Looking to explore Scotland in a little more depth? Here is my guide to the regions of Scotland, from the Highlands to the islands and from the cities to the lowlands.
Argyll and The Isles
One of the largest regions of Scotland – and one of our hidden gems – Argyll covers much of Scotland’s beautiful west coast. Make your base on the Mull of Kintyre or at Inveraray at Loch Fyne or Island hop from Oban to Mull, Coll and Tiree. Here are my guides to Argyll and the Isles.
– How to visit Argyll and the Isles
– Things to do Inveraray Argyll’s capital
– How to visit the Isle of Mull
– Go ferry hopping around Scotland’s Hebridean Islands
– Go whisky tasting on Islay
– How to explore the Cowal Peninsula
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Located in the northeast of Scotland, Aberdeen has 165 miles of gorgeous coastline, the beautiful Royal Deeside, 263 castles to visit, and the quirky city of Aberdeen – at 6000 sq km, Aberdeenshire is the fourth largest of the 12 main regions of Scotland and is perfect to explore on a road trip. Here are my guides to planning a trip to Aberdeenshire:
– How to visit Aberdeenshire
– The Silver City – Things to do in Aberdeen
– How to visit Royal Deeside
– Drive the North East 250
Ayrshire and Arran
Ayrshire sits on the Southeast coast of Scotland, above Dumfries and Galloway stretching north to Glasgow. Ayrshire is Robert Burn’s country and is a land of vast vistas, sweeping coves, granite islands and incredible views.
Off the coast of Ayrshire is Arran, and with rugged highland mountains, windswept beaches and ruined castles, and, of course, its own whisky, the Isle of Arran truly is ‘Scotland in Miniature’.
– How to visit Ayrshire
– How to visit the Isle of Arran
– How to drive the SWC300 – and visit Ayrshire
The Cairngorms National Park
With forests pepper-potted with deep green lochans, a seemingly endless Arctic tundra where the temperature can drop as low as -27 degrees in the depths of winter, and home to ospreys, reindeer, pine martens and red squirrels, the Cairngorms is one of Scotland’s true wildernesses.
Here’s how to get outside and explore the lochs, glens, and Munros of the Cairngorms National Park.
– Visit the Cairngorms National Park
– How to visit Royal Deeside
Clackmannanshire
Welcome to lovely little Clackmannanshire. It might be Scotland’s ‘wee county’, but Clackmannanshire is a mighty one.
Home to the Ochils mountains and one of Scotland’s prettiest villages, Dollar, fabulous walks and the Tower Trail, here is how to visit Clackmannanshire.
– How to visit Clackmannanshire
Dumfries and Galloway
Whilst South West Scotland might be well known to those arriving off the ferries from Northern Ireland, to many visitors (and locals!) the delights of Scotland’s secret south west corner – from the Solway Firth to Scotland’s most southerly point, and the dramatic mountains of the Southern Uplands – are a true hidden gem.
– How to visit Dumfries and Galloway
– How to drive the SWC300
– An epic drive around Southern Scotland
Dundee and Angus
Like so much of Scotland missing from the ‘things to see in Scotland before you die’ lists, the east coast of Scotland between Aberdeen and Dundee is underrated and crying out for you to visit.
With beautiful beaches, the spectacular Dunnottar Castle, and arty cool city of Dundee. Here’s how to visit one of the sunniest regions of Scotland (yes really!)
– How to visit the City of Dundee
– Drive the Angus Coastal Route
– How to visit Angus
Edinburgh and the Lothians
Scotland’s capital really sells itself – it is one of the world’s best cities to visit. However, we all know how easy it to fall into the trap of visiting the ‘top ten’ places – you need a local to show you around! Surrounding Edinburgh are the Lothians – East, Mid and West, which are all worth a day trip.
– A local’s guide to Edinburgh
– Unusual things to do in Edinburgh
– Things to do in East Lothian
Fife
Voted ‘No 1 outdoor destination’ in Scotland by Scottish Natural Heritage eight years in a row; it’s no wonder I love Fife – and make it my home.
With 117-miles of stunning east coast coastline, pretty 16th-century villages, huge beaches, St Andrews, Michelin-starred restaurants and fish n chips, along with a whole host of brilliant outdoor activity providers, here is my guide to things to do in Fife.
– My guide to things to do in Fife
– How to get outside in Fife
– Guide to the East Neuk
– How to visit St Andrews
Glasgow
Forget everything you thought you knew about Glasgow. 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. Here’s what to do in Glasgow.
– My guide to things to do in Glasgow
The Highlands
The Highland of Scotland really need no introduction, lets just get planning…
– How to visit Caithness
– How to visit Sutherland
– How to visit Wester Ross
– Things to do in Lochinver and Assynt
– How to visit Ardnamurchan
– Visit Fort Augustus and Loch Ness
– Things to do in Fort William
– How to visit Glencoe
– Things to do on the Isle of Skye
– How to drive the North Coast 500
– Visit Scotland’s best Islands
– Things to do near Ullapool
– How to visit Golspie and Dunrobin Castle
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Covering 720 stunning square miles, with two forest parks, 22 large lochs, 40 hills over 2000ft, and one of the UK’s largest nature reserves (phew!) your visit to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park should be much more than a day trip.
Here’s my guide to getting outside and exploring the lochs, glens, and Munros around Loch Lomond.
– Guide to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
– Things to do at Balmaha, Loch Lomond
Moray / Speyside
The Scottish east coast from Inverness to Peterhead at first might seem a little tame to those who love the fjord-like dramatics of the west coast, but with picturesque harbour villages, waves crashing over towering sea cliffs, huge swathes of beach, incredible changing light and not forgetting a famous soup.
Further south, Speyside is one of the main whisky regions of Scotland.
– Guide to the Moray Firth
– Things to do in Speyside
– How to drive the North East 250
The Northern Isles – Orkney and Shetland
With stone-age villages, huge sea-scapes, a vibrant arts culture and a genuinely warm welcome (and not just from the Orkney gin!) we took a weekend trip to Orkney to dip into 5000 years of history.
Much further north, Shetland lies 110 miles off mainland Scotland and is home to Orcas and a totally unique Viking heritage.
– How to visit Orkney
The Outer Hebrides
A visit to the Outer Hebrides is an otherworldly dip into Scotland’s remote edge of the world island culture.
However, the Western Isles are more than Harris Gin, the home of the Gaelic language, the famous Callanish standing stones, Norseman tales and world-famous beaches and turquoise seas. This 130-mile long island chain 24 miles off the northwest coast of Scotland also makes for an incredible adventure playground.
– How to visit the Outer Hebrides
Perthshire
One of my favourite regions of Scotland, Perthshire is full of lochs, Munros, glens and woodlands – they don’t call Perthshire Big Tree Country for nothing. Discover this central region of Scotland by foot, SUP, kayak or on horseback, Perthshire is a great destination for an adventure holiday. Make sure you don’t miss a visit to the region’s main town – Perth.
– The outdoorsy guide to Perthshire
– Things to do in Perth
– How to visit Dunkeld
The Scottish Borders
Scotland starts here!
Fancy trekking with alpacas, spotting dolphins in a marine reserve, hurtling down a world-class mountain bike trail and staying in an ancient tower house on the beautiful River Tweed? Well you can do all of this in the Scottish Borders.
– Things to do in the Scottish Borders
– An epic drive around Southern Scotland
How many regions are there in Scotland?
There are 12 main regions in Scotland:
- Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire
- Argyll and the Isles
- Angus & Dundee
- Ayrshire & Arran
- Clackmannanshire
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Edinburgh & the Lothians
- Fife
- Glasgow and the Clyde Valley
- The Highlands
- Moray & Speyside
- Perthshire
- Scottish Borders
I’d also count the two National Parks – Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the Cairngorms National Park – as two distinct regions, and I’d also the Outer Hebrides and the Northern Isles as part of the 16 regions of Scotland.
Map of the regions of Scotland
Want to see where these regions of Scotland are on a map? Find out with this map of the regions of Scotland on Scotland.org