how many tourists visit edinburgh each year

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Edinburgh Facts and Figures

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A year round global destination, it is no surprise that Edinburgh is one of the world's most visited cities.

Edinburgh By Numbers

• Edinburgh city is home to a population of nearly 500,000, 1.6 million regionally.
• The city is a major tourism centre and welcomes over 4 million visitors annually, injecting £1.2 billion in to the local economy.
• Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site covers over 1.76 square miles and over 75% of all the buildings are listed – the highest concentration of listed buildings anywhere in the UK.
• Visitor accommodation in Edinburgh and the surrounding area provides more than 20,000 beds, with over 50% within a 2km radius of the city centre.
• Edinburgh has more restaurants per head of population than any other UK city outside of London.
• Google eTown Awards recently recognised Edinburgh as the second most tech-savvy town in the UK.
• Edinburgh has 112 parks in the city, as well as more trees per head of population than any other city in the UK.
• The city has the lowest level of air pollution of the ten largest UK cities over the last two years (DEFRA).
• More than 70km of traffic free cycle paths criss-cross the city.
• Rainfall in Edinburgh is well below the Scottish average and less annually than in Rome, Frankfurt and New York.
• Edinburgh’s residents are the happiest of the largest 10 cities in the UK and 97% are satisfied with Edinburgh as a place to live.
• Edinburgh Airport is Scotland's busiest airport with 33 airlines flying 188 routes to 130 destinations.

For more facts and figures, take a look at Edinburgh by Numbers by the City of Edinburgh Council, a yearly publication that highlights a range of information, statistics and data on Edinburgh and the city region.

Edinburgh Festivals

People come to visit Edinburgh from across the globe to share their passion for arts, culture and ideas.

• Edinburgh's festivals are a unique cultural phenomenon and each year they attract over 4 million people.
• Only the Olympics and the World Cup exceed the number of tickets sold for Edinburgh’s festival events.
• The Edinburgh International Festival was established in 1947 and is ranked as one of the most important cultural celebrations in the world. On average the Festival presents over 160 performances involving over 2,500 artists to an audience of up 400,000 each year.
• The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world with live theatre and comedy performances. In 2014, a total of 49,497 performances of 3,193 shows were staged in 299 venues and ticket sales reached 1.94 million.
• The Edinburgh International Science Festival is the world’s first science festival, founded in 1989 and remains Europe’s largest with 200 events and visitor numbers in excess of 90,000.
• The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), established in 1947, is the oldest continuously running film festival in the world, screening over 150 feature films from over 50 countries.
• The Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF) is the UK’s largest annual festival dedicated to visual art.
• The Edinburgh International Book Festival is the largest of its kind and hosts almost 800 authors from over 40 countries around the world.
• The summer festival season ends with an explosive grand finale – a concert in Princes Street Gardens orchestrated with a breathtaking fireworks display over Edinburgh Castle and enjoyed by an estimated 250,000 people.
• Edinburgh hosts the biggest New Year street party in the world. Edinburgh's Hogmanay welcomes over 80,000 revellers to Princes Street and the surrounds entertained by live music, a sell-out Concert in the Gardens and dazzling firework displays.

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Edinburgh Tourism Statistics And Trends

Last Updated May 29, 2023 by Axel Hernborg

Updated on May 29, 2023 by Axel Hernborg

Edinburgh’s bustling city centre offers visitors an extraordinary blend of shopping, fascinating historical and cultural attractions, and magnificent architecture.

Edinburgh’s city centre ranks as one of the most handsome in Europe.

With its elegant streets set against the dramatic silhouette of Edinburgh Castle and the medieval turrets and spires of the Old Town, Edinburgh’s city centre offers visitors an exciting fusion of shopping, dining, and architectural splendour.

Edinburgh is a compact city with diverse ‘villages’ just waiting to be uncovered.

Here are some of the city’s Fast Facts, Statistics, and Trends

Table of contents

• 1 Edinburgh Trends & Factoids
• 2 Habits And Motives
• 3 Demography
• 4 Edinburgh & Scotland Attractions Stats & Tourism Trends
• 5 Edinburgh Festival Statistics
• 6 Other Trends
• 7 Stats & Facts For The Future Of Tourism In Edinburgh
• 8 Conclusion
• 9 References

Edinburgh Trends & Factoids

• Edinburgh is known for its landmarks and outstanding heritage, its dramatic topography, its iconic status as a hub of political power, commerce, and culture, and as the world’s leading festival city.
• Edinburgh is growing in popularity for tourism, as is Scotland in general. From 2012 to 2017 tourism in the country grew, resulting in a 13% increase in tourism employment.
• Tourism is one of the city’s biggest success stories, attracting 4.3 million visitors a year. In 2019, visitors spent an incredible £2.5 billion in Scotland, and at least 1/3rd of this was in Edinburgh.
• Edinburgh has become an attractive place for businesses to invest, for skilled individuals to come and work and of course, for visitors.
• Of just over 27 million annual bed nights spent by international tourists in Scotland, 47% of them are in Edinburgh.
• The city benefits from just under half of the total spent by international tourists in Scotland. 66% of overseas visitors say Edinburgh is their crucial destination.
• Edinburgh City’s major Festivals are collectively one of the biggest ticketed events in the world.
• The top Five Free and Paid Visitor Attractions in Edinburgh are the National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery, St Giles’ Cathedral, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and the Castle National War Museum.
• The United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Malta, and the Netherlands show the top 5 countries across the globe that search for the term ‘Edinburgh’’ the most.

Habits And Motives

• Holidaying remains the main reason for a visit to the region. But around half of the visitors to Scotland will visit for landscape and scenery, but culture and history is also a key attraction.
• Edinburgh Castle is a highly popular attraction amongst those thinking of visiting Scotland or wanting to learn more about the country, with an average of 210,000 searches per month worldwide.
• Summer is by far the busiest time to travel to Edinburgh and takes in the months of June, July, and August.
• The coastlines of Scotland are very popular and are visited by around 16 million people every year.
• Overseas residents prefer to visit Edinburgh in the warmer months.
• Posting pictures is the most popular social media activity undertaken by 23% before and 24% after the visit.
• Overnight visitors generally plan and booked aspects of their trip around two or three months before visiting.
• Tourists tend to visit places that are socially, historically, and culturally important.
• Edinburgh Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Back in 2019, it saw 2,201,000 visitors. However, in 2022, it only saw 1,346,000 visitors, but this number is expected to grow once more.
• In 2022, Edinburgh Castle was Scotland’s 2nd most visited location, only 600,000 visits below the National Museum of Scotland.
• Edinburgh has more restaurants per than any other city in the United Kingdom, per head, aside from London.
• There are 112 parks in Edinburgh city and has the most trees per head in the UK.
• The weather in Edinburgh is some of the best in Scotland, with rainfall figures below the Scottish average and less rain annually than New York, Rome, and even Frankfurt!
• There is a lot of visitor accommodation in Edinburgh and the area surrounding Edinburgh, with over 20,000 beds, 50% of these being within an easy 2-kilometre radius of Edinburgh’s city centre.
• Edinburgh hosts a range of festivals and is considered to be a unique cultural phenomenon. They are also massively impactful on tourism, attracting more than 4 million visitors to the city every year.
• Edinburgh plays host to the biggest New Year Street Party in the world. The Hogmanay brings in over 80,000 celebrators to Princes Street and the surrounding area. The party has live music entertainment, a sell-out concert, and an incredible firework display.
• Edinburgh is considered to be the happiest large city in the UK, as the residents were recorded to be the happiest of the 10 major UK cities. With 97% of the permanent residents living there are satisfied with Edinburgh as a location to live in.
• Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, it is also the largest tourist destination in Scotland, and the second largest in the whole of the United Kingdom, just behind London.
• Some of Scotland’s biggest draws are its prehistoric sites, many of which can be visited not far from Edinburgh, and some within the city. There are standing stones, stone circles, and burial chambers, as well as remains from the bronze, iron, and stone ages.
• Primary tourist season in Scotland and Edinburgh runs from April until October. However, the Edinburgh Christmas market does pull in a great deal of tourism as well.
• The website for visiting the country also has a niche marketing strategy that plays on the focus of what Edinburgh, and Scotland in general, have to offer. Some of these things include fishing, golf, and tourism surrounding food and drink.

• Youth travel is the fastest-growing segment of global tourism and Edinburgh is second only to London for young visitors to the UK. Almost 2 million of the city’s visitors come into the millennial age bracket.
• In 2019, international travellers aged between 25 and 44 years old recorded the highest number of visits to Edinburgh, United Kingdom (UK). Overall, tourists aged 25-34 and 35-44 accounted for 573 thousand and 459 thousand visits by overseas residents, respectively.
• In 2018, the most visitors to Scotland, overall, came from the United States, with 492,000 tourists hailing from the US. 451,000 tourists came from Germany, 318,000 from France, and 268,000 from Italy.
• In 2013, UK residents made 18.5 million visits to Scotland, and totalled 64.5 million nights, spending £3.7 billion! However, visitors from overseas made 1.58 million visits, stayed 15 million nights, and spent £806 million! Therefore, the majority of tourism in Edinburgh comes from inside the United Kingdom.

Edinburgh & Scotland Attractions Stats & Tourism Trends

• Edinburgh Castle has had a substantial amount of visitors every year and is considered to be the number one attraction in Scotland.
• The number of people who visited Edinburgh Castle in 2022, from 217.6% with 1,356,168 visits.
• However, Edinburgh Castle is not the most popular FREE attraction as this is the National Museum of Scotland, with the number of visitors rising 198.7% in 2022 from 2021. They got 1,973,751 visitors.
• In 2022, attractions with paid entry saw more than 15,053,800 visitors, which is a 63.2% increase from the previous year.
• In contrast, the free venues of Scotland had a whopping 33,621,735 visitors in 2022, which is a 49.5% increase from 22,490,582 in 2021.
• Only the National Museum of Scotland and Greyfriars Kirkyard saw more visitors than Edinburgh Castle in 2022.
• In 2022, Edinburgh Zoo saw 601,285 visitors, a decrease in numbers from the previous year when they had 632,122 visitors.
• St Giles’ Cathedral saw the biggest increase in visitors in 2022, with an increase of 410%. They went from 209,897 in 2021, to 1,070,683 in 2022.

Edinburgh Festival Statistics

• Edinburgh has a large arts and cultural events history, which causes people to visit the city from across the world.
• Only the World Cup and the Olympics are higher in number of ticket sales than those for Edinburgh’s festivals.
• The Edinburgh International Festival began in 1947, it is believed to be one of the most important cultural events in the world. The event sees over 160 performances by over 2,500 artists, with an audience of around 400,000 people per year.
• Edinburgh also plays host to the International Film Festival which is the oldest non-stop film festival worldwide. They screen more than 150 films every year from over 50 different countries.
• Edinburgh hosts an International Book Festival, which is one of the largest of its type in the world. They host nearly 800 authors from more than 40 countries worldwide.
• The Edinburgh Art Festival is the largest, annual that is dedicated to art.
• The Science Festival in Edinburgh was the first ever science festival to be founded worldwide, beginning in 1989. It is still the largest of its kind, holding 200 events, and with visitors attending in numbers higher than 90,000.
• The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the biggest art festival across the globe. They have live theatre and comedy performers. Back in 2014, there were 49,497 performances overall, with 3,193 stage shows across 299 venues. Ticket sales for this event reached 1.94 million!

Other Trends

• Scotland consistently outperforms the rest of the UK in attracting visitors to its tourist attractions.
• Business events currently represent 20% of all tourism expenditure in Scotland, with delegates typically spending more than leisure visitors.
• Edinburgh had one of the highest hotel occupancy rates out of all UK cities in 2019 at 82.0%.
• The average room price in Edinburgh in 2019 was £102 per night, the fourth highest in the UK.
• Edinburgh has more Michelin-awarded restaurants than most other major UK cities. It has had two new ones since last year.
• The city faces fierce competition from every other city in Europe for this £2bn of income from the 4 million visitors to the city in 2019.
• Staycations are on the rise in Scotland with coastal towns and urban destinations most popular with holidaymakers.
• Edinburgh’s first-ever destination-led campaign aimed at young visitors hopes to reach 3.5 million people across Europe with the support of VisitScotland.
• Out of the 15 major regions in Scotland as listed on VisitScotland, Glasgow & Clyde Valley is the most popular tourist location overall. Meanwhile, most visitors go to Edinburgh and Lothian for overnight visits.
• In 2019, there were a total of 151 million visits to Scotland (both domestic and international).
• Edinburgh has been named alongside Amsterdam, Rome, Venice, and Barcelona as one of the world’s worst hotspots for “over-tourism “.
• Staycations are on the rise in Scotland with coastal towns and urban destinations most popular with holidaymakers
• Scotland is seeing a resurgence in staycation tourism.
• 14,970 companies in Scotland are all based in the tourism industry.
• Edinburgh and Glasgow combined to contribute about a third of all tourism employment in Scotland.
• Nearly 9% of all employees in Scotland work in the tourism industry. Back in 2019, there were more than 229,000 people employed in the Scottish tourism industry. This is a massive 8.8% of all employment in Scotland!
• Edinburgh sells an incredible £1.3 billion in services to visitors who stay in the city. This accumulates around 30,000 jobs overall, and a sum of around £400,000 million per annum. However, this was in 2015, and the amount is constantly growing.
• Over 5 years, you could expect to see increases of 30% in the tourism industry in Edinburgh.
• In 2021, employment in the ‘Sustainable Tourism Growth Sector’ was its highest in Edinburgh City, with 33,000. Glasgow City was just below, at 31,000, showing that Edinburgh’s tourism growth has been a highly successful venture.

Stats & Facts For The Future Of Tourism In Edinburgh

• Edinburgh seeks to increase its tourism growth. The city has a strategy in place to increase the tourism industry and see more visitors by 2030 and again by 2040.
• Edinburgh’s population has grown by a whopping 12% in recent years due to it not only being a popular tourist destination but a popular location to live in. It is projected to see growth of over 600,000 residents by 2041.
• The growth of the population living in Edinburgh and the increase in tourism means that the city needs to be prepared in its resources and space for such a vast number of people.
• Edinburgh hopes to be a staple for eco-friendliness in tourism and overall function. They aim to have 0 carbon emissions by 2030

Edinburgh is regularly seeing more and more tourism. Its castle, culture, and unique structure make it a popular tourist attraction.

While 2020 was a year in which it did not see much growth, and much of the tourism industry is still recovering, Edinburgh still expects to see more growth in the coming years.

Those who visit the city, usually choose staycations, or overnight stays, although a few do seem to enjoy staying in the city as a base, while also exploring the rest of Scotland, which has a great deal of popularity with tourism as well.

Scotland may even be more popular as a vacation location than London in future times.

• https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/ce/edtourism2030/supporting_documents/Ed%202030%20Tourism%20Strategy%20%20FULL%20DRAFT%20ACCESSIBLE.pdf
• https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/edinburghs-tourism-industry-is-serious-jeopardy-and-needs-more-help-to-survive-donald-emslie-3154366
• https://www.sdi.co.uk/key-sectors/tourism
• https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/outdoors/outdoor-attractions-fare-better-as-covid-pandemic-sees-tourist-numbers-plunge-3625508
• https://www.highlandtitles.com/blog/scottish-tourism-statistics/
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/895299/edinburgh-international-tourists-by-age/
• https://www.meetingedinburgh.com/why-edinburgh/edinburgh-facts-and-figures  
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/586822/edinburgh-castle-visitor-numbers-united-kingdom-uk/
• https://www.visitscotland.org/research-insights/regions/edinburgh-lothians  
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Scotland
• https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/ce/edtourism2030/supporting_documents/Ed%202030%20Tourism%20Strategy%20%20FULL%20DRAFT%20ACCESSIBLE.pdf  
• https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/lifestyle/23436091.edinburgh-castle-retains-crown-top-tourist-attraction/  

Hello! I am Axel, tripplo.com’s travel savings, deals and discounts expert and founder. I have been in the travel deals and discounts industry for almost a decade now. It’s me who publish and update most of the content and discounts on tripplo.com! I also have a podcast in which I share valuable information about how to get the best travel deals and discounts.

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Tourism statistics

Information on where to find up-to-date information on tourism statistics in Scotland.

Tourism statistics can be found via the following sources:

Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Leisure and tourism Visits and visitors to the UK, the reasons for visiting and the amount of money they spent here. Also UK residents travelling abroad, their reasons for travel and the amount of money they spent. The statistics on UK residents travelling abroad are an informal indicator of living standards.

VisitScotland

Visitors from the UK Our UK market represents a significant proportion of the visitors Scotland welcomes each year. Understanding more about who they are, how they behave and the preferences they have for their visits can offer a real advantage to those in the tourism industry.

International visitors Scotland’s tourism economy enjoys a healthy international market that includes a variety of well-established and emerging demographics. Those who flock from around the globe to enjoy Scotland’s world-class attractions and experiences make a huge contribution to the overall health of our industry – so it’s vital we have a clear understanding of them.

Accommodation The stats behind the stays - whether you’re looking for occupancy information on self-catering properties or caravans.

Industry barometer In partnership with local councils and destination organisations, VisitScotland have been inviting businesses to participate in our survey to capture tourism business performance in their regions.

VisitBritain

Inbound tourism performance in Britain A wealth of data, covering  inbound tourism trends , visits to  nations, regions, counties  and  towns  in Britain, as well as  popular activities  undertaken by visitors in Britain.

Scottish Household Survey 

Culture and heritage section

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Inbound tourist visits to Edinburgh 2019, by age group

Number of overseas resident visits to edinburgh, uk in 2019, by age group (in thousands).

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United Kingdom (Scotland)

Includes visits of overseas residents for all travel purposes.

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Art & Culture

• Number of visits to Edinburgh Castle in Scotland 2010-2023
• Leading paid visitor attractions in Scotland 2019-2023, by attendance
• Main international visitor markets to Scotland 2019, based on number of trips
• Number of visits to the National Museum of Scotland in the UK 2010-2023

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Statistics on " Travel and tourism in Scotland "

• Number of inbound visits to the UK 2019-2022, by country of destination
• Inbound tourist overnight stays in the UK 2019, by country visited
• Inbound visitor spending in the United Kingdom (UK) 2019, by country visited
• Regions visited on domestic overnight trips in Great Britain 2019
• Domestic tourism expenditure in Great Britain 2019-2021, by region visited
• Inbound tourism: total visits to Scotland 2009-2019
• Nights spent by inbound visitors in Scotland 2009-2019
• Inbound visitor expenditure to Scotland 2009-2019
• International visitor spending in Scotland 2019, by country of origin
• Number of inbound trips to Scotland in 2019, by purpose
• Nights spent by inbound visitors in Scotland 2019, by purpose of trip
• Inbound visitor spending in Scotland 2019, by purpose
• Number of trips from Great Britain to Scotland 2012-2019
• Nights per trip from Great Britain to Scotland 2011-2019
• Number of trips from Great Britain to Scotland in 2019, by purpose
• Bedroom occupancy rate in accommodation Scotland 2011-2021
• Monthly hotel room occupancy rate in Scotland 2018
• Guest house/B&B monthly room occupancy rate in Scotland in 2018
• Self-catering units monthly occupancy rate in Scotland in 2018
• Hostel bed monthly occupancy rate in Scotland in 2018
• Caravan and camping site occupancy rates in Scotland in 2017-2018, by month
• Leading free visitor attractions in Scotland 2019-2023, by attendance
• Most visited outdoor attractions in Scotland 2015

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• Premium Statistic Inbound tourist overnight stays in the UK 2019, by country visited
• Premium Statistic Inbound visitor spending in the United Kingdom (UK) 2019, by country visited
• Premium Statistic Regions visited on domestic overnight trips in Great Britain 2019
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourism expenditure in Great Britain 2019-2021, by region visited

Inbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Inbound tourism: total visits to Scotland 2009-2019
• Premium Statistic Nights spent by inbound visitors in Scotland 2009-2019
• Premium Statistic Inbound visitor expenditure to Scotland 2009-2019
• Premium Statistic Main international visitor markets to Scotland 2019, based on number of trips
• Premium Statistic International visitor spending in Scotland 2019, by country of origin
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound trips to Scotland in 2019, by purpose
• Premium Statistic Nights spent by inbound visitors in Scotland 2019, by purpose of trip
• Premium Statistic Inbound visitor spending in Scotland 2019, by purpose

Domestic tourism

• Premium Statistic Number of trips from Great Britain to Scotland 2012-2019
• Premium Statistic Nights per trip from Great Britain to Scotland 2011-2019
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Accommodation

• Premium Statistic Bedroom occupancy rate in accommodation Scotland 2011-2021
• Premium Statistic Monthly hotel room occupancy rate in Scotland 2018
• Premium Statistic Guest house/B&B monthly room occupancy rate in Scotland in 2018
• Premium Statistic Self-catering units monthly occupancy rate in Scotland in 2018
• Basic Statistic Hostel bed monthly occupancy rate in Scotland in 2018
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Scotland Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 4 March 2024

Scotland, part of the United Kingdom, is rich in history and natural wonders, drawing millions of tourists annually. With its captivating lochs, impressive mountains, and beautiful islands, it’s an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.

How many tourists visit Scotland each year?

Over 1.2 million traveled to Scotland in 2023 (year ending June 2023). 1  

• Of the 9.9 million inbound visits to the UK from April to June 2023, 12% were visits to Scotland .
• Visitors to Scotland went up 27% in 2023 compared to the number of visits in 2019 (year ending June 2023).

How much do tourists spend in Scotland?

Visitors spent over £1.0 billion during trips to Scotland in 2023 (year ending June 2023). 1

• Inbound spending in Scotland accounted for 13% of the total UK inbound spending, which was £7.9 billion in the year ending June 2023.
• Spending in Scotland was 53% more than spendings during the same quarter in 2019 .

How many tourists visited Scotland in 2022?

In 2022, the number of international visits to Scotland was around 3.23 million . This is still 7% less compared to the 3.46 million visits in 2019. 2  

• In 2022, international tourists spent a total estimate of 29.77 million nights in Scotland.
• Tourism day visits by domestic residents amounted to 94.8 million in 2022.

How much did tourists spend in Scotland in 2022?

International visitors spent over £3.2 billion during their visits to Scotland in 2022, while domestic visitors spent £3.9 billion . 2

• International visitor spending in 2022 was up by 24% compared to spending 2019, which came up to only £2.5 billion .

What were the main reasons for visiting Scotland in 2022? 

• Holidays were the primary reason for tourists to visit Scotland in 2022 with a total of 1.88 million visits, amounting to 58.19% of all visits to Scotland that year. 3  
• The second most common reason was Visiting Friends and Relatives, which totalled to 922,000 visits, making up 28.51% of total visits to Scotland in 2022. 3  
• This was followed by trips for Business Reasons, which came up to a total of 307,000 visits or 9.49% of total visits to Scotland in 2022. 3
• Apart from the top four reasons mentioned, there are also miscellaneous reasons for visits which totalled to 123,000 visits and made up 3.80% of total visits to Scotland in 2022. These reasons include studies, attending sporting events, shopping, health-related reasons, religious purposes, and more, including multi-purpose visits. 3

Which country was the most frequent visitor to Scotland in 2022?

• In 2022, people from the USA visited Scotland the most. A total of 693,080 visits to Scotland came from the USA, followed by France at 265,735 visits, Germany at 235,848 visits, the Netherlands at 212,322 visits, and Spain with 190,240 visits. 1

How many tourists visited Scotland in 2021?

A total of 479,000 international tourists visited Scotland in 2021. 3

• Volume of visitors was down 86.16% compared to the over 3.5 million visitors to Scotland in 2019, the pre-pandemic year.
• International visitors stayed for a total of 7.6 million nights in Scotland, 72%less nights compared to 2019. They stayed an average of 15.8 days in 2021, an increase of 7.9 days from 2019. 

How much did tourists spend in Scotland in 2021?

In 2021, international visitors spent over £459 million in direct expenditure during their trips to Scotland. 3

• This is an 82% decrease from expenditures in 2019.
• The average international visitor to Scotland spent a total of £958 during their trip in 2021.

What were the main reasons for visiting Scotland in 2021? 

• Visiting Friends and Relatives was the primary reason for tourists to visit Scotland in 2021. Visits for this reason amounted to   242,000 , which is 50.53% of total visits to Scotland that year. 1
• Holidays were the second most common reason for visits, amounting to 26.80% of all visits to Scotland in 2021 with a total of 128,000 visits. 1
• This was followed by visits for Business Reasons, which amounted to 86,000 visits ( 17.89% of total visits to Scotland in 2021). 1
• Apart from the top four reasons mentioned, there are also miscellaneous reasons for visits, which include study, attending sporting events, shopping, health-related reasons, religious purposes, and more, including multi-purpose visits. All of this amounted to 23,000 million visits, 4.78% of total visits to Scotland in 2021. 1

Scotland Statistics 2020

The IPS was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, there is no data available for Scotland tourism between April – December of 2020 and only the data available is modeled. 

How many tourists visited Scotland in 2019?

Over 3.46 million international visitors travelled to Scotland in 2019. 3

• This is 7.21% less than its peak year, 2018, which saw 3.73 million international visitors.
• International visitors stayed for a total of 27.39 million nights in Scotland,an increase of 7.63% from 2018. 

How much did tourists spend in Scotland in 2019?

• Visitors spent over £2.54 billion during trips to Scotland in 2019. 3

What were the main reasons for Scotland in 2019? 

• Holidays remain to be the primary reason for tourists to visit Scotland in 2019 with a total of 2.1 million visits, amounting to 60.82% of all visits to Scotland in 2019. 1
• The second most common reason is to Visit Friends and Relatives, which was recorded to bring in 864,000 visitors, 24.96% of total visits to Scotland in 2019. 1
• This was followed by trips for Business Reasons, which had a total of 371,000 visits or 10.72% of total visits to Scotland in 2019. 1
• Apart from the top four reasons mentioned, there are also miscellaneous reasons for visits, which included attending sporting events, shopping, health-related reasons, religious purposes, and more, including multi-purpose those visits. These reasons brought in 121,000 visitors, making up 3.50% of total visits to Scotland in 2019. 1

How many nights did international tourists spend visiting Scotland over the years?

• 27.39 million total nights spent in 2019 . 
• 7.59 million total nights spent in 2021 . 
• 29.77 million total nights spent in 2022 .

UK Travel Resources

• Car rental prices across the UK

Which country was the most frequent visitor to Scotland?

• In 2022, people from the USA visited Scotland the most, which had a total of 693,080 visits. Followed by France at ( 265,735 visits), Germany at ( 235,848 visits), the Netherlands at ( 212,322 visits), and Spain with ( 190,240 visits).

Which country spent the most while visiting Scotland?

• Tourists from the USA were still the biggest spenders when visiting Scotland in 2022, forking out £1.2 million , followed by tourists from France ( £188,778 ), Canada ( £176,483 ), Germany ( £171,255 ), and the Netherlands ( £135,031 ).

UK Travel Statistics Resources

• Edinburgh Statistics
• Glasgow Statistics
• London Statistics
• Oxford Statistics

Europe Travel Statistics Resources

• France Statistics
• Germany Statistics
• Greece Statistics
• Iceland Statistics
• Italy Statistics
• Norway Statistics
• Portugal Statistics
• Singapore Statistics
• Spain Statistics
• Sweden Statistics
• United Kingdom Statistics
• VisitBritain : Inbound visits and spend: trends by UK town ↩︎
• VisitBritain : Inbound visits and spend: Annual, Regional ↩︎
• VisitScotland : International Tourism Statistics: Annual Report ↩︎

What are you looking for?

64+ crucial scotland travel & tourism statistics (latest 2024 data).

Millions of tourists from all over the world flock to visit Scotland's best locations each year. Why not? After all, it is home to stunning landscapes and natural sceneries, as well as rich cultural and historical heritage.

From the spectacular glens of the Highlands and dramatic castles in Aberdeen, all the way to the charming people of Glasgow and the capital’s buzzing city life.

Did you know...

• International travellers to Scotland spent £3.15 billion in 2022 alone?
• Nearly 9% of employees in Scotland work in the tourism sector?

Indeed, travel and tourism are an essential part of Scotland’s lifestyle and economy.

This article is a treasure trove of statistics on the travel and tourism industry in Scotland. We will cover everything from how popular this nation is as a tourist destination to the nitty gritty of its financial earnings.

Let’s get right into it!

Sources: After each stat, I have referenced where the data was gathered and curated from. For a full list of all articles used in this roundup, please head to the bottom of the post. At the time of publication, these are the most up-to-date statistics available. Little data was gathered in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Travellerspoint

What percentage of Scotland's economy is tourism?

Scotland’s tourism industry contributes roughly £6 billion to the overall GDP, or around 5%.

Why is Scotland so popular for tourists?

1 in 10 visitors were influenced by a travel feature about Scotland, whereas 8% of visitors were prompted by a TV programme about Scotland.

Where do most tourists to Scotland come from?

The top 4 source markets for international tourism in Scotland are USA, France, Germany and Netherlands in that order.

Scotland tourism key stats

• In 2022, there were a total of 111.5 million visits to Scotland
• Overseas travellers in Scotland spent about £3.15 billion in 2022 alone
• 94.8 million of total domestic trips made to Scotland in 2022 were day visits, while 13.5 million included a stay of at least 1 night
• Over 7.6 million of the visits were from Scotland, while almost 6 million were from England
• 50% of visitors come to Scotland for the scenery and landscape. History & culture is also a core driver for visiting Scotland
• Most international trips to Scotland were made from the USA, France, Germany and Netherlands
• Tourist spending generated £12 billion of economic activity in Scotland
• Scotland’s tourism industry contributes roughly £6 billion to the overall GDP, or around 5%
• In 2019, 209,000 people were employed in the Scotland tourism sector
• 14,970 (8.4%) companies in Scotland are in the Scottish tourism industry
• Over 2012 to 2017, tourism employment in Scotland rose by 13%
• The most popular region in Scotland is Glasgow & Clyde Valley. It received 29.7 million day visits and 3.1 million overnight visits in 2019
• Scotland has more than 11,000 miles of coastline, 137 miles of canals, 31,460 freshwater lochs and 118 inhabited islands
• 16 million people visit Scotland’s coastal destinations annually
• In 2020, 78% of tourism companies in Scotland reported reduced revenue from 2019 due to the Coronavirus pandemic

Travel & Scotland's economy

How does tourism contribute to Scotland’s economy?

1. In 2019, the total expenditure of overnight and day trips was £11.6 billion.

[VisitScotland]

VisitScotland found that 2019 had been the best year for Scotland’s overnight tourism over the last decade. The spending for overnight trips rose by 12% from the previous year 

2. In 2022, international visitors to Scotland spent a total of £3.15 billion.

This was a dramatic 586% increase from the £0.46 billion international tourism expenditure in 2021, and has even surpassed the pre-pandemic figures of £2.54 billion in 2019.

3. Domestic day trips to Scotland in 2022 generated around £3.9 billion.

Scottish residents generated less in day trip expenditure in 2022 compared to 2019 (£5.8 billion).

4. In 2022, domestic overnight trips in Scotland generated £3.4 billion.

GB residents in 2022 spent a total of £3.4 billion in overnight trips to Scotland.

5. Tourist spending generated £12 billion of economic activity in Scotland.

Spending by tourists contributes approximately £12 billion for the overall Scottish supply chain. This industry was recognized as an important growth sector in the nation’s 2015 economic strategy.

6. Scotland’s tourism industry contributes roughly £6 billion to the overall GDP, or around 5%.

In terms of GDP, tourism in Scotland represents 5% or £6 billion of the total GDP.

7. VisitScotland, which is the official tourism organisation of Scotland, has an annual budget of over £45 million.

A huge part of Scotland’s tourism is the official tourism organisation, VisitScotland. The government budgets more than £45 million for this entity each year.

International inbound tourism statistics in Scotland

How many international tourists visit Scotland?

8. There were 3.23 million overseas visits to Scotland in 2022 alone.

International tourism expenditure reached the highest record in 2022 despite a slight decrease in number of visits compared to 2019.

9. The average international tourist stays for 9.2 nights in Scotland.

In 2022, the average length of stay for international tourists in Scotland has increased from just 7.9 nights in 2019.

Understandably, overseas tourists spent more time in Scotland per trip compared to the average 3.0 nights for domestic travellers.

10. In 2022, 1.8 million trips were made for holidaying purposes, while 307,000 had been business visits.

The majority of international tourists (58%) come to Scotland for holiday and vacation, while 9% of the visits were for business purposes .

11. Visiting friends and family is the second most common purpose for visiting Scotland, with 922,000 trips made in 2022 for that purpose.

12. the average spend for international tourists in 2022 is £972 per visit, up 32% from £734 in 2019..

Average spending per international trip to Scotland also reached an all-time high in 2022, compared to only £625 back in 2011.

13. The top 4 source markets for international tourism in Scotland are USA, France, Germany and Netherlands in that order.

Scotland is an especially popular tourist destination for tourists from the USA, France , Germany and the Netherlands, all of which make up the top 4 markets for international tourism in Scotland.

14. In 2022, there were 693,000 visits to Scotland from the USA or 21.4% of all international visits.

[VistScotland]

The largest portion of international tourists to Scotland from a country is the USA, with American visitors spending 6.588 million nights and £1.2 billion in 2022.

15. Visitors in Norway also made the top 10 source market for international tourists in Scotland, with 107,000 total visits in 2022.

In 2022, Norwegian visitors spent a total of 518 thousand nights and £75 million in tourism expenditure in Scotland.

16. Italy follows closely behind as the ninth largest source market for international tourists in Scotland, with 105,000 total visits in 2022.

Italian visitors recorded 744 thousand nights spent in Scotland in 2022 and £68 million in tourism expenditure.

Domestic Tourism statistics in Scotland

How many domestic tourists travel to Scotland?

17. In 2019, there were a total of 111.5 million visits to Scotland (both domestic and international).

18. 94.8 million of total domestic trips made to scotland in 2022 were day visits, while 13.5 million included a stay of at least 1 night..

19. UK residents made 13.5 million overnight visits to Scotland.

Out of all the total overnight visits made to Scotland in 2019, 13.5 million were made by UK residents .

20. In 2019, over 7.6 million of the visits were from Scotland, while almost 6 million were from England.

21. In 2019, domestic visitors in the 14-24 and 55-64 age groups saw a huge increase compared to the previous year.

22. 2019 saw a drastic rise in domestic travellers as the number of trips increased by 33% from 2018..

2019 was the best year over the last decade for overnight trips by domestic visitors in Scotland.

23. In 2022, the main reason to travel to Scotland for domestic visitors is holidaying (35.5% of all visits).

35% of domestic visits to Scotland are made for holiday purposes, which included solo travel as well as family trips . Meanwhile, business visits make up 9.6% of all domestic visits in 2022.

24. 62% of domestic travellers spend between 1-3 nights in Scotland. Only 7% spend more than 7 nights per trip.

For most domestic travellers in Scotland, 1 to 3 nights is the ideal length of stay, whereas only 7% of them stay for 8 nights or more at a time.

25. In 2022, the average amount spent per visit to Scotland was £253, or roughly £83 per night.

Motivations for visiting scotland.

What are the main reasons people visit Scotland?

26. The key motivation for visiting Scotland for 50% of visitors is the scenery and landscape.

A 2015/2016 visitor survey conducted by VisitScotland across 19 regions in Scotland over two summer periods (May to September) concluded that 1 in 2 people visit Scotland for the scenery and landscape.

27. The second core driver after that for visiting Scotland is the history & culture.

Following closely to that, 1 in 3 visitors to Scotland are motivated by the rich history and culture of the nation.

28. 24% of European, long haul, and first-time visitors were persuaded to spend holiday in Scotland by word of mouth recommendation from friends, family, or colleagues.

For many European travellers , long haul and first-time visitors to Scotland, recommendation from friends and family is a determining factor for their visit. On the other hand, Scottish residents tend to be driven by the desire to spend vacation at home.

29. 1 in 10 visitors were influenced by a travel feature about Scotland, whereas 8% of visitors were prompted by a TV programme about Scotland.

30. Outlander, both the TV series and books, have had a significant impact in inspiring 17% of visitors to travel to Scotland.

31. 47.8 million day trips to scotland were made in 2019 by domestic travellers to visit friends or family..

Visiting friends and family is also a popular motivation for visiting Scotland. In 2019, residents from the UK made around 47.8 day trips to Scotland for this purpose.

Scotland coastal tourism statistics

How popular are seaside destinations in Scotland?

32. Scotland has more than 11,000 miles of coastline, 137 miles of canals, 31,460 freshwater lochs and 118 inhabited islands.

Scotland’s coasts and seaside areas are a crucial part of the local culture and history. From the picturesque beaches to spectacular waterfalls, lochs, and rivers, many tourists flock to these water-based destinations during their travels.

33. There are 16 million domestic day trips to Scotland’s coastal destinations annually.

Day trip visitors to coastal locations in Scotland tend to indulge in outdoor leisure activities and exploring the beautiful landscape.

34. In 2022, there were 0.8 million domestic overnight trips to seaside and coastal locations in Scotland, down from 2.31 million in 2019.

Only 6% of overnight trips in 2022 were to seaside or coastal locations in Scotland, while 52% were to the cities and large towns.

35. Most domestic visitors to Scotland’s coastal regions would visit the South (29%) or North of Scotland (28%).

The most popular coastal regions in Scotland among domestic travelers are the South and North. City destinations like Edinburgh and Glasgow, in the East and West of Scotland respectively, are more popular among city enthusiasts.

36. 38% of international visitors visit a beach.

37. international visitors from poland are the most likely to visit seaside destinations in scotland with 62% of propensity, while those from germany and italy have 51% likelihood to do so..

Among international tourists in Scotland, those from Poland are the most likely to visit a coastal location. They have a 62% propensity to do so, whereas German and Italian travellers are close behind with 51% likelihood each.

Tourism employment in Scotland

How many people are employed in the Scottish tourism industry?

38. In 2021, 209,000, people were employed in the Scotland tourism sector, an 8.7% drop from 2019.

Before the Coronavirus pandemic , the tourism sector in Scotland consisted of 229,000 people, which was roughly 1 in 12 jobs. It’s an especially significant industry in cities and rural regions.

39. 14,970 (8.4%) companies in Scotland are in the Scottish tourism industry.

[Scottish Enterprise]

From around 178,214 registered companies in Scotland, 8.4% are in the tourism industry,

40. In 2017, the tourism sector is most important in the region of Argyll & Bute, where 69 out of 1000 people work in the tourism industry.

41. This is closely followed by Highland and City of Edinburgh, at 68 and 64 people out of 1000 employed in the tourism sector respectively.

42. as of 2021, 33,000 people were employed in the tourism sector in edinburgh., 43. meanwhile, glasgow recorded a total of 31,000 employment in the tourism sector in 2021., 44. the travel industry is least significant in east renfrewshire, where tourism employment accounts to only 0.016% of total employment in the region., 45. over 2012 to 2017, tourism employment in scotland rose by 13%..

The tourism industry is one of the growing industries in Scotland. It saw a 13% increase in employment over a 5-year period from 2012 until 2017.

Tourist destinations in Scotland

What are the most popular tourist destinations in Scotland?

46. For domestic overnight trips, the most visited region in Scotland in 2022 was the West of Scotland, with 4.4 million trips taken there.

Meanwhile, the East of Scotland received 4.1 million domestic overnight trips in 2022.

47. Glasgow & Clyde Valley had been the most popular region to visit in 2019. It received 29.7 million day visits and 3.1 million overnight visits.

48. meanwhile, edinburgh and lothians were the most popular region for overnight visits (5.3 million). it also saw 24.8 million day visits..

Out of the 15 major regions in Scotland as listed on VisitScotland, Glasgow & Clyde Valley is the most popular tourism location overall. Meanwhile, most visitors go to Edinburgh and Lothians for overnight visits.

These two regions are followed in order by: Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, the Highlands, Ayrshire & Arran, and Kingdom of Fife.

• Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire: 1.3m overnight, 14.6 day visit
• Highland: 2.9m overnight, 9.6m day visits
• Ayrshire & Arran: 742k overnight, 10.4m day visits
• Kingdom of Fife: 705k overnight, 8.6m day visits

49. Free tourist attractions tend to be more popular, with the National Museum exceeding 2.21 million visitors in 2019.

Free tourist attractions receive slightly more visits than paid attractions. The National Museum is the most popular attraction in all of Scotland, as it welcomed over 2.21 million visitors in 2019 alone.

50. The next most visited free attractions in Scotland are the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, the Scottish National Gallery, and the Riverside Museum in this order.

Museums are no doubt the favorite choice for free attraction amongst visitors. Some famous non-museum destinations in Scotland include St Giles’ Cathedral and Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop.

51. In 2019, the most visited paid attraction was Edinburgh Castle, which saw around 2.17 million visits.

For paid attractions, the most popular tourist destination would be Edinburgh Castle. It received 2.17 million visits in 2019.

52. The Edinburgh bus tours received 615,000 visitors in 2019.

Travel accommodation in scotland statistics.

How many hotel rooms are there in Scotland?

53. The average Scottish hotel occupancy in 2022 was 61.02%.

During peak season in 2022, the average hotel room in Scotland cost £144.38 per night .

54. As of August 2023, the hotel room occupancy rate in Scotland is 79.40%.

This was a slight decrease from the 84.22% occupancy in August 2022.

55. In 2022, the average peak revenue per available room (RevPAR) for Scottish hotels was £268.20 in February.

56. meanwhile, revpar in august 2023 was recorded at £231.12, a year-on-year increase from £212.01 in august 2022., 57. guesthouses or b&bs in scotland in 2022 had an average occupancy rate of 54.6%, while self-catering accommodations recorded 40.49% in occupancy., 58. guesthouses or b&bs can be a cheaper accommodation alternative in scotland, with the average nightly rate being £56.44 in 2022..

59. The average touring pitch occupancy in Scotland was 60.57% in August 2023.

A touring pitch is space on a campsite that you can rent. The RV industry is a popular one in Scotland.

Impact of Coronavirus on Scotland’s tourism industry

How did the Covid-19 pandemic affect Scottish travel & tourism?

60. In the first quarter of 2020, international visitor trips decreased by 17% while international visitor spend dropped by 3% (compared to first quarter of 2019).

From the most recent update we could find on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Scottish tourism, the report stated that overseas trips had decreased by 17% in Q1 of 2020. Note that lockdown in Scotland was enforced only by the end of Q1, yet the consequences are still apparent.

61. In summer and autumn of 2020, accommodation providers reported only 64% peak occupancy compared to 89% in 2019.

61. 78% of tourism companies reported reduced revenue from 2019., 50. 35% of staff were dismissed in 2020, while 69% had been put on furlough., 62. over march and september 2020, there was an 8.4% decrease of jobs in scotland’s accommodation and food services. .

[Scottish Parliament]

Scotland’s food, hotel and accommodation services industry was the worst impacted amongst the four nations in the UK.

63. Between February 2020 (when Covid-19 began to directly impact the economy) and December 2020, Scottish GDP has fallen by 7.2%.

64. in this time period, the sector most impacted is accommodation and food services which recorded 60% loss in gdp., 65. the arts, culture and recreation sector also experienced an approximately 42% decrease in gdp..

Not all the sectors in the Scottish economy were impacted in the same proportion. Industries directly related to tourism such as accommodation & food services, other services, and arts, culture & recreation suffered the most.

The tourism industry makes up 5% of Scotland’s total GDP. And since being identified as a growth sector back in 2015, this nation has received only more and more visitors each year.

Therefore, it is no surprise that this industry has created many job opportunities, especially in the rural areas that depend on tourists for their main source of income.

Despite the pressure and negative consequences of the recent Coronavirus pandemic, it’s reasonable to think that the Scottish tourism sector will recover and continue to grow.

We hope this post has been useful in telling you everything you might want to know about Scotland travel & tourism statistics.

Did we miss anything important? Please leave a comment below!

You might want to check out these other interesting statistics too:

• Ireland Travel & Tourism Statistics
• Airbnb Statistics
• Female Travel Statistics
• Online Travel Booking Statistics
• VisitScotland 1
• VisitScotland 2
• VisitScotland 3
• VisitScotland 4
• VisitScotland 5
• Scottish Enterprise
• Scottish Parliament

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5 million people can't be wrong

Research and insights on tourism in the Highlands.

• Research and insight on tourism in the Highlands is available from a range of different sources, including tourism monitors, national statistics, and commissioned research.
• On this page, you will find key data for the area. There are also links to further information regarding a particular source or study. Additional signposting to past data is also available.
• We will continue to update this page with the latest data over the next few months.

In this article:

1. scotland visitor survey 2023, 2. key statistics 2022.

In 2023, we commissioned the Scotland Visitor Survey to gather insight on visitor attitudes and behaviours. The scope of the survey was leisure overnight visitors only.

The survey explores all aspects of the visitor experience in Scotland. Further information on the background, methodology, and key highlights from the survey is also available.

Browse Scotland Visitor Survey 2023.

The visitor survey also allows us to explore the experiences of visitors who stayed overnight in a specific area.

Overnight visitors to the Highlands

were domestic visitors

were international visitors

were repeat visitors

were on a trip of a lifetime

Source: Scotland Visitor Survey 2023

Scotland Visitor Survey 2023 - Highlands factsheet

Published June 2024

Overnight visitors to Inverness

Scotland visitor survey 2023 - inverness factsheet.

1.9 million

overnight trips by International visitors and GB residents in 2022

6.6 million

day trips by GB residents in 2022

7.3 million

nights spent in accommodations by International visitors and GB residents in 2022

£1.1 billion

total spend by International visitors and GB residents in 2022

Figures shown represent tourism performance for the Highlands, 2022. Sources: International Passenger Survey, Great Britain Tourism Survey, Great Britain Day Visits Survey, 2022

Scotland's regions

Tourism research and statistics.

We provide factsheets for Scotland, broken down across 16 different regions.

Related links

Visitors from the uk, domestic sentiment tracker , international visitors, scotland residents' views on the role of tourism.

How to plan a trip to Scotland: the best itinerary planner

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written by Joanne Owen

updated 07.08.2024

Serving an exhilarating blend of ancient heritage, soul-stirring landscapes that invite outdoor adventuring, and dynamic contemporary culture, it’s little wonder that Scotland features on many travelers’ wish lists. To help you make the most of your time in this fascinating destination, here we share tips on how to plan a trip to Scotland.

Follow our tips for visiting Scotland

Step 1: best time to visit scotland, step 2: how long do you need for a trip to scotland, step 3: where to visit on a first trip to scotland, step 4: how to get to scotland, step 5: how to get around scotland, step 6: book accommodation and attractions, step 7: how much does a trip to scotland cost, travel ideas for scotland, created by local experts.

The Great British Road Trip

Get ready to explore Britain on this unique self-drive road trip. Choose the car of your liking before you hit the road: from the Cotswolds and its picturesque villages over the Beatle's favorite hang-out in Liverpool to Scotland's capital Edinburgh: this trip includes many highlights to be explored

Festive Feelings around Christmas in Scotland

Experience the magic of Christmas in the heart of the Scottish Highlands! Lovely Christmas Markets and winter festivals await visitors during the winter months, but this itinerary can also be turned into a summer festival hop!

Scotland's Wildest Natural Scenery

Want to lose yourself in Scotland's wildest natural scenery? This itinerary is a breath of fresh air and perfect to explore the most enchanting landscapes of the Highlands. It will allow you to get to know the wildest landscapes of Scotland, its fast-paced history and its amazing traditions.

A true 'Outlander' Adventure

Calling all Outlander lovers…you are in luck! Who would like to follow in the footsteps of the nurse Claire Beauchamp on her trip to Scotland in 1743? We have designed the perfect itinerary to experience the most charming corners that feature in the series.

Magical 7-Day Family Adventure in Scotland and England : From Harry Potter to Loch Ness!

Searching for an unforgettable family adventure? Scotland is the perfect destination! With a perfect balance of nature, adventure, and Scottish culture. This 7-day trip offers a delightful mix of activities that everyone in the family will enjoy. Get ready to create life long lasting memories!

Highland Tour: Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and Edinburgh

Discover the beautiful region of Perthshire, the famous Loch Ness and Inverness – the capital of the Highlands. Get a chance to admire Europe’s oldest mountain, stroll along sandy beaches on the Scottish West Coast, and visit the mysterious Isle of Skye.

Whether you’re in the market for venturing to the Highlands and remote islands, or want a culture-packed vacation in historic cities (or both!), keep reading to find out how to plan a trip to Scotland.

You’ll come away armed with intel on everything from the best time to visit, to how long you need for a trip to Scotland, along with suggested itineraries that are designed to help you maximise your chance of experiencing the best things to do in Scotland .

Editor’s tip: to kick-start your planning experience, discover the most beautiful places in Scotland , as voted by Rough Guides readers. 

Inchmurrin island on Loch Lomond, Scotland © Shutterstock

As is always the case with the “best time to visit” question, the answer depends on what you want from your vacation. For example, outdoor adventuring on remote islands may well be less appealing during the harsh depths of winter.

Given that Scotland's regions offer unique experiences and conditions around the year, here's an overview of each season in terms of the weather, the best activities to enjoy, and notable events. 

Hopefully it’ll help you decide  when to go to Scotland , depending on what you most want to see and do.

Wondering how to plan a trip to Scotland? First, wise up on where and when to go  Image: Shetland © Shutterstock

Spring: March to May

Spring weather

• Overview : expect some rain and mild temperatures, with average highs ranging from 10°C-15°C (50°F-59°F).
• Highlands : melting snow makes way for lusher landscapes in the Highlands. Expect cooler temperatures, especially in higher altitudes.
• Central Scotland : cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow start to warm up, with blooming flowers in parks and gardens.
• Scottish Islands : expect variable weather and cooler temperatures.

Best spring activities

• Wildlife watching : spring is a prime time for watching wildlife, including puffins and seals.
• Hiking : trails become more accessible as snow melts, which makes spring a top time to explore the Highlands and Scotland's National Parks.
• Visit gardens and castles : spring is also a top time to visit blooming gardens and castles, among them Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle.

Spring events

• Edinburgh International Science Festival : held in April, this family-friendly event features exhibitions and interactive workshops.
• Beltane Fire Festival : celebrated on April 30th in Edinburgh, this pagan-inspired event marks the onset of summer with fire displays and performances.

Editor's tip: spring is a fine season to tour the Scottish Highlands .

 Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, Scotlan, in spring © Shutterstock

Summer: June to August

Summer weather

• Overview: summer in Scotland is pretty warm, with average highs ranging from 15°C-20°C (59°F-68°F), but rain is still possible.
• Highlands : longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures make summer ideal for outdoor activities.
• Central Scotland : summers sees Scotland’s cities bustle with festivals (and tourists). 
• Scottish Islands : summer is the warmest, driest time to visit the glorious Scottish Islands.

Best summer activities

• Outdoor adventures : summer is the ideal time to hike the West Highland Way, climb Ben Nevis, and explore the Isle of Skye.
• Festivals and events : summer sees Scotland host stacks of events (more on them below).
• Island hopping : summer is also the best time to explore the Scottish Islands, where beautiful beaches and wild landscapes await.

Editor's tip: want to walk on the wild side in Scotland? Read up on great places to do exactly that. 

Or how about taking a summer trip to discover Scotland's wildest natural scenery ?

 Loch Tummel, near Pitlochry, Scotland, in summer © grafxart/Shutterstock

Fall: September to November

Fall weather

• Overview: Fall brings cooler temperatures (50°F-59°F) and unpredictable weather, with rain and wind more frequent.
• Highlands : expect cooler temperatures as the landscape is transformed by Fall colors. 
• Central Scotland : offering milder weather and fewer tourists, Fall is a fine time to explore cities and cultural attractions.
• Scottish Islands : Fall is quieter and cooler in the islands.

Fall activities

• Soak up Fall foliage : enjoy scenic drives and forest walks, especially in the Highlands and National Parks.
• Cultural exploration : Fall is a great time to visit museums, galleries and historic sites in crowd-free conditions.
• Whisky tours : Fall is perfect for touring whisky distilleries, particularly in regions like Speyside and Islay.

Fall events

• Blas Festival : usually held in late September, this celebrates Highland music, culture, and language.
• Halloween : enjoy spooky events and haunted tours, especially in Edinburgh.

Editor's tip: into Outlander and epic scenery? Check-out our customisable Outlander-themed itinerary . 

Cairngorms, Scotland ©  taboga/Shutterstock

Winter: December to February

Winter weather

• Overview: this is the coldest season, with temperatures ranging from 0°C-7°C (32°F -45°F). Snow is possible, especially in the Highlands.
• Highlands : snow-shrouded landscapes offer a winter wonderland.
• Central Scotland : while the weather can be chilly and damp, cities are festive with Christmas markets and lights.
• Scottish Islands : expect harsh weather conditions, which will appeal to hardy souls seeking a quiet, remote escape.

Best winter activities

• Winter sports : go skiing and snowboarding in the Cairngorms and Glencoe.
• Festive celebrations : enjoy Christmas markets, Hogmanay (New Year's Eve), and Burns Night (celebrating poet Robert Burns).
• Cozy Pubs and Cafes : warm up with hearty Scottish fare and a dram of whisky in traditional pubs.

Winter events

•  Hogmanay : Scotland's famous New Year's Eve celebration is especially vibrant in Edinburgh with street partiesand fireworks.
• Burns Night : celebrated on January 25th with traditional Scottish food, poetry, and music.
• Up Helly Aa : held at the end of January, this Viking-inspired festival in Shetland features torchlit processions.

Thinking of visiting Scotland for the festive season and Hogmanay? You could book our customisable Christmas in Scotland itinerary.

Mary King's Close, Edinburgh — a regular haunt of spooky tours of Edinburgh © Julye/Shutterstock

Now, there’s a million-dollar question. When it comes to how long you need for a trip to Scotland, our instinct is to say as long as possible. 

That said, it’s also possible to see a host of top attractions in a few days if, for example, you’re thinking of visiting as part of a bigger trip around the UK.

With that in mind, read on to discover ways to enjoy Scotland in different timeframes, whether you’re limited to a few days, or have a week or longer. 

Stirling Castle, Scotland © Shutterstock

How to spend 3 days in Scotland

If you’re limited to three days in Scotland, we suggest devoting that time to exploring Edinburgh and taking a day trip to the Scottish islands.

Spend your first day in Edinburgh , kicking off with visiting iconic Edinburgh Castle and strolling the historic Royal Mile before exploring St Giles' Cathedral and Holyrood Palace in the afternoon.

Come early evening, hike up Arthur's Seat for stunning views of the city ahead of dining in the Old Town.

On your second day, take a day trip to the Highlands , perhaps to the spectacular Glen Coe valley. Alternatively, visit Loch Lomond for a scenic drive, boat ride, or to hike.

On day three, either spend more time in Edinburgh. You could, for example visit the National Museum of Scotland or the Scottish National Gallery, and hit Princes Street to shop.

Alternatively, take a day trip to Stirling to see the castle and the Wallace Monument, both of which are steeped in Scottish history.

Planning to visit Edinburgh? Discover great places to stay , and read up on ways to explore the city’s quirky side .

The Lochan trail, Glencoe, West Highlands

How to spend 5 days in Scotland

If you have five days in Scotland, here’s a suggested itinerary that’ll take you from Edinburgh to Inverness (via the Highlands) and onto the Isle of Skye . 

Start your first day with a visit to Edinburgh Castle and walk down the historic Royal Mile that connects the castle and Holyrood Palace.

You’ll also want to visit  St Giles' Cathedral, Holyrood Palace and Arthur's Seat before heading to Inverness — capital of the Scottish Highlands — on day two.

While the drive takes about 3.5 hours without stops, we suggest you plan some scenic detours. 

For example, you could stop at the charming town of Pitlochry to tour the Blair Athol Distillery, visit nearby Blair Castle and drive through Cairngorms National Park, with a view to reaching Inverness that evening. 

On day three, drive to Loch Ness and explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness.

That afternoon, continue your exploration of the Highlands with a visit to Glen Affric, which is known for its sweeping vistas and hiking trails.

The Isle of Skye awaits on day four. Leave Inverness early and drive to the Skye Bridge, stopping off at Eilean Donan Castle en route.

Then spend the afternoon exploring Portree, the largest town on Skye, or hike up to the Old Man of Storr, a rock formation that offers spectacular views.

On the morning of day five, you could visit the enchanting Fairy Glen before returning to Edinburgh. 

Keen to explore Skye? Get the Pocket Rough Guide to the Isle of Skye and the Western Isles.

Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland-© Shutterstock

How to spend 7 days in Scotland

If you have a week in Scotland and are looking to experience epic scenery and history at one fell swoop, you might just love our customisable Magical Family Adventure in Scotland itinerary.

Covering Edinburgh, Harry Potter highlights, and iconic natural landmarks like Loch Ness, it’s sure to satisfy all ages.

We suggest spending your first couple of days in Edinburgh before boarding a train to the Scottish Highlands on day three. 

You’ll whizz along the enchanting west coast towards Rannoch Moor in Perthshire and Glen Coe, with the chance to visit Loch Etive and Loch Torren, where Hagrid’s hut awaits.

Next, travel to Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Viaduct — just like the Hogwarts Express — before stopping off in Fort William .

On day four, you could actually board the legendary Hogwarts’ Express, a Jacobite steam train, to see more of Scotland’s west coast, including Ben Nevis in the Great Glen — the highest summit in Britain.

Loch Ness awaits on day five, where you’ll want to keep an eye out for its legendary monster before continuing to Cairngorms National Park .

Return to Edinburgh on day six to further explore the city before you depart.

Glenfinnan viaduct railway, West Highland, Scotland © Shutterstock

How to spend 10 days in Scotland

Wondering how to spend ten days in bonny Scotland? We suggest taking a richly rewarding Highlands tour to discover the beautiful region of Perthshire, the sandy beaches of the Scottish West Coast, and the scenic Isle of Skye.

After arriving in Edinburgh and taking a city tour, drive to Loch Ness on day two, making a stop at the Falls of Bruar.

When you’ve explored the Loch and Urquhart Castle, continue to Inverness before venturing to Scotland’s Far North on day three. 

Here you could visit the Glenmorangie Whiskey Distillery, explore the mountains around Assynt, and stroll secluded beaches before traveling on to Ullapool.

On day four, take time to discover the region of Wester Ross, and spend the night in Plockton — a village that’s been dubbed the Jewel of the Highlands. 

Next, take a trip to the Isle of Skye before spending day six visiting Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, with a view to reaching Oban in the early evening.

Day seven will see you venture to the Isle of Mull and spend the night in charming Tobermory. You could also take a trip to the Isle of Iona and visit Iona Abbey — burial place of the first kings of Scotland.

On day eight, visit Kilchurn Castle and Loch Lomond National Park to enjoy scenic strolls, or more challenging hikes if you’re up for adventure.

Then spend your last couple of days back in Edinburgh, uncovering more culture and soaking up local whisky and cuisine — the city isn’t short of celebrated restaurants. 

Want more ideas? Browse more Scotland itineraries .

Tobermory, Isle Mull, Scotland © Stefano Valeri/Shutterstock

Still wondering how to plan a trip to Scotland after reading our suggested itineraries? No problem. 

Read on for a run-down of the best cities and regions to visit on your first trip to Scotland, along with an overview of the best historic sites.

Best cities to visit

• Overview : Scotland’s stunning capital is known for its stunning architecture, rich history and fine food scene.
• Highlights : Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Arthur's Seat, St Giles' Cathedral, National Museum of Scotland, and the annual Edinburgh Festival.
• Overview : Glasgow , Scotland's largest city, is renowned for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture, lively music scene, and vibrant cultural life.
• Highlights : Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Cathedral, The Lighthouse, Riverside Museum, and the Glasgow School of Art.

Keen to visit Glasgow? Discover our favourite things to do in the city, and find out why Scotland's City of Cool makes a great weekend- break destination .

• Overview : gateway to the Highlands, Inverness is known for its charming riverside setting and proximity to Loch Ness.
• Highlights : Inverness Castle, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, the Caledonian Canal, and nearby attractions like Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns.
• Overview : known as the "Granite City" for its grey stone buildings, Aberdeen is a hub for the oil industry and offers beautiful coastal views.
• Highlights : Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Duthie Park, Aberdeen Beach, and Old Aberdeen's historic architecture.

Inspired to visit Aberdeen? Find out how to ace your time in the Granite City . 

• Overview : Gateway to the Highlands, Stirling is known for its significant role in Scottish history.
• Highlights : Stirling Castle, The National Wallace Monument, Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre, and the Old Town Jail.

Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, Scotland © Shutterstock

Best regions to visit

The Highlands

• Overview : a region of rugged landscapes, majestic mountains, and deep glens, the Highlands offer outdoor adventures and picturesque scenery.
• Highlights : Loch Ness, Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Isle of Skye, and Cairngorms National Park.

Scottish Islands

• Overview : encompassing the Inner and Outer Hebrides in the Western Isles , Orkney , and Shetland , the Scottish Islands offer diverse landscapes, unique cultures, and rich history.
• Highlights : Isle of Skye (Fairy Pools, Old Man of Storr), Isle of Mull, Isle of Arran, and Orkney's Neolithic sites.

The Trossachs and Loch Lomond

• Overview : Gateway to the Highlands, this region delivers stunning lochs, rolling hills, and dense forests.
• Highlights : Loch Lomond , Trossachs National Park, and the charming village of Callander.

The Borders

• Overview : Scotland’s Border region in Southern Scotland is renowned for its rolling hills, historic abbeys and textile heritage.
• Highlights : Melrose Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey, Floors Castle, and the town of Peebles.

Loch Lomond, Scotland © Shutterstock

Best historic sights

Edinburgh Castle

Perched atop Castle Rock, this iconic fortress offers panoramic views of Edinburgh and houses the Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny.

The Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace

Stretching from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace — the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland — the Royal Mile is a mist-visit historic street in Edinburgh.

Stirling Castle

A key historical site in Scotland, Stirling Castle played a crucial role in Scottish history, including the Wars of Independence.

Urquhart Castle

Located on the shores of Loch Ness, the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle offer a glimpse into Scottish history, along with stunning views of the loch.

Eilean Donan Castle

One   of the most photographed castles in Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle is located on a small island where three lochs converge, and has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows.

Rosslyn Chapel

This 15th-century chapel is famous for its intricate carvings and mysterious symbolism, as featured in The Da Vinci Code.

Culloden Battlefield

Site of the last major battle on British soil in 1746, where the Jacobite forces were defeated., the visitor center at Culloden Battlefield   offers an in-depth look at the battle's history.

Skara Brae, a remarkably well-preserved Neolithic village on Orkney, offers insights into the lives of ancient inhabitants.

Doune Castle

The medieval stronghold of Doune Castle has been featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Game of Thrones and Outlander.

Melrose Abbey

A   magnificent ruin in the Scottish Borders, Melrose Abbey is   believed to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart.

Skara Brae, Orkney, Scotland © Shutterstock

There are several ways to travel from the United States to Scotland, including direct flights and connecting flights through London and other European hubs. 

Direct Flights from the US to Scotland

Several airlines operate direct flights from major US cities to Scotland. Here are some key routes:

To Edinburgh Airport (EDI) New York City (JFK/EWR): Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines Boston (BOS): Delta Air Lines, American Airlines Chicago (ORD): United Airlines Washington, D.C. (IAD): United Airlines

To Glasgow Airport (GLA) New York City (JFK/EWR): United Airlines Orlando (MCO): Virgin Atlantic (seasonal) Philadelphia (PHL): American Airlines (seasonal)

Connecting Flights via London

If direct flights to Scotland are unavailable for your dates, you could fly to London and ttransfer to a domestic flight to Scotland. 

Heathrow Airport (LHR) Connections: frequent flights to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness. Airlines: British Airways, easyJet, Flybe, and other carriers offer connections.

Gatwick Airport (LGW) Connections: regular flights to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness. Airlines: British Airways, easyJet, and others.

London City Airport (LCY) Connections: primarily business travelers with flights to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Airlines: British Airways

Stansted Airport (STN) and Luton Airport (LTN) Connections: mainly budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet.

European transfers

In addition to London, other major European hubs like Amsterdam (AMS), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), and Dublin (DUB) also offer convenient connections to Scotland. These airports are served by various international carriers and low-cost airlines.

Winter in the Cairngorms, Scotland © Shutterstock

Self-driving and using public transport both have their merits in Scotland, depending on your preferences, itinerary and budget.

Hiring a car offers the flexibility to explore remote areas and travel at your own pace, while public transport provides a convenient, eco-friendly way to travel between cities, along with opportunities to see Scotland's varied landscapes. 

Here’s a run-down of both options.

How to hire a car

Renting a car can be an excellent way to explore Scotland, offering the flexibility to visit secluded rural locations, and stop off at scenic spots.

Car rental services are available at major airports (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen), city centers, and some larger towns.

Major rental companies include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, and Budget.

As for driving requirements, US travelers need a valid US driver’s license. While the minimum age to rent a car is usually 21, some companies require drivers to be at least 25.

Vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road in Scotland, and speed limits are posted in miles per hour (mph). Common limits are 30 mph in urban areas, 60 mph on single carriageway roads, and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

Note that   roundabouts are common — yield to traffic coming from the right and signal when exiting.

Editor’s tip: thinking of renting a car? Read up on the best Scotland road trip itineraries . 

You might also want to consider following the North Coast 500 , a 516-mile route around the awe-inspiring northern coast.

Kylesku Bridge — a landmark on the North Coast 500 @ Helen Hotson/Shutterstock

How to travel by public transport

Scotland has a comprehensive public transport network, making it easy to travel between cities and explore the countryside.

Using public transport can be more economical than renting a car, with many train and bus routes serving scenic views without the stress of driving.

Traveling by train Scotland's rail network connects major cities and towns, with scenic routes like the West Highland Line offering breath-taking views.

ScotRail is the primary train operator. Other services include the Caledonian Sleeper (a handy overnight train from London) and regional operators.

Tickets can be purchased online, at stations, or via apps. Note that advance booking often results in lower fares, and consider buying a ScotRail Travelpass for unlimited travel on certain routes.

Traveling by bus or coach Buses are a convenient option for shorter journeys and rural areas not served by trains.

Major cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow have extensive bus networks, with Lothian Buses and First Bus being prominent operators.

In addition, companies like Citylink and Megabus offer long-distance services between cities and towns. 

Using ferries Ferries connect the mainland to the Scottish Islands, including the Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland.

Operators include Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) operates most ferry services. NorthLink Ferries and Pentland Ferries serve routes to Orkney and Shetland.

Reservations are recommended, especially in summer — we suggest checking schedules and pre-booking tickets online.

Ben Nevis, Scotland © Shutterstock

When it comes to planning a trip to Scotland, we suggest researching — and booking — your accommodation as you map out your itinerary.

That way, you’ll stand a better chance of securing your preferred places to stay for a better price. 

Pre-booking is especially important if you’re traveling in Scotland during the peak tourist season, such as visiting Edinburgh during the festival. 

The same is advised when it comes to booking tours and entry tickets to attractions. Why waste time waiting in line when you can pre-book a skip-the line ticket that fits with your schedule? 

Pre-booking also enables you to keep an eye on your budget. Talking of which…

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

The cost of a trip to Scotland can vary widely depending on your travel style, and the time of year. 

Read on for ballpark overviews of costs covering budget, mid-range, and luxury travel

Budget travel

If you’re on a budget, you could look to book accommodation in hostel dorms for around $20-$40 per night, rising to $60-$100 in budget hotels and B&Bs.

When it comes to eating for less, you can expect to pay round $5-$10 per meal for street food or takeaway, and work to a budget of $10-$20 per meal in cheaper restaurants.

Another way to save cash is to use local buses and trains, and to check-out all those free museums and galleries, mixed with a few visits to attractions (e.g. castles) that have an entry free.

Mid-range travel

Expect to pay around $100-$200 a night to stay in 3-Star Hotels and B&Bs, while eating out in mid-range restaurants will set you back around $20-$30 per person for dinner.

Getting around with public transport and the occasional taxi will cost around $10-$20 per day, plus $40-$80 for any standard class Intercity train tickets.

As for the cost of activities and attractions, entrances fees to popular attractions cost $15-$30 per site, while guided tours and experience s (e.g. whiskey tastings) will cost $30-$100.

Luxury travel

If you’re not curtailed by costs, expect to pay $200-$500+ per night to stay in 4 to 5-star luxury hotels and high-class B&Bs.

Dining in upscale restaurants will set you back around $20-$40 per meal, and $50+ for fine dining.

When it comes to getting around, expect to pay $50-$150 per day to rent a standard vehicle, and $50 - $150+ for private transfers, depending on distance and level of service.

Meanwhile, first-class train tickets for intercity travel will cost $80-$200+.

If you’re looking for premium experience, private tours and the likes of helicopter rides to view spectacular scenery will cost  $100-$500+.

Want more help planning your trip? Get  The Rough Guide to Scotland , or our guide to the Scottish Highlands and Islands .

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to leave the planning to someone else, browse our  Scotland itineraries  — they’re curated by experts, and fully customisable.

Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.

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