Top 10 Must-Visit Locations in Scotland: A Complete Guide
Scotland is a land of breathtaking landscapes, ancient castles, and mystical legends. With thousands of tours under our belt, we at Scotland's Wild have...
- Scotland Tours
- 8 min read
Top 10 Must-Visit Locations in Scotland: A Complete Guide
Scotland is a land of breathtaking landscapes, ancient castles, and mystical legends. With thousands of tours under our belt, we at Scotland’s Wild have explored every corner of this beautiful country. In this guide, we’ll share our curated list of the top 10 places you absolutely have to visit on your Scottish adventure. Whether you’re planning your first trip or just dreaming of the rugged Highlands, you’re in the right place.
Scotland is truly incredible, and we’re here to show you why. We’ve even included some sample itineraries to help you plan your journey. Let’s dive into the most beautiful places this country has to offer.
1. Loch Lomond
Our journey begins at one of the most beautiful and accessible locations in Scotland: Loch Lomond. Just a short drive from Glasgow, this famous loch is a central part of the Trossachs National Park. It uniquely crosses the Highland Boundary Fault, a geological feature that separates the Highlands from the Lowlands. From certain vantage points, you can witness the dramatic shift in landscape, making it easy to tell which is which.
The loch is 22.6 miles long and has 30 islands.
While you’re here, a visit to the charming village of Luss on the loch-side is a must. You can enjoy the beach, take in the views of the islands from the pier, and even discover a piece of history at a local Viking grave.
For hiking enthusiasts, the West Highland Way, Scotland’s most famous walking trail, passes right by the loch. If you’re not up for the full 96-mile trek, you can climb Conic Hill. This shorter hike, which is part of the trail, offers incredible panoramic views of the loch and surrounding countryside. It’s a climb that can be completed in a few hours and is well worth the effort for the breathtaking scenery.
2. Glencoe
Next on our list is the dramatic and wild Glencoe. This valley looks like it’s straight out of a fantasy film, with its towering mountains and sweeping vistas. The drive through Glencoe is an experience in itself—so beautiful that drivers need to be careful to keep their eyes on the road!
Glencoe offers another brilliant hike into what’s known as the Hidden Valley. Historically, this is where cattle rustlers would hide their neighbors’ stolen cows. Starting from the Three Sisters Viewpoint, the hike takes about three to four hours round trip, leading you past waterfalls and into a vast glen where you’ll be surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Three Sisters.
Glen means valley in Scottish Gaelic.
Glencoe is also home to a recreated 1700s turf house. Head to the Glencoe Visitor Centre to see what life was like for Highlanders living in the valley 300 years ago. The visitor centre is an ideal spot to stop for lunch and marvel at the surrounding beauty.
3. Glenfinnan
Harry Potter fans, this one is for you! The Glenfinnan Viaduct is the iconic bridge that the Hogwarts Express crosses in the movies. Even if you’re not a Potterhead, the viaduct is stunning in its own right. At the right time of year, you can even ride the Jacobite steam train and experience the Highlands in style.
Aside from the viaduct, Glenfinnan offers another of Scotland’s most beautiful views, looking out over Loch Shiel. Here, you’ll also find the Glenfinnan Monument, erected to commemorate the 1745 Jacobite Uprising. It’s an important piece of Scottish history that you’ll learn all about when you visit.
Since Glenfinnan isn’t far from Glencoe, we recommend heading here after passing through the valley. Both locations are part of our 3-Day Isle of Skye tour, which takes you on an unforgettable journey through the Highlands.
4. Eilean Donan Castle
It’s time for a castle, and not just any castle. You simply cannot visit Scotland without seeing at least one, and Eilean Donan Castle is a stunner. You may have already seen it on your desktop screensaver, as it’s one of the most photographed castles in all of Scotland. Perched on its own little island where three lochs meet, it’s easily one of the most photogenic castles you’ll ever see.
You might recognize it from movies like Highlander or the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough.
It’s an absolute must-see and a great stop if you’re on your way to or from the Isle of Skye. The castle has a long, complicated history, having passed through many clan hands and even being destroyed by government forces in 1719. It’s well worth heading across the bridge to explore its past.
5. The Storr, Isle of Skye
Let’s head to Scotland’s most beautiful island: the Isle of Skye. Our next location, the Old Man of Storr, looks like something from another planet. Its jagged rock formations tower over the landscape, creating a truly surreal atmosphere. It’s about an hour-long hike to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with expansive views of the sea and the dynamic countryside of the island.
There is a mystical vibe to this place. Maybe it’s the fog that rolls in and out, or perhaps it’s the legend that the rocks are the remains of a giant who died there. Either way, standing beneath these massive pillars of stone is a surreal experience that makes you feel pretty tiny. You’ll probably find yourself stopping every few minutes just to take it all in.
6. Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, Isle of Skye
While on the Isle of Skye, you have to check out Dunvegan Castle. This is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been home to the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for over 800 years. Dunvegan sits right on the edge of a loch, so the views are stunning.
Inside, you’ll find everything from ancient artifacts and clan history to a genuine Fairy Relic. Yes, you read that right—there’s a Fairy Flag kept in glass inside the castle. The flag’s power is said to turn the tide of battle and has even been used to cure a cattle plague. But the real magic happens outside in the castle gardens, which are lush, colorful, and full of hidden paths. It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend a whole afternoon exploring.
7. Skara Brae, Orkney
Next, we’re jumping way back in time to Skara Brae, a prehistoric village on Orkney, the second most northerly island off Scotland. This place is older than the pyramids!
Around 5,000 years old, Skara Brae is one of the best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe.
Walking through these ancient stone homes feels like stepping into the distant past. The village was uncovered by a storm in 1850, and since then, it has given us a glimpse into what daily life was like in Scotland thousands of years ago. Orkney is the place to go for ancient history, with numerous burial cairns and standing stones to explore.
8. The Hermitage
If you need a break from castles and cliffs, The Hermitage in Dunkeld is the perfect escape into nature. This woodland walk takes you through towering Douglas Fir trees, some of the tallest in the UK, and leads you to the stunning Black Linn Falls. This is a favorite forest walk for many, and it’s easy to see why. The air is filled with the scent of pine, and the views of the waterfall from Ossian’s Hall are spectacular. Don’t forget to visit Ossian’s Cave to try out the hermit life. It’s a serene spot where you can lose track of time and reconnect with nature.
9. Calanais Standing Stones
On the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, you’ll find the Calanais Standing Stones, one of Scotland’s most mystical sites. These massive stone circles have stood for over 5,000 years, and their exact purpose remains a mystery. Some say they were used for rituals; others believe they align with the stars.
Standing among them, you can’t help but wonder about the people who placed them here at great expense.
The Outer Hebrides are full of incredible sites. If you make the trip, be sure to also visit Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and Dun Carloway Broch. The white sandy beaches, like Luskentyre Beach, are also among the most beautiful in Scotland.
10. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
Last but not least, we have Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, found at the end of the world—or at least, the end of mainland Scotland—on the rugged cliffs of Caithness. Although this castle is in ruins, it possesses a wild, untamed beauty that makes it worth the trek. The setting is unreal: standing on a cliff with the North Sea crashing below and the wind whipping around you as this jagged, ruined structure looms out of the fog. You can explore the ruins, look out at the sea from the broken ramparts, and imagine what it must have looked like in its prime.
More to Explore
That’s our top 10, but Scotland has so much more to offer. The country is vast and dense with incredible places to visit. Here are some honorable mentions that we couldn’t fit into our main list: Edinburgh, Stirling Castle, Loch Ness, the Cairngorms, Inverness, Galloway Forest, and the isles of Mull & Iona.