The nation of Scotland is one of the British Isles. Scotland’s mainland shares a 154-mile (243-kilometer) border with England to the southeast, and it is bounded by the North Sea to the northeast and the East Anglian Channel to the east, the North Atlantic Ocean to the north, and the Irish Sea to the south. The Hebrides and the Northern Isles alone make up more than 790 of the islands found there. The majority of Scots, and their capital city of Edinburgh, live in the Central Belt, a relatively flat region of the Scottish Lowlands located between the Highlands and the Southern Uplands.
Scotland has 32 different council areas, each of which serves as a local government. In terms of population, Glasgow City is the largest council area, while Highland is the largest in terms of land area. The Scottish Government has granted local governments more autonomy in a number of areas, including education, social services, roads, and transportation. Scots made up 8.3 percent of the United Kingdom’s total population in 2012, making it the country’s second-most populous after England.
Orkney, the most adorable place in Scotland
Further, Orkney is one of the most beautiful places on Scotland’s northeastern coast.
“I love the beautiful beaches and open landscape,”
Anonymous
Orkney is like a living museum because it has so many mysterious Stone Age sites. In 1999, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, which is made up of four sites near Stromness, was named a World Heritage site. Stromness is also one of the best 30 beach towns in the UK.
Skara Brae, a very old village, is a must-see. The remains of this fishing and farming village from 5,000 years ago are amazingly well-preserved and especially beautiful on sunny days. They are located in a beautiful spot at the end of the Bay of Skaill.
Then there’s the Ring of Brodgar, the huge Stones of Stenness, and the nearby Maes Howe burial site. The fact that Maes Howe’s tomb lines up with the winter solstice sun makes it one of the most interesting burial chamber complexes in Europe. That and the runic writing that the Vikings left behind in the 1200s.
In addition to loving Orkney’s beautiful scenery and historic sites, you also talked about how great it is for outdoor adventures. One respondent said that Orkney has “some of Scotland’s best walking routes.” If you like to hike, you should check out these 10 great places to walk in Scotland.
Where to stay in the Orkney Islands
- The Ring of Brogdar and the Standing Stones of Stenness are only a short drive from the Stromness Hotel by Paymán Club, which is a comfortable 3-star hotel.
- The Merkister Hotel is on the shores of Harray Loch, which is a beautiful place to stay. The hotel has been run by the same family for more than 30 years. It has a pier where guests can fish, and its restaurant has won awards.
- The Standing Stones Hotel in Stromness is a good place for families to stay because it has a restaurant, a bar, and a big, beautiful garden. There are spacious double rooms and family rooms that are a good size.
Pitlochry is in Scotland’s middle
It’s easy to see why the peaceful, beautiful town of Pitlochry made your list of the top ten most beautiful places in Scotland. It’s in the beautiful Highlands of Perthshire. Pitlochry is one of the best places in Scotland for foodies. It has distilleries, pubs, restaurants, and tearooms, and it’s easy to get to a lot of great walks and exciting outdoor activities.
Blair Athol Distillery is one of Scotland’s oldest still-working distilleries. After checking it out and trying some of its products, head to Queen’s View for a variety of woodland walks and (you guessed it) great views over Loch Tummel.
Outdoorsy people will also want to check out Ben Vrackie, which means “spotted mountain.” It’s 841m peak makes a beautiful backdrop for the town, and from its peak, you can see the Beinn a Ghlo range to the north.
Want more things that make your heart beat faster? Killiecrankie Gorge is where you can go gorge jumping. It was also the site of one of the bloodiest battles in Jacobean history. In the countryside near Aberfeldy, you can do things like mountain biking, canyoning, quad biking, and white-water rafting. Plan to take your kids on a trip to the Highlands? Read about 7 things that every family should do in the Scottish Highlands.
Pitlochry places to stay
- Pine Trees is a 4-star Victorian mansion with 10 acres of lush gardens and woods. It serves Scottish food and has log fires, so it’s a good place to stay if you want to be alone.
- The Fonab Castle Hotel is a remodeled Highland castle with large, luxurious rooms and two restaurants. It has beautiful views, mature gardens, and two bars.
- Pitlochry Backpackers is a cheap place to stay. It is in a former hotel and has dorms, twin, and double rooms, a self-catering kitchen, a common room, a place to store bikes, and a place to dry clothes.
Bealach na Bà is in the Scottish Highlands, in Wester Ross
“Pass of the Cattle” (Bealach na Bà) is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The road from Torridon to Applecross is like a wild roller coaster ride. Because it is so amazing, we included it in our article about the world’s most extreme drives and our list of the best road trips in the UK. Applecross may sound like a pretty village in the Cotswolds, but its name comes from the Gaelic word for “estuary,” which is Apor Crosan. Also, driving on Bealach na Bà is not like walking through an English country garden.
This route, which was once used by drovers, has a 20% grade and a lot of hairpin turns, which make for a thrilling ride and stunning views of Skye (more on that later).
If that makes you want to find freedom on the open road, read the Rough Guide to the North Coast 500 to learn about more great Scottish road trips. Bealach na Bà is part of this 516-mile route that goes through beautiful coastal scenery, rugged mountains, and remote villages, among other things.
Also, if you want to be alone, check out our guide to the most beautiful places in Scotland that are far from civilization. Alternatively, if you want to go on a serious adventure in some of the world’s wildest places, Scotland is on our list of places to go.
Where to live in Wester Ross
- For active stays, Hartfield House Hostel in Applecross has rooms that are pet-friendly and have a lot of outdoor space and covered bike parking. This is a great place for cyclists and walkers.
- The Bunkhouse in Applecross is a cheap place to stay. It has single rooms and small dorms, as well as a shared kitchen and lounge in a beautiful, rural setting.
- Applecross B&B has a shared lounge, a garden, and a terrace for guests who want to stay in a beautiful place. All rooms have private bathrooms with showers, and breakfast is either full English/Irish or vegetarian.
Glen Coe, Scotland
Simply put, Glen Coe is “just magnificent,” as one of you said, and another of you loved how it could “take you back to times gone by.” Glen Coe, also called the “Valley of Weeping,” is 16 miles south of Fort William. It has stunning views of a mountain valley tucked between cloud-covered cone-shaped peaks. The landscape and clan history are both epic and dramatic, just like the landscape.
This is a great place for walkers and hikers of all skill levels, and the Devil’s Staircase hike is especially recommended. This beautiful trail starts in the village of Kinlochleven. It is part of West Highland Way. Follow the thistle signs up to the 1804ft pass and then down into Glen Coe. Glen Coe was voted one of the most beautiful places in Scotland by readers of Rough Guides. The awe-inspiring Allt Coire Gabhail hike is a great way to see why. The hiking trail starts on the other side of the Three Sisters massif and goes into the Lost Valley. Get ready to be moved by the views of Bidean nan Bian, Gearr Aonach, and Beinn Fhada.
Glen Coe: Where to stay
- Glencoe House is a grand place to stay. It is near Fort William and has suites in a stately mansion house where you can have your own wing and look out over the loch and mountains.
- For an authentic stay, the Clachaig Inn is the most popular and lively hotel in Glen Coe. It’s known for its cask-conditioned ales, big plates of food, and comfortable rooms with bathrooms.
- The Isles of Glencoe Hotel is on a peninsula in Loch Leven at the foot of Glencoe. It is a good place to stay if you want to stay by a loch. The hotel has large rooms with beautiful views of the loch and mountains.
The Isle of Iona
The Isle of Iona is less than a mile from the Isle of Mull and has a population of 177. If you had to use one word to describe the Isle of Iona, it would be “soulfulness.” It is only three miles long and a little more than a mile wide. For hundreds of years, it has been a small place where people go to pray. As one of you said, the island’s “rich spiritual history and wild natural beauty make a trip there a soul-level experience for all five senses.”
Most people come for a day trip, but if you really want to feel the peace of the Isle of Iona, you might want to stay the night. It has a lot of historic sites, like Iona Abbey and Dunbhuirg Iron Age fort. Iona also has beautiful places to walk and a beautiful coastline. One of our respondents raved about the “turquoise sea and white beaches.”
Want to know about other places with spiritual depth? Check out our list of places where you can see amazing religious ceremonies. And if you want to have the most private experience possible, read our tips for traveling alone.
Iona: Where to stay
- Iona Pods have views of the mountains and are a 10-minute walk from the beach. The pods are on a working croft, and free WiFi is available everywhere.
- For family stays, the St. Columba Hotel in Iona is surrounded by large gardens and has a restaurant, a bar, a variety of family rooms, and a concierge service.
- Ardoran House is close to the Iona Ferry Terminal and has a sun terrace and a private beach area, making it a good place to stay. From the guest house, it’s a pretty and easy walk to Iona Abbey.
Loch Lomond is a lake in Scotland’s south
Loch Lomond is the largest body of water in Britain. It is 23 miles long and up to 5 miles wide. It is also the best example of Scotland’s “bonnie, bonnie banks,” which are the most beautiful places in the country. In fact, one of you said, “There’s a reason why its banks are called Bonnie.” The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park was named Scotland’s first national park in 2002. It runs from the lochs of the Clyde Estuary to Loch Tay in Perthshire, with Loch Lomond at its center.
The western side of the loch can get crowded with day-trip coach tours from Glasgow. On the other hand, the eastern side is much more rural, with wooden ferryboats, tree-covered islands, and great places to walk or take a calm boat ride.
Still, since you’re in the area, a trip to Loch Lomond is a good excuse to check out Scotland’s coolest city, Glasgow. Learn more about why Glasgow should be your next weekend getaway in our insider’s guide to Glasgow.
Where to sleep in Loch Lomond
- Cameron House is a five-star hotel in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. It has four restaurants, a golf course, an infinity pool on the roof, and luxurious rooms with private bathrooms. The Coachouse is close to Balloch Castle Country Park and has fully equipped self-catering units with kitchens, living rooms, and private bathrooms.
- In Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the Loch Lomond Luxury Lodges have 1, 2, or 3-bedroom lodges with hot tubs, saunas, and spa baths that are great for families.