The BEST locations to visit in Scotland - Scotland Travel Guide

Welcome to Scotland! Home of breathtaking landscapes, ancient castles, and some pretty amazing history. If you’re looking to plan the ultimate Scottish adventure, you’re in the right place. 

We’re Scotland’s Wild and as a small tour company we’ve led thousands of tours all over these bonnie lands!

In this blog, we’re counting down our ultimate top 10 must-visit places in Scotland… Stick around to the end where we’ve got example itineraries.

Scotland is a part of Great Britain, it’s long history has been a melting pot of various peoples, cultures, languages and traditions. 

Only about 5 and a half million people live in Scotland, and 70% of those in the central belt. Most of our locations today are found in the Highlands, where you’ll be stunned by the beauty and solitude. 

Let’s head to our first location…

Loch Lomond

First up, let’s start with one of the most beautiful and accessible locations in Scotland—Loch Lomond. 

Just a short drive from Glasgow, this famous Loch forms part of The Trossachs National Park. It crosses the Highland Boundary Fault Line, meaning from certain vantage points you can see both the Highlands and the Lowlands - and it’s easy to tell which is which!

While you’re here, you should visit the village of Luss on the Loch side where you can enjoy the beach, see sights of the islands off the pier and even visit a viking grave! 

If you’re into hiking, the West Highland Way (Scotland’s most famous walking trail) passes right by the loch. 

But if you’re not willing to spend a week hiking the 96 mile route, you can climb Conic Hill, a part of the trail, where you’ll get incredible views of the Loch and countryside - it can be climbed in a few hours and is WELL worth it!

There’s lots to do and see on the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, you won’t be disappointed by adding it as a stop on your Scotland trip.

It’s an incredibly peaceful place and a frequent stop on our day + multi-day tours from Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Glencoe

Next on the list is the dramatic and wild Glencoe. This place is straight out of a fantasy film with its towering mountains and sweeping valleys. 

The drive through the valley is my absolute favorite, it’s so beautiful drivers have to be careful to keep their eyes on the road!

The 3 sisters' view point is where I began this video and it’s also the starting point for a hike into the Hidden Valley, where cattle rustlers would hide their neighbors cows after stealing them!

The hike is stunning and takes about 3-4 hours round trip, up past waterfalls and into a vast Glen (valley) where you’ll be surrounded by the sister mountains around you.

Glencoe is also home to a recreated 1700’s turf house. Head to Glencoe visitor center to see what life would have been like for Highlanders living in the valley 300 years ago.

Even on colder days the turf house is surprisingly cosy and the visitor centre is an ideal spot to stop for lunch and marvel at the surrounding beauty!

We spend an entire day here on our Glencoe tour from Glasgow!

Glenfinnan Viaduct – For Your Inner Harry Potter Fan

Harry Potter fans, this one’s for you! The Glenfinnan Viaduct is that iconic bridge the Hogwarts Express crosses in the movies. 

Even if you're not a Potterhead, the viaduct is stunning in its own right. You can even ride on the steam train at the right time of year and experience the Highlands in style.

Aside from the Viaduct, you’ve got another of the most beautiful views in Scotland looking out over Loch Shiel where you’ll also find the Glenfinnan Monument - erected to commemorate the 1745 Jacobite rising, an important piece of Scottish history that you’ll learn all about when you visit!

Long story short, it’s the spot where 1,200 Highlanders gathered to pledge their allegiance to Price Charles Edward Stuart, to then set off to regain the British throne.

Glenfinnan isn’t far from Glencoe and so we recommend heading here after passing through Glencoe. They’re both part of our 3-day Isle of Skye tour as we head towards the island, click here if you’re interested! 

Old Man of Storr

Let’s head to Scotland’s most beautiful island next -  the Isle of Skye. 

There are so many fantastic places to stop around this island but we’re limited in our list so we’ve had to narrow it down.

Our next location is the Old Man of Storr! This place looks like something from another planet with its jagged rock formations towering over the landscape.

It’s about an hour hike to reach the top and to get the expansive view of the sea and dynamic countryside of the island. 

There’s a mystical vibe to this place—maybe it’s the fog that rolls in and out, or 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, and you’ll probably find yourself stopping every few minutes just to take it all in…

Which is a good thing as the path leading up to the Storr is well-paved but STEEP. For those looking to go the extra mile, you literally can, keep following the path past Needle Rock to take in even more explosive views of the Island.

Eilean Donan Castle

It’s time for a castle, and not just any castle! You simply can’t 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 in Scotland. 

You might recognize it from movies like Highlander or The World Is Not Enough. It’s an absolute must-see and a great stop if you’re on your way, or coming back from, the Isle of Skye - more on that next. 

There’s a long, complicated history involved with this castle - it’s passed clan hands many times and even was once destroyed by government forces in 1719 - so it’s worth heading across the bridge and into the castle to learn more about its past.

Dunvegan Castle

While we’re on the Isle of Skye, you have to check out Dunvegan Castle. This is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, and it’s 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, clan history that’s been passed down through generations and even fairy relics - yes, that’s right, there’s a genuine fairy flag kept in glass inside the castle. 

The power of the flag is said to be able to turn the tides of battle and has even been used to cure a cattle plague… allegedly. 

But the real magic happens outside in the castle gardens—lush, colourful, and full of little hidden paths. It’s the kind of place you can easily spend a whole afternoon exploring.

Skara Brae

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—yeah, you heard that right! Skara Brae is around 5,000 years old, and it’s 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’s given us a glimpse into what life was like in Scotland all those years ago. It’s so well preserved you can really see what the day to day life would have been like for the inhabitants. 

Orkney is definitely the place to explore ancient history in Scotland, aside from Skara Brae you can discover numerous burial cairns that you can  actually enter into and standing stones you can walk beneath.

If you’re looking for something off the beaten track - Orkney is somewhere you should consider, it’s much lesser known than the Isle of Skye and so you’ll be up against less tourists while you’re there.

Incredible stuff. Also, probably my favourite tour that we do goes here, our 5-day Orkney Tour!

The Hermitage at Dunkeld – A Woodland Escape

If you need a break from castles and cliffs, the Hermitage in Dunkeld is a 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 my favourite forest walks in all of Scotland. It’s so serene, the smell of pine and wood is everywhere, and the views of the waterfall and old bridge there are spectacular. 

It’s one of those spots where you can just lose track of time and reconnect with nature. 

Don’t forget to stop by Ossian’s Hall, where you’ll get a perfect view of the waterfall and Ossians Cave, where you can try out the hermit life. 

It’s a stop on a few of our tours and our guides continually say it’s one of the best places they visit. So make sure to check it out!

The Callanish Standing Stones

On the Isle of Lewis, you’ll find the Callanish Standing Stones, one of Scotland’s most mystical sites. These massive stone circles have stood for over 5,000 years, and their exact purpose is still a bit of a mystery—some say they were used for rituals, others think they align with the stars.

Whatever the reason, the Callanish Stones have an otherworldly presence. Standing among them, you can’t help but wonder about the people who placed them there.

They’re not the only place to see in the Outer Hebrides though so if you’re planning to take the trip over, make sure you also visit: Gearranan Blackhouse Village, Dun Carloway Broch and Luskentyre Beach - to name a few!

We have a tour that takes you up through the Highlands of Scotland and onto the islands of Lewis and Harris for a 5 day trip. Check them out on a 5-day Lewis & Harris tour!

Sinclair Castle

Last but not least, we’ve got Sinclair Castle, also known as Castle Sinclair Girnigoe. Found at the end of the world… or at least the end of Scotland… on the rugged cliffs of Caithness, this castle is in ruins now, but it still has that wild, untamed beauty that makes it worth the trek.

The first time I visited this ruin, I walked along the cliff side in foggy weather listening to the waves crash beside me as suddenly this massive shape appeared off in the distance. 

The setting is unreal—imagine standing on a cliff with the North Sea crashing below and the wind whipping around you as this jagged ruined structure towers above you!

You can even go in and explore the ruins, look out at the sea from the broken ramparts and wonder what it would have looked like back in its day.

For me, a list like this wouldn’t be complete without a good ruin to visit - if ruins are more your thing, consider checking out these, too!

If you're looking for itinerary options and ideas, grab our free booklet by clicking the button above or here.

There’s no shortage of incredible places to explore in Scotland, but these 10 are truly something special. From ancient stone circles to picturesque lochs, dramatic castles to peaceful woodland walks, Scotland is a country that keeps surprising you at every turn.

So if you’re planning a trip, make sure these places are on your list… You won’t regret it.

And, why not join us on your Scotland adventure? Our tour guides are story-telling experts, history buffs and all-round great folk who will love to show you around Scotland!

Check out our day tours from Glasgow or Edinburgh. OR go for a longer multi-day trip to one of the islands!