The best places to visit in Scotland

Hike from Glencoe to Glen Nevis

The walk from Glencoe to Glen Nevis might be a marathon distance and take in 5000 ft of hill climbing, but the views through Scotland’s most famous glen make for an incredible day out.

Passing the mighty Buachaille Etive Beag, follow the famous West Highland way to Kinlochleven and then to the very foot of Ben Nevis in the beautiful Glen Nevis – with views of Scotland’s highest mountain and the mighty Mamores all the way. Scotland at its best. 

Read more the best day hikes in Scotland.

The hills of the Trossachs in Perthshire

Rising above Loch Katrine and nearby Loch Achray in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are two of Scotland’s most popular hills. 

Ben A’an is described by many hillwalkers as the perfect hill and is a ‘mountain in miniature’ – you only have to climb 454m (1500ft) for one of the best views in Scotland.

On the other side of the glen is Ben Venue, one of my favourite hills in Scotland. Ok, so you have to work for it a little harder for the view – Ben Venue at 729m is a bit higher than Ben A’an but it is so worth it. 

Read more the best hills in Scotland for beginners.

The wildlife paradise of Handa Island

Just off the tip of the north-west coast lies Handa, one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands and a nationally important wildlife reserve. Owned by the Scourie Estate and managed in partnership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Handa is a breeding ground for over 200 pairs of puffins, great skuas, kittiwakes and guillemots – with stunning views of the Assynt mountains and one of Scotland’s best beaches – which is why Handa makes this list of best places to visit in Scotland. 

Take the tiny ferry across to the island and spend a blissful few hours exploring. Don’t forget your binoculars! How to visit Handa Island.

Dunnottar Castle and the Angus Coast

Scotland’s east coast is as beautiful, wild, and as rugged as the west, but is often forgotten by visitors rushing past on the A90 heading north to Aberdeen. Instead take the Angus Coastal Route (the A92), one of Scotland’s most scenic roads, passing along the Angus, Kincardine and Aberdeenshire coast. 

On the way, you pass beautiful beaches, the spectacular Dunnottar Castle and as much fresh fish as you can eat in pretty seaside villages. It is also one of the best places to visit Scotland if you like the sun, but I can never guarantee you a blue sky! Read more: how to visit Angus.

The Isle of Islay

Whether it’s the stunning wild landscapes, incredibly friendly locals, or the cask strength whisky, there is something about Islay that grabs your heart and holds on. 

With 8 whisky distilleries to sample (my favourite is Bunnahabhain) the Islay wave, incredible wildlife watching and walking on the beautiful Oa peninsula – the Isle of Islay offers up a truly unique Scottish island experience.

I can honestly say that I’ve never fallen in love with a place quite as quickly as I did with the Isle of Islay. If you love whisky then Islay is one of the best places to visit in Scotland.

Read more: How to visit the Isle of Islay and my complete guide to Islay whisky.

The Isle of Harris and Lewis, The Outer Hebrides

A visit to the Outer Hebrides is an otherworldly dip into Scotland’s remote edge of the world island culture and Harris and Lewis are my favourites of the Western Islands.

Visit the Callanish Stones, the Isle of Harris Distillery and explore Harris’s incredible beaches including Seilebost and one of the best views in Scotland across to the famous Luskintyre. 

If you are feeling more active, Harris’s hills include the mighty Clisham, a Corbett at 799 m (2,621 ft), and neighbouring Uisgneabhal Mor, Teileasbhal and Stuabhal, a paradise for walkers giving views across the whole Outer Hebrides. The western Isles are one of the best places to go in Scotland if you like to get remote!

Read more: How to have an adventure in the Outer Hebrides.

Orkney 

With stone-age villages, huge seascapes, a vibrant arts culture and a genuinely warm welcome (and not just from the Orkney gin!) a trip to Orkney in north-east Scotland is a dip into 5000 years of history. 

From the simply incredible Heart of Neolithic Orkney to tales of invading Vikings and World War 2 battles, spiritual awakening in gin, whisky and St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, to walks along a coast constantly being changed by time, with a history stretching back 5000 years, you won’t be short of things to do when you visit Orkney. 

Big Tree Country, Perthshire

Perthshire is one of the most accessible places in Scotland and famed for its big trees which make it one of the best places to go in Scotland if you love taking photos of autumn colours. Visit the pretty town of Dunkeld, Blair Atholl and its castle, stop for photos at the gorgeous Queen’s View over Loch Tummel and then explore the Victorian Hermitage. 

On the River Tummel sits the resort town of Pitlochry and along the river is Faskally Wood – otherwise known as the enchanted forest. Follow the woodland paths past the picturesque Loch Dunmore or walk as far as the dramatic Killecrankie – watch out for the bungee jumpers!

Read more: how to visit Perthshire

The Moray Firth Coast

Much of the Moray Firth coastline has long been part of the North Coast 500, but the southern edge of the firth is much more untouched by tourism. 

Now part of a new initiative, the North East 250, whether you want to go dolphin spotting, sailing, or walking the Coastal Trail, with picturesque harbour villages, waves crashing over towering sea cliffs, huge swathes of beach, and incredible changing light, exploring the Moray coast is about to become top of your Scotland list. 

Read more: how to visit the Moray Firth

The otherworldly mountains of Assynt

With turquoise blue seas, white-sand beaches, and tasty Lochinver pies, a visit to the far North West coast is one of the most beautiful places in Scotland. 

However, just driving through Assynt on the North Coast 500 means you miss out on the best bit – the views from some of Scotland’s most dramatic mountains – including Suilven, Cul More, Quinaig and the two Munros Ben More Assynt & Conival.

Even if you don’t climb up very high (try the smaller Stac Pollaidh) you will still get an incredible view of Assynt’s hundreds of lochs – all the way down to the sea. One of the best views in Scotland – mindblowing. 

Read More: How to Visit Lochinver and Assynt

Glen Affric and Glen Strathfarrar

In a country the size of Scotland, it’s surprising that there are still beautiful places in Scotland so remote that it can take days to get to them. The Inverness-shire glens of Glen Affric and Glen Strathfarrar in Strathglass might not be as remote, but as you drive south on single track roads, just 20 minutes south of Inverness, an ancient and undisturbed Scotland is revealed.  

Walking the 11-mile circular path around Loch Affric must be one of Scotland’s most awe-inspiring walks. Explore Scotland’s ancient Caledonian Scots Pine forest under huge surrounding mountains. 

Read more: How to visit Glen Affric and Glen Strathfarrar.

Edinburgh is undeniably gorgeous and buzzing with cultural events all year round, so explore with my favourite things to do in Edinburgh and head out for dinner at one of my recommended restaurants. Edinburgh will always be one of the best places to go in Scotland.

Read more Edinburgh

Over in the west is Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. Emerging fresh from decades of urban regeneration, with a lively music scene, a huge art community and people who can make a party out anything, Glasgow has a natural vibrancy which most cities dream of.

Read more – Glasgow

Visit Aberdeen – the Silver City

With quirky villages, street art, dolphins and fine food, Aberdeen should be on your radar for your next visit to Scotland. If you were asked to describe Aberdeen, you’d probably think of granite buildings, the oil industry and probably Aberdeen Angus steak – but Aberdeen as a tourist destination to rival Edinburgh or Glasgow? Maybe not. 

However, with the Nuart Street Art Festival changing the face of the city centre, Footdee’s quirky tarry sheds becoming Instagram stars, and dolphins swimming right up to its doorstep – Aberdeen has discovered a buoyant and well-deserved pride in itself. 

Read more: visit Aberdeen.

Sanna Bay and Portuarik

Let me introduce you to one of the west coast’s true hidden gems – the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. The ‘headland of the otters’ is the most western part of the British mainland and is beautifully unspoilt, wild and remote and is home to just 2000 people. 

At the end of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula is the stunning Sanna. Whilst Scotland has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world I think Ardnamurchan might just have the best. To find Sanna Bay walk from the hamlet of Portuairk along the coastal path. 

Read more how to visit Ardnamurchan.

The Elgol Peninsula, Skye 

The Isle of Skye’s dramatic Cuillin mountain range dominates the misty isles’ skyline wherever you look – climbing the twelve 3000 ft+ peaks of the Black Cuillin ridge is on most Munro Baggers bucket list and summiting the Inaccessible Pinnacle is probably the most daunting climb in Scotland. 

However, if you like life a little more sedate the Cuillin is also viewed in all its magnificence from a walk to Camasunary Beach on the Elgol (or to give it its proper name) Strathaird Peninsula. If you don’t fancy a long walk, there is a long drive on a single track road to the village where you can take a boat ride into the heart of the Cuillin. 

Read more: How to visit the Elgol Peninsula.