23 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Scotland
Scotland occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The country's rugged terrain, lush landscape, and rich history make it a popular tourist destination. From historic castles in Edinburgh to Scotch whiskey distilleries in the Highlands to legends of the Holy Grail, King Arthur, and the Loch Ness Monster, Scotland is intriguing, beautiful, and fun to explore.
01 Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle, which looms high above the city's Old Town, is Scotland's most-visited paid tourist attraction. Begun in the 12th century, the castle complex has been regularly expanded right into the 21st century. Visitors can tour St. Margaret's Chapel (the oldest building in Edinburgh), the regimental museums, the royal palace, and the National War Museum of Scotland.
02 Loch Ness and Loch Lomond
These two lochs or lakes are the stuff of legends. Loch Ness, the second largest in the country, is home to the legendary and elusive Loch Ness monster. The myth is perpetuated by the murky waters caused by the high concentration of peat. Loch Lomond, immortalized in the song of the same name, is located at the border between the Scottish highlands and the lowlands. It forms part of the lovely Trossachs National Park.
03 Holyrood Palace
Erected in the 16th century, Edinburgh's Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. It sits across from Edinburgh Castle. The extensive gardens and the historic apartments occupied by Mary, Queen of Scots, are open to the public for most of the year.
04 Shopping on Edinburgh's Princes Street
The major shopping district in Edinburgh, Princes Street, stretches one mile from Lothian Road to Leith Street. It is mostly closed to automobile traffic and provides scenic views of Edinburgh Castle and Old Town to the south. The street is home to some of Edinburgh's top retailers, including Boots, House of Fraser, and Marks and Spencer.
05 Arthur's Seat
Rising at the eastern end of Holyrood Park, Arthur's Seat is a popular destination for hiking and climbing. The hill, which rises 822 feet, offers panoramic views of the City of Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside. Like the rock on which Edinburgh Castle sits, Arthur's Seat was formed on an extinct volcano. The rock is the mythic site of Camelot and King Arthur's Court.
06 Climb Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, is located in the Scottish Highlands, at the western end of the Grampian Mountains, close to the City of Fort William. The 4,411-foot summit is popular for climbers, with more than 100,000 ascents yearly. The North Face is particularly challenging.
07 Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle, located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, has been a private residence of the British monarch since 1852. The 50,000-acre estate is located within the Cairngorms National Park and is a working estate with grouse moors, farmland, and herds of deer, Highland cattle, and ponies. The castle gardens and the ballroom are open to the public.
08 The Scotch Whisky Experience
Edinburgh's Scotch Whisky Experience (there's no "e" in whiskey in Scotland) is the ideal stop to learn about all things whisky. The former Victorian school building offers exhibits of the history of Scotch whisky, Scotland's national drink, a tasting room, a gift shop, and a restaurant that features dishes that complement the whisky.
09 Abbotsford House and the Scott Monument
Abbotsford House is a country house in the Scottish borders region that was once the residence of the author, Sir Walter Scott. The house and gardens have been open to the public since the mid-1960s, and the adjacent visitors center has exhibits on the life and works of Scott. The monument stands in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh and commemorates the works of this notable figure, along with 68 of his peers.
10 Rosslyn Chapel
Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by the novel "The Davinci Code," is located in Midlothian, outside of the Town of Roslin. The Roman Catholic-turned-Scottish Episcopal chapel was built in the 15th century and is noted for its carvings, rose windows, and purported links to the legend of the Holy Grail and the Knights Templar.
11 National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland is one of the top attractions in the United Kingdom, and blessedly, you don't have to pay a cent to see its marvelous collections in Edinburgh. Are you interested in genetics? Dolly the Sheep is stuffed and on display. How about Ancient Egypt? There's something for you too. The Scots also invented a forerunner to the guillotine named, innocuously, the Maiden. It was used for executions starting from the reign of Mary Queen of Scots, and a glimpse of it may send a shiver up your spine.
12 Scottish National Gallery
The Scottish National Gallery is a wonder with prized artworks that impress enthusiasts and casual tourists. It's housed in a neoclassical building that, like Edinburgh Castle, is hard to miss from Princes Street Gardens. The gallery is closed on Christmas and Boxing Day, but if you visit around this time, you won't have to walk very far from the festive market or the Star Flyer high swings that offer breathtaking views of this historical city. The attraction is free, but you'll need to make a booking. You can expect works from maestros such as Monet, Raphael, Vermeer, and Van Gogh and Scottish standouts like The Skating Minister by Henry Raeburn.
13 Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery
Kelvingrove Museum is a Glaswegian architectural and cultural treasure and another popular Scottish attraction. You'll find works from Dalí, Rembrandt, and Renoir, to name a few, a mummified man's head from around 332 BCE, Charles Rennie Mackintosh tearoom interiors, and much more. There's something for all ages and interests, and you won't leave without learning.
14 St Giles' Cathedral
Take a stroll along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, and you'll come upon St Giles' Cathedral. This structure in the middle of Scotland's capital has witnessed many events since 1130. Pay a visit, and you'll see the 19th-century restorations. The church was also an Avengers: Infinity War (2018) filming location.
15 Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle overlooks the legendary Loch Ness and makes for a lovely Scottish Highlands excursion. Take the bus from Inverness. and you'll spot shaggy Highland cattle along the way. Or book a boat ride if you're in the mood for an hour or so of cruising. Urquhart Castle should be included in the outing. You can search the waters for the local monster or take in the scenery that will make you internally hum the theme song from Outlander. The castle ruins tell a fascinating story that goes as far back as the 13th century, and you can find reasonably priced Nessie souvenirs at the gift shop.
16 Walk the Royal Mile in Edinburgh
When you first visit Edinburgh, you'll quickly realize that two streets dominate the city. Princes Street is the busy heart of the New Town, and the Royal Mile is the soul of the Old Town leading up to the imposing Edinburgh Castle. The area sandwiched between the two contains gardens and truly comes alive during Christmas and the Fringe Festival. It's not unusual to hear the sound of bagpipes along the bustling Royal Mile, where each step seems significant for their connection to the past.
17 Sail over to the Isle of Skye and the Cuillin Mountains
Part of the McLeod estate, the Cuillin mountain range in Skye is known as the Alps of the United Kingdom. Black Cuillin is just that, a dark charcoal color and Loch Coruisk is deep—one can only guess at its secrets. The Cuillin area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest where birds like the Golden Eagle receive protection. Camp at Glenbrittle and be as inspired as the artists and writers of yesteryear.
18 Learn about the Jacobite Rising at the Culloden Battlefield
Inverness is also a quick bus trip away from the Culloden Battlefield. You'll find a world-class museum here outlining the ins and outs of the Jacobite Uprising and its regional impact. Fans of the Outlander books and series may gain further context and understanding of the world where the beloved story takes place. A short 30-minute walk will lead you to a mound of burial stones not unlike the magical ones that transported Claire back in time.
19 Explore the Orkney Islands
Off Scotland's north coast, you'll find a chain of islands with a Viking heritage and remarkable seaside scenery. History buffs can look into prehistoric villages. Sites like Skara Brae and Maeshowe are ancient and extraordinary. The Old Man of Hoy looks like something out of a fantasy world—a photographer's dream.
20 Check out the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies
If you love horses and huge sculptures, you might want to make a stop at The Helix Park, where the Kelpies rise majestically from the ground. Weighing more than 300 tonnes each, the horse heads are 100 feet tall and have become iconic. See Andy Scott's artistry up close—the park is accessible and has plenty for kids to do. The Falkirk Wheel nearby is another engineering feat worth visiting.
21 Watch Braveheart come to life at the Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle is huge and well-positioned high on a hill. It dates back to the 14th century and was, for a long time, a Scottish royal residence. Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned here. The castle is also entwined in Bonnie Prince Charlie's story. You may know of him and Stirling Castle from Braveheart and Outlander.
22 Breathe the fresh air in the Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands are Scotland's northernmost region. They include Inverness and Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye, and the towering Ben Nevis. This is the rugged part of the United Kingdom where you can unplug, sing the Skye Boat song, delight in the wilderness, and try to understand Scots and Gaelic. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, on the boundary between the highlands and lowlands, is the stuff of postcards.
23 Get the lowdown at the Edinburgh Dungeon
There's lots of good, old-fashioned fun to be had at the Edinburgh Dungeon. Think jump scares, actors with a flair for the dramatic and humorous, and goosebump-inducing tales of witches. The drop tower is a particular thrill. With well-made sets and a solid chunk of historical knowledge imparted, you'll walk away knowing a lot more about this incredible city.
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