Scotland attractions

Separated from the northern tip of mainland Scotland by the choppy waters of the Pentland Firth strait, the Orkney Islands are an archaeological wonderland. Comprised of about 20 inhabited islands and many more uninhabited ones, Orkney is littered with prehistoric ruins and Viking remnants. The islands’ interiors, a patchwork of heather-clad moors and fertile grasslands, are encircled by superb sandy beaches and sheer coastal cliffs.

The Canongate forms the eastern end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. One of the oldest and most historic streets in the city, The Canongate is home to a number of top attractions and historic buildings, including Canongate Kirk, Moray House, Canongate Tolbooth (now People’s Story Museum), and the modern Scottish Parliament.

The Hermitage is a magical stretch of Perthshire forest that was once a pleasure ground for the aristocracy. Today, visitors of all stripes can walk along pathways sheltered by towering Douglas firs to the roaring Black Linn waterfall. Deep in the woods, the Georgian folly known as Ossian’s Hall provides the ideal platform for viewing the stunning waterfall.

The medieval John Knox House is one of the oldest buildings on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Knox, a prominent Reformation leader, is thought to have lived here in the 16th century, and the building now hosts tours chronicling the life of Knox and the houses’ other famous resident, James Mossman, goldsmith to Mary, Queen of Scots.

Lined with shops on the north side, Princess Street is Edinburgh’s principal shopping street. To the south, this heavily trafficked thoroughfare borders the memorial-dotted Princes Street Gardens, a park overlooked by Edinburgh Castle. Princes Street is also known for being one of the principal venues for Hogmanay, Scotland’s famous New Year’s celebrations.

A historic quarter in central Glasgow, Merchant City has a vibrant atmosphere thanks to trendy bars and restaurants, boutique hotels, and designer shopping. Extending from Merchant Square to Royal Exchange Square, this district is popular for a city stroll or people watching at a sidewalk cafe. It’s also home to the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).

Experience the sights, smells, and tastes of a working whisky distillery at Deanston Distillery, picturesquely set by the River Teith at the entrance to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Housed in a former cotton mill, Deanston uses traditional methods to handcraft smooth and sweet single-malt whisky.

Perched amid rolling mountains in the highlands of Cairngorms National Park, the Dalwhinnie Distillery is Scotland’s highest whisky distillery. Its copper pot stills produce a light, fresh, fruity single malt that’s known as “the gentle spirit.” The visitor center offers a range of distillery tours alongside a shop and a stylish whisky bar.

Housed inside a striking sandstone Victorian edifice, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Scotland’s most-visited cultural attractions. Works by Dali, Botticelli, and Monet are counted among its collection, alongside more eclectic items such as a taxidermy elephant, a Spitfire airplane, and a magnificent Lewis pipe organ.

Boasting the world’s oldest golf course, the coastal town of St. Andrews has long been renowned as the home of golf, making it one of the United Kingdom’s premier golfing destinations. St. Andrews Links encompasses seven public courses, situated on both the coastline and inland heath. All of the holes have a backdrop of spectacular Scottish scenery, which adds to the allure of St. Andrews for golf lovers.

The standing stones that form Orkney’s Ring of Brodgar rise out of the tall green grass and purple heather between Loch Harray and Loch Stenness. Twenty of the original 60 stones survive, and at 340 feet (104 meters) in diameter, this is the third-biggest stone circle in Britain. Thought to have been built around 2000-2500 BC, it is even older than Stonehenge.

Founded in 1838, Glen Ord is the only remaining single malt whisky distillery on the Scottish Highlands’ Black Isle peninsula. Visitors can go on a behind-the-scenes tour to see and understand the process of making a single malt from start to finish; you’ll check out the barley maltings as well as fermentation and distillation methods.

The 17th-century Greyfriars Kirk is one of Edinburgh’s most historically important churches. The National Covenant was signed here in 1638, plunging Scotland into civil war. Exhibitions in the Kirk Museum document the church’s history, while the surrounding graveyard houses the tombs of notable historical figures.

For 44 years, the Royal Yacht Britannia (HMY Britannia) carried the British royal family across the high seas to destinations near and far. After retiring in 1997, the vessel took up a permanent residency at the historic port of Leith in Edinburgh. Curious travelers can visit to learn about royal life at sea, both on the yacht and at its dedicated visitor center.

Go for a stroll in Glasgow city center along Buchanan Street, a pedestrianized half-mile stretch that hosts a range of shopping, bars, restaurants, and cafes. Lined by grand Victorian buildings and frequented by street performers of all stripes, this street is a popular destination for both locals and visitors looking to shop, grab a coffee, or catch some live entertainment.

The chilling Edinburgh Dungeon takes visitors below street level and into the darkened bowels of the city. Here, among 360-degree sets, costumed actors recount gruesome tales from Scotland’s past, from the Burke and Hare murders to hangings at the Grassmarket. Special effects, two thrilling rides, and a disorientating mirror maze add to the fun.

Located in the heart of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, Gladstone's Land is a historic 17th-century tenement building. Furnished rooms and dynamic displays give visitors a glimpse into the daily life of its former residents. Gladstone's Land is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and those seeking an immersive sightseeing experience.

Founded in 1835, Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions is one of Edinburgh’s oldest tourist attractions. Located on the top floor, the Camera Obscura provides real-time views of the city, while the five floors below it are crammed with puzzles, optical illusions, and interactive exhibits that fool the eye and the mind.

Dunkeld Cathedral, perched on the River Tay's north bank, is a historic Church of Scotland site dating back to the 13th century. Showcasing Gothic and Norman architectural elements, it occupies a sacred site established around 730 AD by Celtic missionaries. Despite being partially in ruins, the cathedral is still a place of worship open to the public.

One of the most famous ruins in Scotland, Melrose Abbey is a fascinating monument holding remarkably intact features and lavish sculptures—including a bagpipe-playing pig. Founded in the early 12th century by Cistercian monks, the abbey is perhaps best known for being the burial site of King Robert the Bruce’s heart.

While it’s not a distillery, the Scotch Whisky Experience showcases the country’s beloved whisky to visitors from around the world. So if you want to know how whisky is made in Scotland, or learn about the differences between the world’s many whiskies, you’re in the right place. Entry includes a tour with at least one tasting, and the attraction also has an on-site whisky bar and restaurant that serves up seasonal Scottish food.

Overlooking Loch Roag and the hills of Great Bernera, the Callanish Standing Stones—also known as the Calanais Standing Stones—comprise 13 large stones set around a Celtic cross–shaped monolith, with some 40 smaller stones radiating out from the center. Built between 3,800 and 5,000 years ago, this stone circle was erected at around the same time as the pyramids of Egypt.

Explore Orkney’s Neolithic heritage at the Standing Stones of Stenness. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney, only four massive megaliths remain of the original 12. With a history that potentially dates back 5,000 years, these might be the oldest stone circles on the British Isles.

When in Scotland, you don’t have to head to the Highlands for a taste of good whisky—you don’t even have to leave the Lowlands. The historic Glengoyne Distillery dates back to 1833 and is renowned for its award-winning malt whiskies, distilled at a third of the usual rate and matured in sherry oak casks.

Thought to be Scotland’s oldest working distillery, Glenturret has an idyllic setting in the heart of the Perthshire countryside. Open since 1775, a visit to the distillery offers the chance to learn about the traditional methods—including mashing by hand and cutting by eye—still used today to produce Glenturret Highland single malt.

Walk in the footsteps of royalty at Dunfermline Abbey and Palace. Some of Scotland's greatest kings and queens have been laid to rest in the abbey, including Robert the Bruce. Founded as a priory in the 11th century, the ruins of the abbey still boast an impressive Romanesque nave, one of the finest examples of its kind in Scotland.

Set within the city’s oldest park, historic Glasgow Green, the fascinating People’s Palace documents the social history of Glasgow, recounting tales of city life from 1750 through to the 20th century. Adjoining the red sandstone Victorian museum building is the Winter Gardens, a Victorian-era greenhouse packed with tropical plants.

With its imposing pink sandstone turrets presiding over the River Ness, Inverness Cathedral (St. Andrew's Cathedral or, less commonly, the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew) is one of the most striking of the city’s many churches. The 19th-century Gothic-style structure is conspicuously spire-free. Though architect Alexander Ross put them in his original design, they had to be scrapped due to lack of funds.

Built in 1471 as the home to a hospital chaplain, this grey-stone house is one of just a few surviving medieval buildings—and the only surviving medieval residence—in all of Glasgow. Provand’s Lordship now serves as a museum, with period-accurate rooms filled with antique furnishings and displays relating to the history of the house.

Together with the larger Isle of Lewis, the Isle of Harris forms the largest island of Scotland's Outer Hebrides, Lewis and Harris. Traditional villages and distilleries dot the small island, but it’s better known for its rugged mountain landscape, tweed manufacturing, and some of the best beaches in Scotland, such as Luskentyre—part of the sandy bay looking toward the Isle of Taransay.