Located in Lothian, the Scottish capital lies among a series of volcanic hills and is presided over by an iconic castle. Edinburgh is an architectural treasure trove with enough neoclassical terraces, Georgian grandeur, and late-medieval monuments to thrill even the most avid architecture enthusiast. Visitors can explore the renowned Royal Mile, with its numerous tourist attractions including the beautiful, hidden Dunbar’s Close Garden, and a Camera Obscura with five floors of holograms and optical illusions. The Scotch Whisky Experience is a must-see for fans of the golden liquid, while incredible theatres, fascinating museums, excellent pubs and restaurants, and a flourishing nightlife completes the picture. Make sure to head over to Calton Hill to admire the incredible skyline of spires, towers, domes, and steeples.
Situated in the heart of Southern Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway, Moffat is a bustling town set amidst incredible scenery. It is known for its rich heritage, ancient history and thriving cultural and creative scene. It is also popular with hikers and hill walkers, as well as birding enthusiasts. Visitors flock here to soak up the unspoilt beauty, enjoy excellent shopping opportunities at an array of unique boutiques and quaint shops, and sample some famous Moffat Toffee. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about local history at the Moffatt Museum and soak up the flourishing art, music and theatre scene.
Largs, a photogenic little beach holiday town, lies on the Clyde Coast of North Ayrshire and roughly translates as ‘the slopes’. This destination is widely known for its Viking heritage: it was here that they were expelled by the Scottish king Alexander III in an infamous battle (1263). The award-winning Vikingar! Museum provides insight into 500 years of their history, with a plethora of fascinating multi-media and experiential displays. With its pretty pebbled beach, Victorian promenade and well-equipped marina, as well as a diversity of excellent ice-cream parlours, restaurants and bars, the town is also simply a lovely place to enjoy a seaside getaway. Travellers visiting in August or September should see if they can catch the legendary Largs Viking Festival, complete with re-enactments, galley ship and fireworks.
Oban is a historic port town located in the west of Scotland. While traditionally known as a simple transport hub connecting visitors to the Hebridean Islands, the village now boasts a rich collection of sights and activities. Begin by taking a 15-minute walk up the hill to visit McCaig’s Tower, an eccentric piece of Victorian folly offering great views of the town and its scenic surrounds. From there, the town’s two nearby castles, Dunollie and Dunstaffnage, offer a glimpse into ancient Scottish history, while the War and Peace Museum detail Oban’s role in the two World Wars. The Oban Distillery offers tours of its famous whiskey-making facilities, while just 10 kilometres north, the Scottish Sealife Sanctuary is home to river otters, grey seals, and a wide variety of other marine animals.
Situated on the shores of Loch Linnhe, the Scottish town of Fort William has a reputation as the outdoor capital of the United Kingdom. It is known as the gateway to the UK's highest mountain peak of Ben Nevis and its beautiful Glen Nevis Valley. The Ben Nevis trail is easily accessible, and the mountain takes about eight hours to summit. Fort William is an outdoor adventurers' dream destination, perfect not only for hiking and climbing, but also for sailing, skiing, snowboarding, cycling, biking, canyoning, and rafting. Travellers should visit the spectacular Steall Falls, Scotland's second-highest waterfall with an impressive 120-metre single drop. Other exciting attractions include the West Highland Museum, featuring displays on regional history, and the Ben Nevis Distillery, providing some fascinating insight into the whisky production process.
At the centre of Scotland’s Speyside area in Moray, where the Spey and Fiddich rivers meet, the small village of Craigellachie lies, famous for its whiskey production and historic monuments. The town is named after the ‘Rock of Alarm’ - the cliff on which most of the village rests. Of the numerous distilleries, the Macallan, better known as the Craigellachie Distillery, produces a high-quality single malt and has a fantastic visitors’ centre. Impressive heritage architecture includes the grand, white-painted Craigellachie Hotel, which gives the main street a wonderful medieval atmosphere. The Cairngorms National Park, just 54 kilometres away, offers a remarkable landscape of green woodlands, rugged mountains and blue lakes to explore, as well as an abundance of watersports, wildlife watching and other activities to indulge in.
Pitlochry is a charming riverside town located in Central Scotland. With its lovely setting on the River Tummel, as well as a fine collection of sights and activities, Pitlochry makes a great stopover on the way to the Scottish Highlands. Distillery tours are always popular, with the Edradour Distillery – which has produced single malt Scotch whiskey since 1825 – and the Blair Athol Distillery to choose from. For outdoor enthusiasts, the town can be used as a base for some excellent hikes, including the Pass of Killiecrankie, which includes a fantastic visitor centre with displays about Jacobite history, and the mountain of Ben Vrackie. This last hike starts and ends at the Moulin Brewery and Hotel, a great place to unwind after a long day’s walking.
As previously described
