The Best Places to Visit in Scotland
Scotland is the UK’s most naturally beautiful country, and a place filled with amazing gothic-medieval cities in it’s south, to the most otherworldly landscapes you’ve ever seen up in the north. While it’s an expensive destination no doubt, traveling through Scotland is once in a lifetime especially if you make it outside the big cities. The backpacker scene isn’t the most vibrant here, but there is always a lot of social activity up in the cities, and when you get out into the wild you want to experience some peace and serenity anyway. I love Scotland, it’s an incredible place with incredible opportunity.
Capital: Edinburgh
Currency: Pound
Language: English
When to visit: June to August
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1) Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and also one of the coolest cities in the entire United Kingdom. The architecture here is breathtaking, and you could literally never get tired of walking through the historic streets. It’s a great place to visit, and the arts scene here is massive too.
Things to do:
The main base in Edinburgh is the Old Town, The best thing to do here is just explore on foot. Walk the Royal Mile from the castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is great as you can check out all the pubs and shops on the way. You should also hike up Arthur’s Seat for one of the best viewpoints in the city. It’s a proper natural escape right in the middle of town. Of course, you cannot miss visiting the Edinburgh Castle, which is the standout of the city. That whole area is amazing, with things like the National Museum of Scotland and the Scott Monument all in walking distance. I’d basically just recommend spending as much time outside exploring every street of the city for as long as you can because it’s all so amazing. New Town, Old Town, it really doesn’t matter.
How to get there:
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) has great global connections and domestic across the UK too.
You can also take a train or bus from pretty much anywhere in the UK.
2) Glasgow
Despite not being the capital, Glasgow is actually Scotland’s largest city, and where you can find real Scottish passion, culture and nightlife. The music scene here is especially incredible, and exploring the city is awesome especially because of all the Victorian architecture which the city is filled with. It’s not too far from Edinburgh and even though a lot of people skip it, you definitely shouldn’t.
Things to do:
One of the hearts of Glasgow is George Square and the area around it. From there you can explore the cool streets and visit the The Glasgow Necropolis and the Glasgow Cathedral. Then you should head over to the other best part of the city, which is the West End. Check out the incredible University of Glasgow Campus, which blends in beautifully with the old streets that are all over. You’ve got to go to one of Scotland’s top museums when over there, which is Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. You can also relax at Kelvingrove Park too. You have to get into the culture here, immersing into the bar and cafe scene and live music venues.
How to get there:
Glasgow Airport (GLA) is very good for connections around the UK and Europe. Glasgow has 2 airports but that is the main one.
You can otherwise take a bus or train from all over the country.
3) Inverness
Inverness is considered the capital of the Scottish Highlands and is one of the main gateways to northern Scotland. It’s not massive, but it is beautiful and is probably gonna be an important stop on your way up. It’s also located right next to the world famous Loch Ness, which ties in with the rest of the history in the city.
Things to do:
As mentioned, spend a day visiting Loch Ness. You can take a boat trip which is pretty cool. Maybe you’ll spot the Loch Ness monster? On the shores of the lake sits Urquhart Castle, and that is for sure a must visit, it’s really cool. It’s one of the best historic sites in the Highlands. Head back to Inverness and explore the city center, go to Inverness Castle, and hit the pub. For one more day trip outside the city, you could visit Culloden Battlefield if you’re into history. It was the site of the final Jacobite uprising battle in 1746.
How to get there:
Inverness Airport (INV) serves a lot of domestic flights.
Otherwise, get here via train or bus from Scotland’s other major cities.
4) Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is probably the most beautiful place in Scotland (and the whole UK), and you can find it all the way up in the highlands. The landscapes here are breathtaking. There is crazy peaks rising out of the ground, and endless lakes and green valleys everywhere. There are a few main villages to base yourself in here on the Isle of Skye.
Things to do:
One of the best towns to base/start in is Portree. It’s small and beautiful so a great spot. One of the most common and best views in the isle is to hike up to Old Man of Storr. You can start the hike from Portree and continue further to places like Kilt Rock and Staffin over multiple days. The further you venture in, the more you’ll see landscapes which look like they are from another planet. There’s too many hike routes and places to name, but my other highlights worth mentioning are Quiraing, Fairy Pools, and the rest of the Cuillin Mountains.
How to get there:
Although most people rent a car, there is bus routes from Glasgow and Inverness to Portree.
5) Fort William & Glencoe
Fort William and Glen Coe are two of the most famous destinations in the Scottish Highlands, located in very close proximity with each other making them worth mentioning together. Fort William is a small Highland town located beside Loch Linnhe beneath Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, and Glencoe lies just south being one of the most iconic valley landscapes in Scotland.
Things to do:
In Fort William, you can try some of the lower trails around Ben Nevis. Some people do hike to the top but it is mainly for very experienced hikers. To the west of Fort William is Glenfinnan Viaduct, the famous railway bridge from the Harry Potter films. You can actually watch the train come by if you’re there at the right time. Definitely take a walk to Steall Waterfall as well, it’s pretty cool. The main road down to and through Glencoe is an attraction in itself, it is so beautiful so do NOT spend it on your phone. Once in Glencoe, hike to the Three Sisters of Glencoe, it’s one of the most famous viewpoints in Scotland. There is like a billion other trails around here; You can walk below Buachaille Etive Mòr, up to Glencoe Lochan, or over to the Skyfall Waterfall.
How to get there:
You can take a train from Glasgow to Fort William, or a bus which also connects Fort William and Glencoe too.
6) Isle of Mull
Off the west coast of Scotland is the lesser known, lesser traveled too Isle of Mull. It’s more famous for all the coastal villages which sit up around the island. It is way less crowded, and the island is one of the best places in the UK to spot animals like puffins, seals, dolphins, otters, and even white-tailed sea eagles. Boat trips to nearby islands are very popular for this reason.
Things to do:
The main town of the island and probably your base is gonna be Tobermory, which is very pretty thanks to the colorful harbor front part of the town. Take some boat tours and get out on the water in hopes of spotting all the cool animals. A beautiful spot down the island near the town of Craignure is Duart Castle, which you can pay to visit but it is also just aesthetic to look at. Lastly, if you want to see one of Scotland’s craziest natural landmarks, take a trip on the boat out to the island of Staffa and visit Fingal’s Cave which is an amazing sight.
How to get there:
You need to take a ferry from the town of Oban, which is accessible by train from Glasgow or Edinburgh. It takes you to Craignure.
7) Pitlochry
Pitlochry is a traditional little Scottish highland town, and actually one of the most popular stopovers for road trips and train journeys through Scotland. It’s known mainly for two things: Beautiful scenery, and whisky.
Things to do:
One of the best things to do around Pitlochry is head out to Queen's View, which gives you one of the most famous Highland views in Scotland looking over Loch Tummel and the surrounding hills. Back in town, spend time walking along the River Tummel and through the forest trails around Pitlochry, because the scenery here is really peaceful and it’s just classic Scottish Highlands. You should also visit Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder, especially if the salmon are migrating. One of the biggest highlights here though is whisky culture, so doing a tasting or tour at Edradour Distillery is definitely worth it. After exploring during the day, settle into the cozy pub and café scene around town because that relaxed Highland atmosphere is a huge part of what makes Pitlochry so good.
How to get there:
You can easily take a train or bus from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness, plus a handful of other towns.
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