SCOTLAND Ultimate Travel Guide 2024 – The Incredible Land of Highlands and Lochs

Scotland is a very popular travel destination. The towns, highlands and lochs of Scotland attract millions of tourists. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh, and Glasgow is its biggest city. The isolated islands of Scotland like the Isle of Skye and Shetland Islands are famous for the natural scenery. Scotland once had over 3000 castles, and their ruins tell the story about the Scottish past. Scotland is actually divided into the Highlands in the north, the Central Lowlands and the Uplands in the south. Now let’s visit the attractions of Scotland – the Edinburgh Castle, Loch Ness, Ben Nevis and many more!

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0:00 – Intro
0:25 – Glasgow
2:40 – Edinburgh
4:47 – Stirling
6:26 – Galloway Forest Park
7:38 – Falkirk
9:22 – Loch Lomond
10:31 – Oban
11:45 – Isle of Mull
13:15 – Fort William
14:26 – Ben Nevis
16:04 – Tioram Castle
17:09 – Glenfinnan
18:23 – Glencoe
19:31 – Mallaig
20:31 – Isle of Skye
22:51 – St Kilda
24:25 – Plockton
25:29 – Applecross
26:41 – Loch Ness
27:57 – Inverness
29:27 – NC500
30:49 – Cairngorms National Park
32:21 – Duncansby Head
33:12 – Shetland Islands
35:37 – Aberdeen
36:56 – St Andrews
38:40 – Crail

#scotland #scotlandtravel #travel

Scotland has outperformed the rest of the  UK during the past ten years in drawing   tourists to its popular attractions. Few  places embody the “middle of nowhere”   quite as poetically as Scotland, with  its beautiful highlands, clear lochs,   and windy islands where the only sound  is the breeze rushing through stone  

Crags. There is so much to discover  here, so let’s start this journey!  Glasgow is Scotland’s biggest and most  temperamental city. It has traditionally been   overshadowed by Edinburgh in terms of tourism.  This is partially due to Glasgow’s reputation,   which is rooted in its cliches, just like the  fierce rivalry between Celtic and Rangers,  

Two of its football teams. The city benefited  greatly from the industrial revolution, and became   a real treasure trove of Victorian architecture.  It was heavily devastated during World War II,   and constantly marginalized compared to Edinburgh.  To be honest, Glasgow is nowhere near as pretty  

As its rival, but it has its own working class  charm. George Square awaits everyone arriving   at Queen Street Station. The square is the  most popular place for protest and celebration   and helps in directing tourists around the city  center. A shortage of options for accommodation  

In Glasgow is arguably the clearest indication  of the city’s lack of tourists. The majority   of visitors don’t even stay here. The trip  to Loch Lomond is only a short drive away,   and Central Station serves as your entry point to  the west Highlands. The street art of Glasgow is  

Surely among its top tourist attractions.  The urban artworks that have brought life   to the city center’s walls and corners may be  seen by following the City Center Mural Trail.   Dinosaur skeletons and Salvador Dali’s artworks  are among the astounding 8,000 items displayed  

At the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. One  outstanding example of Gothic architecture is   the Glasgow Cathedral. It is the only cathedral  that has withstood the Reformation of 1560 on   the mainland of Scotland. Glasgow is crossed by  the second-longest river in Scotland, the River  

Clyde. It was crucial to the economic development  of the city since it made it possible for ships to   deliver goods to marketplaces all over the world.  Glasgow is the best shopping city in the UK after   London. In the heart of the city there are many  prominent shopping centers and flagship stores. 

Since it became Scotland’s capital in the  fifteenth century, Edinburgh has had a special   place in the hearts of Scottish people. King  David I founded Edinburgh in the twelfth century,   and made it one of the country’s first royal  burghs. Today, both the New Town and the Old Town  

Are UNESCO World Heritage sites. There are a ton  of things to see and do in this city, which is the   second-most visited in the UK. Standing on Castle  Rock, an extinct, 400 million years old volcano,   is the iconic Edinburgh Castle. Built during  the 12th century, it proudly looks out over the  

Old Town of the city. In fact, this is the most  famous building in all of Scotland, and you could   easily spend several hours here discovering the  history of the castle. The Crown Jewel exhibit,   in particular, is well worth its price. There are  so many historical buildings and monuments in the  

Area. On the outskirts of Edinburgh stands an  old extinct volcano known as Arthur’s Seat. At a   height of 250 meters, it offers hikers an amazing  view of the city. There are restaurants and shops   lining the pedestrian-only Royal Mile. It has  a very historic vibe, despite being crowded all  

Year long. The National Museum Scotland is  a great place to learn more about Scotland.   You’ll go on an expedition of discovery exploring  Scotland’s past as well as the wonders of science,   technology, and nature through the exhibitions  here. With its wide parklands, royal estates,  

And the botanic garden, Edinburgh is also the  greenest city in Scotland. There are several   large-scale festivals held in the city during the  summer, with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival being   the most popular. This arts festival, which takes  place in August, presents all kinds of artists and  

Performers. Edinburgh is a rather small city that  is just perfect for sightseeing on foot. Walking   from the city center to some of the sites on  the periphery takes as little as thirty minutes.  In the heart of Scotland, where the Highlands and  Lowlands meet, you’ll find the city of Stirling.  

It was founded as a Royal Burgh in 1124.  For anyone with even a slight interest in   Scottish history and heritage, Stirling provides  a fascinating trip down memory lane. Under the   leadership of William Wallace and Andrew Moray,  the Scots triumphed over the English army at  

The famous Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.  Of course, the Stirling Castle is the biggest   attraction of Stirling, visible from miles  around the city. The Castle has been expanded,   modified, and improved by several Scottish  monarchs throughout the years, and served as their  

Royal residence. Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned  here in 1543. Long into the eighteenth century,   Stirling Castle was a military stronghold and was  also involved in the Jacobite Risings. The Church   of the Holy Rude is another pearl in the city’s  crown, sitting close to the castle. Built in the  

Twelfth century, it’s one of the oldest buildings  in the region. The National Wallace Monument   honors the life of Sir William Wallace, the famous  Scottish patriot. The monument stands on Abbey   Craig, a little distance outside of Stirling,  and provides a view of the site of Wallace’s  

Greatest victory, the Battle of Stirling Bridge.  The stories of the battle, and the legacy Wallace   left behind, are presented in the Monument’s  exhibition galleries. You can see his legendary   battle sword, and enjoy the views from the tower. The Galloway Forest Park surely has to be at the  

Top of your list, if you’re looking for some of  Scotland’s most amazing landscapes. It’s located   85 kilometers south of Glasgow. The Park, which  opened in 1947, is also called “the Highlands of   the Lowlands.” Around one million people visit it  annually. Countless hiking paths and the famous  

Grey Man of the Merrick may be found in the park.  Bruce’s Stone stands on a gorgeous vantage point   with a view of Loch Trool’s shimmering waters.  It honors Scotland’s King Robert the Bruce,   and the Battle of Trool in 1307. Here in the park,  you can have a picnic beside an idyllic loch,  

Drive through spectacular landscapes and  encounter red deer and wild goats. Not only is   this Scotland’s first Dark Sky Park, but it’s also  among Europe’s greatest spots for stargazing. The   7stanes mountain biking routes are great for  both beginner and expert riders. Every year,  

More than 500,000 tons of timber are collected,  making the trees an important source of income.  Halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow, on  Scotland’s Central Belt, sits the town of   Falkirk. It was formerly an important outpost  along the Antonine Wall, which stretched from  

The River Clyde to the Firth of Forth and was the  Roman Empire’s northernmost frontier. Two major   battles took place at Falkirk, as part of the Wars  of Scottish Independence: the Battle of Falkirk in   1298 and the Battle of Falkirk Muir in 1746. The  Falkirk region is known for its unusual accent,  

Which combines Scots, English, and Scottish  Gaelic. The Helix park has 30 meters tall   horse-head sculptures called The Kelpies. Needless  to say, it’s the world’s biggest sculpture of a   horse. The fabled shape-shifting ghosts who live  in Scotland’s lochs and pools were the inspiration  

Behind this landmark. Usually appearing as a  horse, they may be controlled by anybody who   manages to seize hold of their bridle. There  is just one rotating boat lift in the world,   and that is the Falkirk wheel. For the first  time since the 1930s, Glasgow and Edinburgh were  

Reconnected in 2002 by a canal system. Back  in the day, you needed a whole day to pass,   but the Falkirk wheel elevates a boat in a matter  of minutes. You may discover the town’s historic   landmarks and natural beauty by walking the Union  Canal Towpath and the John Muir Way. Regular buses  

And trains departing from Glasgow and Edinburgh  will get you to Falkirk in less than an hour.   Since the attractions are quite far apart,  driving to the town is perhaps the better option.  Loch Lomond is a freshwater loch, and part  of the Trossachs and Loch Lomond National  

Park. The National Park is really worth visiting  further since it has some of the most breathtaking   landscapes and occupies around 1800 square  kilometers. Set in southern Scotland, it takes   around an hour to get there by car from Glasgow.  Its basin was formed around 10,000 years ago, near  

The end of the last ice age, when glaciers carved  it out. There are 27 islets and 22 islands in its   waters. Because of the size of the National Park,  almost half of all people in Scotland live within   an hour’s drive from the park! Loch Lomond is the  third deepest loch in Scotland, reaching a maximum  

Depth of 190 meters. Water skiing, kayaking,  swimming, and sailing are all quite popular,   and hikers will love The West Highland Way or  The Three Lochs Way. Additionally, you might be   able to see some of Scotland’s rarest animals,  such as red squirrels, pine martens, and deer. 

Serving as a junction for travelers heading to the  Inner and Outer Hebrides, the town of Oban is best   known as the “Gateway to the Isles.” With a view  of Lismore, Kerrera, and the Isle of Mull, it sits  

On the Firth of Lorn. Just over 8,500 people live  in the town of Oban, but during the summer months,   up to 30,000 people can be accommodated here. The  lively harbor draws both tourists and commercial   fishermen to the area. Being the “Seafood Capital  of Scotland,” the town is worthy of its title  

Since it has some of the freshest seafood and  several restaurants that have won awards. The   most notable landmark of Oban is McCaig’s Tower.  The tower was constructed in 1897 as a permanent   memorial to the McCaig family and as a source of  income for local stonemasons by the local banker  

John Stuart McCaig. The breathtaking views of  Oban Bay make the climb to the tower from the town   center well worth the effort. The town is home to  galleries, a museum, and even a ruined castle that   is reachable by walking along the waterfront. The Isle of Mull is the second biggest island  

Of the Inner Hebrides. It has gained a lot  of popularity as a holiday spot, especially   among wildlife lovers. The island is perhaps best  known for the colorful harbor of Tobermory, it’s   capital, which is located at the northern end.  Among the most popular attractions on Mull are  

The brightly painted houses that line the harbor  of this charming town. Tobermory is also the   island’s largest community by far and popular  among visitors of all sorts. Despite not having   many high peaks, Northern Mull is nevertheless  wild, with some nice paths to satisfy the hikers.  

Numerous paths in the woodland and along the ocean  may be found in the area around Tobermory, while   the coastline gets wilder towards the west. Not  only is Calgary Bay known for its excellent beach,   but the entire region offers stunning views of  the coast. Located on the Sound of Mull shore,  

The medieval ruins of Aros Castle are visible  from the village of Salen. With accommodation,   a post office, restaurants, and other services,  Salen is Mull’s center for travelling to all   other parts of the island. The 13th-century  Duart Castle, standing on a rock overlooking  

The Sound of Mull, is one of the island’s most  noteworthy historical attractions. Red deer   are found all around the island, however, many of  them move up to the higher moorland in the summer   to eat on the nutrient-rich highland plants. Fort William is the largest town in the Highlands.  

In and around the town, there are around 10,000  people who work and reside. Originally established   in the 17th century as a garrison settlement, it  rose to prominence in the 18th century with the   building of Fort William, a military fortification  during the Jacobite uprisings. By visiting the Old  

Inverlochy Castle, a 13th-century ruin that saw  two battles in the 17th century, you’ll get a   peek into Fort William’s medieval past. You should  also visit the West Highland Museum to discover   more about Fort William’s culture and history.  It has displays on the Highland clans and the  

Jacobite rebellion. Connecting Fort William and  Inverness, the 60-mile Caledonian Canal goes past   some of Scotland’s most picturesque lochs. You  may rent a kayak or take a boat to cruise down   the canal. The Jacobite Steam Train travels the  West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig,  

And is a must-see for fans of Harry Potter. Tired of horizontal walks? Then you should visit   Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland and  the entire United Kingdom. Ben Nevis is located   close to Fort William in the Highland district  of Lochaber, at the western foot of the Grampian  

Mountains. The summit reaches an impressive height  of 1,345 meters above sea level. Every year,   around 130,000 climbs are accomplished. The  majority of climbers use the popular Mountain   Track, which begins in Glen Nevis. There are some  really amazing 700-meter cliffs on the north face.  

Here, vertical cardio is everything. The air  gets thinner as you go up, but at least the   gorgeous views are inversely proportionate to your  oxygen levels. The summit ground is surprisingly   very huge, and sometimes you’ll find hundreds  of people resting there. Standing on top of a  

Former volcano, the peak was originally home  to an observatory from 1883 until 1904. The   meteorological information gathered during this  time is still essential for evaluating the weather   in Scottish mountains. Hiking to the top of Ben  Nevis is best done in the summer months, if you  

Are an amateur hiker. There is a possibility of  snow at the summit throughout the year. However,   during the winter, the peak is covered with a  heavy layer of snow and ice, which covers the   routes and makes the ascent quite dangerous. Originally the seat of the Macdonald clan,  

Castle Tioram was built in the 14th century.  Highland clans were landowners that distinguished   themselves from other clans by wearing a tartan  and clan crest that was unique to them. This is   an important location where the River Shiel and  Loch Moidart meet, and archeological evidence  

Points to the presence of Vikings in the past.  Since it controlled the major trade routes from   Skye and the South Hebridean islands, this  fortress was essential to the area. It lies   around 80 kilometers west of Fort William. At high  tide, the sandbar that connects it to the mainland  

Turns it into an island. The castle is now a  ruin, and because of the risk of falling stones,   the inside is closed to the general public.  Its interior is much larger than it appears to   be from the outside. The castle has a pentagonal  curtain wall, and was built directly onto the top  

Of the rock at the highest part of the island. Despite being a small village, Glenfinnan has   gained worldwide attention for a number of  reasons. First of all, here in Glenfinnan,   the tale of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s fight for  the British trone gained momentum. This location,  

As well as the clansmen who battled for the cause,  are honored by the Glenfinnan Monument. Alexander   MacDonald of Glenaladale constructed it in 1815.  The entire tale is told at the Visitor Center,   which is open April through October. The  Glenfinnan Gathering is held annually in  

August next to the monument. The next landmark  that you will undoubtedly recognize is the   famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, which connects the  railway with the Glenfinnan Station. It was   designed by the prominent rail and road engineer  Robert McAlpine, better known as Concrete Bob.   The viaduct is 30 meters above ground and 400  meters long. The Jacobite steam train travels  

From here to Fort William and Mallaig in the  summer, and regular trains are available all   year round. This place is also famous  for appearing in two Harry Potter films.  Named for the River Coe that flows through it,  Glencoe is arguably the most famous valley in  

Scotland. It lies in the Highlands and was formed  by volcanic activity. The glen’s idyllic beauty   has led to its inclusion in the Glen Coe and Ben  Nevis National Scenic Area. The Glencoe ski area,   maybe better known as White Corries, is  located on the eastern side of the glen.  

With the construction of the first overhead ski  lift in 1956, Glencoe became the first commercial   Scottish ski area. The Glencoe Mountain Resort  has the longest and steepest runs in Scotland,   which are perfect for skiers and snowboarders. Set  on the western edge of the valley, the village of  

Glencoe offers some accommodation choices.  The glen has three approved campsites, and   there are also several spots where wild camping  is permitted. It’s often said that the trip to   Glencoe is just as enjoyable as the destination.  There are many spots to stop and stretch  

Your legs on the scenic journey from Glasgow. Originally founded during the 1800s herring boom,   Mallaig is a tiny working fishing port that  later benefited from the construction of the   West Highland railway. The local marina is  the perfect starting point for seeing some  

Of Scotland’s most breathtaking and secluded  landscapes. It’s a paradise for sailors wishing   to explore the breathtaking northwest coast  of the country. The port is busy these days,   not much of an attraction, but pleasant enough.  The Mallaig Heritage Centre offers information  

About the region’s long and interesting past for  anyone who’s interested in history. The Knoydart   peninsula, sometimes described as “Scotland’s  last wilderness,” is located just north of   Mallaig. Throughout the summer, there are  morning, afternoon, and full-day boat trips   from Mallaig pier to Knoydart and the Isles,  if you’re interested in a guided boat trip. 

The largest and perhaps the most famous  of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides is the Isle   of Skye. This island, which is the second biggest  in Scotland, is a huge patchwork of velvet moors,   craggy mountains, dazzling lochs, and towering  sea cliffs. Furthermore, Skye ranks as Scotland’s  

Third most popular tourist destination overall.  The people of Skye are spread out among the   island’s several villages and towns. Skye’s  population fell sharply from over 20,000 to about   9,000 during the 19th-century Clearances. The Old  Man of Storr, a massive rock standing on a hill,  

Is the most famous sight on Skye. You can hike to  the top, and it will take you around 40 minutes   to reach this wonderful place. Once there, the  panorama is breathtaking. You will get a view  

Of the surrounding islands and the sea. In the  far north of the Isle of Skye sits the stunning   hill formation known as Quiraing. Despite being  somewhat high up, it is accessible by road. Neist   Point, the westernmost point of the Isle of Skye,  is a breathtaking viewpoint with a lighthouse  

Set on it. If you’re daring enough to leap off a  rock into a freezing pool of crystal clear water,   you may go wild swimming in the Fairy Pools, which  are little waterfalls in the southwestern part of   the island. The biggest town on Skye, Portree, is  a center of culture and cuisine. Although Portree  

Doesn’t have a lot of restaurants, the ones  that do exist provide the greatest seafood in   all of Scotland. Most likely the oldest castle in  Scotland’s north to still be inhabited is Dunvegan   Castle. It has been continually occupied for about  750 years by the Chiefs of the Clan MacLeod. The  

Skye Bridge, first opened to traffic in 1995,  links the island to the mainland of Scotland.   There are actually two ways to reach Skye: via  ferry or by car. As such, Broadford or Armadale   will be your point of entry. There aren’t  many good bus connections on the island,  

So they won’t be able to take you to anything  that’s worth seeing. Therefore, renting a vehicle   or a bike are the two choices we would recommend. The archipelago of St. Kilda is an outpost in the   North Atlantic Ocean and perhaps the most isolated  place in Scotland. It lies 65 kilometers off the  

West coast of Benbecula. Discoverers and  travelers coming to St. Kilda in the late   19th and early 20th centuries were captivated  by the isolation and the simple lifestyle of   its people. But as the islanders’ interaction with  the outside world increased, they faced additional   difficulties like illness and societal shifts.  Due to migration and poor economic conditions,  

St. Kilda’s population started to decrease in the  late 19th century. The situation was made worse by   the start of World War I. The last residents left  the archipelago in 1930. Although St. Kilda is   now abandoned, its historic buildings and village  ruins remain as a reminder of this once-thriving  

Place. Tourists are free to explore the main  island of Hirta. The St. Kilda museum, school,   and church offer a fascinating look at the St.  Kildans’ way of life before their evacuation.   Today, the archipelago is a wildlife reserve  under protection. As one of the main seabird  

Breeding grounds in the North Atlantic, St  Kilda is the most important seabird colony   in Europe. Thanks to its unique natural scenery  and fascinating history, St Kilda is the only   double UNESCO World Heritage Site in Scotland. On Scotland’s western coast, after you cross  

The Pass of the Cattle and before you drive 19  kilometers across the A87 bridge to the Isle   of Skye, you’ll come across Plockton.  With a population of only 400 people,   Plockton is regarded by many as Scotland’s  most lovely village. The charming place has  

Incredible views of Loch Carron and sits on a  sheltered bay. Plockton has featured in a lot   of movies and TV shows, thanks to its scenic  location and authentic Highland vibe. Once a   thriving fishing and crofting community, the  bay is now a popular summertime setting for  

Visiting yachts and is famous for its sailing  regatta. The Plockton Regatta starts at the   end of July and lasts for two weeks. Plockton  has a studio and art gallery, and the village   hall hosts regular exhibitions. There are also  several hotels and guest homes in Plockton for  

Tourists who want to stay for a while. One of the most scenic peninsulas of the   Highlands is the Applecross Peninsula in Wester  Ross. If you wish to base yourself to explore   Scotland’s West Coast, Applecross is an excellent  place for that. Gairloch, Torridon, and the Isle  

Of Skye are all easily accessible from there.  The First World War caused a dramatic drop in the   population of Applecross. Currently, 500 people  live here permanently. While fishing and crofting   remain important, tourism currently dominates  the economy. Applecross is a very isolated place,  

And there are only two ways of getting here.  The narrow scenic coast road from Shieldaig,   and the famous Bealach na Ba, the highest road  in Britain. The region around Applecross is said   to be among the first areas of Scotland to be  settled. You may find a major archeological  

Site at the seaside community of Sand, which is  located just north of Applecross. The area is   full of natural beauty and wildlife. It is  home to several native Scottish animals,   such as foxes, wildcats, otter, and red deer. Loch Ness is amazing in every way. This mysterious  

And stunning lake is found in the Scottish  Highlands. Is there a monster waiting in the   deep? It is around 36 kilometers long and runs  through the Great Glen. It was formed by volcanic   activity. Its dark waters have a maximum depth  of 230 meters, giving its fabled monster plenty  

Of hiding spots. It is said that Loch Ness holds  more water than all the lakes in England and Wales   put together. The popular Loch Ness Exhibition  has further information regarding the search for   Nessie. If you get bored looking for Nessie, there  are plenty of other things to do in this gorgeous  

Part of the Scottish Highlands. You can visit some  golf courses, open-air Shakespearean performances,   and, of course, the historic Urquhart Castle.  The English soldiers blew up this famous castle   in 1692 to prevent the Jacobites from gaining  control over it. The water here is beautiful,  

And you can rent a sailboat to explore the remote  shores of the most famous loch in Scotland.  Scots describe Inverness as the ‘Highland  Capital’. With only 55,000 residents,   it’s one of Scotland’s smaller cities, located in  the north of the country. Thanks to its airport,  

Inverness is one of Scotland’s fastest-growing  cities and the perfect starting point for   touring the north of the nation. The Caledonian  Canal’s completion in 1822 improved the city’s   connectivity, facilitating trade and navigation  between the east and west coasts of Scotland.   The most famous landmark here is the Inverness  Castle. The Castle Viewpoint is the only part of  

The building that is now open to visitors. On  a clear day, the amazing 360-degree view from   the top makes the entry charge well worth it. The  Inverness Cathedral is a prominent building along   the river, and it is free to visit. It opened  in 1869, therefore it is not as old as many  

Other cathedrals in Scotland. The Ness Islands  are a group of islands in the River Ness that   are connected by a number of charming footbridges  from the Victorian era. This is simply the best   nature walk close to the city center. If you  don’t want to walk the entire 5 kilometers,  

You can always take a shortcut. The Highland  Games, an annual celebration of Scottish   sports and tradition, is one of the many  festivals and events held in Inverness.  The North Coast 500 is an 830-kilometer scenic  route along Scotland’s northern coast that  

Starts and ends in Inverness. The NC500 was  established in 2014 and consists of a loop of   pre-existing highways and roads that circles the  northern Highlands, rather than being a single,   long route. Nothing compares to the freedom of a  wide open road. Endless winding roads and lovely  

Bends across some of Scotland’s most breathtaking  coastline landscapes. The route goes around the   western coast, arriving in Applecross before  heading north to the towns of Torridon and   Ullapool. After that, you’ll go to some of  Scotland’s most northern coastline places,   passing by Caithness and John o’ Groats before  returning to Inverness. The NC500 also passes  

Through the heart of the Highlands, an  area dotted with historic castles and   gorgeous lochs. Despite providing a really  special experience, the NC500 is not without   challenges. Inexperienced drivers may find the  narrow, twisting roads intimidating, particularly   when going through the single-track parts that  are usual in rural regions. Furthermore, you’ll  

Need to pull over for large camper vans to pass. Did you know that, at 4500 square kilometers, the   Cairngorms National Park is the biggest national  park in the United Kingdom? The central feature   of the park, the Cairngorms mountain range  in the Scottish Highlands, is the inspiration  

Behind the park’s name. There are more mountains,  woodland trails, rivers, lochs, wildlife hotspots,   and welcoming villages here, than you could ever  dream. Five of the six tallest mountains in the   United Kingdom are located within the park.  There are several historic sites scattered  

Around the area, such as Iron Age hill forts,  standing stones, and burial cairns. Cairngorm   Mountain and The Lecht, two ski resorts, are  very popular during the winter. Loch Morlich   is a freshwater loch surrounded by pine trees and  sandy beaches. The park is home to 25000 red deer,  

One of the greatest herds in Scotland. The park’s  highlands are also home to the only free-ranging   herd of reindeer in Britain, the Cairngorms  Reindeer Herd, which draws many tourists. The park   is crossed by the River Dee, an important salmon  river in Scotland that serves as a vital Atlantic  

Salmon breeding area. The park is accessible from  both the north and the south via major roads like   the A9. The Cairngorms region has a number of  train stations that link the park to larger   cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness. Duncansby Head is located at the northernmost  

Point of the British mainland. Three sea stacks  that together make up the famous Duncansby Stacks   were developed over hundreds of thousands of  years. The sea stacks are shaped like pyramids,   with a hole in the midst of the first stack. For  hikers, Duncansby Head is a hiking paradise. Many  

Scenic paths run around the coastline, beginning  with the lighthouse at Duncansby Head, which is   positioned above the cliffs. The best way to  travel to Duncansby Head is by car. To get to   the sea stacks, park near to the Duncansby Head  lighthouse and take a walk. The walk from the  

Parking lot to the main viewpoint should take  around fifteen minutes. It takes around three   hours to drive from the closest city, Inverness. The Shetland Islands are the northernmost point   of Scotland, lying around 100 miles off  its northeast coast. The majority of trips  

To Shetland begin with an overnight boat.  When you get to the main island, Mainland,   you’ll have plenty of time to explore the charming  17th century town of Lerwick, the northernmost   town in the entire United Kingdom. Herring fishing  first brought Lerwick some prosperity, followed by  

Oil production. The ruins of Fort Charlotte, which  served as the town’s foundation, and the historic   “lodberries” warehouses with its bases in the sea  are just two of the highlights here. From the time   of their arrival in the eighth century until the  archipelago was given to the Scots in 1468, the  

Vikings reigned over Shetland for more than five  centuries. These days, their influence may be seen   in everything from local festivals and language  to cuisine and place names. It should come as no   surprise that the Shetland Islands’ primary  industry is fishing. Every year, over 80,000  

Tons of fish are landed here, and most of the  catch is also processed there. This is a popular   place for hiking, and those who like to hike will  especially enjoy climbing Ronas Hill, Shetland’s   highest point. There are around 100 islands in the  archipelago, but only 20 of them are inhabited.  

Birdlife, otters, and seals can be found living  in the remaining areas. A protected natural   reserve covers the whole island of Noss. Big bird  populations like fulmars, guillemots, and puffins   that live in the towering Noup Cliffs are the best  sights to be viewed on sea safaris. Shetland is  

A difficult place to get to. The best choice is  the 12-hour overnight ferry from Aberdeen. There   are also frequently direct flights from Scotland’s  major cities. Having a car will almost definitely   be necessary, once you get there. Be prepared  for the thrilling task of navigating Shetland’s  

System of single-track roads. These roads are  an exciting test of your driving abilities and   patience with their tricky turns, blind corners,  and delightful lack of overtaking chances.  On Scotland’s northeastern coast lies the city of  Aberdeen. It’s the third most populated city in  

Scotland, home to over 240,000 people. Aberdeen  is known for the center beach and its granite   monuments and buildings. Due to the predominance  of this resistant stone in its construction,   Aberdeen is also called the “Granite City.”  On a bright day, it looks quite appealing.  

Aberdeen is not only dark and depressing, it’s  quite green too. There are six parks in the city   where you may enjoy recreational activities.  Old Aberdeen is where most of the attractions   are. Most tourists visit the King’s College, a  university established in 1495. The Cathedral  

And the Powis Gate Towers are also interesting.  Further along the coast are several undeveloped   beaches that may be reached from the city center  beach, which is surrounded by restaurants, cafés,   and even a fairground. Many of Scotland’s historic  castles are within a short distance from the city.  

Aberdeen has long been known as the oil capital  of Europe, and the city’s economy profited greatly   from the discovery of North Sea oil in the 1960s. St Andrews is Scotland’s world-famous Home of   Golf. This historic town is known for its medieval  streets, historic university, and stunning  

Traditional architecture. It is situated on the  east coast, a short thirty minutes from Dundee,   and less than two hours from Edinburgh and  Glasgow. St Andrews offers so many interesting   things to see and do. You have to explore the  remains of what was once Scotland’s greatest  

Cathedral, the St Andrews Cathedral, because it’s  a “must-see” for any traveler. Valuable artifacts   and sculptures from the Middle Ages that were  discovered on the site are kept in the cathedral’s   museum. The Old Course at St Andrews is one of  the most famous golf courses in the world and a  

Place that every golfer dreams of visiting. Golf  has been played at St Andrews for over 600 years,   according to historical documents. With ten  courses available in and around the town,   there are many options available depending on your  budget. St. Andrews Castle has served as a state  

Jail, a fortress, and a bishop’s residence during  its 450-year existence. Cut out of solid rock,   the ‘bottle dungeon’ was one of the most notorious  castle jails in medieval Britain. Scotland’s   oldest university, the university of St Andrews,  was established in 1413. It provides a highly  

Enthusiastic, superior educational experience  in a safe and historic environment, and offers   a flexible degree structure. If you’re into  spooky places, the St Andrews Ghost Tours will   take you to several haunted locations in the area. Of the coastal communities on the south side of  

The East Neuk of Fife, Crail is the most easterly.  It is also, according to many, the most beautiful   of them. Crail is a mystical location with  charming streets, adorable cafés, and of course   Crail Harbour, which is perhaps the most beautiful  harbor in the East Neuk. Strolling around the  

Breathtaking streets of Crail is one of the nicest  things to do. Along the high street are several   small, independent shops that sell souvenirs and  small gifts. Along the Nethergate there are many   traditional cottages. Marketgate, formerly  the biggest marketplace in Europe, lies in  

The medieval center of Crail. The harbor is one of  the most prominent places in the area. It’s easily   recognized by the red stone walls and white houses  that round the water. One of the most stunning   and iconic views is the clifftop panorama above  Crail Harbour. Fishing boats still come into the  

Harbor every day to unload their catch, which is  primarily crabs and lobsters from nearby waters.  What’s your favorite region of Scotland? Let us  know in the comments! If you loved this video,   hit the like button and subscribe  for more amazing travel guides!