.K.'s ravishing northern nation, read on for our guide to planning the perfect Scotland vacation.

The bad news is that, like the rest of the U.K., Scotland's weather is far from reliable, even at the height of summer. But as long as you're prepared to accept that and pack a raincoat for the odd shower or two, then you'll be fine from May to September. The smart money is on visiting in June and the first two weeks of July, when Scotland basks in seemingly endless summer evenings (the sun doesn't set until 11 p.m. in some parts of the Highlands) and the British school holidays have not yet begun, so prices remain low.

For winter travelers, Scotland has the U.K.'s best ski resort at Cairngorm Mountain , while the capital, Edinburgh, hosts one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve parties, Hogmanay .

If you like the great outdoors, you'll love Scotland. It's an ideal place for hiking, biking, and generally embracing the wildly beautiful landscape. You can summit magnificent Ben Nevis in a day (the tallest mountain in the U.K., at 4,413 feet), take a ferry out to explore the Hebrides archipelago and its stunning white-sand beaches, tour scores of castles, including the Queen's favorite holiday home, Balmoral (open to the public every April through July), and dive into a quirky food scene encompassing dishes like haggis (an offal and oatmeal combo, which tastes significantly better than it sounds), deep-fried mars bars, and juicy scallops, langoustines, and mussels.

Scotland is also a mecca for both golfers ( St. Andrews Old Course is the headline act) and whisky lovers , with some of the world's best distilleries available to tour, including Johnnie Walker on Edinburgh's lively Princes Street, Glenlivet near pretty Ballindalloch, and the legendary Macallan on a sprawling country estate in nearby Aberlour.

8 Best Small Towns in Scotland — From Bucolic Islands to the Rugged Highlands

If you enjoy driving, you'll find some of the U.K.'s emptiest, most dramatic roads here, too, (as driven by James Bond in "Skyfall"), including the latest official addition, the North Coast 500 , an action-packed 500-mile route (516 to be exact) featuring mind-boggling coastal scenery, jaw-dropping beaches, rolling hillside, quaint fishing villages, and multiple hidden gems.

And if you prefer your challenges on foot, check out the magnificent West Highland Way , the country's best-loved long-distance walking route. Snaking its way from Milngavie to Fort William, it covers some of Scotland's finest scenery over 96 miles and is normally completed from south to north.

Meanwhile, history buffs will also be agog on any visit to Scotland, thanks to its 3,000-plus castles ( Castle Sween in Argyll is the oldest, dating back to the 1100s), as well as plenty to check out in the winding wynds (narrow lanes) and twisted staircases of Edinburgh's enchanting Old Town. ( Edinburgh Castle , towering over the city, is arguably the grandest in the country, too.)

If you can, make time to visit Perth, the former Scottish capital where kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny and infamous Glen Coe, a beautiful valley full of waterfalls and deer, also known for the brutal clan massacre of 1692 (which inspired the Red Wedding in George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones ).

Where are the Scottish Highlands — and what is the best way to get there?

Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure

The clue is in its name: the Highlands are the mountainous upper half of Scotland, covering 10,000 square miles of picturesque scenery. The region's lively capital is Inverness , which sits centrally and is a superb base from which to explore, while other highlights include mysterious, misty Loch Ness, majestic Cairngorms National Park , and idyllic Isle of Skye , which has been connected to the mainland via a road bridge since 1995.

The easiest way to reach the Highlands is to fly into Inverness Airport from London or elsewhere in the U.K., or rent a car and drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh. However, the way to arrive in style is on the Caledonian Sleeper train from London Euston, a chugging time machine where you can fall asleep to the sounds of black cabs and bustle of the British capital and wake up among the red deer and magical glens of the Highlands. Regularly nominated as one of the world's best train journeys , the scenery gets truly spectacular after Fort William, as the route skirts a dramatic chain of lochs before descending into lush glens and crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films. For the ultimate Hogwarts experience, steam locomotives work this route during the summer months, so check in advance for these special departures.

The major cities have an abundance of hotels for every budget, headlined by Glasgow's Kimpton Blythswood Square , a boutique property in the former headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, and The Dunstane Houses in Edinburgh, a pair of beautifully renovated 19th-century townhouses.

Scotland arguably does traditional country house hotels and rustic lodges better than anywhere else in the world, with Fife Arms in Braemar and Gleneagles in Perthshire being particular treats (the latter, nicknamed the "Glorious Playground" boasts three championship golf courses, its own dedicated train station, and the only restaurant in the country with two Michelin stars).

Scotland is, of course, peppered with castles, and many have been converted into hotels and B&Bs in recent years, with some of the better fortified accommodation options including Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Inverlochy Castle in Fort William, Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry, and Stonefield Castle Hotel on Loch Fyne.

Wherever you stay, you'll get a warm welcome — not to mention a hot bowl of Scottish porridge or a plate of bacon, eggs, and haggis to start the day in a spectacularly scenic country.

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15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Scotland

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Mar 21, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Think of Scotland, and you'll likely conjure up images of tartan-kilted Highlanders, skirling bagpipes, the Loch Ness Monster, lonely castles, golf, magnificent scenery, and shaggy Highland cattle. All of these are part of the mystique of this unique country, but also (apart from Nessie), a very real preview of what tourists can expect to see here.

You can explore Scotland by boat, on foot along its trails, on scenic train rides, or touring by car, and each experience will lead to unforgettable memories. History is everywhere as your sightseeing adventures take you to the impressive castles and fabled battlefields where clans fought, see you trace the footsteps of legendary kings and queens, or follow literary trails blazed by Robbie Burns and Sir Walter Scott .

Another of Scotland's great attractions is its solitude, with its remote stretches of heather-covered moors, secluded beaches , and wild, romantic mountains with their deep glens and lochs.

Whatever time of year you visit and wherever you choose to go, whether Scotland's vibrant cities , historic towns, or remote moors and islands, you'll find they are all filled with memorable things to see and do.

Plan your trip to some of the best places to visit in the UK with our list of the top attractions in Scotland.

1. Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile

2. loch lomond, 3. cruising loch ness and the caledonian canal, 4. the royal yacht britannia, edinburgh, 5. isle of skye and the inner hebrides, 6. stirling castle, 7. kelvingrove art gallery and museum, glasgow, 8. golf at st. andrews, 9. fort william & ben nevis, 10. riverside museum and tall ship, glasgow, 11. the scottish highlands, 12. isle of arran, 13. visit the site of the battle of culloden, 14. robbie burns country: the burns heritage trail, ayr, 15. the kelpies and the falkirk wheel, best time to visit scotland, more must-see destinations in scotland.

The stone towers and walls of Edinburgh Castle have dominated the Edinburgh skyline since the 13th century. Perched atop black basalt rock, it offers magnificent views of the city and a trip through Scotland's tumultuous history.

Highlights of Edinburgh Castle are the spectacular Crown Jewels, the famous Stone of Destiny (the Stone of Scone), and St. Margaret's Chapel, built in 1130 and the oldest building in Edinburgh. You'll enter the castle over a drawbridge across an old moat from the broad Esplanade , where the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo is held every August. Bronze statues of legendary heroes William Wallace and Robert the Bruce seem to keep watch over the castle gates.

Below, a stroll along the Royal Mile remains one of the top free things to do in Edinburgh . Stretching down the steep escarpment, the Royal Mile leads to the elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse, another of Edinburgh's most famous landmarks. Be sure to allow some time in your Edinburgh itinerary to visit neighboring Holyrood Park, undoubtedly one of the city's top parks and green spaces to explore.

Lined by brick townhouses and historic landmarks, the Royal Mile is another highlight of a visit. Filled with small shops, kilt makers, tearooms, museums, and cafés, between its tall buildings, some reaching more than 10 stories on the downhill side, are narrow little alleys waiting to be explored. Called "winds," they weave between tiny hidden closes and are no end of fun.

Be sure to also include the National Museum of Scotland in your Edinburgh itinerary, too. One of Scotland's top attractions, this fun, free museum includes everything from medieval artifacts to displays relating to art and science.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Edinburgh
• Top-Rated Day Trips from Edinburgh

Idyllic Loch Lomond, just a short drive northwest of Glasgow, is Britain's largest lake. According to Scots author Walter Scott, it's also "The Queen of Scottish Lakes." With an abundance of trout, salmon, and whitefish as a lure for anglers; water sports adventures; and plenty of open space for hikers, this beautiful corner of Scotland is also a favorite day trip from the city .

Boat trips and cruises are popular things to do in Loch Lomond, as are lakeside rambles and longer treks up majestic Ben Lomond (3,192 feet). From here you'll enjoy spectacular views across the Trossachs National Park .

The latest attraction to be added here is Loch Lomond Shores , home to a great shopping mall selling local crafts, a farmers market, restaurants, and bike and boat rentals. A major draw here is the Loch Lomond SEA LIFE Aquarium . In addition to its displays of native marine life, this family-friendly attraction houses Scotland's biggest shark tank. Weather permitting, be sure to pay a visit to the rooftop.

Loch Lomond is a good first stop on a tour from Glasgow along the Western Highland Way through the Argyll countryside to Fort William . Savor the romance of a Scottish country estate at Cameron House at the south end of the loch, where you can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities that include its lakeshore golf course.

Read More: Top Attractions & Things to Do around Loch Lomond

Think of Loch Ness and you'll probably picture the mythical monster that, according to legend, has made this 23-mile-long loch home for countless centuries. The largest body of water in Scotland's Great Glen , Loch Ness is part of a waterway connecting the east and west coasts of Scotland.

It and three other lochs are joined together by the Caledonian Canal, which you can cruise on short excursions from, or on a six-hour voyage from one end to the other. These fun canal cruises from Dochgarroch take you through the canal locks that adjust the varying water levels.

The canal and each of the lochs is surrounded by some of the most beautiful Highland scenery, but no part is more scenic than Loch Ness itself, with the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle on its hillside above the water. The center of many ancient myths, the 12th-century castle fell victim to a fire some 500 years later.

The best views of the castle are from the water, and you can arrive by boat or drift past on a Loch Ness cruise. Fueling the Nessie legend with exhibits and accounts of sightings, Loch Ness Exhibition at Drumnadrochit Hotel also has interesting information on the geological formation of Loch Ness and the surrounding area. The castle, the canal, and Loch Ness are easily accessible from Inverness .

While getting to Loch Ness from Edinburgh or Glasgow can take a few hours, it's certainly worth the effort, especially if you plan on making a fun Scottish weekend break of it.

• Read More: Visiting Loch Ness: Top Attractions & Tours

For more than 40 years, the Royal Yacht Britannia was a floating royal residence, traveling more than 1,000,000 miles around the world. Glimpse the life of the royal family, their guests, and the crew as you explore Britannia's five main decks with an audio tour, visiting the Bridge, State Apartments and Royal Bedrooms, Crew's Quarters, and Engine Room.

You can also see the Rolls-Royce Phantom V that used to travel onboard, and stop for afternoon tea and cakes in the Royal Deck Tea Room. Newly added to the attraction in 2019 is the Fingal Hotel , offering luxury accommodations set in a former lighthouse tender berthed next to the royal yacht.

Address: Ocean Drive, Edinburgh

The largest of Scotland's inner isles, Skye is especially popular with birders, ramblers, and nature lovers. Its wild, romantic mountain scenery is marked by green valleys, caves, lonely glens, some of Scotland's best sandy beaches , and rushing waterfalls. It's a quite remarkable variety of beautiful scenery for an island that's just 50 miles long and never more than 15 miles wide.

The island also has the remains of primeval oak forests, as well as an abundance of wildlife that includes otters, seals, and at least 200 species of birds. Getting to Skye is easy, as it's connected to the mainland via a bridge. For added fun, you can also get here by ferry.

The other islands in the Inner Hebrides include, among others, Islay, Jura, Mull, Raasay, Staffa, and Iona. Getting to Iona is a bit more complicated, requiring two ferry rides but is tremendously rewarding. This is considered Scotland's "Cradle of Christianity" as it was here that St. Columba arrived from Ireland in the 6th century to spread the gospel.

A 12th-century church, atmospheric ruins of an abbey, and a carved stone memorial from the 10th century are among its attractions. It's also home to Scotland's oldest Christian cemetery , with graves of more than 60 Scottish kings, including Macbeth.

Make sure you allocate a little time to explore Portree, too. One of the prettiest small towns in Scotland , Portree's charming natural harbor is the place to buy some fresh seafood or simply watch the world go by. Better still, from here you can join a fun fishing trip to catch some fish of your own.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions on the Isle of Skye

The palace of James V and childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots , Stirling Castle is one of the best-preserved Renaissance buildings in the UK. It's also an excellent day trip destination from Edinburgh , just an hour to the east, or from Glasgow , 45 minutes to the south.

While some earlier structures still stand, the castle's grand halls and rooms are carefully restored and furnished to their 1500s appearance, even to painstaking reproductions of its tapestries. Costumed interpreters interact with visitors to bring the castle and its history to life, and History Hunter programs on weekends are designed for young explorers.

Situated between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Stirling is famous for the Battle of Bannockburn , which saw Robert the Bruce defeat the English invaders in 1314, as well as the Battle of Stirling Bridge , a victory for Scottish independence secured by the legendary William Wallace. The splendid Bannockburn Heritage Centre offers excellent displays and exhibits regarding this important era.

Between Stirling and Bridge of Allan stands the majestic Wallace Monument , a spectacular 246-step tower with incredible views of the area. You'll also see a number of artifacts said to have belonged to the great Wallace himself.

Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do in Stirling

Since a fire devastated much of the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh at the Glasgow School of Art, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has become the primary destination for admirers of the Glasgow Style, a distinctive part of the Arts & Crafts movement and Art Nouveau styles of the early 20th century.

Created and opened shortly before the fire, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style Gallery includes several entire Mackintosh rooms, as well as works by other prominent artists of the movement.

Along with other notable treasures-a Van Gogh portrait, Bronze Age tools and jewelry from Arran and Kintyre, a 1944 Mark 21 Spitfire is also on display. You'll also want to see the magnificent 1901 organ used for daily free concerts -one of the museum's most popular exhibits is Salvador Dali's Christ of St. John of the Cross .

Visiting off-season? Glasgow's also one of the top places to visit in Scotland in winter , with its many museums and cultural attractions hosting special seasonal events and programs. Some of the city's parks and public spaces take on new life as skating rinks and Christmas markets, too.

Address: Argyle Street, Glasgow

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Glasgow

The Scots lay claim to many inventions, including the bicycle, postage stamps, telephones, and steam engines. But perhaps their most enduring invention is the game of golf. One of the lifetime dreams of dedicated golfers is to play the much-revered The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews .

Just 12 miles southeast of Dundee , it was founded in 1750 and recognized internationally as golf's ruling body. Today, St. Andrews regularly hosts the famous British Open at one of its many 18-hole courses, the most famous of which is the par-72 Old Course running alongside the rugged coast.

Although tee times are often reserved six months in advance, some are kept available by lottery two days in advance for those who don't have reservations. Worth visiting are the majestic old Clubhouse and the British Golf Museum , which documents the history of the "home of golf" from the Middle Ages to the present day.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in St. Andrews

The best place to explore Ben Nevis, Britain's tallest mountain, is from the picturesque town of Fort William.

Situated at the southeastern end of the Caledonian Canal, this coastal town can trace its roots back to the original fort built here in the 17th century. Although since long gone, the history of the fort can be explored in the West Highland Museum , along with sizable collections of paintings, Highland costumes, and weaponry.

A must-do is hop aboard The Jacobite steam train . Made famous by the Harry Potter movie franchise, the train follows the West Highland Line over the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Then, there's Ben Nevis. Easy to discern from Fort William on a clear day, it's an impressive sight, and one that draws many a-hiker, both amateur and hardcore alike. Despite its elevation, the ascent can be achieved in around 2.5 hours. And it's well worth it for the spectacular views, extending as far as 150 miles across the Scottish Highlands and as far as Ireland .

• Read More: Attractions & Things to Do in Fort William

One of Scotland's most visited attractions, the free Riverside Museum in Glasgow gathers together the history of transportation by land and water in an eye-catching new venue. During the course of a visit, you'll see trams, locomotives, buses, horse-drawn carriages, and vintage cars, along with ships and other models.

A highlight is the authentic reconstruction of 1938 Glasgow streets , with shops you can enter, and platforms leading up to all the locomotives on display. In all, more than 20 interactive displays and 90 large touch screens add images, recollections, and films that bring added meaning to the collections.

Outside on the River Clyde, you can board the S. S. Glenlee , a tall ship built in 1896 . It has the distinction of being the only Clyde-built ship still sailing in Britain.

Address: 100 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow

The Scottish Highlands have a mystique born of rugged, untamed landscapes and a long history, at once violent yet romantic. Sparsely inhabited, these mountains and rocky shores are loved equally by hikers and bikers and by those who enjoy fishing, golf, sea kayaking, white-water rafting, gorge walking, and other outdoor adventures in Britain's largest area of outstanding natural beauty.

Sprinkled through it are lovely little villages and towns with lodging and eating places. Stop in the tiny coastal village of Dornoch to see its cathedral and castle ruins, and in John o'Groats, overlooking the Pentland Firth, where a much-photographed sign proclaims it the northernmost point of Britain . From here, you're 874 miles from the country's southernmost point at Land's End in Cornwall.

If you've rented a car and have plenty of time on your hands, you can explore the Scottish Highlands via a fun new tourist route, the North Coast 500 . While you could do it faster, we'd advise you spend at least five days to a week to see everything there is to see along this spectacular driving route.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Inverness & the Scottish Highlands

The lovely Isle of Arran is called "Scotland in Miniature" for good reason. This picture-perfect island off the country's west coast mirrors the landscapes of the entire country in an area of scarcely 166 square miles.

Here, you can find rolling moors, rugged mountains, sandy beaches, fishing harbors, castles, and golf courses, all less than an hour's ferry ride from Glasgow. While you could see some of the best bits of Arran as a day trip, you'd do better to allow a day or two's sightseeing to make sure you get the most from your visit.

Best of all, there's no need for a car because buses run regularly around the island, connecting its main attractions. Although its highlights—including Brodick Castle and Goat Fell Mountain (2,866 feet)—can be visited in a day, including the ferry ride, you could easily spend a few days exploring this little sampler of Scotland. And you really, really should.

Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do on the Isle of Arran

Few tourist attractions in Scotland yank the heartstrings in quite the same way as the Culloden Battlefield and Visitors Centre . It was here in April 1746 that Scotland's last attempt at attaining its independence from England by force was quashed in what came to be known as the Battle of Culloden, although many consider it a massacre.

The state-of-the-art visitor's center is where you should begin your visit. In addition to its excellent displays offering perspective along with first-hand accounts of this fateful day in Scottish history, there's a superb immersive film that outlines the key events as they unfolded. There's also a rooftop viewing platform overlooking the battlefield itself.

Be sure to spend some time wandering these grounds themselves. Highlights include a number of Scottish clan gravestones; a Memorial Cairn; as well as the Cumberland Stone, which marks the place from which the English commanded the battlefield. There are also a few surviving buildings, including the Old Leanach Cottage.

While the site is easy enough to get to from Inverness—it's less than 15 minutes east by car—those who prefer letting someone else do the heavy lifting may wish to combine the attraction as part of an organized tour.

One of the best, especially for fans of the hit TV show, is Diana Gabledon's Outlander Experience Tour. In addition to Culloden, these fun Scottish tours take in other major attractions including Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle.

Address: Culloden Moor, Inverness

No visit to Scotland is complete without visiting at least one or two sites associated with the country's most famous son: poet Robbie Burns. A great way to experience a little of Burns' life and times—as well as see some of the most beautiful parts of the country—is along the Burns Heritage Trail.

Start at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, on the outskirts of Ayr. Here you'll find the perfectly preserved thatched house where the poet was born and spent much of his childhood.

Other Burns-related landmarks to visit include a monument and gardens created to commemorate his life and time in Ayr, a collection of his most important writing, and the 16th-century Auld Kirk where his father is buried.

From Ayr this circular tour heads south to Dumfries . Here, you can see the excellent Robert Burns House where the celebrated poet spent the last four years of his life and where he died in 1796, aged just 36. Now a museum displaying Burns-related memorabilia, this attraction portrays a vivid portrait of his life, and his final resting place is just a short distance away in St. Michael's Churchyard.

Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do in Ayr

An easy 25-minute drive south of Stirling, you'll find yourself staring at two of the most incredible artworks in the UK: the Kelpies. Standing over 100 ft high, these two water horse statues are the centerpiece of a massive public park in Falkirk called The Helix . Built in 2013, the park and its twin kelpies are must-photograph landmarks for those who enjoy a good selfie.

Be sure to also visit the Falkirk Wheel. Just 15 minutes' drive west of the kelpies, this impressive 115-foot structure was built to connect the Clyde, Forth, and Union canals. As much fun as it is to watch it in action from the ground, hop aboard one of the regular one-hour boat rides that will take you up and down this remarkable feat of engineering.

Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do in Falkirk

No matter when you visit Scotland, prepare to get wet. It rains a LOT here! The upside of all this moisture can be found in the lush and vibrant hills, bright green grasses, and beautiful spring blossoms.

If you're hoping to enjoy more comfortable temperatures and a little break in all that precipitation, the best time of year to visit Scotland is during the s pring (late March through June) or Autumn (September through November) . April is the driest month, so keep that in mind if you're hoping to explore without having to change shoes and socks.

Visiting during this time ensures you won't shiver as much as you would during frigid December and January. It also helps you avoid the busier (and much pricier) high season (a.k.a. June, July, and August), with its tour buses crowding the most charming small towns and inns that are packed to capacity.

You'll miss the jam-packed summer festivals like the Edinburgh International Festival , the Edinburgh Fringe Festival , and the Highland Games . And you won't be able to watch the whales migrate, but you will be mesmerized by Scotland's natural beauty bursting onto the scene in the form of buds, blossoms, and fall foliage. Plus, you'll be able to experience it all in a quieter, more tranquil setting.

Another bonus: attractions that close mid-October have reopened by late-March, and those that enforced reduced hours during the colder, darker months are back up and running at full throttle.

If you're worried about hitting cooler temperatures by avoiding summer travel, keep in mind that July and August only reach highs of 66 degrees Fahrenheit, so it's not like you're going to be sweating it out on a beach.

Scotland's Cities: As you tour around Scotland, you'll inevitably find places you'll want to spend more time, digging deeper into the country's fascinating culture and seeing more of its top attractions. For example, you could easily spend an entire vacation exploring the sites in Edinburgh without seeing everything. In Glasgow , enjoying the city's many art treasures and its vibrant cultural and entertainment scene could also take a few days.

Rural Scotland: Both lovely Loch Lomond and fabled Loch Ness have more things to do around their shores, and the Scottish Highlands are filled with places to pursue outdoor sports. There's more than golf around St. Andrews , and you can island-hop through the Hebrides by ferry and bus.

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59+ Best Places to Visit in Scotland (Written By A Local)

• 27th February 2022
• 14 minute read

This country is one for the wild to run free, take bold swims and explore ruined castles. It’s unforgiving, but giving; harsh but oh-so-pretty! Does this sound like your cup of tea?.. These are the best places to visit in Scotland – recommended to you by a local.

With our mountainous landscapes, secluded beaches and overall encapsulating scenery; my country is bursting with beauty! Scotland is my birthplace and my home, and as each adventure unfolds, my love for this rugged paradise grows stronger and deeper.

Psst!… You may want to keep a note of these locations for your own visit to Scotland. Scroll down to the bottom of this exhaustive list to access a Google Map with most of the coordinates (and more) already pinpointed for your convenience.

Table of Contents

…for beaches, …for castles, …for culture, …for design, …for highland coos, …for hill-walking, …for history, …for island life, …for mountains, …for outdoor adventure sports, …for the prettiest village, …for a road trip, …for seafood, …for shipwrecks, …for train-spotting, …for waterfalls, …for wildlife, …for wild swimming, things to do & what to see in scotland, scottish highlands google map legend, save this to pinterest….

Don’t have time to read this now? Save this blog for later on Pinterest .

The Best Places to Visit in Scotland…

Time your visit with the odd day or two of summer and you will be gobsmacked by the beauty of our beaches! Take this from a Scottish Highlander and full-time traveller… I’d argue that Scotland has some of the best beaches in the world! But… What are the best beaches in Scotland?

After one quick image search of Luskentyre Beach, you’ll be sold! Luskentyre can be found in the south of the island of Lewis and Harris . The place has some of the most amazing views in Scotland. You can rest assured, knowing that they are totally worth the often choppy ferry ride and the long drive to get there!

Hushinish is located as far west as you can drive in Harris. However, once you arrive you’ll be greeted with its turquoise waters, fine sand and rugged backdrop of hills and lochs. The area is a Scottish paradise!

For more information, read this guide to the campsite and beach at Hushinish.

Sandwood Bay

Located in the remote corner of northwest Scotland, this sandy beach rewards those who take on the 4-mile walk beforehand.

Achmelvich is in the northwest of Scotland, 40 miles north of Ullapool and along the North Coast 500 . This beach does not disappoint; its perfect white sand and clear water ensure that it’s noticed by anyone who so chooses to endure the windy roads to drive there. The area is also home to Europe’s Smallest Castle .

Red Point is a remote peninsula 10 miles southwest of Gairloch in Wester Ross. It has two secluded sandy beaches that are backed by reasonably tall dunes and grassy slopes, with the most northerly being characterised by its red-hued sand. This is a great destination for anyone seeking to find some tranquillity.

Scotland is home to thousands of castles! Whether they are still standing pretty and proud, or broken into ruins; you’ll want to visit at least a few to experience Scotland’s iconic history!

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

The ruins of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe are a popular stop-off on the northeast coast of the Highlands. They are dramatic, enchanting and very Game of Thrones!

Eilean Donan Castle

It doesn’t matter if Eilean Donan Castle is surrounded by a thick and moody mist or standing proud in the stillness of a clear blue sky, this castle is always photogenic! In fact, it has also featured in blockbuster movies such as James Bond and Highlander. For your convenience, there are many guided tours from Edinburgh that include Eilean Donan Castle within their itinerary.

Urquhart Castle

With such a superb location, Urquhart Castle is amongst some outstanding views of Loch Ness . Nowadays, the castle is accompanied by a huge visitor centre that includes a restaurant and a large gift shop.

Hermit’s Castle

It’s not uncommon to be dazzled by the white sand and turquoise waters of Achmelvich Beach , but if you walk a little further you will find Europe’s Smallest Castle . This is one of the more unique places to visit in Scotland!

Dunrobin Castle

About a mile past Golspie stands a classically fairytale castle that has a garden well-kept to impress. Between towers, turrets and falconry displays, this castle is on a whole other level than the others!

The official Fringe website states that the Edinburgh Fringe Festival ‘ is the single greatest celebration of arts and culture on the planet ‘. For three weeks in August, Edinburgh , Scotland’s capital city welcomes thousands of people from all over the world to honour creativity across its varying forms. It’s a colourful, energetic and joyful period as artists and performers take to the stage and locals gather in busy beer gardens.

The centrepiece of Dundee’s recent revival is Scotland’s first-ever design museum. The V&A Dundee is now something of a cultural hub in the city. Here, visitors can marvel at the evolution of design inside an array of both permanent and temporary exhibitions from around the world.

These furry beasts can be spotted in fields all over Scotland, and not just in the Scottish Highlands. In fact, you may even find one blocking your road ahead!

If you are looking for a more certain encounter with one of these cute, and very photogenic animals, then keep your eyes particularly peeled at the following locations.

Hushinish is a popular beach and park-up on the Isle of Harris . Incoming cars, campervans and motorhomes are often slowed down by a group of slow-moving Highland Cows on the road (one of which has been pictured below) .

Culloden Battlefield

Highland Cows are quite often kept in the nearby field to the entrance of the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre . This is on the outskirts of Inverness which is the capital city of the Scottish Highlands.

Rothiemurchus

Plan the perfect date to meet a Highland Cow with the Rothiemurchus Centre near Aviemore. From there, you can follow a ranger on a coo safari to a field of hairy Highlands who will be happy to pose for a selfie, or two!

You cannae visit Scotland without going for a wee hill walk! However, if you are more adventurous, you might want to bag a Munro or two.

The Bones Caves

Both the hiking route and the remarkable views from the Bones Caves make for the perfect introductory walk to the northwest Highlands of Scotland.

Stac Pollaidh

Our beloved Stac Pollaidh is small enough to be considered an easy climb, yet tall enough to yield some absolutely breathtaking views over the Summer Isles.

Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr is one of the most popular, and consequently, the busiest walk on the Isle of Skye. The ‘Old Man’ is a large prominent pinnacle of rock that stands tall amongst other interesting rock formations. This place is a haven for photographers!

Hiking to the top of Ben Nevis is one of Scotland’s bigger challenges; Ben Nevis is the highest peak in the United Kingdom. At 1,345 metres, you should have experience in hill-walking if you are going to attempt this one!

Arthur’s Seat

This recommendation is by far, not the biggest and most beautiful hill walk that Scotland has to offer, but it is a popular choice with visitors to Edinburgh . With only a short walk, you are rewarded with 360-degree views of the City of Edinburgh , the bridges, and beyond!

Knoydart is a remote peninsula that is only accessed by foot or boat. The area is dramatic and untamed with bold peaks and beautiful views across the water to the rugged Small Isle hilltops and the Skye Cuillins.

As a born and bred Scottish Highlander, I believe that the array of history that Scotland encompasses is often taken for granted by the local people. Most car journeys, or towns even, involve some kind of impressive milestone of Scotland’s past. To any visitor, there is plenty for you to spot, stop and admire.

One of Orkney’s most-visited ancient sites is Skara Brae. This is a remarkable and well-preserved Neolithic village, take a step back in time whilst you wander amongst these homes.

Callanish Standing Stones

The Callanish Standing Stones is one of Scotland’s most iconic sights of historical interest. Their exact reason for existing has been lost to history. Can you work out the mystery?

Balmoral Cairns

Did you know Scotland has a pyramid ? The majority of cairns in the Balmoral Estate were erected by Queen Victoria to commemorate members of the Royal family, with others marking important events.

There are around 790 islands off the coast of Scotland; 94 of which are inhabited. Once you’ve experienced one, island-hopping around Scotland could quickly become your new travel addiction!

Isle of Lewis and Harris

The change of pace, lifestyle and traditions of Lewis and Harris is what attracts many visitors to this island. Learn more about an island road trip around Lewis and Harris here.

Tucked away between Skye, Rona and the mainland of Scotland is the Isle of Raasay. It may only be 14 miles long and 5 miles wide, but there are several good walks and some fascinating historical sights to visit across the island.

Orkney & Shetland

The Orkney and Shetland Islands are often referred to as the Northern Isles. Each island has a distinct character, with an array of natural wonders and interesting historical sites to explore.

The Isle of Canna is the westernmost and most northerly of the four islands known as the Small Isles in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. The island is also connected to the neighbouring island of Sanday by a small road bridge and sandbanks at low tide.

Of the four islands in the Small Isles, the Isle of Rum is the largest of the archipelago. However this is not respective to the island’s population, in fact, there are many more red deer on the island than people  – we’re talking tens of residents to hundreds of deer!

Isle of Iona

The Isle of Iona offers picture-perfect sandy beaches, excellent walking opportunities, a quaint village experience and the possibility of wildlife sightings on both the land and sea. At just three miles long by one mile wide, visiting the Iona is like experiencing Scotland on a miniature scale.

One of the greatest pleasures of a visit to Scotland is the opportunity to immerse yourself in the mountainous landscapes. The Scottish Highlands is an unmissable part of the country!

Surrounded by the drama of the Glencoe Valley, Glencoe is easily one of the best places to visit in Scotland – these landscapes are to die for!

The Cairngorm National Park is the largest national park in the United Kingdom. It includes five of the six highest summits in the UK. This wild mountainous area is a playground for wildlife watchers and adventure sports enthusiasts.

Are you an adrenaline junkie? Or, perhaps you’re on a hunt for a challenging route to scramble, climb, ski or snowboard? If you are looking for a real adventure, then two towns instantly spring to mind as the best places to visit in Scotland for outdoor sports.

Fort William

Fort William is the beating heart of Scotland’s outdoor adventure sports. In fact, it’s widely reported as the ‘ Outdoor Capital of the UK ‘. If you take one wander around town, you’ll be surrounded by hillwalkers, mountain bikers, climbers and other like-minded individuals. This is definitely one of the best places to visit in the Scottish Highlands for the more adventurous travellers!

Aviemore is the gateway to the Cairngorms. It’s a happening place all year round, whether it be with snowsports or other outdoor activities. In fact, if you happen to time your visit with an event, you could find yourself being amongst anything from a Huskey Race to a Harley Davidson Rally. Hiking and wild swimming is also extremely popular in the Cairngorms.

Much of Scotland’s charm and Scottish culture can be found in the pretty communities dotted around the country. The best places to visit in Scotland for quaint villages are typically the seaside towns, though there are of course many others in between.

Situated on the northwestern coast of the Isle of Mull , the colourful fishing town of Tobermory is one of the most picturesque towns in Scotland. So much so, that the children’s TV series, Balamory, was filmed there in recent years.

Portree is the capital town of the Isle of Skye. It is yet another picture-perfect waterfront with brightly-coloured buildings. Plus, the drive there is just as gorgeous!

Dean Village

Situated five minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Princes Street, Dean Village is a much more peaceful setting on the Water of Leith in Edinburgh .

Shieldaig is a quaint village of Wester Ross in the northwest of the Scottish Highlands. As the buildings overlook Loch Torridon, the front street is worth a slow wander to take it all in.

Plockton is another one of Scotland’s pretty fishing villages. Unfortunately, the tiny streets of Plockton can’t cope with many crowds or larger vehicles so this one is not recommended for motorhomes or campervans.

Scotland’s public transport system is not the best, especially around any remote area of the country. That being the case, many choose to enjoy the expansive scenery with a self-guided road trip.

The North Coast 500

The North Coast 500, otherwise known as the NC500, is the ‘Route 66’ of the Scottish Highlands. It links together over 500 miles of unforgettable experiences and picturesque park-ups , including white sandy beaches, remote fishing villages, jaw-dropping valleys, coastal scenery then rough-and-ready mountains. The road links some of the top places to visit in Scotland.

Click here for a Highlander’s Guide to Scotland’s North Coast 500 .

Island Hopping the Outer Hebrides

The islands are where you can truly experience the wilderness of Scotland. A road trip through the Outer Hebrides will be an adventure, but spending some time on Lewis and Harris will be a great introduction. There, visitors will be able to have some of the most local experiences in Scotland without the distraction of large crowds.

It has been estimated that Scotland’s coastline is over 11,500 miles. With that being said, it would be rude not to indulge in the recipes of seafood whilst you are there!

The Oban Seafood Hut is the best place to savour superb seafood without the expense of an upmarket restaurant. It’s the small shack near the ferry terminal, usually with a queue.

Situated on the northwest coast, Mallaig is the final call along the famous Road to the Isles. It’s a fascinating harbour town which accommodates many fishermen, ferry goers and tourists disembarking the Jacobite Steam Train. Naturally, the town boasts many seafood restaurants as they sell some of the freshest produce around.

This charming port town is on the shores of Loch Broom. Ullapool is home to the award-winning Seafood Shack , this is a favourite to locals and visitors alike.

With a rich maritime history, miles of harsh coastline and wild winds, it’s unsurprising that Scotland has quite the collection of shipwrecks. Some are still unfound, whilst others have become a sight to behold as they slowly decay close to shore.

Scapa Flow is a sheltered body of water that has played an important role in travel, trade and conflict over the years. In more recent times, Scapa Flow has ranked as one of the world’s top diving destinations. Even if you don’t take a peek beneath the waters, the stories the area above the water has to tell are endless!

In my opinion, the Old Boat of Caol is Scotland’s most photogenic wreckage. Within a short drive from Fort William , this emotive shipwreck lies peacefully upon the stony beach of Corpach.

There are train connections within each of Scotland’s seven cities, plus, the rail network links many towns and villages across the country. As these services travel across the Scottish Highlands, there are many spectacular arched bridges that support the train lines; beautiful for photographs and perfect for trainspotting.

Culloden Viaduct

If you are travelling by train, you may cross the Culloden Viaduct without even realising it. The structure is in regular use, however, there aren’t any steam trains on this one.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Whether you are an avid trainspotter, an obsessed Harry Potter or someone in between, watching the Jacobite Steam Train travel across the Glenfinnan Viaduct is an unforgettable magic moment!

With the varying levels of terrain and notorious rainfall, Scotland has some pretty spectacular waterfalls hidden within glens, hills and forests.

Wailing Widow Falls

You’d think that finding beauty like the Wailing Widow Falls would only be a result of a long, enduring hike. As remote as Loch Na Gainmhich is, the whole area and the amazing waterfall are actually fairly accessible – just bring your wellies!

Steall Falls

The Steall Falls Walk is often described as one of the best short walks in Scotland. The hike is simple, yet the results are rewarding. Are you a Harry Potter fan? Steall Falls is also an iconic location that is featured in The Goblet of Fire and The Half-Blood Prince.

Scotland is one of the best places in Europe to spot marine wildlife. Also, thanks to two national parks, there are also many habitats in which you can observe land mammals, and birds too!

On the road to Hushinish, a small parking area and a 1.3-mile long track direct hikers to an observatory that has been built specifically to watch golden eagles.

Duncansby Head

Whether you are a birdwatcher or not, you will not want to miss out on an opportunity to see puffins . Duncansby Head is just one of the many places to see these cute and colourful birds. The best time to spot them is between March and May.

The Outer Hebrides

Marine wildlife is in an abundance in and around the Outer Hebrides . In fact, you are likely to spot something on a ferry ride across the Minch. The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust have a great website with specie profiles, and where you might be likely to spot them.

Orkney and Shetland can offer the best chance of spotting killer whales. You are more likely to spot them during the summer months of May to July, although sightings have been made during these times.

Chanonry Point

A narrow peninsula, which is near Rosemarkie and a little further from Inverness , is the ideal location for spotting dolphins in the Moray Firth. Dolphin activity at this location depends on the tidal conditions, but if you time it right, you’ll witness a great display of bottlenose dolphins from a very close distance.

There are hundreds of lochs in Scotland, and the sea is just as uninviting, but the invigorating, adrenaline-pumping splash into cold water is still an unmissable Scottish experience. Here are all but a few of the best places to visit in Scotland for a wild swim…

Wild swimming in Loch Ness should only be done at your own risk because this body of water has a resident monster!.. She’s called Nessie.

Loch Morlich

With only a short drive from Aviemore, Loch Morlich is a very popular option for watersports, walking, relaxation and wild swimming.

Loch an Eilein

Loch an Eilein is an extremely beautiful body of water that feels secluded from the world by the pines of Rothiemurchus Forest. All of these natural features surround a ruined island castle that sits peacefully within swimming distance from the shore.

Achmelvich Beach

This beach is so deserving of its third mention on this list of ‘the best places to visit in Scotland’. With clear water, white sand and an alluring coastline to explore; it’s a haven for wild swimmers.

This may be the answer to all of your questions!.. It has all of the Scotland destinations plotted on an interactive map for your convenience. That way, you will not miss out on any of the best places to visit in Scotland!

This Google Map Legend showcases 140+ need-to-know coordinates within our bonnie Scottish Highlands & Islands:

• Awesome Wild Camping Park-Ups
• Best Walks, Viewpoints, Beaches
• Bucket List Locations
• Accessible Showers & Fresh Water Taps
• Relevant Links to Online Travel Guides

Let’s go! @katie.maree

Hey! I'm a Scottish backpacker turned digital nomad with a passion for the outdoors, van life, and international travel. I travelled 100 countries before I turned 30 years of age. Now... Let's go everywhere!

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20 best places to visit in scotland [2024 travel guide].

Scotland is packed with beautiful places to visit.

You could honestly spend months and months exploring everything this wonderful country has to offer.

Which is exactly what we have done!

We have returned for five extensive trips since we converted our camper back in 2020.

And have spent more than 9 months combined, living and traveling through this absolutely breathtaking country.

Below I want to help you save time planning your own trip to Scotland, by taking you through what we believe to be the absolute best places to visit there this year.

ALL based on where we have personally visited.

Let's get straight into it ...

Travellerspoint

When is the best time to visit Scotland?

Scotland is the sort of place that offers something all year round, but different seasons have their perks. 

For example, if you visit in summer, you’ll have a higher chance of great sunshine, but you’ll be surrounded by midges.

If you don’t know what midges are, they’re the most annoying little mite/fly ever.

We first encountered them at the famous Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, and have feared them ever since!

We get them in Ireland in the summer too and they love blood, so they lovvvee to bite, and honestly, despite attempts at creams and sprays, they still bite! 

Scotland travel stats show that summer is, of course, the busiest season to visit. So it’ll be busy at most of the attractions, despite the highest chance of warm weather.

We have visited a few times in the autumn months (September to November) and I can honestly say it was perfect. 

Some days you will get lucky with the weather and on our first Autumn visit, we only experienced around a week's worth of rain in the six weeks we were there. 

It was cold but bearable, and I absolutely love being surrounded by autumn colours.

Plus there are two more benefits of visiting in Autumn: no midges AND a lot fewer tourists!

Getting around Scotland: What’s the best option?

• Drive : We 100% recommend driving around Scotland if you get the chance. It was easy for us because we toured Scotland in our self-converted campervan, but it’s super easy to rent a campervan / motorhome in Scotland . There are also plenty of car rentals available if campers aren't your kind of thing. When you drive you gain the ability to explore much more, discover unknown places and even experience wild camping in Scotland .
• ‍ Train : Scotland has a pretty decent train network and you can make it all the major sights in Scotland via train, plus the views on the trains are going to be spectacular. So if you don’t have a driving license, or simply don’t want to drive, then this is a good option. 

20 Best Places to Visit in Scotland 

1. glen coe (my favourite place in scotland).

If you asked me where my favourite place to visit in all of Scotland is….I would say, Glen Coe .

The whole area of Glen Coe constantly had my face in shock due to the beauty that I was witnessing.

I swear it felt like I was transported to another country .

It’s just a stream of dramatic mountains, lakes, rugged beauty and more. It was honestly such a magical place to visit and if you only have time to visit one place make it Glen Coe, it’s truly one of the most magical places in Scotland. 

Things to do in Glen Coe 

• Visit the Famous James Bond picture point (Co-ordinates here) 
• Check out the Glencoe mountain resort (if it’s in season, then ski or snowboard!) 
• Check out Rannoch Moor viewpoint 

2. Fort William

Fort William is probably one of the most well-known places to visit in Scotland.

It’s one of the first big towns in the Scottish Highlands and a popular tourist destination thanks to being home to the UK’s tallest mountain: Ben Nevis.

It’s also home to a ski centre so is a popular place for families to visit! 

We really liked Fort William and if the season was right we would have attempted to climb Ben Nevis, but even if you’re not there for the mountain itself, there are still lots of beautiful walks and views in this area to experience. 

Fort William is also the starting point for one of the world's most famous train rides: The Jacobite .

Harry Potter fans will recognise it as the Hogwarts Express, and this train ride will take you through the beautiful countryside, crossing some iconic Harry Potter filming locations such as the Dumbledore's Grave and the Glenfinnan Viaduct!

Things to do in Fort William 

• Climb Ben Nevis 
• Visit the Ben Nevis Ski Centre (go up the cable car to the mountain restaurant!) 
• Ride the Jacobite steam train 

Where to stay in Fort William

There are lots of great hotels in Fort William, but the Ben Nevis Hotel & Leisure Club has a heated indoor pool, perfect after hiking Ben Nevis!

For more ideas, check out my guide on the best Airbnbs Fort William has to offer.

3. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs national park

Loch Lomond has so much to offer every type of traveller visiting Scotland.

We loved spending time in this park, and when we visited in October, the season had finished for camping permits so we were able to wild camp in some beautiful spots! 

Loch Lomond is packed with amazing views, wonderful waterfalls, gorgeous hikes and abandoned castles.

There is something for everyone.

We loved the Three Lochs Forest drive located within the Trossachs National Park.

It was amazing and we got to wild camp in an amazing spot with no one else around! 

The Ben Lomond peak is the highest in the area, so it’s worth a hike! Bradley did this and found it really enjoyable! 

This is definitely one of the best places to visit in Scotland for families! 

Things to do in Loch Lomond 

• Climb Ben Lomond
• Take a boat cruise across Loch Lomond 
• Take the Three Lochs Forest Drive

Where to stay in Loch Lomond

Balloch is a great central town to stay in and the Queen on the Loch offers stylish rooms. For more inspiration, check out our guide on the best places to stay in Loch Lomond .

4. Cairngorms National park

We visited the Cairngorms National Park in December so some of the mountains were beginning to showcase snow, which was super exciting.

This is the largest national park in the UK so it’s another popular place to visit in Scotland and it’s no surprise why.

It’s absolutely beautiful and there’s so much happening at the Cairngorms National Park!

From skiing or meeting local reindeers, you’ll not go bored and you’ll be surrounded by beauty the entire time. 

There are lots of cute towns in this area too, but Aviemore is a good hot spot to visit stock up on snacks, petrol, and rent ski gear, or hiking gear if you need it! 

But my all-time favourite place to visit within the Cairngorms National Park area is the quaint town of Braemar. 

This is everything I wanted from a Scottish town, it’s adorable and oozes charm.

Go to the coffee shop called “The Wee Bothy” for amazing coffee, shortbread and lovely staff! 

I could live there! 

Braemar is also home to Braemar Castle which is super cool!

Visit at night time when it’s lit up for a unique experience. 

Things to do in Cairngorms National Park 

• Visit the Cairngorm Mountain for skiing (or get the funicular to the top for epic views!)-- It's due to reopen in late 2022, which means it's been closed for like 4 years. It was closed when we visited too, but the locals working there said the views are great!)
• Visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre (this area has the highest proportion of reindeer in Scotland) 
• Check out the Queen's Scottish residence at Balmoral Castle

5. Isle of Skye

We’ve only visited one island off Scotland so far, and that’s the Isle of Skye, but it lived up to our expectations and more!

The Isle of Skye is connected via the “Skye Bridge”, so it’s super convenient to get too. 

This island feels totally different from other parts of Scotland and is truly rugged and ready!

We spent almost a week on the Isle of Skye visiting all the hot spots including the Old Man of Storr, the Fairy Glen and so much more.

We even got to stay on a private island with its very own lighthouse, which was one of the coolest places I’ve ever visited and one of the most romantic places stay in Scotland (especially if you’re celebrating something!)

Read more in our Eilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage review .

Simply put, the Isle of Skye should be top of your Scotland itinerary! 

When you visit via the Skye bridge, you should definitely make a stop at the Eilean Donan Castle- it’s seriously cool and was free to walk around when we went.

Things to do on the Isle of Skye

• Stay on your own private island 
• Hike the Old Man of Storr 
• Discover Kilt Falls and dinosaur prints

Read More: 3 Day Isle of Skye itinerary

Where to stay on the Isle Of Skye

Check out my in-depth guide on the best places to stay on Skye .

6. The North Coast 

If you’ve decided to road trip the iconic NC500 , which is Scotland’s answer to route 66, then you’ll find yourself passing the North Coast of Scotland! 

We loved the North Coast because again, it offers something unique to other parts of Scotland.

There are lots of great towns along the way, and we can recommend a stop at BettyHill for cute coffee shops and friendly locals. 

When you visit the North Coast you’ll have to stop at John O Groats since it’s the furthest point on mainland UK.

Visit the colourful houses, grab a coffee and then go searching for dolphins, sharks and seals! (We saw seals) 

Things to do on the North Coast of Scotland 

• Visit Smoo Cave (a free, but REALLY cool cave - one of the more unique attractions in Scotland!)
• Visit Duncansby head and stacks (be prepared for wind!)
• Visit the John O Groats beer distillery 

Read More: The Best Road Trips in Scotland

We’ve visited Glasgow twice now, and it will always make my list of the best places to visit in Scotland!

I may struggle with the accent, but the people, the sights, the atmosphere is all worth it. 

Glasgow is an awesome place to have a city break.

The university grounds are beautiful in Autumn, the Kelvin grove Art Gallery & Museum is amazing and there are so many great pubs and bars for buzzing nightlife. 

Things to do in Glasgow

• Check out the Riverside Museum 
• Relax at St George's Square 
• Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum 

Where to stay in Glasgow

There are so many amazing hotels in Glasgow, you can search for them all right here .

8. Galloways (SW Coastal route)

If you want to visit an area of Scotland that’s not overly touristy, then a road trip to the South West Coast should be top of your list.

The Scottish tourism board actually created a road trip called the Southwest Coastal 300 , which you can probably guess is a 300-mile road trip of the south west Coast!

Bradley and I did it and we loved this area of Scotland.

The hub of the area is the Galloways National Park (where you can actually go searching for stars at night), but this area of Scotland is breathtaking but didn’t feel overly busy to me.

There are so many castles and tea rooms here- I LOVED it!

I’d say this is one of the more unique places to visit in Scotland in comparison to everywhere else we visited. 

Things to do on the Southwest Coastal route

• Visit the Galloway Lighthouse (It’s the most south-westerly point in Scotland and you can see 3 other countries from here!) 
• Visit the beautiful Culzean Castle (one of my favourite castles in Scotland)
• Visit Caerlaverock Castle (awh-mazing!)

Where to stay near Galloways National Park

Check out my guide on the best hotels on the west coast of Scotland .

9. Inverness 

Inverness is probably my favourite city in Scotland (that I’ve been too so far). 

I love that it’s a city, but it’s small.

It’s basically the capital of the Scottish Highlands but it’s charming and quaint .

You could easily see all the best sights in Inverness in a day if you’re short for time, but what’s nice about this city is that you can just wander around and explore without the worry of getting lost. 

I also love that Inverness isn’t overpriced, so if you’re looking for one of the more cheap places to visit in Scotland, then Inverness won’t break the bank!

Things to do in Inverness 

• Check out Inverness Castle at sunset 
• Visit the largest second-hand bookstore in Scotland (really cool attraction in Inverness!) 
• Shop at the Victorian Market 

Where to stay in Inverness

There are some great hotel deals in Inverness that you can book right here .

10. Loch Ness

You can’t go to Scotland and NOT go in search of Nessie!

Before we visited Scotland this was definitely one of my bucket list places to visit.

Just because I’ve heard so much about it.

I really wanted to do a Loch Ness cruise and learn more about the myth of Nessie , but we visited during Covid times and they weren’t running due to low visitors! 

But it’s still a cool place to visit in Scotland and we even got to wild camp right on the Loch Ness lake, which was pretty cool.

Since this is only a short drive from Inverness, it’s often a popular day trip for visitors. 

Things to do in Loch Ness

• Take a loch cruise and search for Nessie ( Book your tour right here! )
• Check out Urquhart Castle
• Walk around the loch (there are various small walking trails) 

Where to stay in Loch Ness

Lots of great Airbnbs available, and this Luxury Croft overlooks Loch Ness on it's own private deck, amazing! Book it here .

11. Stirling 

Stirling is a really cool city in Scotland since it’s sort of created around this awesome castle.

It’s a charming city full of character, and I’m pretty sure I counted like 16 coffee shops on my visit.

We wandered the old town, grabbed some lunch and just took in the sights.

We also did a walk just outside the city centre and got epic views from Sterling from above.

I think this is a beautiful place to visit in Scotland if you’re looking for a romantic city break! 

Things to do in Stirling

• Visit Stirling Castle (it’s not cheap though!)
• Wander the cobblestone streets of the Old Town
• Visit the National Wallace Monument 

Where to stay in Stirling

Stirling has a wide range of hotels available that you can book here.

Bradley and I sort of stumbled across Oban because we needed to get a replacement on our van tyre, but it was definitely worth the drive.

Known as the seafood capital of Scotland, this town is a tourist hot spot in the summer months.

It’s small but mighty! 

We wandered around the town, checking out the shops and views of Ballimore and the Isle of Mull.

We also checked out the McCaig's Tower which was really unique and felt like I’d been transported to Rome! 

Things to do in Oban 

• Catch an awesome view at the McCaig's Tower
• Eat seafood at one of the seat front restaurants
• Visit the Oban Distillery 

You may also like: Best dog friendly hotels in Scotland

Where to stay in Oban

Since it's a popular tourist town, there are lots of hotels to choose from.

‍ Check them out here.

13. Glenfinnan 

Glenfinnan is 100% one of the most beautiful places to visit in Scotland.

Not only can you go to the Glenfinnan Viaduct and catch a view of the Harry Potter train coming across the tracks, but there are so many beautiful walks and sights in this area.

Just across the road from the Viaduct, you’ve got the Glenfinnan Monument with simply amazing views across Loch Shiel and if you drive a little further down the area you’ll come to Loch Eilt which was used a lot in the Harry Potter movies. 

Things to do in Glenfinnan

• Catch a view of the Jacobite Express crossing the viaduct 
• Visit the Glenfinnan Station Museum 
• Taking a cruise on Loch Shiel 

Where to stay in Glenfinnan

Cabin Camas Tana is the ultimate place to stay in Glenfinnan; pure Scottish vibes!

‍ Book it here.

14. Mallaig 

Mallaig is a port town in the Scottish Highlands that is significant due to the workings of the town.

You can either drive there or visit as part of a ride on the Jacobite Express , but it’s worth visiting this small area.

It's a one way in, one way out sort of road, but you can get ferries to other islands in Scotland from here, including the Isle of Skye.

This small town is now home to tourism, but once was thriving fishing, working village.

Now you can visit one of the coffee shops, grab a bite to eat, take a walk around the harbour and pick up some souvenirs! 

Things to do in Mallaig

• Visit the Mallaigh Visitor centre 
• Take a walk around the Pier 
• Grab some fish & chips 

Where to stay in Mallaig

Glenwood glamping pods are a great choice!

Book your stay here.

15. Applecross 

Applecross is one of the towns made famous by the NC500 , but what’s really unique about this pace is that it’s literally in the middle of nowhere.

You drive across an epic mountain pass and eventually, you’ll come to the very small town of Applecross.

It’s raw, it’s beautiful and randomly, it’s home to a hotel, Michelin guide restaurant and lots of deer.

This is one of the best places to visit in Scotland by car and you can’t get there via public transport. 

Things to do in Applecross

• Drive the epic mountain pass known as Bealach na Bà
• Dine at the Applecross inn
• Take one of the many walking trails on offer 

Where to stay in Applecross

The Applecross Inn of course! Book your stay here.

If that's sold out, Fearnmore House not far from Applecross. Book this Airbnb here.

16. Edinburgh

Last but not least on our Scotland travel guide is to visit the capital city of Edinburgh.

We visited over my birthday and it was fantastic.

Edinburgh was everything I'd hoped it would be and more.

Cute cobblestone streets, a ridiculous amount of cute coffee shops, amazing vibes and much more.

I'd say it's one of the best places to visit in Scotland and makes for a perfect Scottish city break. Better yet, you can always hire a car in Edinburgh and then head out to explore the surrounding area.

Things to do in Edinburgh

• Visit the iconic Edinburgh Castle
• Shop at the historical Victoria Street
• Check out the National Museum of Scotland

Where to stay in Edinburgh

It's a capital city so there is lots of choice for accommodation. Including some lovely hotels with pools !

17. Falkirk

Wedged between Glasgow and Edinburgh, Falkirk was an unexpected place to visit, but left a lasting impression!

This is a really cool place to visit in Scotland and is home to some super unique sights. 

Firstly, you’ve got the Falkirk Wheel, which is truly random as it’s the ONLY rotating boat lift in the world. 

This is run by the Scottish Canals and a visit here will allow you to not only take a boat cruise but there is so much to see and do on-site, including, crazy golf, waterpark for kids, segway safari, canoeing, and so much more! 

It’s a perfect place to visit in Scotland if you’ve got children, but both Brad and I enjoyed it as adults! 

Falkirk is also home to “The Kelpies” which are truly epic.

They are 30-meter-high horse-head sculptures depicting kelpies and based on legend.

They are a sight to behold and you should 100% visit at nightfall when they light up. It was a fantastic sight to see, very unusual and one of my favourite things to do in Scotland!

Also, if you’re visiting a campervan or motorhome, you can stay at the Helix Carpark (which is where the Kelpies are” for £5 a night which is perfect if you want to see them lit up in the evening! 

Things to do in Falkirk 

• Ride the Falkirk Wheel 
• Admire the Kelpies at night 
• Check out the Torwood Blue Pool

Where to stay in Falkirk 

If you’re not wild camping, then there are a range of hotels in Falkirk to suit you, and you can even rent out boats on the Scottish canals! 

18. Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a coastal city in Scotland located on the east coast.

It’s a typical port city and offers ample opportunities for shopping.

But when visiting here, I suggest you head to the beach, park up, take a stroll along the promenade, and perhaps grab a bite to eat at one of the many on-beach restaurants and cafes.

Then, you should visit Codona's amusement park, which again is perfect for kids, or just big kids like Brad and I. 

We had a wander and played some crazy golf, but there’s also really cool go-kart racing, roller coasters, general amusement games, and much more! 

Things to do in Aberdeen 

• Go on a shopping spree
• Have fun at Codona’s amusement park
• Take a day trip to Craigievar Castle (the pink castle of Scotland!)

Where to stay in Aberdeen 

Being a very popular coastal city, there's lots of choice for accommodation that you can check out here.

19. St Andrews 

Golf enthusiasts will want to visit St Andrews for the fact that it’s home to one of the world’s most famous and oldest golf courses!

‍ That’s partly why Bradley wanted to visit, and we managed to visit on a day where the sun was shining, so we strolled alongside the golf courses and the beautiful beach. 

But, even if you’re not interested in golf, St Andrews should still be on your list of places to visit in Scotland because it’s a super cute and beautiful town!

Lots of sweet shops, cafes, and much more.

We situated ourselves in the British Golf Museums restaurants because they offered amazing views of the beach and golf courses and a range of great food- so we can recommend there! 

Things to do in St Andrews 

• Walk beside the golf courses of St Andrews 
• Stroll along the beach and if you’re brave, try surfing 
• Check out St Andrews cathedral and St Andrews Castle 

Where to stay in St Andrews 

Find all the best accommodation in St Andrews right here.

20. Portknockie

This is a cute little village on the Northeast coast of Scotland and if you’re driving the North East 250 Scotland road trip , then you’ll come across it.

I signify this as a point of interest because it’s got a couple of good sites around it.

Firstly, you’ll have to visit Bow Fiddle Rock which is truly an amazing natural rock formation, and worth visiting, and secondly, there is also Findlater Castle not far down the road. 

Things to do in Portknockie (The North East of Scotland) 

• Grab fish and chips in the village town 
• Take photos of the epic Bow Fiddle Rock 
• Check out the remains of Findlater Castle 

Where to stay in the North East of Scotland

There are lots of places to choose from when it comes to hotels in the North East of Scotland, and Portknockie is home to selection too.

Over to you

‍ So there you have it, my guide to the best places to visit in Scotland.

I hope you’ve found this guide helpful or inspirational in planning your next Scottish adventure.

Which one are you most excited to visit?

Drop me a comment below.

Leave a comment

Let us know what you think.

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Walking Holidays in Scotland | A Guide to Exploring a Wee Country’s Big Terrain

Discovering Scotland’s wild and varied landscape on foot is a simple way to access real adventure. Here, Scottish local, Amy Marwick, shares her favourite spots and top tips for Scottish walking holidays.

Scotland’s wilderness offers the enthusiastic walker an endless supply of terrain to explore from high mountains to rugged coastlines, to temperate rainforests, remote glens, and ancient forests – just don’t forget your waterproof jacket !

Thanks to Scotland’s fast changing weather however, you’re just as likely to enjoy some dry spells and amazing views whenever you decide to visit.

Scotland has two National Parks; the Cairngorm National Park (the largest in the UK and home to four of the five highest mountains in the UK), and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs (Scotland’s first national park), both of which are covered in this guide. However, Scotland’s wilderness extends far beyond the boundaries of these parks, with an extensive network of trails to explore, wildlife to see, and summits to climb on your next walking trip.

Why Choose Scotland for Your Walking Holiday?

• Cairngorms National Park
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
• Kintyre Peninsula

Types of Walking Holidays in Scotland

Planning your walking holiday in scotland.

If you’re looking for untamed beauty and real adventure, Scotland’s backcountry is the place to be. Besides the awesome terrain and trails, Scotland’s land has a rich and varied history with fascinating folklore and culture to discover. Just make sure you’ve got all the right gear and an open mind when it comes to weather.

Scotland's wilderness is a treasure trove for walkers.

The sheer space, diverse terrain and spectacular scenery in Scotland provide a backdrop for unforgettable walking holidays. Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled by the chance to spot deer, otters, beavers, eagles, and even the Scottish wildcat (and mysterious wild Haggis). Our “right to roam” policy, enshrined in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, allows everyone to cross any land for recreational purposes (with some restrictions – check before you go). This means that you can wild camp and explore freely, truly adding to that sense of adventure (just make sure you adhere to the Scottish Access Outdoor Code.

Scotland’s summits rival any mountain range in the world.

Scotland's highest mountains, peaks over 3,000 feet, are known as “Munros”. There are 282 Munros in the Scottish Highlands, spread out over Grampian Mountains, the Northwest Highlands, and the islands off the west coast. While “Munro Bagging” (ticking off all 282 summits) is a popular past time with mountain hikers worldwide, summiting a few of them, or simply strolling amongst their towering peaks and hulking crags, is a great goal for any walking holiday in Scotland.  Varying in difficulty, these mountains offer everything from challenging ridge scrambles to cruisy plateau walks, each with magnificent views (if you time it right), and there are many options to link several summits in a single push.

Where are the Best Walking Holidays in Scotland?

This entirely depends on what kind of walker you are. Are you keen to clock some miles and vertical meters? Or are you ready to slow down the pace, enjoy the views and keep an eye open for wildlife? While we’ve covered five of our favourite areas in this guide, there are countless other areas in Scotland to explore from the Scottish Borders to the Outer Hebrides to the Shetland Isles. And don’t forget Scotland’s top four long-distance trails (the West Highland Way, Great Glen Way, Southern Upland Way, and Speyside Way). These stunning routes can be explored at your own pace and as such popular itineraries, there are excellent resources available to help you plan self guided walking holidays on them. But lets get on to our favourite walking holidays in Scotland.

Walking holidays in the Cairngorms: Exploring the UK’s largest National Park

The Cairngorm National Park is a haven for walkers. The mountains here are large and looming, with deep valleys, rolling summits, and sheer north faces where climbers from all over the globe come to test their skills. For walkers, there are trails for all levels at any distance. 

Head for Glen Feshie or Glenmore and slow down amongst the last remnants of the ancient Caledonian Forest. Home to whispering Scots pines, that at one point would have covered much of the Highlands, and some of the rarest wildlife in the UK, such as red squirrels, ospreys, and the elusive capercaillie. 

For those who seek a challenge, many of park’s summits are doable in a day, so long as you have basic equipment and navigation experience. The paths are exceptionally well maintained and once you get high enough, you can tick off several Munros without losing too much height.

 Insider tips for a walking holiday in the Cairngorms:     

 • The Cairngorm Mountain ski area car park sits at 600m, making it an excellent springboard for accessing the peaks beyond, whether you take a tour around the Northern Corries or commit to reaching Ben Macdui (the second highest mountain in Britain).

 • Weather on the Cairngorm plateau is changeable (at best), be prepared for all eventualities and if you are at all unsure, hire a local guide to help you navigate walking this wild terrain. Check out the  Mountain Weather Information Service for detailed forecasts.

 • There are 14  mountain bothies inside the National Park which make for great overnight stop offs for hikers (note that these simple cottage-like buildings are a far cry from an Alpine hut with few or no facilities, however their sturdy stone walls can be a welcome refuge from a Highland storm).

 • You can start the Speyside Way walk at the foot of the Cairngorms in Aviemore and follow the well-marked, undulating walking trail for 65 miles all the way to Buckie on the shore of the Moray Firth.

 • The Speyside area is world famous for whisky (and increasingly for gin), don’t forget to make a stop at one of the six distilleries within the National Park when you’re ready to rest weary feet.  

Walking holidays in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park: Scenic Lochside Walks, Mountain Hikes and Skinny Dipping

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is another prime destination for walking holidays in Scotland. While the Cairngorms is by far the more mountainous and rugged park, the Trossachs is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and is still home to 21 Munros, as well 22 deep blue lochs fringed by lush forests.

Loch Lomond itself is the UK’s largest inland stretch of water and sits just 45 minutes north of Glasgow. At such proximity to Scotland’s biggest city, the shores of Loch Lomond can become hideously busy at holiday times and weekends. Follow one of the walking trails for just a kilometre or so into the foothills however, and you’ll be greeted by a sudden calm.

Walkers can jump onto the famous West Highland Way, which passes through the park, or take on the challenge of climbing Ben Lomond (Scotland’s most climbed Munro) for spectacular views of Loch Lomond and the surrounding area. The Trossachs offer gentler walks with equally impressive scenery, making it a perfect spot for walkers of all abilities.

Insider tips for a walking holiday in the Trossachs:

 • The Trossachs have long been inspiration for artists and poets and now there is an Art & Literature Trail along the shores of Loch Katrine – well worth a stroll if you’re in need of inspiration.

 • The West Highland Way was the first trail of its kind to open in Scotland. Meandering through much of the park, its 154km are a pilgrimage for walkers around the globe – a great walk for solo travellers who are keen to meet other doing the same thing.

 • Don’t forget to pack your swimmers (or not) – many of the loch shores are dotted with small, almost private, sandy beaches, perfect for cooling off after a hot summer hike.

Walking holidays on the Kintyre Peninsula: Island Hopping, Ancient Ruins, and Rainforest Trails 

On the southernmost tip of Argyll in the southwest of Scotland, the 45-mile-long Kintyre peninsula and its surrounding islands provide a unique walking experience. Perhaps best known these days thanks to Paul McCartney’s tribute song, “Mull of Kintyre”, the peninsula is enhanced by its remote location which keeps the crowds away. This special corner of Scotland features rugged coastlines, hilly terrain and dense foliage. Steeped in history, the area is dotted with Neolithic historic sites and storied crumbling castles, once home to Scottish clans or the site of Viking invasions.

Much of the woodland is classed as rare Temperate Atlantic Rainforest thanks to the mild climate and humid, damp conditions – but don’t be deterred! This makes for a beautiful, deep green landscape with a different feel to much of the West Highlands and a vast array of flora. Notable walking routes include the Kintyre Way, which spans 100 miles from Tarbert to Machrihanish, and the scenic coastal path from Campbeltown to Southend.

 Insider tips for a walking holiday on the Kintyre Peninsula:

 • For the historians amongst you… Take a walk around Kilmartin Glen to find ancient standing stone circles and burial cairns.

 • The Crinan Canal, known as "Britain's most beautiful shortcut," provides a picturesque backdrop for leisurely walks along its towpaths.    

 • The nearby islands of Islay and Jura to the west, and Arran to the east, are just a short ferry journey away. They offer spectacular mountain hikes and make great extra stops to round off your Scottish walking holiday.

Walking holidays in Glencoe: Mountain Turrets and Steep Ascents

Glencoe is renowned for its towering summits and dramatic views. This iconic glen offers some of the most challenging and rewarding walks in Scotland. The jagged peaks, deep valleys, and sea lochs beyond provide a stunning backdrop for hiking, reminiscent of Norwegian fjords.

Not for the faint hearted, much of the best walking in Glencoe starts with steep ascents straight from the car park.

If you’re happy with sustained climbs, narrow ridgelines, and scrambling terrain, then look no further, Glencoe offers these in abundance.

My favourite walking route has to be the loop around Bidean nam Bean, via Coire nan Lochan on the way up, and The Lost Valley on the way back down. Or for a challenging walk and airy ridgeline adventure, why not tackle the turrets and spines of the Aonach Eagach ridge.

Insider tips for walking holidays in Glencoe:  

 • Don’t leave Glencoe without a visit to the Clachaig Inn back bar for some well-deserved scran, and, if you’re lucky, live music, and a raucous party.   

 • If you’re in need of a cooling dip, there is a lagoon-like rock pool on the river Coe, tucked away behind Glencoe Village, complete with rock jumps.

Walking holidays in Assynt: Wilderness, Wildlife, and Serious Sunsets

Head further still up the west coast of Scotland, beyond Ullapool, and you will eventually hit Assynt. Remote, sparsely populated, and wild, it’s the perfect walking holiday destination if you’re in search of peace and isolation. Ridge after ridge of rocky mountains rise sharply from moorland carpeted with purple heather, ferns, and inhabited only by wildlife. An excellent spot for animal sightings and birdwatchers, Assynt offers one of your best chances of spotting Golden eagles soaring overhead and capering otters on the loch shores.

The area is small enough that you could easily tick off walking its main summits in a week, or simply enjoy exploring the caves, waterfalls, white sand beaches, and loch spattered moorland.

Insider tips for walking holidays in Assynt, North West Highlands:

 • Mountain trails in this area are much less frequented (or completely non-existent) so be prepared to negotiate rough, rocky and sometimes boggy terrain.

 • Get yourself to the summit of Cul Mor or Canisp for sunset and expect some seriously stunning views out towards the sea and of the spectacular turrets of Stac Pollaidh to the south.   

 • A visit to Assynt would not be complete without walking to its most western corner for views of the Old Man of Stoer, an impressive sea stack, and the best place for spotting coastal wildlife, whales, and dolphins.  

 • For those in search of a real walking adventure, why not try a hike, camp, and kayak combo? Try paddling from Elphin across Loch Veyatie, and onto Fionn Loch, before summiting Suilven. And for a further extension, portage your boat over to Loch Sionascaig, to follow up with topping out on Cul Mor and Stac Pollaidh. 

Self-Guided Walking Holidays: Explore at Your Own Pace

Scotland has a vast network of walking trails that are marked and maintained, making it easy to plan your own adventure. Resources like Walk Highlands provide extremely detailed information on routes, maps, and accommodation options and apps like Fatmap and All Trails rate, review and map out hikes suggested by others.

Guided Walking Holidays: Guided Tours and Mountain Guides

For those who prefer a more structured experience, guided walking holidays in Scotland offer the benefit of expert guides, local knowledge, and very little planning on your part. Companies like Wilderness Scotland offer group walking holidays that include everything from handpicked accommodation, luggage transfer, and meals, to a walking tour through some of the most beautiful and remote parts of the country. Alternatively, you could hire a mountain guide for a couple of days in the area you’d like to explore, and then get their advice on walking routes that would be suitable for you to tackle alone.

Choosing the Right Time to Visit

Scotland's weather is notoriously unpredictable, so choosing the right time to visit for a walking trip can be tricky. May and June are my favourite months to explore Scotland. The midges aren’t quite in full flow (especially on the west coast), the weather is generally more stable, and long stretches of hot (for Scotland) sunny weather are not unheard of (especially in a La Nina year).

July and August can be a stonking hit or a glaring miss, but if you’ve got the right gear, you’ll enjoy walking in Scotland no matter what (whilst wondering what everyone else is complaining about). September and October can be stormy or sunny, but at least a little quieter than the summer months with fewer midges and a beautiful change in the landscape. Winter walks are possible but require more preparation and experience due to significantly harsher conditions.

Packing Essentials 

When packing for a walking holiday in Scotland, it's essential to be prepared for all weather conditions, but perhaps most importantly – don’t forget your waterproofs.

 • If you’re walking in the summer you might just need a  lightweight waterproof jacket , but we’d recommend considering packing a robust waterproof jacket too, just in case the weather takes a turn, as well as waterproof trousers .

 • A midgey head net is essential (NB These have much finer mesh than mosquito nets!) and some midge spray, especially if you're doing any camping.

 • Walking boots or approach shoes .

 • A lightweight insulated jacket is useful for throwing on for chilly starts or on the summit. 

 • Hat and gloves - even in summer the temperatures can vary wildly from the valley floor to the Munro tops.

 • Walking poles are highly recommend, particularly if you plan to tackle the Munros. 

 • A flask for a hot drink can be a welcome treat on a blustery summit.

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The leading voice on life, politics, culture and social activism direct to your inbox.

Scottish government ends free bus travel for asylum seekers: 'Disappointing and devastating'

Free bus travel boosted mental health and integration for asylum seekers, refugee organisations said. But the Scottish government has ended a £2million pilot

Asylum seekers were given free bus travel in Scotland under a pilot scheme. Image: V267 ESX/Flickr

Refugee organisations have criticised the Scottish government’s “disappointing and devastating” decision to end free bus travel for asylum seekers.

The scheme provided a “glimpse of hope for the future” for asylum seekers, said the leader of one charity, as the government decided to end a pilot which had run since October 2023.

Free travel reduced isolation, enhanced integration, and improved health and wellbeing for asylum seekers – who are unable to work and survive on less than £50 a week – said Ekta Marwaha, chief executive of Refugee Sanctuary Scotland.

“It is concerning and disappointing to hear this news today and we are sorry to all the asylum seekers who had been shown a glimpse of hope for the future,” Marwaha told the Big Issue.

STATEMENT ON FREE BUS TRAVEL We are extremely disappointed with the announcement by the Scottish Government to scrap the commitment to implement the Free Bus Travel pilot scheme for people seeking asylum in Scotland. @scotgov @FionaHyslop pic.twitter.com/8f2BcL5a09 — Maryhill Integration Network (@Maryhill_IN) August 19, 2024

Announced in October 2023 with £2m of funding, Scotland’s initiative inspired similar calls across the country. Oxfordshire County Council was considering bus travel for asylum seekers as of June , with one Green Party councillor branding it “performative cruelty” to deny them a bus pass.

A campaign in London has pushed Sadiq Khan to adopt a similar policy, and at a protest in February asylum seekers told the Big Issue they had missed dental appointments and struggled with education as they were unable to travel.

Scotland’s is not the only government-backed scheme to be rolled back. In Wales, a “Welcome Ticket” scheme for buses and trains which had run since March 2022 ended on 31 March – but the Welsh government said it planned a future replacement.

“This decision will have a significant negative impact for people seeking asylum in Scotland. For some, it was a last ray of hope under such difficult and hostile policies,” said the Maryhill Integration Network on X as it shared the news.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said:   “The Scottish government is having to make very difficult decisions to deliver balanced and sustainable spending plans for the 2024-25 financial year, therefore it is unaffordable to progress piloting free bus travel for all people seeking asylum in Scotland. 

“People seeking asylum in Scotland who are currently eligible for free bus travel through the National Concessionary Travel Schemes, including those under 22 and over 60 years of age and those with disabilities, will continue to be able to make use of their entitlement. 

“We remain committed to supporting people seeking asylum, refugees and communities through the New Scots refugee integration strategy approach. We want to work collaboratively with the UK government to contribute ideas that build on shared priorities and where possible provide evidence of impacts and needs. By working together and sharing learning, there is great potential for tangible improvements to be made for refugees and people seeking asylum living in the UK.”

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more . Big Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the  App Store  or  Google Play .

• Asylum seekers
• environment and community
• public transport

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Watch CBS News

Wreck believed to be WWI ship that sank with over 500 sailors found in "remarkable" condition

By Kerry Breen

Updated on: August 16, 2024 / 10:17 AM EDT / CBS News

A group of divers working off the coast of Scotland found the wreck of what's believed to be a World War I ship that sank with more than 500 sailors on board. 

The HMS Hawke was torpedoed by a German U-boat on Oct. 15, 1914, according to Lost in Waters Deep , a U.K. agency that memorializes naval losses from World War I. The Royal Navy warship caught fire and sank in fewer than eight minutes, according to CBS News partner the BBC , with just 70 sailors surviving. In total, 524 sailors died when the ship sank near northern Scotland. 

A "group of very experienced technical divers" determined the site where they believe the Hawke sank, Lost in Waters Deep said. They dove to the wreck, which is about 360 feet underwater, on Aug. 11. 

Diver Steve Mortimer told the BBC the team identified the wreck site with a variety of research methods. He and other team members reviewed the day journal of the U-boat commander, which gave them an idea of where the ship had been when it fired the torpedo at the Hawke and looked at logs of other ships that communicated with the Hawke before its sinking.

The team also reviewed reports of an "obstruction" in the area reported by Scottish fisheries in the 1980s. Divers found nothing at the obstruction site, but the large shipwreck was discovered less than a mile away. 

"It took years of research, but the actual time on the ground was just a few hours," Mortimer told the BBC. 

The wreckage will be formally identified by the Royal Navy in the coming weeks, the BBC reported. Mortimer called the wreck a "really remarkable time capsule." 

"There is a wonderful captain's walkway around the back of the stern. There's loads of guns because obviously she was a warship," Mortimer told the BBC. "There's lots of Royal Navy crockery. It is fascinating. She clearly was taken completely by surprise because lots of the portholes are still open ... You can look into the portholes and see rooms with artifacts - teacups, bowls and plates just there on the floor." 

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the year that the ship sank. It was 1914, not 1913.

• United Kingdom
• World War I

Kerry Breen is a news editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, she previously worked at NBC News' TODAY Digital. She covers current events, breaking news and issues including substance use.

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10 things only Scottish locals know – and you should too before traveling there

May 22, 2023 • 6 min read

Pack for weather of all kinds for your trip to Scotland © Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock

Jam-packed with hidden glens, haunted castles and cryptic lochs, overrun with mind-boggling festivals and melodious bagpipe players, and soaked in peated whisky , gin and rain, Scotland can be as baffling as it is brilliant.

This country specializes in astonishing travelers at the same time as confounding them, delivering a double punch of euphoria and disbelief. Not that you’d know it from the chipper locals who take everything in their stride.

For all the undreamed-of scenarios that you can encounter while here – summer hiking in shorts with an umbrella, for instance, or being terrorized by an invisible nuisance, the blood-sucking midge – the truth is that Scotland is an easy country to crack if you know the answer to some crucial questions and practicalities.

What’s the smartest way to travel around when venturing outside of Edinburgh ? How long do you need to make a trip to Scotland's islands worthwhile? Is it really OK to eat a deep-fried Mars Bar in Glasgow ? (Spoiler: yes, but no one ever really does.)

Here are a few key things and etiquette tips to know before traveling to Scotland.

Pack for all seasons, even in summer...

A joke often told is that Scotland had a great summer last year – it was on a Wednesday. It’s a tongue-in-cheek punchline, of course, but there’s a kernel of truth at its core: the country’s weather is a carousel of ever-variegated four-season shifts, with summer days often wet, wild and glorious all in the same place at nearly the same time.

For the most dependably bright and dry weather, visit in May, early June or September. If gray is your favorite color, any time of year will suit you fine.

...and check the weather if you’re going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Look away now if you don’t want the grim news. Despite the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world’s largest arts gathering, taking place in so-called peak summer in August, the event is often a washout. Waterproof shoes and an umbrella that you don’t mind getting blown inside out are as essential as a healthy appetite for comedy, theater, circus and raucous beer gardens.

Scottish pound sterling banknotes are valid everywhere in the UK

It sounds absurd, but the variety of banknotes in the UK can be bewildering. All pound sterling bills, whether printed in Scotland, England or Northern Ireland, are legal tender and valid across the country. You can spend English bills in Scotland, but many retailers won’t accept Scottish bills south of the border. Some foreign exchange services even provide worse rates for Scottish-printed bills.

Be wary when talking politics

Scotland is a divided country, politically speaking at least. On one hand, the independence movement is growing, but some Scots resolutely want to remain part of the United Kingdom. For a simple crash course, know that Scotland is a de facto separate country already with its own parliament – it exists in a political and monetary union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland – and that way you won’t raise the ire when chatting with locals in the pub.

The next decade could see unprecedented change in Scotland. A second independence referendum is often touted, after the 2014 referendum before Brexit failed to get over the line, but Westminster has resisted the call. Even a bare-bones understanding of the country’s sociopolitical history will deepen the pleasure of traveling to Scotland and remind you that you’re not just visiting a place, but a moment in time.

Driving outside the cities can be an art form

On first impression, Scotland is a pipsqueak in terms of European geography. It's easy to digest on the map and then drive around in a matter of days, right? Wrong.

Perhaps the most consequential effect of its jigsaw-puzzle shape, with crooked sea lochs, knobby islands and corkscrewing glens, is that getting from A to B outside the main cities always takes longer than the GPS and Google Maps suggest.

Roads are often single lane, requiring pulling to the side of the road to let oncoming vehicles pass (a friendly wave is part of the roadside theater). Slow-moving vehicles like tractors, campers and motorhomes can grind traffic to a halt, particularly on the now infamous North Coast 500 . Wayward sheep and red deer might also take over the road.

Patience is key, and a car or camper will get you to where you want to go faster – and more efficiently – than using Scotland's skeletal train and bus network . Or take your bike, inflatable kayak or canoe on a Scotrail service, now amped-up with more bike carriages and space for bulky sports gear, to see all the parts in between. 

Plan for more time, not less

The biggest regret of first-time visitors to Scotland? Trying to cram too much into a single trip. If you’re spending time in Edinburgh and Glasgow and then the Highlands or Stirling and Perthshire , you’ll need at least a week. Add the Isle of Skye or the Outer Hebrides to your itinerary, and you’ll need two weeks – and you’ll still be struggling to catch your breath.

To do Scotland and its idiosyncratic islands justice, you really need three to four weeks. Travel more sustainably and focus on one chunk in particular, like the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway or Aberdeenshire and Moray . Do this, and you’ll be encouraged to stop more regularly and invest more back into the rural towns and villages you might otherwise whizz through. 

Wear a kilt if you want

The stereotypical link between the historical birthright to wear a kilt and the act of doing so is gibberish. Everyone looks better in a pleated, knee-length skirt and furry sporran, regardless of gender, nationality or patriotism to Scotland. If you need a new addition to your wardrobe, there’s nowhere better than Scotland to get measured up in tartan.

Don’t be afraid to join in

Going to the pub is a national pastime in Scotland, verging on a human right. The Scots are among the world’s friendliest, most approachable people. They love to binge on alcohol too – cue a whole dictionary of words for drinking, like blootered, bladdered, hammered, steamin’, smashed and wrecked – and see no harm in inviting a complete stranger to share a drink or dram, particularly around Hogmanay (New Year).

Expect to be invited to parties and pubs more so than you would be in many other places around the world. Like anywhere else, though, take care and be aware of your surroundings.

Is it safe to drink the tap water? 

Yes. The one thing Scotland isn’t short of is water. Cut down on single-use plastic with a refillable bottle, and take advantage of the free network of rivers and lochs when embracing the great outdoors.

Can travelers get free health care in Scotland?

NHS Scotland, the country’s devolved National Health Service system, is a cornerstone of life, and visitors from most European countries are covered for certain emergency treatments should they have an accident while on vacation. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is the key for this, while travelers from elsewhere should check on reciprocal healthcare agreements between their home country and the UK.

This article was first published Sep 4, 2022 and updated May 22, 2023.

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Self-driving shuttles trialled at airport

Those behind the scheme hope it will enhance accessibility, reduce passenger travel times and significantly decrease CO2 emissions, contributing towards Scotland's net-zero goals.

Scotland reporter @Jenster13

Wednesday 21 August 2024 12:02, UK

Two driverless passenger shuttle vehicles have hit the road as part of a pilot project in the Scottish Highlands.

A four-seater Aurrigo Auto-Pod and larger 10-seater Aurrigo Auto-Shuttle have been launched to help improve the connection between Inverness Airport and the nearby railway station.

Currently, passengers have to walk the whole 1.2km route between the terminal and train station or take the shuttle bus, for which there is a charge without the Go-Hi app.

During the trial, the auto-pod will cover about 750m of the journey.

The larger vehicle will also be used to offer transport around the University of the Highlands and Islands Inverness campus.

The pilot is scheduled to run until 30 August.

During the trial, only two people will be carried in the pod as a safety operator will be stationed in the front seats.

The shuttle will carry eight people, with a safety team of two in the front cab.

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The project aims to gauge public perception surrounding autonomous vehicle technology and will assess the feasibility of introducing an on-demand, low-cost connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) service to the region.

Professor David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo, said: "The aviation industry as a whole offers countless opportunities for this innovative technology to enhance operations, improve safety, and transform the passenger experience."

Read more from Sky News: Self-driving cars found to be safer - except at dawn, dusk, or when turning 'World's first' driverless bus service doesn't quite live up to the hype

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Project partners include the University of Glasgow, Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), Aurrigo International plc, Stagecoach North Scotland, and Darwin Innovation Group Ltd.

It has been funded through Innovate UK and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.

Ranald Robertson, HITRANS director, said the project will help improve understanding of what passenger transport might look like in the Highlands and Islands in the future.

He added: "The trial will test two different types of driverless shuttle with both operations providing a real test of what this technology can offer both at Inverness Airport and Inverness Campus."

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• Driverless Cars

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