The 12 most beautiful places to visit in Scotland

Have you planned a trip to Scotland and don't want to miss anything? Discover our selection of the most beautiful places to visit Scotland as it should be.

Scotland is a country with incredible imagination, rich Celtic legends and a growing reputation. However, this country has a lot to offer to its visitors. Whether you are an adventurer, gastronomic, cultural or historical tourist, Scotland is the perfect country to get away from everyday life.

The history of Scotland is enlivened by the few invasions it suffered. Also, it is attached to England, which obviously influenced this land of the North. Today as a whole of the United Kingdom including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland is a secret country that is both natural and architectural. Indeed, many medieval castles are still standing, witnessing a time full of royal bounces. Take part in a Scottish adventure! Alternate between his highlands and his History, dressed in a kilt, with a glass of Scottish whisky by hand. Visiting Scotland is also discovering its traditions and why not, trying.

1. Inverness

Inverness is a pretty small town in Scotland, located north of the country. At the mouth of the Ness River, its name literally means “Bouche of the Ness River”. It is a city with undeniable charm, the capital of the Highlands that make the country famous.

Discover the poetic shores of the Ness, narrow alleys and ancient buildings. Only the look, because having been very contested in its history, its buildings do not date before the nineteenth century. That said, Inverness deserves completely the detour and its place in this list of the most beautiful places to visit in Scotland, for the charm that works when you enter it.

2. Skye Island

Probably one of Scotland’s most beautiful sights, Skye Island is a must-see for the spectacular and natural landscapes. Good to know: if you go by car, you should normally go by a bridge made famous by the saga Harry Potter The Glenfinnan viaduct. This said, the island, vast, is recognized for the beauty of its very green places, steep cliffs and wavy valleys, typical of the Highlands.

For nature and hiking enthusiasts, we recommend Fairy Pools, to the west. This hike will lead to beautiful natural waterfalls, with incredible colors. If you can, also stop at the very charming town of Portree, and its port with colorful houses.

3. Edinburgh Castle

Visiting Scotland is also discover its capital , which is one of the most charming in Europe. The city has a lot to offer you, but one of the main attractions is obviously its castle, which overlooks it with all its glory, from its rock. It is an incomparable way to observe the city, its streets and its buildings. But also to discover its history and architecture perfectly maintained in a conservation concern.

The Edinburgh Castle has been open to the visit for just a few years, after three centuries under military governance. However, the “One O’Clock Gun”, a military tradition that takes place every day at 1:00.

4. Luskentyre and its beach

The beach of Luskentyre is known throughout the country for its beauty and its enchanted paradise. Turquoise, emerald, and golden sand, so many colors for this hidden treasure, located north of the country, in the Harris archipelago. In the summer, this beach takes Caribbean air, almost forgetting it is in Scotland.

It is one of the most beautiful places to escape, to discover the stretches of sands juxtaposing green hills and black rocks. We must not forget that Scotland is not only synonymous with fog, deep lakes and wet valleys...

5. Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

How to visit Scotland without passing through the famous Loch Ness? His legendary monster and hard to see, Nessie, foresaw him, and far away. However, it is a very beautiful place. The Loch Ness is above all a very large freshwater lake. Indeed, with its 39 kilometers of length, it makes it the second largest lake in the whole country, despite a small width of one kilometer and a half. On the right bank, north of the Loch Ness, are the very popular ruins of the Urquhart Castle.

Another must in the region, Urquhart Castle has a long history dating back to the 13th century. Disputed through the ages, it is today in ruins, but you can visit it and discover the remains of an independent Scottish sword.

6. Orcade Islands

If to visit Scotland rhyme for you with wild nature, visit the Orcade Islands, archipelago located all the north. Wildlife and flora are rich on land and at sea: you can cross seals, whales and porpoises. Orcade Islands are very special for several reasons.

First, their beauty is equal to their fierce aspect, to be seen urgently. Then they have an impressive archaeological heritage: the Skara Brae. Discovered in 1850, these vestiges of an ancient civilization, classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage, are in an excellent state of conservation.

7. Bow Fiddle Rock

Natural wonder, the Bow Fiddle Rock represents the tip of the violin bow. Originally, several hundred million years ago, the collision of two continents. It's the vestige. For photographers and amateur/amateurs, the Bow Fiddle Rock is an infinite playground. At high or low tide, at sunrise or sunset, with fogless, it reveals its charms.

Each time of the day is unique, and there are some annual exceptions. Indeed, two weeks a year, in May and August, you can see the sun rise in the ark formed from the rock.

8. Cairngorms National Park

Cairngorms National Park is a natural pasture to visit in Scotland. It adapts to everyone’s desires. Indeed, whether you like to relax in a forest, near a lake or at the top of a mountain, this park is ideal. Don't forget, thanks to the many activities offered on the territory: windsurfing, skiing, hiking, biking in the forest... In addition to all this, it is a park with landscapes as beautiful as varied.

Waterfronts, snowy mountains (even in August), or bosquets, there are for everyone, on a huge expanse of more than 4500 square kilometers. A beautiful surface to lose a little bit...

9. Staffa

To the west, off Mull Island, is Staffa. If today the only inhabitants of the island are macarious, it remains that its history is full of bounces. Moreover, this is what attracts some tourists, curious and curious to know the secrets and legends. But its greatest peculiarity, and also its main attraction, are its amazing geography and caves. In particular, that of Fingal, to mention only one.

No, no, no. Gloves Northern Ireland, the Fingal Cave has basalt columns. This rock formation is more than astonishing, bordering the cave, even inside. The most extraordinary is the sound of the cave in the water. The air, blown, curls the columns, rebounds on the walls, and generates a harmonious echo, sometimes reminding the sound of the organ.

10. Kirkcudbright

In southern Scotland is the adorable little village of Kirkcudbright, named “Royal City” in 1455 (no matter what!). The cottages that cut the city are made of stones that have been painted in different colors, giving it a certain stamp. Kirkcudbright is also a town very intimately linked to art. Indeed, in the first half of the twentieth century, a small colony of artists-colorists settled there. This helped Kirkcudbright to make a small reputation for his creativity and culture.

Today, charm always operates. In addition, by extending your road to the south, discover the bay of Kirkcudbright, beautiful stretch of water and small estuary.

11. Glencoe Valley

We’ve been talking about the Highlands since the beginning, so it’s not possible for us to omit the Glencoe Valley. This valley is a green and wild, preserved and surrounded by the high mountains. A true setting of nature, it is one of the most beautiful places in Scotland, especially for those who love hiking or climbing. It is the whole valley that lends itself, with its many paths and steep slopes. The Highlands represent an still indisputed and rich nature, with a little capricious weather, but for the least charming.

For the little story, the Glencoe Valley has in its past a bloody episode. In 1692, English soldiers massacred nearly 40 people there, while they delayed allegiance to the King of England...

12. The Queen’s View

When you visit Scotland, you will see many things, from many points of view. The Queen’s View is considered the most beautiful of them. And for cause: this precise point offers a breathtaking and unbelievable view of the Loch Tummel and its shores. We see it all over its length, while the mountains are delicately lost.

The days of good weather, clarity is such that you can see up to 15 kilometers.