Top 21 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Scotland

If you were to pick a place that represents Scotland’s wild natural beauty at its finest, many would choose Glencoe, and so would I! It’s an ancient volcanic glen with a grim history and breathtakingly beautiful scenery – the valley is flanked by imposing velvety-green peaks so tall that their tops are often shrouded in grey, misty clouds.

It was also the site of the infamous Glencoe massacre, where, in 1692, the MacDonald clan was ruthlessly slaughtered by the government in power at the time. It’s a sixteen-mile drive from Fort William, and although it will probably be raining when you arrive, this will only add to its mysterious atmosphere.

My must-do highlights of beautiful Glencoe

• Pay a visit to the wonderful Clachaig Inn, located in the heart of Glencoe and surrounded by truly stunning views of the mountains. It’s a legendary place offering a warm Highlands welcome, a collection of over 400 malt whiskeys, hearty dinners, and lunches.
• Go on one of the hikes I’d recommend the 1.5-mile An Torr walk, which isn’t a very strenuous hike and has a well-marked trail. It leads up to Signal Rock, which is said to be the place where the signal was allegedly sounded to start the Glencoe Massacre.
• On the Glen Etive Road,, you pass stunning views and lochs. You’ll also pass some locations where Braveheart and the James Bond film Skyfall are located.
• Take a trip to the beautiful Loch Achtriochtan, Glencoe Mountain, and Three Sisters Mountain Range. 

Our beautiful h0tel choice for Glencoe – The Isles of Glencoe Hotel

• To book, check prices or dates for the Isles of Glencoe Hotel

Once voted the fourth best island in the world (by National Geographic magazine), the tranquil and stunningly beautiful Isle of Skye – part of the Hebridean islands located off the northwest shore of Scotland – offers particularly beguiling scenery.

This is where the waves of the turbulent Atlantic sea crash against the rough and rugged shores, towering sea cliffs, and long sweeping sandy beaches.

In my opinion, the inland scenery doesn’t get any less dramatic, with formidable mountain ranges, boggy moorland, and vast expanses of barren wilderness punctuated with tiny lochs and pretty villages.

My must-see highlights of the Isle of Skye

• Hike along and maybe swim in the beautiful Fairy Pools, an area that looks like something out of Lord of the Rings. The water is so clear and luminous that it’s said that fairies have bathed in it (hence the name)!
• Pay a visit to the very cozy The Old Inn, one of the best pubs on the island. It’s set on the shores of the beautiful Loch Harport and is popular with locals, tourists, and walkers.
• Explore Kilt Rock. There are many jaw-dropping cliffs on this island, but it’s one of the most scenic. Here, waterfalls plummet into the sea – just be careful not to get too close to the edge!
• One of the best natural attractions of the Isle of Skye is the famous Old Man of Storr, a great place to climb or photograph!
• If you’re serious about walking, then hike the Quiraing trail, it isn’t the world’s most accessible trail, but the views are truly stunning.
• Explore the island’s largest town, the picturesque Portree. Here, you’ll find pretty colorful buildings, fishing boats, and even sea glass that washes up on the beach.

Our beautiful hotel choice for the Isle of Skye – Toravaig House Hotel

• To book, check prices or dates for the Toravaig House Hotel

Scotland’s proud and grand capital easily deserves a place on this list. One of the UK’s most visited tourist destinations (after London), this city mixes old-world charm and historic architectural grandeur with a dash of the contemporary thrown in for good measure. I’m personally a huge fan! 

Its orientation probably helps, too – Edinburgh’s skyline is dominated by the castle, which sits atop a craggy volcano, gazing down over the city.

For other city highlights, head for the labyrinthine of beautifully preserved medieval cobbled streets that make up the Old Town, Prince’s Street (Scotland’s most famous shopping street), and the spooky – and supposedly haunted – series of underground chambers otherwise known as the ‘vaults’.

If you’re planning a more extended stay, check out our post on cool and unusual hotels to stay in Edinburgh.

My must-see highlights of beautiful Edinburgh

• Go shopping down the very elegant and famous Princes Street, packed with upscale shops and department stores.
• Take a stroll down the excellent cobbled Royal Mile in the Old Town; it leads from Edinburgh Castle down to the Scottish Parliament and is lined with quirky shops, buzzing pubs, and restaurants.
• Visit the famous Edinburgh Castle, which sits on top of the volcano in the city’s center.
• Take a trip to West End Village – a pretty area of boutique shops, quirky stores, and unique gift shops.
• Explore the city’s vaults on one of the famous (and very tongue in cheek!) Auld Reekie Tour.
• Dine at Chaophraya, located on upmarket George Street. A sleek and modern Thai restaurant that enjoyed an enviable position on a rooftop conservatory and delectably combining divine food with religious city views.
• I’m also always in awe of Edinburgh’s creative and unique outlook on life, so check out Frankenstein Cafe a place where you can fill up on hearty American-style diner food and gaze at retro horror movie memorabilia – random but a great example of Edinburgh’s wonderful idiosyncratic ways!
• Head to the Scottish Poetry Library and check out the exquisite and mysterious miniature paper sculptures made from books and left by a talented anonymous gifter.
• Go on the wonderful Pickings Gin Distillery Tour. I loved the generous enthusiasm of the distillery guide, the genuine vintage decor, the intriguing story of how it all began, and their two giant copper gins distilling barrels named after their beloved grandparents, Emily and Gertrude.

Our beautiful hotel pick for Edinburgh – Tigerlily

• To book, check prices or dates for the Tigerlily Edinburgh

A small loch, or lochan, Lochan na h-Achlaise is a much-photographed beauty spot and one of the most beautiful lakes in Scotland. Set on the wild and rural Rannoch Moor, Black Mount surrounds this lochan – an imposing snow-capped mountain range.

Rannoch Moor is a wet and boggy landscape, so I would say you definitely need suitable footwear to explore this place. Another great way to see this part of Scotland is by train – the West Highland Railway runs between Glasgow and Fort William and was once voted the top rail journey in the world.

This charming and easy-on-the-eye former village can be found just northwest of the city center of Edinburgh, Scotland. Beautifully located right on the Water of Leith, this little oasis, seemingly a long way from all the city hassles, is only a five-minute walk from Princes Street.

It was once a thriving grain milling village, Still, now it’s an Edinburgh World Heritage Site, and I loved the pretty and colorful historic buildings to see the impressive Dean Bridge designed by Thomas Telford and, of course, its very alluring picturesque charm.

A relatively new National Park, having been officially created in 2002, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is a 720-square-mile wild haven with a host of mountains and lochs to explore. There are 21 mountains above 3000 feet and nearly as many above 2500 feet.

The park is located in the central Highlands. It consists of four distinct areas: the vast Loch Lomond, Bredalbane – the ‘high ground of Scotland’, Argyll Forest – a forest park perfect for hiking, and The Trossachs – a beautiful woodland glen.

This is also Rob Roy’s stomping ground, the folk hero made famous by Daniel Defoe and Sir Walter Scott. Wherever you decide to start exploring this huge National Park, I promise that you’re guaranteed some seriously spectacular Scottish scenery.

Glasgow is a fun, friendly, and vibrant city and I think it’s well worth a visit. One of its most beautiful attractions is its focal point, Glasgow Cathedral (also called the High Kirk of Glasgow or St Mungo’s Cathedral).

It was built between the 13th & 15th Centuries and is the oldest cathedral on the mainland of Scotland and is the oldest building in Glasgow.

Today, the medieval is a magnificent example of Scottish Gothic architecture; if you visit it it will instantly transport you back to a long-forgotten time

Standing at 1,344 meters, Ben Nevis is the highest peak in the United Kingdom and is the mountain all visiting climbers want to conquer. Many base themselves at the nearby town of Fort William to give them a few days to explore the imposing peak and its tranquil neighbor, Glen Nevis.

Both places offer scenery of outstanding beauty – Glen Nevis is one of the best examples of a glaciated valley in Scotland with cascading waterfalls, a dramatic gorge, and bracken-covered slopes, and Ben Nevis, once climbed, offers some of the best views in the country.

If you are considering tackling the climb, I would just say make sure you go fully prepared, check the weather conditions before you go, and allow for a full day’s climbing.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct is now one of the most popular places to visit in Scotland thanks to its appearance in many a Harry Potter film. Attracting thousands from all over the globe, it’s a beautiful railway viaduct built in 1901 with a curving, 21-arch span on the West Highland Line in Glenfinnan, Inverness-shire.

A Jacobite steam train also runs from here to Fort William and Mallaig in the summer months, with regular trains available the rest of the year.

As well as being visually striking with truly stunning surroundings (the railway overlooks beautiful Loch Shiel), in my opinion, it’s also a special place with a unique atmosphere!

This tiny tidal island in Loch Duich is adorned with the most photographed castle in Scotland. It’s arguably Scotland’s most famous view, appearing on everything from calendars, shortbread tins, and even films and television adverts.

If you visit, you’ll see why – it’s a truly picturesque spot looking out to the Isle of Skye, surrounded by the forested mountains of Kintail with regular sightings of dolphins, otters, and birdlife. So I would recommend wildlife spotting here.

The first castle dates from the 13th century, and over the centuries, Eilean Donan castle has been expanded many times and finally restored in the 20th century.   

Established in 2003, a year after Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the Cairngorms is the largest National Park in the UK and is a vast area of natural beauty, wildlife, and significant towns covering 1700 square miles.

With around 1.4 million visitors a year, the scenic Cairngorms has something to offer everyone. Five of the six highest mountains in Scotland are here, and the diversity of the habitats, vegetation, and geology is unrivaled in the UK.

From climbing to mountain biking, and from skiing to bungee jumping, the Cairngorms has so much to offer and it’s one of my favourite spots too.

Why not head to the Glenlivet or Dalwhinnie distilleries for a taste of authentic Scottish whiskey or join an organized tour of Balmoral Castle (when the Royal Family isn’t at home, of course!)?

This is another loch of natural and historical importance within easy reach of Fort William. Picturesque Loch Shiel has recently gained fame by doubling as Black Lake in the Harry Potter film franchise.

One of Scotland’s largest freshwater lochs, in my opinion, its best explored by boat – take a guided cruise on the water to spot a vast array of wildlife, including red deer and golden eagle.

Much like Loch Ness, Shiel has its monster inhabitant legend – at 70 feet long, the three-humped ‘Seilag’ apparently patrols the loch’s depths, and has been seen multiple times, dating back to the late 1800s.

This beautiful Scottish Hebridean island is home to some genuinely extraordinary scenery. It’s mostly known for its stunning Caribbean-esque beaches, such as Luskentyre and Scarista, which can be found on the west coast of the island, but it is also home to other beautiful scenery.

For example, the rugged mountains are in the north, and on the east side is a unique area filled with miniature fjords. Venture inland, and you’ll see rolling hills, pristine lochs, and peaty moorland lined with brilliant yellow heather.

That, coupled with a slower pace of life and quite an extensive collection of fine Highland Cows makes this one of my favourite spots.

I’m a big fan of this 12-mile-long expanse of water in the Northwest Highlands otherwise known as Loch Maree. 

Its unique feature is the series of small islands at its center – around forty wooded islands and islets – one of which (Isle Maree) still has the remains of an ancient chapel and graveyard dating back to the 8th century.

The pure waters of the loch were once thought to cure lunacy, and the area’s spiritual history is evident – exploring Isle Maree will reveal a druid circle and an ancient Money Tree, where if the coin you offer stays embedded in the tree, your wish will be granted.

Although this castle isn’t perfectly intact, I personally think Kilchurn Castle still packs a very photogenic punch! The ancient ruined building sits majestically on a rocky peninsula at the northeastern tip of Loch Awe in the Argyll and Bute region.

It was built in the mid-1400s as the base of the Campbells of Glenorchy and wasn’t abandoned until the 1700s. Today, it sits perfectly framed by its truly stunning surroundings at the foot and is well worth a visit if you’re touring around the beautiful Highlands.

The most famous Scottish loch in the world is also one of the best and most beautiful places to visit in Scotland; it’s also intense and is the largest body of freshwater in Britain – maybe that’s why the famous ‘Nessie’ monster chose this for their home!

There have been thousands of sightings of the mythical creature over the decades and several theories, too. Located 37 kilometres southwest of Inverness, whether you believe in the Loch Ness Monster or not, there’s no denying this is a lovely spot in Scotland. I highly recommend seeking out the most photogenic place of the 23-mile-long loch, which is where the ruins of the medieval fortress Urquhart Castle sit.

Scotland is home to some wonderful and unspoiled beaches that I think are well worth exploring. Gruinard Bay, located 12 miles north of Poolewe on the west coast of Scotland, is home to some of the best.

As well as spectacular and sweeping views, the bay is home to rocky coves and vast pink sand beaches; from here, it’s possible to see stunning views of An Teallach and the northern Highlands. You can also see beautiful views across island-studded waters to the Coigach Hills. This is Scotland’s coastline at its most stunning and unspoiled best!

In the mid-1600s, Scottish fortresses needed to be tough, and this particular one was thought to be the most impenetrable in Scotland.

Nestled majestically on a rocky headland on the northeastern coast of Scotland today, it cuts a striking and romantic (if sadly ruined) structure and I think it’s a highly photogenic spot worth visiting! 

You may have heard of the famous Paul McCartney song “Mull of Kintyre.” Well, the song was inspired by this beautiful and tranquil part of Scotland, and this was the place he retreated to after the break up of the Beatles.

Once visited, it’s accessible to see why – I think this place is seriously stunning with gorgeous beaches, beautiful coastline, and plenty of ancient history and opportunities to sup on wee drams of whiskey merrily.

It stretches 30 miles from the Mull of Kintyre in the south to East Loch Tarbert in the north and can be found in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. Don’t miss Carradale Bay, the bustling harbor town of Tarbert, the Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse, and the  Tuirc Distillery, where they produce the acclaimed Kintyre gin.

This is another of the most beautiful beaches to visit in Scotland, which could easily rival the shores of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean (but without the crowds); this gorgeous gem of a place can be found in a tiny hamlet in the parish of Durness on the North Coast of Scotland.

It’s a long, pristine stretch of pale sand backed by massive dunes, and I would highly recommend walking out to Faraid Head (but keep safety in mind!), a small and pretty peninsula that is home to nesting seabirds.

Also, make time to visit the nearby historic watermill, Balnakeil House, which was built in 1744, the ruined church of Balnakeil, which dates from 1619, and the Balnakeil Craft Village.

Famous for its whiskey (produced in Jura Whisky Distillery) and its wild, rugged lands, this place is one the last untamed gems of Scotland.

It can be reached by passenger ferry from the mainland, and its remote location makes this place so special. It even attracted one of the most famous writers of the 20th century – George Orwell once traveled here to find the tranquillity he needed to complete his most famous novel, 1984.

Located off the peaceful and unspoiled west of Scotland, the small number of human residents (200) is easily outnumbered by the wild deer population (which is said to be over 5,000).

I would recommend visiting for its soaring mountains, famous whirlpool (the Corryvreckan Whirlpool), divine whiskey, and astounding raw, rugged beauty. I hope you enjoy Scotland as much as I do!