I often get asked for recommendations of where to visit in Scotland – and people usually expect me to recommend Glencoe, Edinburgh or Loch Ness. However, after travelling around Scotland for over 20 years, I have a few favourite areas of Scotland to recommend instead. Planning a trip? Start here!
This post uses affiliate links at no cost to you.
1. The East Neuk of Fife
Fancy a lobster roll, beautiful harbour villages, spotting some puffins and a stroll along a beautiful beach? Then you should visit East Neuk of Fife – one of Scotland’s hidden gems.
From the beautiful villages of Elie & Earlsferry with its magnificent beach, to historic Pittenween, St Monans and Crail and golfing paradise Kingsbarns, the East Neuk is in my opinion, one of the prettiest areas of Scotland.
My favourite part? The tiny harbours along the East Neuk are still home to boats landing lobster and crab.
- Do: Watch the beach cricket at Elie, take a RIB to see the puffins on the Isle of May, hike the 113 mile Fife Coastal Path, and visit the monthly Bowhouse food markets.
- Stay: The Shoregate hotel in Crail, the lovely Dreel Cottage in Anstruther, The Inn At Kingsbarns, The Waterfront in the heart of busy Anstruther, go glamping at The Tree Houses at Madeira Pittenweem, or for a bit of luxury, the Old Course Hotel St Andrews.
- Eat at: book early for posh pub grub (the steaks are amazing) at The Kinneuchar Inn, stop for fresh crab and seafood at The East Pier Smokehouse, grab a bench at The Lobster Hut at Crail, or head to The Ship Inn at Elie for dinner with a view of the beach.
- Read my complete guide to the East Neuk of Fife
The West Highland Peninsulas
The West Highland Peninsulas – Ardnamurchan, Morvern, Ardgour, Moidart, and Sunart are a little bit special. The ‘headland of the great seas’ is the most western part of the British mainland and is beautifully unspoilt, wild and remote and is home to just 2000 people.
Along with ome of the best beaches in the country, the West Highland Peninsulas have volcanic landscapes – and have amazing views out to Mull and the Small Isles.
- Do: Walk to one of my favourite beaches in Scotland, Sanna Bay, long the coast from Portuarik, visit the magnificent Castle Tioram, drive to the most westerly part of the UK Ardnamurchan Point and Ardnamurchan Lighthouse from which you can spot dolphins, and visit the Ardnamurchan and Nc’nean distilleries.
- Stay: the Kilchoan Hotel is owned by the Ardnamurchan Estate, the Loch Shiel Hotel and Mingarry Park are at Acharacle. Or go camping! There are great sites at Kilchoan – Ardnamurchan Campsite and at Sunart – Resipole Farm Holiday Park and Sunart Camping.
- Eat at: Mingary Castle Restaurant, Glenuig Inn, The Strontian Restaurant, Ariundle Restaurant, Lochaline Snack Bar.
- Read my complete guide to the West Highland Peninsulas.
Assnyt
In the far north west of Scotland, Assynt has otherworldly mountains and white sand beaches, amazing wildlife and tasty pies, so whether you are driving the North Coast 500 or not, a visit to Assynt and Lochinver in Scotland not to be missed.
My favourite things to do in Assynt include climbing Stac Pollaidh and Suilven, two of Scotland’s best hillwalks.
- Do: visit Achmelvich and Clachtoll Beaches, catch the ferry to Handa Island to see puffins and other sea birds, climb the magnificent Stac Pollaidh, eat a Lochinver Pie, visit Ardveck Castle and hike out to Sandwood Bay.
- Stay: Inver Lodge is a luxury hotel, go glamping at North Coast 500 Pods, or check into Achmelvich View self-catering, a cute log cabin in Lochinver. The best spots for those Assynt views? Try the Summer Isles Hotel and the Acheninver Hostel – a fabulous hostel in a location which needs to be seen to be believed!
- Eat at: Lochinver Larder and Peet’s Restaurant in Lochinver, further north visit the The Kylesku Hotel and the Newton Lodge Restaurant, or head to The Old School Restaurant & Rooms or the Eddrachilles Hotel.
- Read my complete guide to Assynt
Highland Perthshire
Highland Perthshire is full of beautiful lochs, towering Munros, huge glens and the stunning ancient woodlands of the Trossachs – they don’t call Perthshire Big Tree Country for nothing. Highland Perthshire is most popular for its spectacular Autumn colours, but the region is popular all year round with forest and lochside walks galore.
- Do: take a stroll through the woods at The Hermitage, Dunkeld, hike Ben A’an, a mountain in miniature with an incredible view, take a steamship out onto Loch Katrine, visit the Birks of Aberfeldy – made famous by Robert Burns’ famous 1787 poem, and drive to the end of Scotland’s longest glen, Glen Lyon.
- Stay: the Meikleour Arms Hotel, a boutique coaching inn with a great restaurant, Mhor 84 and its big sister Monachyle Mhor, boutique hotels with great food, Murrayshall Country House Hotel near Scone Palace, or my favourite cool spot, The Taybank Hotel in Dunkeld which has a sauna on the river.
- Eat at: Mhor 84, The Grantully Hotel, The Restaurant at Meikleour Arms, The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, The Taybank Hotel Restaurant or garden which serves pizza on the river, Aran Bakery in Dunkeld.
- Read my complete guide to Perthshire and more things to do in Dunkeld.
Speyside
Speyside is a hallowed destination for whisky lovers, but the region is a fabulous place to visit even if you don’t indulge in a few drams! All based around Scotland’s famous River Tay, go distillery hopping along the river, or walk the Speyside Way or why not practice your ‘Spey cast’ in the hope of landing a salmon?
- Do: hike the River Spey along the Speyside way, visit a Speyside whisky distillery and Speyside Cooperage, eat shortbread.
- Stay: the whisky themed Mash Tun with its fabulous whisky themed rooms and whisky bar, the Craigellachie Hotel of Speyside, the Highlander Inn offers ‘whisky stays’ where you pay for your room for two nights and get the value back on the bar in whisky! Luxury glamping in the woods at the Dell of Glenlivet.
- Eat at: The Mash Tun Aberlour, TimeSpirit at the Macallan Distillery, Drouthy Cobbler and Orrin in Elgin, Copper Dog, Craigellachie.
- Read my complete guide to Speyside
- Read my guide to Speyside whisky
Looking for more places to visit in Scotland?
Love from Scotland x