love to visit scotland

The 14 best places to visit in Scotland

Nov 19, 2023 • 10 min read

Pack your camping gear (and your rainproofs) and head to some of the best places to visit in Scotland © Robert Coppinger / Shutterstock

Some of the best places to visit in Scotland will be instantly familiar to anyone who’s ever gazed at a whisky label or shortbread tin. Think dramatic peaks, lonely glens, lochs, tartan and haggis!

From spectacular Skye and historic Edinburgh to the rolling rivers of Speyside, Scotland’s big sights are as glorious as you’d imagine. But scratch the surface of this proud nation and you’ll find a varied and engrossing place, dotted with prehistoric villages, wild clubs, rich seafood and ruined abbeys.

So, where to start? Once you've decided on the best time for your visit , you need to decide on the best places to go while you're there. Here is our pick of the best destinations in Scotland to get you started.

1. Edinburgh

Best place for year-round entertainment

Scotland's capital may be famous for its festivals, but there's much more to the city than that. Edinburgh is a place of many moods: visit in spring to see the Old Town silhouetted against a blue sky and a yellow haze of daffodils, or on a chill winter’s day for fog snagging the spires of the Royal Mile, rain on the cobblestones, and a warm glow beckoning from the windows of local pubs. With a world-class modern art gallery , top museums , spooky historic sites and a majestic 12th-century castle , there's plenty to keep you entertained whatever the season.

Local tip: Start your visit to Edinburgh with a climb up Arthur's Seat , an extinct volcano for panoramic views over the city.

2. West Highland Way

Best place for long-distance hiking

The best way to really get inside Scotland's landscapes is to walk them. Here, peaks tower over lochs and sea cliffs gaze over the wind-whipped sea, but there are short woodland trails and charming strolls through valleys dusted with purple heather, too. Top of the wish list for many hikers is the 96-mile West Highland Way from Milngavie (near Glasgow) to Fort William , a weeklong walk through some of the country's finest scenery, finishing in the shadow of its highest peak, Ben Nevis.

If you don’t have the time or energy for a long-distance trek, it's possible to do just a day's hike along part of the trail. For example, you could walk the section from Rowardennan to Inversnaid, returning to your starting point using the Loch Lomond waterbus . Whichever section you take on, pack waterproofs and midge repellent. Rail lovers should note that sleeper trains run south from Fort William all the way to London, making for an easy exit after a walk.

Detour:  The 1,345m (4,413ft) summit of Ben Nevis is within reach of anyone who's reasonably fit: treat the peak with respect and your reward (weather permitting) will be magnificent views that can stretch as far as Northern Ireland.

3. North Coast 500

Best place for a scenic road trip

Breathtaking views abound in the Highlands , but the far north is where things become truly awe-inspiring. This is the best place in Scotland to explore by car (you can also cycle it), with some of the finest roadside scenery in Europe.

The North Coast 500 starts and ends in the likable city of Inverness , and loops past the lochs, sand dunes and golf courses of the east coast before taking in the remote cliffs and beaches of Cape Wrath, the rugged peaks of Assynt and Torridon’s desolate beauty. These sights, and the nooks of warm Highland hospitality found in the region's classic rural pubs and old crofting villages, make this an unforgettable weeklong tour.

4. Isle of Skye

Best place for photographers

In a country famous for stunning scenery, the Isle of Skye takes the top prize. From the craggy peaks of the Cuillins and the bizarre pinnacles of the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing to the spectacular sea cliffs of Neist Point, there's a photo opportunity awaiting you at almost every turn.

Skye is also one of the best places in Scotland to see golden eagles, and you’ll find convivial pubs and top seafood restaurants if you can tear your eyes from the natural world. Of course, all this tourist appeal makes Skye one of Scotland's most popular destinations. The crowds tend to stick to Portree , Dunvegan and Trotternish – it’s almost always possible to find peace and quiet in the island’s further-flung corners.

Planning tip:  Come prepared for changeable weather – when it’s fine, it’s very fine indeed, but all too often it isn’t.

5. Loch Lomond

Best place for a lakeside hike

Despite being less than an hour's drive from the bustle and sprawl of Glasgow, the bonnie braes (banks) of Loch Lomond – immortalized in the words of one of Scotland's best-known songs – comprise one of the most scenic parts of the country.

At the heart of Scotland's first national park , the loch begins as a broad, island-peppered lake in the south, its shores clothed in bluebell-sprinkled woods before narrowing in the north to a fjord-like trench ringed by mountains.

Detour: The summit of Ben Lomond (974m/3,031ft) is a popular climb – follow the well-maintained path for a 7-mile round-trip on the popular Tourist Route (allow around 5 hours).

Best place for live music and pub culture

Scotland's biggest city may lack Edinburgh's stunning setting, but it more than makes up for it with a barrelful of things to do and a warmth and energy that leaves every visitor impressed. Edgy and contemporary, it's a great spot to browse art galleries and museums , and to discover the works of local design hero Charles Rennie Mackintosh .

Glasgow’s infectious vitality is best sampled via its lively pubs and clubs, which host one of the world's great live music scenes.

Local tip:  Check out upcoming (mostly alt-rock) acts at the Barrowland  (crowned the UK's best music venue by Time Out magazine in 2023), a legendary former ballroom, or try the Sub Club for house and techno, the Clutha Bar for roots and rock, or Nice N Sleazy , a classic indie dive.

7. Stirling

Best place for castle fans

With an impregnable position atop a mighty wooded crag – the plug of an extinct volcano – Stirling ’s beautifully preserved Old Town is a treasure trove of historic buildings and cobbled streets winding up to the ramparts of Stirling Castle . This fortress has seen serious action – it was bombarded by the Warwolf, a giant 14th-century English siege engine, and was besieged during the 1745 Jacobite rising, as well as sending troops to the battle of Bannockburn (the decisive battle celebrated at the end of Braveheart ), just a few miles south.

Today, views that stretch to the Highlands, glorious tapestries and juicy history make this Scotland’s best castle – and a great family attraction.

Planning tip:  It's best to visit in the afternoon; many tourists come on day trips, so you may have the castle almost to yourself by 4pm.

8. St Andrews

Best place for golfers

Scotland invented the game of golf, and the city of  St Andrews is still revered as its spiritual home by hackers and champions alike. Links courses are the classic experience here – bumpy coastal affairs where the rough is heather and machair (coastal grass) and the main enemy is the wind, which can make a disaster of a promising round in an instant.

St Andrews, the historic Fife university town, is golf's headquarters , and an irresistible destination for anyone who loves the sport. And if you're not so keen, well, the city has impressive medieval ruins , stately university buildings , idyllic white sands and excellent guesthouses and restaurants .

9. Skara Brae

Best place for lovers of ancient history

When visiting ancient sites, it can sometimes be difficult to bridge the gulf of years or build a connection with the people that built them, but Scotland’s superb prehistoric remains have an immediate impact. Few places offer a better glimpse of everyday Stone Age life than Skara Brae in Orkney  with its carefully constructed fireplaces, beds, cupboards and water cisterns.

This Neolithic village – which, at 5,000 years is older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids of Giza – lay buried in coastal sand dunes for centuries. Even today, it can feel as though the inhabitants have just slipped out to go fishing and could return at any moment.

10. Glen Coe

Best place for clan history

Scotland's most famous glen combines two essential qualities of the Highlands: dramatic scenery and a deep sense of history. The peace and beauty of this valley today belies the fact that Glen Coe was the scene of a ruthless 17th-century massacre, when the local MacDonalds were murdered by soldiers of the Campbell clan.

Some of the glen's finest walks – to the Lost Valley, for example – follow the routes taken by fleeing clanspeople, many of whom perished in the snow.

Planning tip:  Start at the Glencoe Visitor Centre for more information on this beautiful place and its tragic history.

11. Perthshire

Best place to enjoy nature's bounty

In Perthshire , the heart of Scotland, picturesque towns bloom with flowers, distilleries emit tempting malty odors and sheep graze in impossibly green meadows. There's a feeling of the bounty of nature that no other place in Scotland can replicate.

Blue-gray lochs shimmer, reflecting the changing moods of the weather; centuries-old trees tower amid riverside forests; majestic glens scythe their way into remote wildernesses; and salmon leap upriver to the place of their birth.

12. Shetland Islands

Best place for birdwatching

Close enough to Norway to make Scottish nationality an ambiguous concept, the Shetland Islands are Britain’s most northerly outpost. The stirringly bleak setting – recognized as a precious UNESCO geopark – still feels uniquely Scottish though, with deep, naked glens flanked by steep hills, twinkling, sky-blue lochs and, of course, wandering sheep on the little-trafficked roads. It's the birdlife, however, that really draws visitors here.

From their first arrival in late spring to the raucous feeding frenzies of high summer, the vast colonies of gannets, guillemots, skua, puffins and kittiwakes at Hermaness , Noss, Sumburgh Head and Fair Isle provide some of Britain's most impressive birdwatching experiences.

Local tip: Shetland is one of the best places in the UK to spot orcas (and the Northern Lights).

13. Speyside

Best place for whisky tasting

Scotland's national drink is whisky – from the Gaelic uisge beatha , meaning “water of life” – and this fiery spirit has been distilled here for more than 500 years. More than 50 distilleries are in operation in Speyside, Scotland's most famous whisky area, famed for fruity, lightly spicy flavors (head over to Islay for peatier varieties).

Ask at the Whisky Museum about the Malt Whisky Trail, a self-guided tour around the local distilleries. If you just have time for one, the Balvenie Distillery is a good bet as it still uses a traditional malting floor – the smell is glorious!

Planning tip:  Dufftown lies at the heart of the region and is host to the biannual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

14. The Scotland Borders

Best place for a country ramble

Many visitors to Scotland race up to Edinburgh and then hightail it to the Highlands, missing the Scottish Borders entirely . That's their loss. Once fought over by war chiefs and cattle thieves, the Borders region is rich in history and packed with good cycling and hiking routes.

There are grand country houses, too – Traquair House brews Jacobite Ale and has a concealed room that once hid Catholic priests – and a series of gorgeous ruined abbeys – Gothic Melrose Abbey is the best – plus birds and sea cliffs at St Abb’s Head. More active types can fish for salmon or thunder down the mountain bike trails at Glentress and Innerleithen.

This article was first published May 2021 and updated November 2023

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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.

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.

How to plan a trip to Scotland

By: Author [email protected]

So you are planning a trip to Scotland? Hooray! How exciting! Don’t know where to start with the rest of the planning?

Travelling to any new place can be overwhelming – and with thousands of miles of stunning scenery, lochs, mediaeval cities, castles, mountains, national parks and hundreds of islands to visit, planning your trip to Scotland can be mind-boggling. Here’s my guide to everything you need to know about planning a trip to Scotland. 

1. Start with your itinerary

You’ve probably got a few things to do in Scotland on your to-do list already. Want to visit the Isle of Skye? Go to the Edinburgh festival? Drive through Glencoe? See that castle with the wee bridge?

You could spend years visiting Scotland (and I have) and it’s tempting to try and squeeze in all of the ‘top ten places in Scotland’ to visit into your one week trip.

But hold up. Like a lot of places in the world, at times Scotland is suffering from over-tourism. Glencoe is full of bad parking, there are crowds jostling to take videos of the ‘Harry Potter train’ going over the Glenfinnan viaduct and locals moan on Facebook about being stuck behind convoys of camper vans on their way to the Fairy Pools on Skye.

Thankfully Scotland is a huge place and there are loads of places you can visit to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds. I’m not saying don’t visit the popular spots, but don’t make them the focus of your trip or you are truly missing out on the real Scotland – not the one you’ve seen on Instagram.

If you want to truly experience the real Scotland, try:

• The real ‘ top ten’ places you should be visiting in Scotland – you won’t regret it, I promise!
• Get off the beaten track with these Scotland hidden gems
• 10 off the beaten track and ‘remote’ places to visit in Scotland
• If you have to visit the top ten guide book places to visit in Scotland here is how to do it.

2. Plan a road trip around Scotland

Planning a road trip in Scotland is an art. Maybe you have a week, 10 days or if you are lucky, even longer. You will still want to see EVERYTHING, including going to the Outer Hebrides, Skye, Orkney and Loch Ness – believe me, seeing it all cannot be done. You will just need to keep coming back – or use one of my itineraries to plan your perfect trip: 

• Do you want to drive the North Coast 500? Scotland’s most famous road trip takes in 500 miles around the north coast of Scotland taking in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Here is a perfect 7 day north coast 500 itinerary or plan your own with my ultimate NC500 guides .
• Want to visit the Highlands of Scotland in just a few days? Explore with this best bits of central Scotland and the highlands road trip . starting in Edinburgh, road trip to Loch Lomond, then head north to explore Scotland’s most famous glen, Glencoe, and on to Loch Ness before returning via beautiful Perthshire. 
• Thinking of going Island hopping? Get on a ferry and go island-hopping on the west coast . if you just have a fews days, grab a ferry hopping ticket from CalMac and sail from Skye to Mallaig, Kilchoan to Tobermory, and Craignure to Oban.
• Really want to get off the beaten track and see Scotland’s west coast? Discover the wilds of Wester Ross . With over 3000 square miles of soaring mountains and atmospheric glens, ancient Caledonian forest and wild beaches set against a backdrop of fjord-like lochs; Wester Ross is one of the world’s most spectacular, and remote, regions.

More Scotland itineraries

• Explore Scotland’s National Parks – visit Loch Lomond and the Trossachs  and  The Cairngorms National Park .
• Deeside – explore Royal Deeside home to the famous Balmoral Pyramids.
• Orkney – visit  Orkney and discover 5000 years of history including Skara Brae and famous standing stones.
• The Isle of Islay – fall in love with the Isle of Islay – especially if you love whisky.
• Moray and Speyside – drive  The Moray Firth  coastal route visiting some of the north of Scotland’s prettiest villages before heading down into Speyside to tour the whisky distilleries.
• The East Neuk of Fife – eat your way around  the East Neuk of Fife  – Scotland’s Cornwall.
• The Western Isles / Outer Hebrides – have an adventure in the fabulous  Outer Hebrides.
• Ardnamurchan – visit remote  Ardnamurchan and the most westerly Point of Scotland.
• Aberdeenshire – discover  Aberdeenshire with its beautiful coast and hundreds of fairytale castles.

Want to go it alone? Use my guide to planning your own  road trip around Scotland  and my favourite  places to stay in Scotland .

3. Book somewhere fabulous to stay in Scotland

Scotland does accommodation brilliantly. From luxury hotels to glamping and camping there is so much choice. However not everywhere is good – and prices can be very high. Here are my favourite places to stay in Scotland – tried and tested by us!

• My favourite places to stay in Scotland and 15 more fab places to stay in Scotland
• Looking for a hotel? Here are my favourite luxury and boutique hotels in Scotland
• Like to be able to spread out or cook, then check into self catering accommodation
• Scotland has amazing log cabins, huts and lodges and there are lots of log cabins with hot tubs
• Like the outdoors? Why not choose a campsites in Scotland
• With your partner? Here is the best romantic places to stay in Scotland and how to plan a honeymoon in Scotland
• Got the pup in tow? Here is my favourite dog friendly accommodation in Scotland
• Go all in and choose one of the many castles to stay in Scotland

4. Prepare for the Scottish ‘weather’ 

It is going to rain on your trip to Scotland. I can guarantee it. Scotland doesn’t stay a wonderful green & verra pleasant land without a lot of rain. When we talk about the ‘weather in Scotland’ we rarely mean the sun. Instead, we have hundreds of words to describe rain – my favourites include:

• dreich (miserable)
• drookit (absolutely chucking it down)
• stoating (the rain is literally bouncing off the ground, also used to describe very drunk people) and
• haar (a thick sea mist which means you can’t see a bloody thing, mostly seen in Skye and Edinburgh).

We do get some sun, occasionally, but don’t forget to pack a waterproof coat, that’s all I am saying. To quote Billy Connolly, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little.

5. The really ‘Scottish’ things you shouldn’t miss

Let’s start with the really Scottish stuff you want to do shall we?

See a Highland Coo

The ‘Helian Coo’ is an icon of Scotland – so much our tourist board, Visit Scotland, have renamed Tuesday as ‘ #coosday ’ – check out the hashtag on Instagram for much cuteness! A photograph of our fluffy gentle monsters will be high up on your list, don’t worry you will see them everywhere.

One of my favourite places to get up close and personal with a coo is on the slopes of Conic Hill above Loch Lomond – you also get a brilliant view of the loch, win win. Did you know that our actual national animal of Scotland is a Unicorn? Yes really. 

Dance with a man in a kilt  

Scotland’s national dress is actually rather good and whether yer man is a Skinny Malinky long legs or knobbly of the knee, the kilt turns a Scot into a ScotsMAN and it really does turn every lady slightly wobbly – see Outlander for evidence.

Sadly kilts aren’t worn by men at all times, but the best place to see kilts are at weddings, ceilidhs (Scottish dances) and formal events – so try and get yourself invited to one (or gatecrash, the more the merrier!) 

Drink whisky

The ‘water of life ‘is behind many of our late nights (and our jovial nature) so you have to give it a try. There are over 300 whisky distilleries across Scotland – there really is a style for everyone.

Read my guide to Scottish Whisky , my guide to The Isle of Islay and how to discover the whiskies of Speyside .

Tried a few and really don’t like whisky? There are also over 130 breweries and a plethora of gin producers. Don’t forget that whisky in Scotland has no E – and you will be corrected instantly, it is a matter of pride.

Avoid the midges

A small biting fly, midges appear in humungous clouds just as you want to enjoy the sunshine and are the bane of our west coast summers. You can avoid them by visiting Scotland in the offseason, or by staying on the east coast or south Scotland. You can protect yourself from them somewhat with Smidge spray and head nets.

It is also worth watching out for ticks and clegs (massive horseflies) if you are out exploring the countryside in summer. 

We love haggis so much in Scotland that we eat it for breakfast. The trick is to try and not think about what you are eating (just like black pudding) and forget it is all the bits of a sheep you’d normally thrown away, wrapped up in the stomach.

If you really can’t face it (and its absolutely delicious so you are missing out) there are veggie versions which are just as good – and some say even better. Haggis is usually served with neeps (turnip) and tatties (potato). 

More traditional foods to try in Scotland

Stock up on Irn Bru

Drunk too much whisky? The Scottish hangover cure is a fried breakfast and a can of Irn Bru a lurid orange and sickly sweet fizzy juice. It is an acquired taste (and since they reduced the sugar content, even more so) but it works marvellously the day after the night before.

Hear Bagpipes

Some people love them but stay away from them if you have a hangover. It is truly painful.

7. Choose the best time to visit Scotland 

So, it is going to rain – but are you wondering when the best time to visit Scotland is? Whilst the answer should be ‘anytime!’ but in terms of climate, the best time to visit Scotland is in spring from March to May and autumn from September to October.

Here is how to visit Scotland in Spring .

Scotland’s weather is highly unpredictable and you whilst you can still experience four seasons in one day (including snow in March) spring and autumn weather in Scotland is usually the most stable.

I rarely travel in Scotland in Summer – most of my photographs on this site are taken in spring/autumn and even in winter too! Go on think about it, how to visit Scotland in Autumn and Winter .

Travelling in summer in Scotland does means dealing with midges – tiny biting black flies/ You can’t avoid them, but you can beat them – pick up the best insect repellent for the Scottish midge ‘ Smidge ’. 

Sadly, midgies are worst in the early evening – just as you want to sit out on the lochside with that sundowner drink.

8. Learn to drive in Scotland 

Unless you are planning on booking a coach trip or Scottish Highland’s tour, the best way of seeing Scotland is by car – either on a road trip or making yourself a base for a week and exploring. Visit Scotland have a great wee guide to driving in Scotland , but I’d recommend brushing up on the speed limits, roundabouts, road signs and these tips: 

• Keep LEFT – or you will cause an accident. 
• Understand how to drive on a single track road – off the main motorways and ‘A’ routes many of the roads in Scotland are single lane – that is just one lane for cars moving in both directions. There are passing places to let people past both in front of you – and it is worth remembering – from behind. Don’t frustrate a local by not letting them past. 
• Scotland might look small, but not everything takes an hour to get to – because of the aforementioned single track roads and traffic jams caused by sheep, coos, goats, cyclists and campervans, add an extra hour to the journey time on google maps, just in case. 
• Acknowledge your fellow drivers – a wave, a thank you or let someone past is much appreciated. 
• The Highlands of Scotland are renowned for not having a 3g or even in some places a mobile signal, you will need actually need a paper map in Scotland. 

9. Using public Transport in Scotland

Ferries in scotland.

To get to Scotland’s islands you will need to catch either ferry run by Caledonian McBrayne (affectionately known as Calmac) to visit the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides , or Pentland Ferries / Northlink ferries to Visit Orkney and Shetland.

If you want to head to Harris & Lewis, Mull or Islay in summer it is worth booking way in advance of travelling. 

Trains – Scotrail

The trains are run by Scotrail and will take you to all the major cities, along with a few scenic routes such as the West Highland Line to Fort William and Mallaig, across the Glenfinnan (or Harry Potter) Viaduct. The best value tickets are released 12 weeks in advance. Book your train tickets with trainline.com *.

Most bus services outside of the city are run by Stagecoach . They have an app with a route planner.

10. The food you need to try

Scottish food isn’t all deep-fried mars bars, steak pies, fish and chips and curries – although you must try a Glasgow Chicken Tikka Masala!

Here are my favourite restaurants in Scotland

More Scottish food to try

Why not try?

• A square sausage and tattie scone roll – a breakfast staple for Glaswegians, this is a fried beef sausage (made in a loaf shape and sliced) with a flat potato cake on top. Served in a fluffy white morning roll. 
• Scottish prawns – otherwise known as langoustines, Scottish prawns are huge and are served in their shells, hot or cold, and usually come with a big bowl of salty chips.
• Tablet – like fudge? You will love tablet. Your teeth won’t as tablet is sugary, buttery, crumbly deliciousness – and addictive.
• Cullen Skink – Scotland’s most famous soup, Cullen Skink is a delicious soup of potato, onion, smoked haddock, bay leaves, chicken stock, cream and black pepper. The best place to try Cullen Skink is in the town where it was first made, Cullen on the Moray Firth .
• Smoked salmon – served ‘hot smoked’ – which is cooked, or ‘smoked’ which is raw, Scottish salmon is the best in the world, imo. Just add bread and butter, or scrambled eggs. 
• Porridge – the traditional Scottish breakfast of oats soaked in milk is an acquired taste, especially if you have it with salt (urgh) – it’s much better if you add honey, jam, or even whisky. However, a breakfast of porridge is guaranteed to will set you up for the day – and probably the next day too.
• Crab claws –   especially from the seafood shack in Ullapool. Grab a bench and tuck in.

If you are anything like me, food is a major part of why I visit a new place. Before I travel anywhere I make a list of restaurants, cafes, bars and distilleries I have to visit.

Over the years I have tried and tested lots of restaurants in Scotland (and have many ‘on the list’ still to visit) and I have popped them all on a google map of all my recommended places to eat and drink in Scotland – from Michelin-starred restaurants to a lobster shack on the beach – download it and start planning your trip around where you want to eat! T

The food in Scotland is amazing – fresh seafood, incredible beef, lamb and game, an inventive veggie and vegan scene – and specialities from all over the world.

If you have anywhere to recommend not on the map, please drop me a comment!

• Download the map of my favourite places to eat in Scotland

11. Understanding the Scots language 

From the road signs to the way we name our mountains, language is a huge part of what makes Scotland, Scotland. There is even a day celebrating Scotland’s national poet – despite (although probably because of) Burns’ poetry was often about what he got up to in the bedroom. 

In all seriousness, you will probably spend your time in Scotland going “what!?” rather a lot. This is because Scots have three languages – Scots, Gaelic and English (which will still sound like Scots). Just politely ask for clarification. 

Scottish Gaelic is still part of life in the Outer Hebrides and western Scotland, and Scots is becoming increasingly popular – many of the words you will hear come from Scots. Some good ones to know describe being drunk… blootered, stoating, steamin, jaked… ahem. Not that you will ever get stottin in Scotland. Honest.

Mines a Bunnahabhain if you fancy joining me for a whisky! 

Ready to start planning your trip to Scotland? Let’s go!

Love, from Scotland x

The travel blogger and photographer behind Love from Scotland

Wednesday 9th of August 2023

If we wanted to hike the 117 mile trail from Fife in a week, is there any sort of lodging available each night, or is it camping on your own, only?

32 Reasons To Visit Scotland (Later…)

Scotland is such an incredible place to visit. from whisky tasting to exploring the isle of skye, here are 32 reasons to visit scotland..

I’ll say this right now, I absolutely love Scotland . I’m not too sure if Chloe knows, but I’ve always had plans of retiring on a little Scottish island with nothing but beautiful views all around me.

There’s something about that stark remoteness that just pulls me in like few other places around the world. Hopefully some of these photos will show you what I mean.

If you’ve never been before, there are so many reasons to visit Scotland. And once you’ve been, it’s a place you’ll keep on wanting to go back to again and again.

Here are all the reasons you need to visit Scotland at least once in your lifetime.

I first visited Scotland when I was 15. I spent a few days in Edinburgh and in my naive youth I was so shocked at how different it was to England . There is such a sense of history and tradition in Scotland that isn’t as strong in other parts of Great Britain.

Since then, I’ve been back a number of times and I’ve ticked off some of the best things to do in Scotland. I’ve done things like whisky tasting, hiking up in the Scottish Highlands, watching the rugby at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. I really could go on and on here.

In this blog post I’m going to give you 32 reasons to visit Scotland right now. If this isn’t on your Scotland bucket list, add it now!

Reasons to Visit Scotland

Explore the stunning eilean donan castle.

Eilean Donan is one of those picture postcard perfect castles that you’ll find all over Scotland. You’ll probably recognise it as the castle on the front of all Scottish shortbread tins.

The castle was originally built in the 13th century to protect the area against marauding Vikings.  You can find Eilean Donan in the Scottish Highlands overlooking the Isle of Skye.

Live the vanlife on the North Coast 500

The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s version of Route 66. Starting in the northern city of Inverness, the NC500 is a 516 mile road trip route taking you past some of the most beautiful places in Scotland. Usually it takes around a week to drive following the coast. This is perfect for those of you looking for that Insta vanlife holiday.

Laze on the beach when it’s hot and sunny

Yes, Scotland has beautiful beaches. And when Scotland does hot and sunny, there’s no better place to be. The beaches on the Outer Hebrides, on the Isle of Skye and even at Aberdeen are absolutely stunning. Yes, the water is freezing, but you can still have a proper beach day when it’s hot.

Go on a Harry Potter Tour

There are so many iconic Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland. Edinburgh was where J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series, and the architecture of the city is a huge inspiration for Hogwarts.

One of the most popular Harry Potter tours in Scotland is the Magical Highlands Tour with the Hogwarts Express . This is where you’ll visit some of the best filming locations in the area before riding the Hogwarts Express. This is a must for all Potterheads.

Take a million photos of the Highland cows

How cute do Highland cows look? I mean, just look at all that hair! Highland cows are known for their long horns and long shaggy coat. They can be pretty friendly too, so getting up close and taking a few photos usually isn’t a problem at all. Just beware of the bigger bulls which can weigh up to 800kg. It sounds strange but taking photos of the Highland cows is one of my favourite reasons to visit Scotland!

Discover some of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls

Scotland genuinely has some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. This one photoed is from the Isle of Skye which is a stunning. Another of my favourites is Plodda Falls up in the Highlands. You’ll find waterfalls dotted all over the country though and just another reason for visiting here.

See your favourite comedians at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is arguably the best comedy festival in the world. Spanning 25 days with more than 55,000 performances and over 3,000 different types of show, this festival is just massive. Usually world-class comedians put on a variety of shows, but it’s great for discovering some raw comedians too. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is usually in August, so this is a fantastic time to visit the city.

Go on a whisky tour

You can’t come to Scotland without drinking your bodyweight in whisky. Or at least trying the stuff. There are over 130 distilleries dotted all over Scotland, so no matter where you’re going there’s a good chance there will be a whisky distillery near you. Most distilleries like Jura, Macallan and Talisker all do whisky tours. If you want to learn all about whisky while having a wee dram or two, a whisky tour is the best way of doing it.

Go hiking up in the Scottish Highlands

Hiking is one of the best things about Scotland. It doesn’t matter where you are, you’ll find some incredible hiking trails which you can lose yourself on. One of my favs is hiking in the Highlands. The trails around Loch Ness are really popular and accessible. Also, The Old Man of Hoy in Orkney is up there as one of the best day hikes in the world.

Marvel at all the murals and world-class street art in Glasgow

If you’re a fan of street art then you will love Glasgow. In fact, there’s so much street art here they have their own mural trail. You can grab a map or follow the directions on the  website , and head off on your own street art tour of the city.

Many of the creations are by Rogue-One, an amazing graffiti artist from Glasgow. I particularly liked ‘Wind Power’, which features a girl blowing a dandelion that transforms into wind turbines. ‘The Barras Pirate’ (pictured) is also one of my favs too.

Celebrate Burns Night with the locals

Burns Night and Burns Supper is a celebration of the best of Scotland. Celebrating the life and poetry of Robert Burns, the whole country comes together on the 25th January every year to raise a glass to Burns. A traditional Burns Supper involves haggis, neeps and tatties, rounded off with drams of whisky. It sounds like the perfect celebration to me!

Take in the beauty of the Isle of Skye

There aren’t many better reasons to visit Scotland than the Isle of Skye – it is just so stunning. I would even go as far in saying this is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

The Isle of Skye is famous for majestic geological features, such as the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and the Cuillin. This is proper hiking country so make sure you bring along your hiking boots. Skye is also home to the infamous Talisker distillery so make sure you pop by here too.

Visit Scotland’s version of Stonehenge, the Callanish

You’ve heard of Stonehenge in England, right? What about the Callanish Standing Stones? No? Because these are arguably much more impressive than their English counterpart.

Located on the Isle of Harris, the Clannish stones date back over 5,000 years making them much older than the ones at Stonehenge. How amazing is that? Much like with Stonehenge, people aren’t 100% sure why the stones were erected. It doesn’t matter if they were pagan offerings or sacrificial stones, they are still so impressive to see 5,000 years later.

Find out where Shetland ponies come from

You know those cute tiny Peter Pan horses that look like they never grew up? Well you can find them on their home of Shetland.

Shetland ponies vary in size from 70 cm in height to a maximum of 107 cm. Basically, they’re really small. At Shetland there are a few farms still breeding Shetland ponies and a lot of them graze wild. Meeting a Shetland pony is the perfect family activity and it’s something your kids will love.

Get the adrenaline pumping while taking on Scotland’s longest zipline

If you really want to get the adrenaline pumping then I’d really recommend taking on Scotland’s longest zipline at   Laggan Outdoors in South West Scotland. At 820m this is fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled fun. There’s nothing quite like throwing yourself off the top of a hill to get the blood pumping that’s for sure!

Apparently, you hit speeds of 45 mph but it feels so much quicker than that. And you do it all with the most gorgeous views all around you.

Or take on the South West Coast 300

Another epic road trip route in Scotland is the   South West Coastal 300 . This is a relatively new road trip route that goes 300 miles around the south west of Scotland.

The tagline for this route is “the road trip for lovers of Scotland” and that’s exactly what it is. Similar to the North Coast 500, this is perfect for those of you who love stunning scenery with a healthy dose of castles along the way too.

Wander around learning the history of Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is the historic fortress that dominates the skyline of Edinburgh. Located on the aptly named Castle Rock, you can see the castle from all over the city.

There’s been a castle on this site since the 12th century making it one of the most historical places in the county. The best way of learning all about the history of the castle is going on a guided tour . Then you’ll find out facts like it’s the most besieged place in Great Britain. Interesting, huh?

Watch Scotland play at Murrayfield

I promise you there’s nothing more rousing than seeing a packed Murrayfield of 67,000 people sing “Oh Flower of Scotland” before a 6 Nations match. Even if you’re not a rugby fan, this is still one of the most popular things to do in Edinburgh, and you can’t quite beat the electric atmosphere on game day. Watching the rugby is one of the best reasons to visit Edinburgh – it makes me pumped just thinking about it.

Learn about the history of Hadrian’s Wall

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most important Roman structure found in Britain and is an absolute must see on any trip to the UK.  Hadrian’s Wall  was built by 15,000 men in less than six years in order to protect the north western border of the great Roman Empire.

This continuous stone barrier stretches for over 70 miles and is only punctuated by castles, barracks, forts and towers at set intervals. It’s not quite the Great Wall of China but it’s still damn impressive. The best way of visiting Hadrian’s Wall is on a day tour from Edinburgh .

Stay in a ‘bothy’ while going on an epic hike

I know what you’re thinking – what is a ‘bothy’? Good question! A bothy is a hiker’s hut, a place where hikers can stay for the night without needing to camp. The best thing about bothies is they’re absolutely free to stay at. You just have to take out what you bring in, and sometimes leave a small donation to the upkeep on the bothy.

There’s no tap, no sink, no lights, no beds, so it’s very basic, but that’s the beauty of it. And trust me, having a roof over your head after a long day’s hike is worth so much.

There are over 90 bothies dotted around Scotland. Spending the day hiking to a bothy and staying the night is one of the most unique things to do in Scotland.

Try curling for the first in your life

For those of you who don’t know what curling is, it’s basically like bowls on ice. The aim of the game is to get your stone nearest to the ‘house’, the central red circle. Simple as that.

Scotland is one of the best places in the United Kingdom to play curling. There are 22 ice rinks throughout Scotland which have facilities for curling. The place that I gave it a go was at the North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer. Yes, this is a hotel with its own indoor ice curling rink. How cool is that!?

See in the New Year in style at Hogmanay

Hogmanay is what Scots call New Year’s Eve and it is one of the best places in the world to see in the new year. Its origins reach back to the celebration of the winter solstice among the Vikings with wild parties in late December.

Today, the party is still off the scale. There are loads of events around Hogmanay but it all culminates with a huge street party of up to 400,000 people. There’s nothing quite like singing Auld Langs Syne with a group of strangers in the birthplace of the poem. Safe to say Hogmanay is legendary.

Go diving with basking sharks off the coast

DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THIS PICTURE! Basking sharks are the gentle giants of the ocean. Everyone wants to swim with whale sharks; well, it should be the same for basking sharks too.

Basking Shark Scotland run tours throughout the year to dive and swim with basking sharks. The Hebrides is a real hotspot for wildlife particularly for basking sharks and seals. The best time to see the basking sharks is from July to September, so this is a great time to visit. Scotland is genuinely one of the best places in the world to see these cool creatures.

See the magic of the Northern Lights

Yes, you can see the Northern Lights in Scotland! Okay, so it’s pretty rare, but you can see them here. Obviously seeing the Northern Lights depends on how strong the magnetic activity is, but if you’re lucky then you’re in for a treat.

Northern Scotland is actually on the same latitude as Stavanger in Norway and Nunivak Island in Alaska. This means, if you time it right, you can see the Aurora Borealis in the UK without breaking the bank by travelling to other countries. Shetland, Orkney and Caithness are considered the 3 best places to see them from as there’s hardly any light pollution here.

Visit the fairy-tale castle of Caerlaverock Castle

I think  Caerlaverock Castle might just be the cutest castle in the UK. I feel like it’s straight out of a fairy-tale because it’s so small and unusual.

Caerlaverock Castle takes the award as being the UK’s only triangular castle. Yep, this place only has 3 sides which is why it’s so different. There’s even a small moat running around the castle to complete the picture. This is just another gem to see on your Scotland itinerary!

Taste haggis and realise it’s actually delish

Haggis, neeps and tatties. Is there anything more Scottish than this dish?

I feel like haggis gets a really bad rep. Okay, so the fact that it’s offal of heart, liver and lungs stuffed in a sheep’s stomach isn’t a great selling point. When it’s done right though, it’s absolutely delicious. It’s packed full of flavour and is perfect after a hard day’s hiking. Also, because of the high iron content it’s pretty good for you too. A lot of places serving haggin appreciate the fact it isn’t the most appetising for tourists so they’ve jazzed it up a bit over the years. Give it a go and hopefully you’ll like it!

Pretend you’re a Viking at Up Helly Aa

Up Helly Aa is one of the most unusual festivals in Scotland. It’s a huge celebration of Shetland’s Viking heritage with everyone dressed up as Viking warriors.

This festival takes place on the last Tuesday in January every year up in Lerwick, Shetland. The day involves a series of marches and events culminating in a torch-lit procession and the burning of a traditional galley ship. It’s described as the world’s biggest fire festival. It’s an incredible festival and such a once in a lifetime experience.

Try and find Nessy at Loch Ness

Ah, the Loch Ness monster. Does it exist? Doesn’t it exist? Who cares, it’s a bloody brilliant story and an even better tourist attraction. Near Inverness, Loch Ness is one of the most popular places to visit in Scotland but one still shrouded in mystery.

Tales of a terrifying monster living deep in the lake have plagued this area ever since the first photograph emerged in 1933. With over 1,000 sightings and unexplained evidence, scientists are still baffled by the existence of Nessie. The best way of learning about Nessie is on a Loch Ness cruise from Inverness, Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit.

Go on a gin tour

I know Scotland is famous for whisky but they also produce some of the world’s best gins too. Their Hills & Harbour gin has been voted as one the best gin’s in the world. Not only that, but Crafty Distillery (where they make it) was voted Scottish gin destination of the year. When you’re up against gins like Hendricks and Tanqueray, that’s damn impressive.

While I was at Crafty Distillery I went on a hour-long tour learning all about what makes this gin so unique. The name Hills & Harbour comes from using noble fir from the surrounding hills and seaweed from the nearby harbour as the main tasting notes creating a distinctly Scottish gin.

If gin is your thing, make sure you check out our blog post on the best gin distilleries in Scotland . This one is for all you gin lover!

Look upon England, Ireland and the Isle of Mann from the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse

One of the most popular places to visit in South West Scotland is the  Mull of Galloway Lighthouse . This is the most southerly point in Scotland and it’s really worth visiting on the South West Coastal 300.

I’d really recommend buying a ticket for £3 and heading to the top of the lighthouse. From this vantage point, on a good clear day, you can see England, Ireland and the Isle of Man all from one spot. If you’re lucky you’ll also see porpoises and dolphins too so keep your eyes peeled.

Fall in love with the endless views

Now this is what I love about Scotland and why I’ll keep coming back here time and time again. It’s just one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever visit. You’ll never, ever, get bored of these views. There are so many reasons to visit Scotland, but the views are definitely up there.

And finally, visit Scotland because the national animal is a unicorn

Oh, and as if you needed one more reason, but the national animal of Scotland is a unicorn. In Celtic mythology the unicorn was a symbol of purity and innocence, as well as masculinity and power.

With Scotland being famed for its love for and long history of myths and legends, it is no surprise that a fabled creature such as the unicorn is Scotland’s national animal.

What are your favourite reasons to visit Scotland? Let us know in the comments below!

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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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25 Reasons Why You Should Visit Scotland

April 22, 2024

Have you ever wondered why people are drawn to Scotland, what makes it so special and why you too should visit?

Well, here are the top 25 reasons why visit Scotland at least once in your life! From its thousands of hikes, 30,000+ lochs, amazing food, countless islands, magical Northern Lights, and unbelievably friendly locals, Scotland has a lot to offer to its visitors.

Read on to find out why you should plan your next trip to Scotland!

1. Because You Can Hike Absolutely Everywhere

2. to splish around in more than 30,000 lakes, 3. because everybody is ridiculously friendly, 4. because it’s the 1st harry potter’s fans destinations, 5. to go on the world’s best road trip, 6. for loads more road trips, 7. to visit edinburgh, 8. for the highland games, 9. for getting really remote, 10. to hitch a lift to nowhere, 11. because you can visit endless islands, 12. for dipping into northumberland, 13. to hole up in a bothy, 14. to see the northern lights, 15. for meandering multi-day walks, 16. because it’s ridiculously beautiful, 17. to explore surprising beaches, 18. for the world’s biggest theater festival, 19. to nibble and munch on underrated food, 20. to slurp on irn bru, 21. for hogmanay, 22. because it has some of the world’s best castles, 23. to camp wherever you want, 24. because it has some of the world’s best golf, 25. to wander on a budget, final thoughts, why visit scotland.

I was born in Newcastle, in the north of England, really close to the Scottish border. Because of that, I’ve spent loads of my life in Scotland . I’ve traveled in the country countless times, I’ve got friends who live there, and I’ve hiked and cycled through various parts of the underrated nation.

It’s one of my favorite countries in the world—so in this article, I’m gonna convince you to go. In my desperate attempt, I’ve brought my top reasons to visit, covering mountains, hills, cities, lochs, hitchhiking, festivals, bothies, food and loads more.

(I promise I don’t work for the Scottish tourist board).

Get your kilt on, grab your ginger wig, and sit yourself down for five minutes of tartan-themed temptation. Here are my 25 favorite reasons to visit Scotland …

If you love hiking, you’ll love Scotland.

Every time I travel, I explore as many hikes, hills and peaks as I can. And of all the places I’ve ever been, Scotland is the best for hiking.

For an idea of just how many hikes you can do, have a look at trekking website WalkHighlands , one of my favorite resources for Scottish travel (apart from our site, obviously) . So far, they have more than 2,100 hikes listed, and they’re always adding more. The site gives you a brilliant idea of all the diverse, varied and beautiful hikes the country has to offer.

From those thousands of trails I selected my favorite ones and wrote a ranking/guide about the best hikes in Scotland . You should check it out!

One such area is the Cairngorms National Park, the largest of Scotland’s parks and a hotspot for outdoor adventure sports. There are hundreds of miles of tracks and trails across the park – offering a rich variety of trails that go up, down and around the highest mountain range in the UK.

And, of course, there’s Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK and a real challenge for any experienced hikers.

These are just two of the many hiking possibilities to be found in Scotland. From the rolling hills of Fife to the rugged peaks of Shetland, Scotland has trails to suit all skill levels and interests. To top it off, on a clear day even the most experienced hikers will be struck by the lush landscapes and stunning views.

It sounds like a cliché, but you could probably hike in Scotland for your whole life without getting bored. Some of my favorite areas are Torridon, Assynt and Skye, but there are endless places to rove, wander and walk.

I know this sounds like I’m exaggerating, but I’m not—Scotland genuinely has more than 30,000 lakes.

A quick note, before we move on: when you’re in Scotland, lakes aren’t called lakes. Instead, they’re called ‘lochs’.

Anyway, Loch Ness is the most famous loch in the nation, and it’s the one you’ve probably all heard of. Here’s a fun little fact for you: you could take all water from every lake, river and reservoir in all of England and Wales, add it together, and you’d still have less water than what’s contained in Loch Ness! Read this article for more facts like this about Loch Ness .

And here’s an even funner fact: compared to most of Scotland’s other lochs, Loch Ness is actually pretty terrible. If you don’t believe in Nessy, the Loch Ness monster, then don’t just visit Loch Ness. Some of my favorite lochs include Loch Duich, Loch Carron and Loch Maree. And here is a full list of the best lochs in Scotland that are better than this popular lake.

Spend as much time as you can exploring as many lochs as you can. If you like water, you’ll absolutely love Scotland.

If you can’t make friends in Scotland, there’s something wrong with you.

The more north you go, and the more remote you go, the friendlier people get. But throughout Scotland, people are really sociable, friendly, open and generous.

So make some friends. Find some buddies. Encounter some amigos.

If you’re interested in solo travel, Scotland is one of the world’s best countries to do it. You’ll meet loads of locals and travelers, you’ll never be alone, and you’ll always have someone to chat to.

Scotland has long been known for its rich Celtic culture, stunning scenery and inspiring history. But in recent years, one particular aspect of Scotland’s landscape has attracted an increased amount of attention – its role as a backdrop for the immensely popular Harry Potter films based on J.K. Rowling’s books.

No matter what kind of Harry Potter fan you are – from casual to hardcore – there are some must-see sites, activities, and magical experiences unique to Scotland that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

One of the major draws for Harry Potter fans is the beautiful Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands, which features prominently in the films. Visitors can either take a boat cruise along Loch Shiel to get the full effect of the bridge, or even simply catch a glimpse of it while taking a ride on the Jacobite Steam train, touted as the “Hogwarts Express”.

JK Rowling also brought the city’s many bits of street art to life in her books, and visitors can now take an interactive tour of some of her favorite spots around town.

The iconic Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is another big draw for Harry Potter fans. While visitors won’t find a real-life version of the building itself, they can still admire the real-life places chosen to represent Hogwarts in the films – Alnwick Castle, Glen coe, etc …

No matter which kind of experience you look for in your Scotland trip, a Harry Potter-themed tour is a great way to make the most of your visit to this beautiful country. From Glenfinnan Viaduct to Rowling-inspired street art, Scotland’s magical connection to the Harry Potter franchise has turned some of the country’s most iconic sights into unforgettable magical experiences.

For more details head over to my detailed articles: 12 Mysterious Harry Potter Locations in Scotland You Should Visit .

The USA has Route 66. Iceland has its ring road. Vietnam has the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

But Scotland has something better than them all: the North Coast 500 . It’s seriously one of the best things I’ve ever done. A 500-mile (800km) road trip in the Scottish Highlands through mountains, lochs, beaches, fishing villages, charming towns and roaming cows, it’s insanely beautiful.

I’ve visited Georgia, Romania, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for road trips. But Scotland, in terms of scenery, beats them all.

If you only do one thing in Scotland, make it the North Coast 500. Every time you think it can’t get better, it gets better. Most people drive it, some people hitchhike it, and others cycle it. Whatever you do, it’ll be absolutely incredible.

I even wrote a complete guide about it.

The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s most famous road trip.

But there are loads of others you probably haven’t heard of . Some highlights include the South West Coastal 300, the Heart 200 and the North East 250.

On them all, you get to drive past beautiful scenery, charming towns and villages , world-class beaches and much more.

Yeah, I know. What a cliché. But you were thinking it anyway.

And I can’t write an article about reasons to visit Scotland without mentioning Edinburgh .

If you visit Edinburgh, you get to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the UK. A labyrinthine mesh of cobbled streets, ancient buildings, craggy ridges and world-famous sites, it’s massively charming. Just like most tourists, you’ll probably fall in love with it.

But in your pursuit of Edinburgh, don’t ignore the nation’s other cities. Glasgow is obviously brilliant, Inverness is my favorite, and all the other cities have lots of perks too.

One of the very best reasons to come to Scotland is to attend the Highland Games held throughout, which are a unique part of the Scottish culture.

The Highland Games has been a popular part of Scotland for centuries and is a truly unique experience for visitors to the country. It is a mixture of sports and cultural activities that take place every year in Scotland, from Inverness to Edinburgh, as well as other small towns.

The games are usually held during the summer months and feature traditional Scottish events, such as caber tossing, weight and hammer throwing, cycling, running and Highland dancing. These events date back to the 5th century and were important social events for the clans of Scotland and a way to display strength and agility in a fun and exciting atmosphere.

The Highland Games are a great way for visitors to experience traditional Scottish culture, as well as witness some incredible feats of strength and endurance. It’s a unique opportunity to watch traditional Scottish sports, partake in activities, or simply cheer from the sidelines.

There’s also plenty of entertainment, music and traditional fair to keep visitors entertained throughout.

The Highland Games is an authentic and amazing cultural experience that shouldn’t be missed. It’s an exciting and immersive event where visitors can witness traditional sports and activities that have been around for centuries, as well as spending time with locals who can share their knowledge and culture.

Whether you are interested in the sports on offer or simply want to come and watch a traditional event, the Highland Games are definitely one of the best reasons to visit Scotland.

If you like traveling to the middle of nowhere, go to Scotland.

Now I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that Scotland is famous and developed and it’s got an iconic capital city so it can’t possibly be as remote as I’m telling you it is.

But you’re wrong—some settlements have populations of less than 50 people.

I’ve hitchhiked around Scotland loads of times. And in some places, I’ve stood for an hour without seeing a single car. If you like being in the middle of nowhere, and enjoying proper peace and isolation, you’ll find it in Scotland.

No, hitchhiking isn’t scary. Not everyone in the world is trying to kill you, so get over yourself.

If you’ve never hitchhiked before, Scotland is a brilliant place to get started—I reckon it’s the best country in western Europe to do it.

Everyone speaks English, everyone is friendly, and it’s pretty much always more reliable than public transport (especially the more remote you go). In Scotland, you’ll realize why hitchhiking is brilliant, and why it’s the best way to explore the country. If Scotland is the first place you hitchhike, it won’t be the last.

Scotland isn’t quite Indonesia, but it has nearly 800 islands.

Visiting them is brilliant. Some offer remote experiences on uninhabited shores. Others have excellent beaches. Some have orcas, puffins, otters, eagles and sharks.

Others have brilliant hikes. Some are only accessible by ferry. A small few have ancient neolithic sites. Most of them have cute little fishing villages.

So there’s loads of stuff to enjoy on all of Scotland’s islands. But more importantly, you get to visit some of the most alluring, endearing places you’ve probably ever visited.

Just south of Scotland is Northumberland , the most northerly county in England.

Because I’m from Northumberland, I’m probably (definitely) biased, but I think it’s the most beautiful part of England. Hugely remote, you can hike, swim, surf, cycle and explore endless stretches of nothing.

If you want further outdoor adventures outside of Scotland, you’ll find them in Northumberland —and the area is ridiculously easy to access from its northern neighbor.

Scotland’s bothies are some of the nation’s most unique features.

Charity-operated shacks in the middle of Scotland’s wildest landscapes, they’re rudimentary cabins designed for overnight stays during long hiking trips and other outdoor adventures.

So if you want to enjoy some proper wilderness, Scotland’s bothies can help. You can safely explore some of the nation’s most remote spots without worrying about where you’ll need to sleep. And best of all, you don’t even need to pay.

Here’s my complete about Bothies in Scotland .

Everyone wants to see the Northern Lights. You, me, your friends, our grandmothers.

Even people who’ve already seen the Northern Lights probably want to see the Northern Lights.

Most people flock to Norway, Sweden and Iceland to see the iconic illuminations. But not many people know that you can see the Northern Lights in Scotland. Surprisingly, the region is on the same latitude as Norway’s city of Stavanger, one of the world’s most famous light-spotting locations.

If you go to the right places at the right time, Scotland can give you a taste of one of the world’s most famous sights.

Hiking is fun. But multi-day walks are where the adventure’s really at.

Scotland has loads of multi-day jaunts and journeys. And if you’ve never been on a multi-day walk before, Scotland is a great place to start. The infrastructure is brilliant, most walks are well-waymarked, and you’ll meet lots of other hikers along the way.

In short, Scotland lets you enjoy multi-day walks simply, easily and accessibly.

The most famous is the West Highland Way . But beyond that, the Rob Roy Way , the Cape Wrath Trail and the Arran Coastal Path are all equally excellent.

I feel like I’ve already covered this in my other reasons. But it’s impossible to articulate how beautiful Scotland really is.

If you want to see one of the most beautiful countries in the world, head to Scotland. It’s hugely diverse, so whether you like looking at peaks, passes, valleys, mountains, forests, beaches or whatever else, you can see plenty of it in Scotland.

If you visit Scotland, you get to see some of the most incredible sights on the planet.

I know the idea of nice beaches in Scotland sounds made-up.

But I promise I’m not making it up — on the west coast , the north coast, and loads of the islands, you’ll find lots of beautiful beaches.

One of the best things about Scotland’s beaches is how quiet, remote and peaceful they are. If you go to Benidorm or the Greek islands or whatever, the beaches are beautiful but busy. But in Scotland, you can enjoy equally-attractive beaches, but with hardly any people.

If you like exploring quiet beaches with incredible views, you can do loads of it in Scotland.

Every August, Edinburgh hosts the Fringe Festival

The biggest arts festival in the world, it’s a massively unique event.

Over a jam-packed three weeks, the city plays host to around 4,000 shows (no, that’s not a typo). Some stuff is theater, some stuff is comedy, all of it’s varied.

If you like theater, comedy, stand-up shows, live entertainment, music, street performers or any similar stuff, you’ll absolutely love the Fringe Festival.

It’s diverse, unique and alluring, and it absolutely dominates the city for its three-week duration. You’ll get to see some of the most unique, unusual and affordable theater you’ve ever seen, and you’ll get to enjoy one of the world’s most exciting events.

Scotland isn’t all haggis and deep-fried Mars Bars.

(Although, admittedly, you will find loads of them both—and they are both tasty).

In Scotland, you can eat lots of great stuff. Go to the coast, and get brilliant seafood, lobster and cullen skink. Go to the cities for hugely-underrated (and surprisingly affordable) world cuisine. Go to the islands for hyper-local produce.

Throughout Scotland, there are loads of tasty meals and morsels to chow down on. It’s an excellent under-the-radar gem for any food fanatics.

No, I haven’t spelled that wrong (but in case you’re wondering, it’s pronounced “iron brew”).

Irn Bru is the unofficial national drink of Scotland. And you’ve never tasted anything like it.

Bright-orange, fizzy and sweet, no-one can really work out what Irn Bru tastes like. Some reckon it tastes like ginger. Others think it tastes like citrus fruit. Some reckon it tastes like bubblegum.

So there’s only one way to find out what it really tastes like—go to Scotland and swig some of the stuff for yourself. You’ll get to taste an iconic drink, and you’ll get to endlessly speculate on its flavor.

You probably have no idea what ‘Hogmanay’ means.

A weird old word, it’s the Scottish term for New Years. Totally exciting and unique, Hogmanay is one of the country’s biggest celebrations. If you like massive events and late-night parties, you’ll absolutely love it.

Edinburgh and Glasgow are the best places to celebrate Hogmanay. In both cities, you’ll find good food, good drinks, smiling faces and endless fireworks.

If you attend a Hogmanay, you’ll make loads of friends and enjoy one of the best parties you’ve ever experienced. But more than that, you’ll get a brilliant insight into one of the oldest and most celebrated Scottish traditions—if you like learning about (and experiencing) real local life, you’ll love it.

Scotland is home to more than 1,500 castles, depending on who you ask.

If you’re interested in heritage, history, and age-old architecture, there are plenty of places to explore. The Scottish castles range from sprawling complexes to tiny turrets to huge ruins, and they’re a great insight into Scotland’s past.

Some of the most famous are Edinburgh Castle, Braemar Castle, and Dunnottar Castle.

Another popular castle is Urquhart Castle which is situated atop a rocky hill overlooking Loch Ness and has been part of some famous battles, making it a true symbol of Scotland’s rich history.

Stirling Castle is also a famous and vast fortress, built on a rocky crag and entirely dominating the surrounding area. Having played a key role in the Wars of Independence and being connected to many famous figures from Scotland’s past, it’s an unmistakable part of Scotland’s past.

But my favorite (and lots of people’s favorite) is Eilean Donan. Perched right on the waters of Loch Duich, it’s one of the most photographable castles on the planet. But because loads of Scotland’s castles are in beautiful locations, they’re a photographer’s dream. So fire up that Instagram.

Scotland is a wild-camper’s paradise.

Apart from a small few places (and in people’s gardens), you can roam and camp wherever you want in Scotland. You don’t need a permit, you don’t need permission, and you don’t need to plan.

Instead, you can just spontaneously pitch up your tent wherever you like, and make a little home for the night.

If you like spontaneity, freedom and traveling without plans, Scotland is a brilliant place to visit.

They even have a law about about it: The Right to Roam .

Apart from mini golf and one go on a driving range, I’ve never played golf in my life.

So I don’t really know anything about the sport.

But what I do know is that Scotland’s golf courses are world-famous. So if you’re a fan, head to the nation for some of the best rounds you’ve probably ever played.

The Old Course in St. Andrews is probably the most famous course in the world, but other great Scottish courses include the ones at Royal Dornoch Golf Club and Carnoustie Golf Links. The country has almost 600 courses in total, so there’s plenty to choose from.

In Scotland, you get great courses, great facilities and great equipment.

Scotland can be a surprisingly good place to travel cheaply.

Like I’ve already said, you can camp (almost) anywhere and you can hitchhike everywhere. And on top of that, campsites and accommodations are a little cheaper than you probably expect, buses are very affordable, and the country has loads of excellent hostels.

For western European standards, you can easily travel in Scotland without spending too much money. So if you’re looking for a cheap trip, get yourself there!

Thanks for reading our guide to the top reasons to visit Scotland.

If you want to know anything else about traveling in the nation, we have lots of articles here on our site. For much more, wander over to our guides on:

• the top reasons to visit the Isle of Arran ,
• the best coastal walks in Scotland ,
• things you shouldn’t do in Scotland ,
• and things you shouldn’t say to Scottish people .

We also have articles on mountains, traditions, cliffs , clothes , heather , money , and plenty more. Whatever you want to know about Scotland, you’ll find it right here!

Related Article: Top Reasons to Visit the UK

About the author

Senior Travel Reporter

Paul is a handsome and hilarious travel writer and travel journalist from the UK. He's hiked, hitchhiked and laughed his way through more than fifty countries, and he's always looking for a new place to call home. Originally from Newcastle, he's lived all over the UK, spent more than three years in Asia, and most recently lived in Vietnam and then in Georgia.

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Romantic Getaways in Scotland

Escape together on a romantic break in Scotland and we reckon it will deepen your love for each other, and you'll fall head over heels for the landscape too. There are many romantic places to stay in Scotland to help you plan a couple's getaway, including a romantic getaway in a luxury city hotel. Discover ideas for romantic weekend breaks and the best places to visit in Scotland for couples.

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Romantic Breaks for Couples

A romantic getaway is the perfect choice for exploring Scotland's sights and renowned attractions, all whilst spending some quality time together

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What exactly is a mini-moon getaway? To sum it up, it's a short romantic break after you have tied the knot before planning a longer and sometimes much more expensive honeymoon. We've cherry-picked some our favourite mini-moon hotspots across Scotland to help get you started.

Mini-moon Ideas

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The unique charm of Scotland's cities is enough to sweep you off your feet. Our cities are full to the brim when it comes to exciting events, attractions and great places to eat and drink, perfect for a romantic break for couples. 

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SHORT ROMANTIC BREAKS

Strapped for time but still looking to enjoy the splendour and sights of Scotland? No problem! From relaxing coastal breaks by the water to a weekend full of adventure, the possibilities are simply endless when it comes to short romantic breaks here in Scotland.

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Do you and your partner enjoy the finer things in life? Scotland certainly puts out all the stops when it comes to luxury. Feel relaxed and energised by booking a romantic spa break in the UK.

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If romance means sharing the thrill of buzzing bars, fine dining, astonishing history and boutique shopping, then a break in a Scottish city is ideal for you. Or immerse yourself in adventurous outdoor activities before warming up by a roaring log fire on a relaxing country break. Wherever you decide to go, a trip to Scotland is a love story waiting to happen.

If you're looking for romantic accommodation in Scotland, there's plenty to choose from. A romantic getaway is the perfect choice for exploring Scotland's sights and renowned attractions, all whilst spending some quality time together. From hot tubs, historic castles and lighthouses, to luxurious stays, glamping spots and relaxing spa breaks, there's a range of accommodation to choose from for your romantic breaks in the UK.

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15 Romantic Places in Scotland You Have to Visit

Categories Scotland

There are plenty of romantic places in Scotland to take your significant other- and if you’re looking for inspiration for your next couple’s trip, you’ve landed on the right page!

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There is nothing I love more than travelling to new places in Scotland with my husband, and there are plenty of romantic things to do in Scotland to keep us entertained, such as hiking in the Scottish Highlands, relaxing at lodge accommodation with a hot tub, and going for a romantic dinner and drinks in the cities.

In this blog post, I’ve included a mix of romantic experiences, accommodation, and places in Scotland as well as romantic places in Scotland for a day out.

Is Scotland a romantic country?

Scotland may have a turbulent past, but there is something undecidedly romantic about a country that has fought for its freedom for hundreds of years; did you know Glasgow is reputedly the final resting place of  St Valentine ?

It is also the setting for many popular romance novels such as Sir Walter Scott’s   Waverley  series and Diana Gabaldon’s   Outlander. 

Here are 15 of the most romantic places in Scotland you need to take your best friend or significant other.

15 Romantic Places in Scotland

1. justb retreat, edinburgh.

JustB Retreat is the loveliest bed and breakfast in Scotland. I first stayed here solo and brought the Haggis back here for a romantic staycation.

Nestled in the beautiful village of Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh , this bed and breakfast is the perfect staycation or long weekend away. The bed and breakfast is tucked away in a leafy and tranquil setting, surrounded by forest and gardens. Balerno is a gorgeous traditional village with a handful of nice pubs and restaurants.

If you want to see Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace , there is a bus stop outside the bed and breakfast, and bus 44 takes you directly into Edinburgh’s city centre! After a day exploring the city, head back to JustB to relax.

If you book their Honeymoon Suite , you get free use of the hot tub too!

2. Dunfermline Abbey

One of Scotland’s most beautiful love stories is set in the 11th century and involves King Malcolm III and Queen Margaret (now known as Saint Margaret ).

Royals rarely married for love during this time, but for political, social and economical reasons. Malcolm III is said to have fallen in love with Margaret upon meeting her. He proposed, but she declined as she wanted to be a nun. Rather than force her hand, he pursued her for 2 years until she said yes and they were married at Dunfermline Abbey .

Their marriage was a happy and loving one, and it is said the illiterate Malcolm would stare at and kiss Margaret’s most prized books as she read them.

Upon hearing Malcolm and their eldest son had both fallen in battle, Margaret died from grief two days later. They were buried at Dunfermline Abbey, where they were wed. She and Malcolm III were parents to four future kings, including David I , who was responsible for building many monasteries in Scotland.

In 1250, Queen Margaret was canonised. She is the patron saint of the homeless, orphaned, the mentally ill, midwives, and single mothers.

3. Sweetheart Abbey, Dumfries

Sweetheart Abbey is another abbey associated with a loving marriage. The abbey was named Dulce Cor (‘Sweet Heart’ in Latin) in memory of Lady Dervorgilla , who founded the abbey to pay tribute to her deceased husband, Lord John Balliol .

When Lord John died in 1268, his grieving widow had his embalmed heart placed in an ivory casket and is said to have carried it with her everywhere.

When she died in 1289, Dervorgilla was laid to rest in front of the abbey church’s high altar, holding her husband’s heart to her chest.

Killin is one of my favourite romantic places in Scotland for a nature break with the Haggis. We’ve been twice so far, the first time staying in a cosy woodland cabin ( click here to see where we stayed) nestled in nature.

The Falls of Dochart is a waterfall that runs through the centre of the village. If you enjoy hiking as a couple, Sron A’ Chlachain is a short, but steep hike with rewarding views of Loch Tay and the village.

Killin is home to a handful of restaurants, all of which are dog friendly if you’d like to take your pooch, but if you’re looking for a romantic meal I recommend The Dochart Inn , a traditional pub and restaurant with a roaring fire and good whisky selection.

You can also explore the enchanting ruin of Finlarig Castle , or simply relax and enjoy a weekend in a cosy cabin.

Killin is also the perfect place for a Scottish autumn break – the colours in autumn are majestic!

5. Dunnottar Castle

Dunnottar Castle is one of Scotland’s most spectacular castle ruins.

It’s located in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire , it has been described as ‘impregnable’ and famous visitors include Mary Queen of Scots (who visited a second time with her son, the future James VI ), William Wallace and King Charles II .

William Wallace once captured the castle from the English. The English garrison took refuge in the church and Wallace set fire to it, killing them all and destroying the castle.

A small garrison held out against the might of Cromwell’s army for eight months and saved the Scottish Crown Jewels from destruction. The jewels had been lowered down the cliffs to a local woman pretending to be collecting seaweed. She escaped with the crown jewels safely intact!

The oldest Pictish fort ever was also discovered just north of the castle.

Dunnottar Castle is also a popular wedding location in Scotland to get photos taken.

Watch my video of my trip to Dunnottar Castle:

>> Read more: My wedding in Scotland

The drive through Glencoe is a romantic experience in itself; Buachaille Etive Mòr is the first hint of greatness, its dark and jagged silhouette watching carefully over the valley. As you venture deeper, the mountains begin to close in over you, black and leering; if you’re in the passenger seat you’re lucky, as whoever is driving needs to keep their eyes on the road and not on the hauntingly beautiful scenery around you.

The Three Sisters (named Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach and Aonach Dubh ) will certainly distract your eyes from the road, and luckily there is a car park located directly in front of them. This car park fills up fast, and with very few options for turning around, I recommend you head to the car park early to catch a glimpse of the magic.

I wrote a Glencoe itinerary about one of my most romantic getaways in Scotland to date; we hiked to The Lost Valley , which is nestled between two of The Three Sisters (and starts at The Three Sisters car park). This was one of my most favourite trips in Scotland to date, so if you’re looking for a romantic weekend away, I highly recommend this itinerary !

7. Birks of Aberfeldy, Aberfeldy

The Birks of Aberfeldy is a popular and easy walk and was the setting for Robert Burns’ famous poem of the same name.

Admire the colourful birch, oak, ash and elm trees, the Falls of Moness and several other waterfalls that inspired this Scottish bard to pen some of his most famous words.

>> Read more: 10 Romantic Scotland Honeymoon Ideas

8. Loch Ossian, Rannoch Moor

Rannoch Moor is one of the last remaining wildernesses in the United Kingdom. Loch Ossian is located a short walk from one of the most remote train stations in Scotland: Corrour Station . For friends and couples looking for remote romance on a budget, the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is a fantastic property located right on the loch.

Imagine pouring a wee dram and cosying up by the fire to loch views after a day hiking the Munros in the area. Also, there isn’t any Wi-Fi once you pass the small bed and breakfast next to the station, so you can spend uninterrupted time with your loved one.

9. The Quiraing, Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is truly magical. I spent 2 days in the Isle of Skye with a friend during November, and the highlight of our trip was the stunning views of the otherworldly Quiraing .

Try hiking the Quiraing for sunrise, and watch as the first light illuminates the colourful heather on the hills. This is probably one of the most romantic experiences you can have in Scotland- as long as it’s not raining!

10. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

Arthur’s Seat offers a stunning panorama of Edinburgh – and makes for a romantic hike in the centre of the capital city. The hike takes around 2 hours if you start the walk from the Royal Mile; make sure you wear sturdy footwear! The terrain is rocky and can get quite muddy when it rains- which happens quite often in Scotland!

Scenes from the romantic flick  One Day,  based on the book by David Nicolls, were filmed here.

11. Islay, Argyll and Bute

Islay is known as the island of whisky, however, there is so much to do if you’re not a whisky enthusiast. Go kayaking, on a wildlife boat tour, wild swimming at the Singing Sands, or simply relax and take each day as it comes. There are some awesome wee shops in Bowmore and also Islay House Square to take some goodies home with you. And if you love seafood- the seafood platter at The Askaig Hotel is excellent.

If you do enjoy your whisky, you can visit nine working distilleries on the island; they are Ardbeg, Ardnahoe, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin , and Laphroaig .

For the perfect romantic stay, I recommend Glenegedale House . Hosts Emma and Graeme are just lovely, and they pull out all the stops to ensure you have the most amazing time on Islay.

>> Read more: The perfect 5 day Islay itinerary

12. Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park

What can be more romantic than star-gazing in Scotland? Located in South-West Scotland,  Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park is just one of four ‘Dark Sky Parks’ in the western world and the largest forest park in Scotland.

Stargazers here have the opportunity to spot shooting stars, the rare Andromeda Galaxy, the Aurora Borealis and stellar nurseries, where stars are born!

>> Read more: 10 epic things to do in South-West Scotland

13. Dryburgh Abbey

Dryburgh Abbey in the Scottish Borders is where the historical writer, Sir Walter Scott , is buried.

Sir Walter Scott was a primary figure in the Romantic movement in Scotland and England during the late eighteenth and the early nineteenth centuries.

Sir Walter is attributed for being one of the reasons the Dress Act of 1746 (which saw the wearing of Tartan, Kilts and Highland wear outlawed in Scotland) was repealed. His Waverley  novels swayed the nation, portraying Highland Scots in a different light: brave and loyal everyday people who fought for their freedom.

It was also Sir Walter who advised King George VI to purchase a Highland outfit for his visit to Scotland in 1822. This helped the kilt to be reintegrated back into Scotland’s national identity.

Sir Walter Scott chose Dryburgh Abbey as his final resting place- a fitting place for a romantic soul.

>> Read more: A Guide to Dating a Scotsman

14. The Witchery By The Castle, Edinburgh

The Witchery by the Castle is one of the most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh – and a personal favourite of mine! The Haggis and I have been here for their decadent Afternoon Tea, which in my opinion, is an absolute must-do when you visit Edinburgh with your significant other.

We were served a three-tier platter filled with sweet and savoury goodies- sandwiches, haggis balls, scones, mini cakes, and more. There are also around a dozen different teas you can choose between.

The atmosphere is amazing- tables decorated with candles, roses and ribbons; mood lighting, comfortable leather seats, and a traditional Scottish aesthetic…you quite literally feel like a King or Queen for the afternoon as you are weighed on hand and foot!

So yes, definitely an experience you should try- you WILL win some brownie points! It does come at a price, however; it costs £40 per person for the Afternoon Tea. It’s well worth it- this is an all-around experience, not just a meal.

Because this restaurant is so lovely, you will need to book in advance – so don’t leave booking too late!

15. Macdonald Houstoun House, West Lothian

Personally, MacDonald Houstoun House is the most romantic place in Scotland for me- because it’s where I got married!

Our wedding in Scotland was the best day of my life- and we were married in the perfect setting of this lovely 16th-century country house surrounded by gardens.

This isn’t just a wedding venue- it’s also a hotel, and a great romantic getaway for couples. There’s a nice restaurant and traditional, cosy pub on site. They also have a gym, pool and spa- so if you feel like pamper weekend with your partner, book a few nights here !

What are some other romantic places in Scotland you recommend? Comment below!

SCOTLAND RESOURCES ✨ On a budget? Grab my Scotland Bucket List Planner ✨ Organising a big trip? Grab my Ultimate Scotland Planner ✨ Want to tick off all the must-sees? Grab my Must-See Scotland Essential Travel Planners ✨ Have a question about travelling around Scotland? Join my Facebook groups Scotland Travel Tips and Scotland Travel Tips for Locals ✨ Love podcasts? Listen to my Scotland podcast Life in Scotland ✨ Want more Scotland? Join my exclusive Scotland community Secrets of Scotland to unlock bonus content

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'Nessie' photo at Scotland's Loch Ness puts Canadians in media spotlight

The Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register sent the photo to one of their experts 'who said that it was "compelling evidence" ' of the creature

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LONDON — Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman weren’t expecting a “pivotal moment” in their sons’ lives when they visited Scotland’s Loch Ness earlier this month, but that’s exactly what happened.

'Nessie' photo at Scotland's Loch Ness puts Canadians in media spotlight Back to video

“Our youngest is turning three next week,” said Wiseman from the family’s home in London, England. “And he tells everyone there have been two pivotal moments in his life: Seeing the world’s largest dinosaur, which he did at the Natural History Museum in January, and seeing Nessie.

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“He tells everyone he encounters. He tells the postman, he tells the guys in the shops and the cafes.”

Malm and Wiseman have been thrust into the limelight after a photo they took during their family vacation showed a shadowy figure poking above the waterline, something that the couple’s children _ and others — firmly believe is the latest sighting of the famed Loch Ness monster.

Malm and Wiseman, who are from Coquitlam B.C., and Calgary respectively, moved to England in 2006.

The couple said the original plan for the spring vacation was to take a boat ride in Loch Ness because their children were “completely captivated by the concept of Nessie.”

“We’d even packed shortbread cookies, which we were told from these books was Nessie’s favourite treat,” Wiseman quipped. “Turned out shortbread cookies were not necessary.”

That’s because the family spotted something sticking out of the water while visiting a lookout at nearby Urquhart Castle.

“We just started watching it more and more, and we could see its head craning above water,” Malm said. “And then it was swimming against the current towards the castle, slowly but surely, like very fastidiously going over the waves (and) coming closer and closer. And then it submerged and disappeared.”

Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.

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Malm said the family took a photo of what they saw and decided “for a bit of a laugh” to send the picture to the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register, which he stumbled upon while surfing the internet.

“They got in touch within 24 hours,” Malm recalled. “They were super excited. They sent it to one of their Loch Ness experts who said that it was ‘compelling evidence,’ I believe was the exact phrase.

“And just one thing led to another. I mean, it’s been incredible.”

Since the photo submission, Malm and Wiseman have been featured in British tabloids such as The Sun and the Daily Mirror and digital publication LADbible.

On the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register, the encounter has been recorded as the first Nessie sighting of 2024.

“We’ve both got texts from people who we haven’t heard from in quite some time going, ‘Guess who I just saw on TV?”‘ Malm said.

“I’m just glad that we hit the national media in Canada for spotting the Loch Ness monster and not being on Crime Stoppers.”

Both Malm and Wiseman said they are happy their experience is bringing some positivity to the daily news cycle, and at least one person they have spoken with thanked them for the picture.

“Our son’s school’s headmaster is Scottish,” Malm said. “And he pulls me aside at pick up one day and he goes, ‘You know what, Perry? You’ve done more for Scottish tourism than anybody else in my lifetime.’

“So, hopefully some people will be inspired to come visit Scotland.”

What isn’t certain, however, is what they actually encountered on that cold April morning on the shore of Loch Ness.

“We don’t know what we saw,” Wiseman said. “Our children believe we saw Nessie, and I believe it for them.

“I believe that we saw something that could be Nessie, and that is a very broad possibility.”

Malm said the wonder that the sighting has inspired in his children, and others resonating with the photo, is more important than the question of what they encountered.

“It’s really charming,” he said of the outpouring of reactions. “Because in a world where the news is about a war here and an atrocity there, it’s just nice that people are interested in something that’s just lighthearted, a little bit silly and a little bit unbelievable.”

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The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide 

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The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide will help you to plan your next trip to Scotland. Plan your itinerary with ease.

The wealthy subculture and splendid landscapes make Scotland a vacation spot that appears to have it all. Pleasant locals will welcome you as you discover rugged mountains, active cities, and old fashioned tea shops. A sheep or ten will greet you while roaming the beautiful countryside.

Contents of The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide

Things to know before your visit

Travel documents needed

Money / Currency

Travel Insurance

Facts about Scotland

Scottish customs

Planning your trip

When to visit

What to pack

Places to visit

Getting there

Airports in Scotland

Where to stay

Getting around in Scotland

Food and Drink

Useful links and information

Visit Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and one of 32 counties. Historically part of the county of Midlothian, it is in Lothian on the south bank of the Firth of Forth. Edinburgh is the second largest city in Scotland after Glasgow and the seventh largest city in the United Kingdom. Edinburgh has been recognized as the capital of Scotland since at least the 15th century and is the seat of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament from 1 and the High Courts ofScotland.

The city’s Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the British Monarchy in Scotland. The city has long been a center of learning, particularly in the fields of medicine, Scottish law, literature, philosophy, science and technology. It is the UK’s second financial center and the city’s historical and cultural attractions have made it the UK’s second most visited tourist destination, attracting 4.9 million visitors, including 2.4 million from abroad in 2018. Time Out Classified by Edinburgh Magazine as the best city in the world in 2022.

20 Things To Do In Edinburgh, Scotland Travel Guide

Visit Glasgow

Glasgow is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth most populous city in the United Kingdom as well as the 27th most populous city in Europe. As of 2020 it had an estimated population of 635,640. Sitting on the border of historic Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, the city now forms the Glasgow City Council area, one of Scotland’s 32 council areas, and is governed by Glasgow City Council. It lies on the River Clyde in the country’s West Central Lowlands. Glasgow grew from a small rural settlement on the River Clyde to become the largest seaport in Scotland and the 10th largest by tonnage in the UK. With the expansion of the medieval bishopric and royal burgh and the subsequent founding of the University of Glasgow in the 15th century, it became an important center of the Scottish Enlightenment in the 18th century. From the 18th century the city also grew into one of the most important British centers of transatlantic trade with North America and the West Indies. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, Glasgow and the surrounding region grew rapidly in population and economy, becoming one of the pre-eminent chemical, textile and engineering centers in the world. especially in the shipbuilding and marine engineering industry, which has produced many innovative and famous ships. Glasgow was the “second city of the British Empire” for much of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Visit Inverness

Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative center of The Highland Council and is considered the capital of The Highlands. It historically served as the county seat of the county of Inverness-shire. Inverness is close to two major battlefields: the 11th-century battle of Blàr nam Fèinne against Norway, which took place in at the Aird and the Battle of Culloden in the 18th century, which took place on Culloden Moor.

It is the most northerly town in the United Kingdom and lies within the Great Glen (Gleann Mòr) at its north-eastern end where The River Ness flows into the Beauly Firth. No later than the 6. In the 12th century, a settlement was established with the first royal charter of Dabíd mac MailCholuim (King David I) in the 12th century. Inverness and Inverness-shire are closely associated with several influential clans including Clan Mackintosh, Clan Fraser and Clan MacKenzie.

Is Inverness Worth Visiting?

How about adding Ireland to your Trip?

When visiting Scotland you can easily add Ireland to your itinerary. See the ultimate Ireland travel guide to help plan your trip to Ireland.

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