Best Places to Visit in Scotland

The country where real men use to wear skirts. Covering a massive third of the northern part of the United Kingdom, this place is unique in its own way. With history, culture and nature blended into its lifestyle, the country is just a bliss to be explored. The world-class museums to the best of landscapes in the whole of United kingdom the place has everything. People who are interested in international cultural activities are welcomed to Edinburgh, the capital of the UK, to attend some of the country’s biggest art exhibitions, such as Edinburgh Fringe. Here, we take a look at the best places to visit in Scotland.

Top 10 places to visit in Scotland

• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Stirling
• Loch Ness
• St. Andrews
• Isle of Skye

1. Edinburgh

The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh has enough things to keep any kind of traveller engaged for the whole trip. The country with its deep history surely won’t disappoint you. A must-see landmark is Edinburgh Castle, situated on the Royal Mile on the Castle Rock. The fortress gives tourists the chance to stroll across the labyrinthine structure and enjoy expansive views of the area. Another joy is to explore the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was the Queen’s yacht.

Nowadays, it has been repurposed as a fascinating museum, which offers guests the option of viewing State and Royal Residences. Apart from this the place also hosts a few of the very known festivals in the country with the likes of the world’s largest art festival, Edinburgh book festival and few others as well. Edinburgh Castle is one of the best places to visit in Scotland.

2. Glasgow

Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow boasts a distinctive, vibrant energy that draws many visitors back time and time again. This is located at a distance of about 75 km from the capital city, Edinburgh. This is also considered as the cultural hub of Scotland. The place is also renowned for its high-quality dining, great museums, lovely city parks and various exclusive art galleries.

In addition to this, one of the key attractions includes the Riverside Museum. The museum is dedicated to the showcase the development of transportation in the city. You can also witness a fine collection of automotive engines dating back to early 1920s. Don’t forget to check out the beautiful parks in the city.

3. Stirling

The city located in the centre of Scotland is filled with attractions. Stirling is an excellent location for visiting a historic Scottish town, full of impressive fortification and castles. This place is also a home for the church of the 12th century, where Mary King James VI was proclaimed in 1557. The most prominent is the Castle, which stands in the middle of the city on a volcanic rock, with some of the finest views of downtown of Stirling and its surrounds.

According to the locals, the wolf is considered a sacred animal. This is due to the myth, that the animal helped the villagers during an invasion by alerting them at the right time. Bridge of Allen is another village that you shouldn’t miss out on. The place is a complete countryside and you can also feel the authentic Scottish culture here.

4. Loch Ness

The most famous one of the lochs found in Scotland is Loch Ness. The stunning Loch Ness is one of the best places to visit in Scotland. The most famous things to do in LochNess starts from spotting a Loch Ness monster. Also, keep in mind that it is a seasonal activity. This is one of the rarest creatures found on the planet. And the Scottish highlands are the only areas where you can see one of there.

The beautiful part of Scotland, another famous spot to enjoy this beauty is Castle Urquhart. At the bottom of the loch sits the demolished fortress which was completed in the 12th century. It is now in ruins after being ruined by fire about five hundred years ago, but not until the most significant historical incidents in Scotland. This is one of the eventful places to visit in Scotland.

5. St. Andrews

The town located in the northeast of Edinburgh has so many things for an average traveller. The primary attraction is the St. Andrews Cathedral, which was once the largest in Scotland.  Starting from the University of St. Andrews to the coastal resort town. The University of St. Andrews is considered to the pioneers in the English Literature. This place is also the home for the world’s oldest golf course. 

You also get a chance to wander around the green landscape and play there as well. Also, the British golf Museum is another attraction nearby. The golf course draws the attention of Golf lovers around the world as much as you might have to reserve your visit well in advance to get a chance to visit this place. Other sights are the St. Andrews Castle and a few other art galleries. 

6. Isle of Skye

This one is for the people who would like to have an Island visit during their vacation to Scotland. The Archipelago of Hebrides has around 80 Islands out of which only 34 are inhibited. The Isle of Skye is most visited and also the most developed Islands among the archipelago. The place is easily accessible as it is connected with the mainland by a bridge. Also, the coastline is filled with the fishing villages which are definitely worth visiting.

There is plenty of relaxation, calm, and quiet places in Portree, Dunvegan, and Trotternish. All of which are better suited for visitors and seem to be very busy. In fact, the place is a paradise for trekkers and rock climbers. The Cuillin Hills mountain roads provide some of the finest ocean views in the UK and tourists to the island in the lower season will also enjoy the equivalent beauty. The list of places to visit in Scotland won’t be complete without the Isle of Skye.

There are so many other places to visit in Scotland as well, but the ones on this list are not supposed to be missed. With proper planning, one can have an amazing vacation out in the beautiful lands of Scotland. We hope this would have also lit up your curiosity in planning your next UK vacation. We at Pickyourtrail provide travellers with a platform to create their own itineraries for any of the destination around the world. Check out our guides page for more info or leave a Whatsapp inquiry for more options.