Scotland is home to plenty of natural beauty with pretty villages and towns to be found from the Borders to the north.
But despite the Highlands regularly being included among the top tourist destinations in the UK, Fort William, the country’s outdoor capital, found itself being ranked as one of the worst places to visit in the UK.
Consumer magazine Which? asked almost 4,000 people about their experiences in different towns and cities around the country. Tourists ranked each location based on criteria including food and drink, ease of access, value for money, accommodation and more. While Fort William performed poorly in the survey, Edinburgh was ranked among the best places to visit in the UK.
With the Highland town’s reputation as a hub for activities such as mountain biking, hillwalking and more, we decided to ask Scotsman readers to share which towns they thought visitors should see.
Whether it’s because of beautiful scenery or historic sights, here are 26 of the best Scottish towns to visit as chosen by our readers.
17. Oban
The gateway to the Hebridean Islands, Oban is also the “Seafood Capital of Scotland”. Located in Argyll and Bute, there are plenty of activities on offer in Oban and the surrounding area. | susanne2688 - stock.adobe.com
18. Peebles
Located on the banks of the River Tweed and in the Scottish Borders, Peebles is a short distance from Edinburgh. With a mountain biking centre as well as walking trails, there are also shops and cafes to keep visitors entertained. | Will Perrett - stock.adobe.com
19. Pitlochry
Visitors will have plenty to keep them entertained in Pitlochry. The Perth and Kinross town is surrounded by beautiful scenery, countryside walks and even one of the world’s oldest working distilleries. | Getty Images
20. Portree
The largest town on the Isle of Skye, Portree is a favourite among visitors looking to explore the island. One of its main attractions is the Aros Centre, an award-winning venue which regularly hosts shows, concerts and film screenings. | Nataliya Hora - stock.adobe.com