St Kilda became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986 and it is seen as ‘the most remote island in the British Isles’, even known as the ‘islands at the edge of the world’. A solemn yet fascinating location, it lies roughly 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, and is considered difficult to reach due to its position surrounded by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. While it hosts the largest colony of Atlantic Puffins in the UK, it is also known as the former home of Gaelic-speaking islanders for thousands of years before their way of life became unsustainable in 1930, it has since rested chillingly uninhabited.placeholder image
St Kilda became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986 and it is seen as ‘the most remote island in the British Isles’, even known as the ‘islands at the edge of the world’. A solemn yet fascinating location, it lies roughly 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, and is considered difficult to reach due to its position surrounded by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. While it hosts the largest colony of Atlantic Puffins in the UK, it is also known as the former home of Gaelic-speaking islanders for thousands of years before their way of life became unsustainable in 1930, it has since rested chillingly uninhabited.

World Heritage Sites in Scotland: 6 Incredible Scottish world heritage sites and where to find them

Thomas Mackay
By Thomas Mackay

Search and Trends Writer

Published 6th Feb 2023, 14:11 BST
Updated 6th Oct 2023, 15:29 BST

There are currently 1,157 World Heritage Sites scattered around the world and 6 of them can be found in beautiful Scotland.

As Historic Environment Scotland tells us: “World Heritage Sites are cultural and/or natural sites of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’, which are important across countries and generations.”

Around the globe, some famous examples are the Taj Mahal, Galápagos Islands, or the Great Wall of China, but Scotland - despite being a much smaller country - still sits proudly on this distinguished list.

Scotland regularly features in famous films and TV shows due to its breathtaking natural beauty and dramatic scenery, this is why it even featured on National Geographic’s ‘Best of the World 2023’ list recently.

To discover the most revered Scottish locations, here are the 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Scotland and where you can find them.

The Antonine Wall gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008. It was constructed by the Roman Empire roughly 2,000 years ago back in AD 142 under the order of Emperor Antoninus Pius. The wall was completed 12 years later and at some point saw as many as 7,000 Roman soldiers based on its premises around the region that we now refer to as the Central Belt of Scotland. You can find the wall between the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth, historically it represents the northernmost barrier between the Roman Empire and Britain, while Hadrian’s Wall (found in northern England) represents the southern barrier.

5. The Antonine Wall

The Antonine Wall gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008. It was constructed by the Roman Empire roughly 2,000 years ago back in AD 142 under the order of Emperor Antoninus Pius. The wall was completed 12 years later and at some point saw as many as 7,000 Roman soldiers based on its premises around the region that we now refer to as the Central Belt of Scotland. You can find the wall between the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth, historically it represents the northernmost barrier between the Roman Empire and Britain, while Hadrian’s Wall (found in northern England) represents the southern barrier. Photo: orientalizing via Flickr / Map via WikiCommons

Photo Sales
The Forth Bridge is Scotland’s latest UNESCO World Heritage site, it was recognised as one in 2015 on the bridge’s 125th anniversary. Located roughly nine miles west of Edinburgh City Centre, the Forth Bridge is one of most recognised Scottish landmarks as its one of Britain’s first major steel structures which also represented a milestone as we developed our railway infrastructure. It was built by Sir John Fowler and Benjamin Baker between 1883 to 1890 when it officially opened. Standing tall with red circular piers 150 metres high, the bridge is in no way short on praise and was even voted Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder in 2016.

6. The Forth Bridge

The Forth Bridge is Scotland’s latest UNESCO World Heritage site, it was recognised as one in 2015 on the bridge’s 125th anniversary. Located roughly nine miles west of Edinburgh City Centre, the Forth Bridge is one of most recognised Scottish landmarks as its one of Britain’s first major steel structures which also represented a milestone as we developed our railway infrastructure. It was built by Sir John Fowler and Benjamin Baker between 1883 to 1890 when it officially opened. Standing tall with red circular piers 150 metres high, the bridge is in no way short on praise and was even voted Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder in 2016. Photo: Peter Carruthers via Canva Pro

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 2
Next Page
Related topics:ScotlandHistoric Environment ScotlandNatureHistoryCulture
Dare to be Honest
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice