For the most popular Scottish tourist attractions you can easily find suggestions like Edinburgh or the Scottish Highlands with a quick online search, but of course there is much more on offer in this bonnie wee country of ours.
Majestic castles, UNESCO heritage sites, and tropical-style beaches are only some of the sights that make Scotland such an unforgettable place to visit. This list includes attractions that are free to visit, some famous and others considered to be ‘hidden gems’.
So, here are twenty-five of the most spectacular places to visit in Scotland according to our Scotsman readers.
9. Luskentyre Beach
Luskentyre Bay is located on the west coast of South Harris in the Outer Hebrides. Famed for its incredible beaches, in reality a substantial amount of the coastline is rocky, however the vast dunes are still well worth the visit. Photo: cosmicherb70 on Flickr
10. The Kelpies
The Kelpies are shape-shifting water spirits found in Scottish mythology. This monument was created by Andy Scott, one of Scotland’s leading sculptors, and it is said to commemorate the ‘horse-powered heritage’ of Central Scotland. Photo: Mike McBey on Flickr
11. Eilean Donan and Kyle of Lochalsh
Kyle of Lochalsh is the gateway to the Isle of Skye, famous for its stunning scenery featuring castles and hills. Nearby you’ll find Eilean Donan Castle, first inhabited around the 6th century but fortified as a castle in the 13th century. Photo: Callam Barnes on Pexels
12. Sutherland and Wester Ross
The Scotland Info Guide describes Wester Ross as “an area of outstanding natural beauty situated between Loch Carron in the south, Loch Broom and Ullapool in the north and Achnasheen in the east.” Sutherland, nearby, is also recommended as it is comparably remote and wild like Wester Ross with its unusually shaped mountains like Stac Pollaidh. Photo: weesam on Flickr