12 Best Places to visit in Scotland
Are you planning a trip around the UK and looking for the best places to visit in Scotland? Then look no further! If you are planning on visiting Scotland but you are unsure of what to add to your Scotland bucket list, this blog post will help you pick all the best things to do in Scotland. I will be going through the best times to visit Scotland, what you must see in Scotland, UK Heritage Sites, and much more!
Scotland has many exciting cities, jaw-dropping nature sites, and an amazing culture to explore. Scotland and the UK are also considered the “home” of “Dark Academia” spots, so if you are all about that moody, rainy aesthetic, you will love Scotland! All of the listed places below will feed your Dark Academia dreams. On top of this, Scotland also has an amazing history and culture to learn about. When visiting Scotland you will never run short of historic sites, or Scottish cuisine. Explore the many incredible and interesting museums, then have a delicious Scottish lunch, and end your day at a whisky tasting! These are all things I will be listing all the best of in the blog post, so keep reading!
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How to get around Scotland
The best way to get around Scotland is by car. You can choose to hire or if you are coming from Europe, why not make it a road trip from your current location? Either way, going by car will be the easiest option to get around Scotland, and also to see the most and get to go to all the little, hidden, local spots as well as the main touristy sights. You can find my favourite comparison tool for finding the best car hire in the UK right here.
If you for some reason cannot go by car, then do not worry! You have other options. Many tourist buses go around the whole of Scotland. Here are a few of them:
Best times to visit Scotland
In my personal opinion, the best times to visit Scotland will be either between September and December or March and May. These months will have the least amount of tourists everywhere, and this is also when the weather is the most gloomy in Scotland. This means you will get even more of that Dark Academia Aesthetic! However, if you are not a fan of the gloomy weather, then the best months to visit Scotland for you will be between May and August instead. These are the times you are most likely to have beautiful, sunny days. During these months you will also find the most events, festivals, and more going on in Scotland. There will be pros and cons to each season so it depends on what you are looking to do and what kind of weather you would prefer for it.
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13 Best places to visit in Scotland
1. Edinburgh
Let’s start this list with the most obvious one; Edinburgh. This is the capital of Scotland and for that reason one of the best places to visit in Scotland. Edinburgh has some of the best things to do in Scotland, this includes the best festivals, events, and attractions in the whole of Scotland, and it should be your first stop before going anywhere else! This city will immerse you into its beautiful vibes and aesthetic and get you excited about the rest of your Scotland trip! This city is a must see in Scotland as it is where you will find some of the most famous places in Scotland, including Edinburgh Castle, Scotts Monument, and more. You can find a full guide to the best things to do in Edinburgh right here.
2. Glasgow
Glasgow’s slogan is “People make Glasgow”, and I think that describes the city so perfectly. After already having visited Edinburgh, you may be wondering, is it worth visiting Glasgow? I say, yes. Although similar in many ways, Glasgow has some key differences from Edinburgh that make it well-worthwhile to visit. The buildings in Glasgow are more Victorian than Gothic as it is in Edinburgh. This gives it a different aesthetic yet still has that same gloomy vibe that Edinburgh does.
Although Glasgow’s charm isn’t as apparent at first look, I promise you, it’s there. Glasgow has many layers, and to fully experience the city, you will have to peel back those layers. One of the best factors about Glasgow is the people, just like the slogan says! The people of Glasgow are friendly, hilarious, and warm. The people of the city will feel more welcoming than in Edinburgh. This is partly because you will meet far more locals in Glasgow than in Edinburgh. Overall, Glasgow is a must see in Scotland, and also one of the best places to visit in Scotland.
3. Stirling
Stirling was one of my favourite places that I visited in Scotland. The incredible landmarks and the charming village feel were what made me fall completely in love with Stirling. If you are considering adding this to your Scotland itinerary consider this your sign to do so! Stirling feels like taking a step back in time. It reminds me of a smaller, more charming version of Edinburgh. With the castle on the craggy volcanic rock, a national monument, and various other historic sites, Stirling is a place you cannot miss. I will be doing a full guide to Stirling very soon as I believe it has some of the best things to do in Scotland!
4. Aberdeen
Aberdeen is another Scottish city considered one of the best places to visit in Scotland. This city has something unique to offer as well. Despite already having visited Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen should also be highly considered to visit. Aberdeen is considered one of the sunniest places in Scotland so if you are looking for some sun, Aberdeen is the way to go! If you are a culture lover, you will adore Aberdeen. The city is filled with glittering architecture, delicious local food and drinks, diverse art, art galleries, and more.
5. Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is one of the most famous places in Scotland, and for good reason. Many of the best places to visit in Scotland are located in the Isle of Skye. From the amazing World Heritage nature sites to world-famous whisky distilleries, the Isle of Skye has it all. This is a very well-known fact, which also means this will be one of the busiest areas in Scotland to visit. Tourists will be everywhere, especially if you arrive between June and August. There is a saying that goes, Skye is full in August. Take this into consideration when planning your trip to Skye. You will have a much better time trying to opt outside of peak season. Here are a few of the best things to do in Scotland, Isle of Skye: Old Man of Storr, the Quaring, Portree, and more.
6. Inverness
Inverness is the gateway to the highlands of Scotland. This makes it one of the best places to stay in Scotland for those wanting to explore the highlands. Whatever way you drive to Inverness, the drive there will be stunning. Inverness itself is a beautiful, small city with an Old Town you will fall head over heels for! The cathedrals, churches, and buildings from the 18th century are what make this city shine. There are also a handful of stunning castles in and around Inverness. On top of this, Inverness is located just a 20-minute drive from the famous Loch Ness.
7. Loch Ness
Speaking of Loch Ness, you cannot visit Scotland without visiting Loch Ness! This is one of the most famous places in Scotland and one of the best places to visit in Scotland for people of all ages. Loch Ness is the largest loch in Scotland and is said to be the home of a mysterious aquatic creature… The legend of the Loch Ness monster is known worldwide, and you have probably heard of it growing up in stories and books as well. The legend dates back to 565, and since then there have been periodic reports of sightings throughout history. Loch Ness is described as a monster, a fish, a dragon, or somewhere in between. The Loch Ness is gorgeous to go see in any weather, so do not be discouraged if you have a traditional Scottish rainy view. It will add something to it, I promise!
8. Orkney Islands
The Orkney Islands are the kind of magic that will stay with you forever. Orkney has stunning scenic beauty, aurora skies, and some of the most outstanding ancient sites in Europe. The Orkney Islands are less visited by tourists than the Isle of Skye but have something unique to offer and are a must-see in Scotland. Some of the best things to do in Scotland are located on the islands. A few of them are: visiting one of the best-preserved Neolithic Settlements in the world, visiting the Viking heritage sites, seeing wildlife up-close such as puffins, and more.
9. St. Andrews
The obvious reason you should visit St. Andrews is that it is the world’s “home of Golf”. If you like golf, you definitely should not miss St. Andrews. However, what if you are not interested in Golf? Is St. Andrews worth visiting then? I’d say yes. These are a few non-golf reasons why St. Andrews is worth visiting; historic ruins, independent boutique shopping, the museum at St. Andrew’s Cathedral that holds the key to medieval sculptures, and just because of the amazing views overlooking the water.
10. Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond has 22 islands and 27 islets and is a must see in Scotland! If you love scenic car drives, beautiful, charming villages, and water activities, then you will love visiting Loch Lomond. One of the best times to visit Scotland, Loch Lomond, will be in the summer when the weather is warmer. This is because many of the activities in this area are based around water and swimming. If you want a place to enjoy the views, relax in the sun, and have a cold drink, then this is the perfect place to do so. It is a perfect place to relax but it is also the perfect place for hikers and adventurers. There are many amazing hiking trails around Loch Lomond which will give you incredible views over the Loch.
11. Fort William
Fort William is home to the UK’s highest mountain Ben Nevis and is one of the best places to visit in Scotland. It is also closely located to the famous Jacobite Steam Train, also known as the Hogwarts Train. If you are a fan of hiking, skiing, and any outdoor adventure, then you will love visiting Fort William. You can take a dramatic walk through Glencoe, or go skiing at the Nevis Range. After having gone on at least one of the amazing walks around Fort William, you cannot miss going to see the famous Jacobite Steam Train go across the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.
12. Glencoe
Glencoe has some of the best things to do in Scotland for outdoor adventurers. During the winter months, you can go skiing on Glencoe Mountain. In the summer you can go on the many incredible hiking trails around Glencoe Mountain. This is the spot for people who thrive outdoors. It is the home of Scottish Mountaineering and is very popular with hikers and skiers.
