Where to Go in Scotland, According to a Local

As a Scot, I know you can find it all in Scotland, from party city breaks to off-the-grid camping experiences. To help you explore my country, I’ve rounded up my top picks for places you should go in Scotland.

We’ll cover the islands to the north and west of the country, which are part of Scotland’s internationally renowned natural wonders. I’ll also cover over Scotland’s nine cities, each of which has its own unique and fascinating history and thriving cultural scene.

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My Suggested Places to Visit in Scotland

Edinburgh

Scotland’s capital is home to Edinburgh Castle, a palace, a volcano, and an international arts festival. 

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Edinburgh is well-known as a tourist hot spot, and it’s worth the hype. Where else could you find a castle, a royal palace, and the national parliament all on one street?

In August, Edinburgh is home to the world’s largest arts festival, the Fringe. At Christmas, there’s a huge festive market in the central Princes Street Gardens. 

It’s a tradition to climb Arthur’s Seat, the volcano which dominates the Edinburgh skyline. Head to the neighbourhood of Leith for independent bars, restaurants, shops, and people. 

To hear about an underexplored side of Edinburgh, take a tour run by Invisible Cities. These are led by formerly homeless people who know all about the city’s legendary past and present reality.

Glasgow

A busy city perfect for shopping, nightlife, and dining out. 

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Glasgowis Scotland’s biggest city. It’s perfect for a weekend break due to its many fascinating museums, scenic parks, lively entertainment, and endless things to do. Make sure to visit the imposing Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis which overlooks it to see the spot where Glasgow began. 

Foodies should head to the West End, Merchant City, or Shawlands for a vibrant culinary scene covering the best of Scottish and international cuisine. Luckily, these areas happen to be some of the best places to stay in Glasgow too.

The city is also famous for its music history, and a show at the Barrowlands Ballroom is not to be missed. Underneath the venue is the Barras Market, an eclectic jumble of second-hand and homemade curiosities. 

On dry days, you can explore one of Glasgow’s many parks – Pollok Country Park’s flock of Highland cows makes it a popular choice. 

Stirling

This picturesque city is full of historical sights and surrounded by a stunning natural landscape.

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Stirling was one of my top picks for day trips from Glasgow and it’s the perfect place for history lovers.

You can see all of the historic battlefields of Stirling Bridge from the top of the National Wallace Monument. The 220-foot tower was built entirely from public donations in the 19th century and remains one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks.  

Stirling Castle has been remarkably restored to offer an insight into Scotland in the 1500s for those who can’t get enough history. Also check out the Battle of Bannockburn experience, which uses 3D technology to relive the gruesome medieval warfare. 

Blair Drummond Safari Park is the place for you if you want an exciting change of pace. See lions, tigers, antelopes, and penguins up close on the safari drive – just make sure to keep your windows shut!

Dundee

An underrated city with a landmark design museum and vibrant nightlife.

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The city of Dundee is traditionally known for three Js: Jam, Jute, and Journalism. It’s lesser known as a tourist destination, but people who skip Dundee miss out on a revitalized cultural scene and fun, affordable nightlife. 

Make sure to visit the V&A Dundee, the architecturally incredible design museum on the waterfront. More art and archaeological exhibits can be found at McManus Galleries, while modern art lovers should check out the Dundee Contemporary Arts centre. 

Overlooking the city is the Dundee Law, a peak formed by volcanic rock. This Iron Age hillfort was used as a prehistoric graveyard and now has an observation point where you can see over the River Tay and beyond. 

Inverness

A city packed full of history and with a quiet charm.

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I love Inverness so much that I nominated it for Travel Lemming’s 2024 emerging destination list. This city is more than just a launch pad for Loch Ness and its famous monster. It’s a beautiful city which is often visited by dolphins enjoying the calmer waters of the River Ness.

Inverness Castle is a perfect spot to look out over the river. Beside it sits a statue of Flora MacDonald. She was a Scottish hero who smuggled the famous Bonnie Prince Charlie to safety from British forces, dressed as her maid. Charlie’s last stand took place at nearby Culloden, which now has a visitor centre equipped with a 360-degree battle immersion theatre.

To travel further back in time, go to Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age graveyard above the River Nairn. Book lovers browse in Scotland’s biggest second-hand bookshop, Leakey’s. 

Aberdeen

Dolphin spot and explore history in the “Granite City”.

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Within Old Aberdeen, there are many architectural gems to find. One highlight is the University of Aberdeen’s 15th-century King’s College campus. 

Visit St Machar’s Cathedral, the site of a gruesome local legend. After William Wallace was executed in 1305, his body was dismembered and his left arm is said to still be within the cathedral walls.

Nature lovers should head to the Duthie Park Winter Gardens, one of the largest indoor gardens in Europe. At Aberdeen’s harbour, take a cruise out to sea for some dolphin spotting – you may even be able to see their mealtime at Torry Battery. 

Dunnottar Castle is only 30 minutes away by car from Aberdeen city centre. This is an iconic castle, perched on rocky cliffs surrounded on three sides by the North Sea. 

Skye

An otherworldly island with incredible sights and fossil discoveries. 

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The Isle of Skye is world famous for its unbelievable natural beauty and riches of dinosaur fossils. The island is connected to the mainland by the Skye Bridge or by ferry. 

Once on the island, you’re spoilt for choice. Hillwalkers should head to the Cuillins mountain range, the Quiraing landslip, and the Old Man of Storr. The latter is an iconic standing rock formation. Adventurous types can try sea kayaking, paddle boarding, coasteering, or sailing on a glass bottom boat. 

Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continually inhabited castle in Scotland, can be found on the shores of Loch Dunvegan and near a seal colony. Boreraig is another significant historical site on the Isle of Skye. It’s a ruined village cleared of its inhabitants during the infamous Highland Clearances in the 19th century.  

Isle of Arran

A tranquil island perfectly suited to scenic walks and full of quality Scottish cuisine.

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The Isle of Arran is the place to be for those who love immersing themselves in nature. Popular walks include the climb to Goat Fell, the tallest point on the island, and the long-distance Arran Coastal Way. 

On the west side of Arran are six Neolithic standing stones at Machrie Moor, where you can also see burial cairns and cists. Round off your day with a wee dram at one of Arran’s whiskey distilleries. 

Shetland Islands

The northernmost part of the UK is full of Norse history, gorgeous beaches, and isolated splendour. 

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The Shetland Islands are unlike anywhere else in Scotland. Closer to Oslo than Edinburgh, the islanders have a unique accent and proud Norse history. 

On the last Tuesday of January, the town of Lerwick hosts Up Helly Aa, a fire festival that ends in the burning of a Viking-style gallery. This is a once-in-a-lifetime party.

Explore some of Shetland’s 100 or so islands by bike or kayak. St Ninian’s Isle is one of the most striking and can be reached by a thin stretch of sandy beach from the Shetland mainland. 

Near the village of Sumburgh lies a 4,000-year-old Neolithic settlement which Vikings and medieval farmers also used. And finally, no trip to Shetland is complete without seeing some Shetland ponies!

New Lanark

A UNESCO World Heritage Site with utopian beginnings.

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New Lanark was founded in the 18th century as a purpose-built mill village based on utopian and philanthropist ideals. It became a model for industrial communities which was replicated around the world. 

New Lanark is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village has historical reconstructions showing life in New Lanark throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. 

In the surrounding area, walk along the serene Falls of Clyde and enjoy the same woodlands cherished by mill workers for 200 years. 

Aviemore

A base for outdoor summer adventures and winter ski excursions.

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Nature explorers – Aviemore is the base for you. This town is within the Cairngorms National Park.  It’s perfectly located for ski trips down the Cairngorm Mountain or summertime wanders through Rothiemurchus Estate where you can still spot red squirrels. 

Set out on quad bikes or ponies, swing through the trees on an aerial adventure park, or relax on a fishing trip.

At the nearby Highland Wildlife Park, you may be able to see Scottish wildcats, leopards, polar bears, and wolves if you’re lucky. There have been no sightings of the elusive haggis just yet. 

Fort William

A town for outdoors explorers all year round.

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Outdoors enthusiasts take note! Fort William is your dream holiday location. From here you can set out to ascend Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Britain and a place of spectacular views. In winter, the Nevis range offers skiing and snowboarding trails accessed by a mountain gondola. 

Other activities that will get your heart racing include mountain biking and cycling the Great Glen Way to Inverness. Relax with a dram from the Ben Nevis Distillery or watch a game of shinty, a traditional and very physical Scottish sport. 

Gretna Green

The ultimate wedding destination for old-fashioned romantics. 

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It doesn’t get more romantic than Gretna Green for a couple traveling around Scotland. 

The village has been known as a wedding destination since the 18th century. During this time, England introduced a law preventing people under the age of 21 from marrying without parental consent. Scotland did not have that restriction. Due to the village’s position right on the border, young love birds would flock to Gretna Green and elope. 

Many blacksmiths began performing marriage ceremonies. To this day, the Famous Blacksmiths Shop remains an active wedding venue. 

Dumfries

This picturesque market town is the ideal base to explore South West Scotland’s history.

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The market town of Dumfries in south Scotland packs a lot of historical punch for its size.

Fans of Peter Pan should visit Moat Brae, a centre for children’s literature and the birthplace of the boy who never grew up. For more literary sights, head to Robert Burns House, where Scotland’s national poet wrote some of his most popular poems. 

You’ll be spoilt for choice with significant ruins in and around Dumfries. Some highlights include Sweetheart Abbey, founded by King John Balliol’s mother, and the triangular Caerlaverock Castle and its moat. You also don’t want to miss the Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn tomb site. 

St Andrews

This town is the Home of Golf.

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St Andrews is a golfer’s paradise. The Old Course is, fittingly, the oldest golf course in the world. It’s possible to get a guided tour of the first and last holes. It’s harder to get a playing slot, but thankfully, there are 9 other golf courses to drive, chip, and putt. 

Make sure to explore the remains of St Andrews Cathedral. Nearby is an outdoor pool where hardy swimmers can take a dip in the North Sea. Just be warned: Scottish waters are rarely warm!

Falkirk

Explore the magnificent Kelpies statues and take a turn on the world’s only rotating boat lift. 

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Falkirk is worth a visit for two attractions alone – the Wheel and the Kelpies. 

The Falkirk Wheel is unique in the world. It’s a rotating boat lift that takes canal boats 115 feet into the air. Sail on a boat through the Wheel or canoe along the canals. In the surrounding area, you can find woodland hiking and bike trails, mini golf, a water park, and even archery. 

The Kelpies are a commanding piece of public art based on Scottish mythology. The metal horse heads rise to a height of 100 feet and are hollow, allowing tours to venture inside. 

Dunfermline

Discover Scotland’s former capital and newest city.

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Scotland’s ancient capital Dunfermline became a city in 2022 in recognition of its unparalleled historical significance. This is the site of the magnificent Dunfermline Abbey, under which lie the bones of the legendary king Robert the Bruce. 

The city has been shaped by the legacy of industrialist Andrew Carnegie. You can explore and learn more about his life at the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum. 

Perth

A beautiful small town which was once the site for Scottish coronations.

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The city of Perth was the traditional coronation site for Scottish monarchs. Although it has less political significance now than it had in the Middle Ages, it still has an undeniable charm. 

Walk along the banks of the River Tay and explore its public art trail which draws inspiration from the surrounding location and history. 

Anyone interested in the British Royal Family should make the short trip to Scone Palace including its tartan tree maze. This was visited by many Scottish and British monarchs, including in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Oban

The “Gateway to the Isles” is the perfect launchpad to the Hebrides. 

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Oban is a resort town, a popular spot for travelers exploring the west coast of Scotland. Climb to McCaig’s Tower and look out to the Hebrides, an archipelago of incredible islands. 

While in Oban, hop on the ferry to the Isle of Mull to see the town of Tobermory, famous for its colourful houses featured in the children’s TV show, Balamory. 

Glencoe

The landscape is the real star of this Highlands valley.

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There’s some powerful competition, but it’s fair to say Glencoe is one of the most beautiful places in Scotland. This valley has some of the best hiking routes around Loch Leven, along the River Coe, through An Torr Wood, and up to the Bidean nam Bian mountain. 

Stay in the village of Glencoe or take a car and drive along some of the most picturesque scenery you can imagine. You might just recognize it from the James Bond film Skyfall. 

Orkney

Unparallelled Neolithic remains can be found on this group of northern islands.

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The Orkney Islands are some of the best places in the UK to see preserved prehistoric ruins. 

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is a UNESCO World Heritage Site bringing together four landmark sites on the Orkney mainland. These include Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Stones of Stenness, and the Ring of Brodgar. 

Orkney comprises 70 islands, some of which are connected by World War Two naval defences. Drive around the archipelago to see how else the war impacted the islands, especially the Italian Chapel, built by Italian POWs held there. 

FAQs About Places to Go in Scotland

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Thanks for reading. I hope I’ve inspired your trip planning for Scotland! Leave a comment to let me know where you plan to go first.