Planning a trip to Scotland can be very difficult because it is difficult to know what to expect while you are there. Thankfully we have included this guide to the top things you should do in Scotland so that you can plan the best trip. From the sands of the Hebrides to the Aberdeenshire castle, we try to cover all interests and landscapes and make your Scottish holiday a memorable trip.
The great thing about Scotland is how it is accessible everywhere with major cities around 3 hours away from each other. This means that when you come to visit, you can pack a lot for a short trip.
But where do you start with planning a trip?
We are here to assist you by providing you with a range of the best places in Scotland to visit and why each one offers a completely different experience for tourists.
Getting around is very easy too. You can take trains, local buses, or rent a car.
So where should you go when you visit Scotland?
Edinburgh
Go to the ancient city and see some of the tourist attractions like Edinburgh Castle and Mary Kings Close, a hidden subway that allows you to experience what life was like back in the 16th and 17th centuries in Edinburgh.
The new town is lined with Georgian buildings. Walking through Princes Street, a shopping mall overlooked by the castle, you will be introduced to a number of special features such as the current Jenners building and the magnificent Balmoral Hotel with many restaurants including the Microsoft Starred “Number 1” restaurant.
You can stay here for days without seeing all the attractions offered, but there is definitely something to add to your trip.
Glasgow
Rely on the train and travel just 50 miles west of Edinburgh and arrive at Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow.
Possibly our favorite city in Scotland, a city that is constantly changing and offers a lot to everyone to do regardless of their interests.
If music is not your thing, then you can head to a place like the Kelvingrove museum and look around the 22 different galleries on offer. One of the great benefits of adding a Kelvingrove museum to your list is that it is completely free to visit.
Glasgow is also excellent for small commercial therapies. The main shopping section of Buchanan, Sauchiehall, and Argyll offers consumers a wide variety of options. You will also find many private shops scattered throughout the city as well.
Inverness
The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s response to the historic Route 66. Driving this road takes you 516 miles of the beautiful Scottish plains with stops on the way to many small villages and you can see many things for them and do.
Maybe while driving this road you can make small wild tents because it is legal in Scotland to pitch your tent in many areas that are considered uncultivated. Just make sure you don’t leave a trail and stick to the rules of the wild camp.
Dundee
Now one of our favorite cities has come to an extreme over the years due to having millions spent on renovation projects in Dundee.
V&A is the most prominent piece in a town built along the river and has an impact not only around but has a boat-like feel.
Dundee also has many other pieces of beautiful architecture such as pavilions, The Courier building, and St Paul’s Cathedral in the city center. The good thing about Dundee is that everything is so close which means you don’t have to travel long distances to see all the sights on offer.
Hebrides
A short boat ride from Ullapool or a very short flight from many airports in the country and you will be on an island with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world that can withstand the hottest climates. Our favorite should be Luskentyre with golden sand, blue water, and a beautiful mountain base in the water. Oh and pay attention to the wild horses roaming the sea again.
If you are referring to Lewis and Harris then be sure to spend some time exploring the rich history given to you by visiting the Dark Houses, the standing stones of Callanish and Carloway Broch, and spending some time listening to some locals speaking the preferred Gaelic language.
While Scotland can be a bit daunting for some people, it has a long and rich history waiting to be explored for the people willing to put in the effort. While a lot of Scotland is unknown by best, we have put together this list of the 5 best places to visit to make your job a lot easier. Just look at the places we mention and see all they have to offer. You could make a memorable trip to Scotland with just these 5 places!
