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Scotland

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Marching band and light show projecting onto the castle

Why we love Scotland

Scotland’s stunning landscapes, lochs, islands and mountains combine to form a country that’s as unique as it is beautiful. Where else could you explore 709 islands, while drinking over 130 different types of whisky? Tee off on scenic courses in the birthplace of golf and watch men in kilts play tug o’war. Or listen to the sound of bagpipes, alongside tales of a monster in a loch, a real-life Macbeth and a national Braveheart. 

They’re not the only characters you’ll meet here. See Scotland’s film-star good looks on a set-jetting jaunt through sweeping glens and mighty castles, immortalised in Harry Potter, James Bond and Outlander.

Capital city

Edinburgh

Currency

GBP

Timezone

GMT (Winter), GMT + 1 (Summer)

So head north to discover incredible places to visit — you’ll receive the warmest of welcomes.

Scotland

Explore Scotland's stunning lakes, highlands, and wildlife-rich islands, as well as lively cities bursting with character.

Island hop around the Inner Hebrides to sample whiskies on Islay, explore castles on the Isle of Skye, or spot sea eagles and puffins on the Isle of Mull.

Climb ancient volcano, Arthur’s Seat, for magnificent views over Edinburgh, or laugh along at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of ten annual festivals hosted in the capital city.

Travel the world’s first UNESCO Trail around Scotland, cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct aboard the Hogwarts Express or enjoy competition at the annual Highland Games.

Take a walking tour of Glasgow’s mural trail, or explore the city’s Botanic Gardens, host to outdoor music and theatre shows in summer.

Head to the Scottish Highlands for the Loch Ness Trail and North Coast 500 road trip, or to the Lowlands for St Andrews’ renowned golf courses and medieval Caerlaverock Castle.

Fun fact

Shutterstock / Kevin Standage

Sunrise at Port Charlotte, Islay, Inner Hebrides, Western Scotland

Fun fact

Scotland has 790 islands which are divided into four main groups: Shetland, Orkney, the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides. Just 130 are inhabited.

Did you know?

VisitScotland

Walkers taking in the view of Loch Lomond from Conic Hill part of the West Highland Way

Did you know?

  • Hogmanay is the name given to the last day of the old year in Scotland, which is celebrated in style on New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh with a massive outdoor street party.

  • Scotland is home to the world’s first UNESCO trail, which brings together 13 different UNESCO designated places, including the city of Edinburgh, Isle of St Kilda, Neolithic monuments of Orkney, The Forth Bridge, and the Antonine Wall.

  • With a history panning 500 years, The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh is the official residence of King Charles III when in Scotland.

  • Scotland is the birthplace of golf, with more courses here than anywhere else in the world – there’s an impressive 550 to choose from. Learn more at the British Golf Museum in St Andrews, the home of golf.

  • At 24 miles (38.6 km) long, Loch Lomond in central Scotland is the largest lake in Britain, and a popular destination for water activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing.

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Starring Great Britain

Highland Folk Museum
Highland Folk Museum
visitscotland_39088847925
Cairngorms National Park
Aerial view of castle and surrounding countryside
Eilean Donan Castle
An instructor from Adventure Yoga Edinburgh holds a yoga pose on Arthur’s Seat overlooking the city
Arthur’s Seat
culloden2
Outlander Tour

Scotland highlights

Scottish destinations

Edinburgh

From palaces to cobbled alleys and even a castle on a dormant volcano, this city is a real show-stopper.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Edinburgh

A young couple taking a selfie of view over historic town
Glasgow

Pushing the boundaries of art and culture, with a heart that beats through its people.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Two men looking at installation of suspended head sculptures
North Coast 500

One epic road trip with hefty mountains, dazzling beaches and tranquil lochs.

Find out more

North Highlands

Highlands, Scotland

visitscotland_41471252178
The Scottish Highlands

Located in the northern reaches of Scotland, the Highlands are about beauty and adventure.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Highlands

Rear view of two men jumping with joy on a country road
Borders and Lowlands

The gateway into Scotland, the Borders and Lowlands pack a punch.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Simon Jarratt

Girls standing on the zipwire platform in the pine forest
Scottish Islands

Jaw-dropping landscapes wrapped in tales and legends, the Isles' wild nature will stay with you forever.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Dougie Cunningham

A group of deer near a lake, grazing grass
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Explore pristine woods, climb mountains and paddle the waters of Scotland's wild landscape.

Find out more

VisitScotland

A woman sitting and looking out across Loch Lomond
Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms is a playground for wildlife lovers, hill climbers, thrill seekers and more.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Graham Niven

A man canoeing with two spaniels. Clear blue skies

This quirky city on Scotland’s north east coast offers dolphin spotting, leafy parks and excellent galleries and museums.

Plan your trip to Aberdeen

Alamy Stock Photo

Aberdeen, Scotland

The old village of Footdee (Fittie) by the Harbour Entrance, Aberdeen
Aberdeen

Dundee’s arts and culture scene is thriving, thanks to the V&A design museum and a host of theatres and galleries.

Learn more about Dundee

VisitBritain/Pinzutu Films/Ula Blocksage/Diane Selbie

Dundee, Scotland

A man and a woman hugging in front of the marmalade mural.
Dundee

Welcome to the Queen of the South, the crowning glory of Dumfries and Galloway and the home of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns.

Learn more about Dumfries

VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

An ornate black and gold fountain with statues of people and fish in the centre of a shopping street.
Dumfries

Island life beckons in wild Shetland.

Learn more about Shetland

Shutterstock/Marcin Kadziolka

A woman sitting in grass overlooking a spit and fields
Shetland

Adventure is never far away in Fort William, at the heart of the Highlands.

Learn more about Fort William

West Coast Railways Ltd.

A heritage steam train travelling through the countryside.
Fort William

Escape the everyday in enchanting Orkney.

Learn more about Orkney

Getty Images/Westend61

Man straddling two sea stacks overlooking a rocky outcrop and the ocean
Orkney

Climb the National Wallace Monument for the best views of Stirling.

Learn more about Stirling

VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

A couple exploring the grounds of a medieval castle.
Stirling

Creativity is part of the fabric of Perth, a town rich in arts and culture.

Learn more about Perth

Shutterstock/ClemencePARNEIX

A view across a wide river to a church in the summer
Perth

Discover this ancient Scottish capital that’s anything but stuck in the past.

Learn more about Dunfermline

VisitBritain/Pinzutu Films/Ula Blocksage

Two men walking by an Abbey Nave.
Dunfermline
Edinburgh

From palaces to cobbled alleys and even a castle on a dormant volcano, this city is a real show-stopper.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Edinburgh

A young couple taking a selfie of view over historic town
Glasgow

Pushing the boundaries of art and culture, with a heart that beats through its people.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Two men looking at installation of suspended head sculptures
North Coast 500

One epic road trip with hefty mountains, dazzling beaches and tranquil lochs.

Find out more

North Highlands

Highlands, Scotland

visitscotland_41471252178
The Scottish Highlands

Located in the northern reaches of Scotland, the Highlands are about beauty and adventure.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Highlands

Rear view of two men jumping with joy on a country road
Borders and Lowlands

The gateway into Scotland, the Borders and Lowlands pack a punch.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Simon Jarratt

Girls standing on the zipwire platform in the pine forest
Scottish Islands

Jaw-dropping landscapes wrapped in tales and legends, the Isles' wild nature will stay with you forever.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Dougie Cunningham

A group of deer near a lake, grazing grass
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Explore pristine woods, climb mountains and paddle the waters of Scotland's wild landscape.

Find out more

VisitScotland

A woman sitting and looking out across Loch Lomond
Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms is a playground for wildlife lovers, hill climbers, thrill seekers and more.

Find out more

VisitBritain/Graham Niven

A man canoeing with two spaniels. Clear blue skies

This quirky city on Scotland’s north east coast offers dolphin spotting, leafy parks and excellent galleries and museums.

Plan your trip to Aberdeen

Alamy Stock Photo

Aberdeen, Scotland

The old village of Footdee (Fittie) by the Harbour Entrance, Aberdeen
Aberdeen

Dundee’s arts and culture scene is thriving, thanks to the V&A design museum and a host of theatres and galleries.

Learn more about Dundee

VisitBritain/Pinzutu Films/Ula Blocksage/Diane Selbie

Dundee, Scotland

A man and a woman hugging in front of the marmalade mural.
Dundee

Welcome to the Queen of the South, the crowning glory of Dumfries and Galloway and the home of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns.

Learn more about Dumfries

VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

An ornate black and gold fountain with statues of people and fish in the centre of a shopping street.
Dumfries

Island life beckons in wild Shetland.

Learn more about Shetland

Shutterstock/Marcin Kadziolka

A woman sitting in grass overlooking a spit and fields
Shetland

Adventure is never far away in Fort William, at the heart of the Highlands.

Learn more about Fort William

West Coast Railways Ltd.

A heritage steam train travelling through the countryside.
Fort William

Escape the everyday in enchanting Orkney.

Learn more about Orkney

Getty Images/Westend61

Man straddling two sea stacks overlooking a rocky outcrop and the ocean
Orkney

Climb the National Wallace Monument for the best views of Stirling.

Learn more about Stirling

VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

A couple exploring the grounds of a medieval castle.
Stirling

Creativity is part of the fabric of Perth, a town rich in arts and culture.

Learn more about Perth

Shutterstock/ClemencePARNEIX

A view across a wide river to a church in the summer
Perth

Discover this ancient Scottish capital that’s anything but stuck in the past.

Learn more about Dunfermline

VisitBritain/Pinzutu Films/Ula Blocksage

Two men walking by an Abbey Nave.
Dunfermline

Scotland itineraries

Hit cultural hotspots and explore a spectacular national park on a 5-day adventure around central Scotland.

VisitBritain/Paul Watt

Edinburgh, Scotland

Two young women sat on the jetty of the waterfront in the evening with boats and buildings by the harbour.

Our favourite experiences in Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland 1st - 25th August 2025

Witness an explosion of creative energy as Edinburgh hosts stand-up comedy, music, dance and more, for three action-packed weeks in August.

Arts and culture

VisitBritain/Pinzutu/Kit Oates/Peter Anderson

Street perfomer Peter Anderson, juggles swords in front of a crowd on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, during the Festival Fringe 2022.
Fort William, Scotland

Welcome to the highest mountain in Scotland. A bucket list destination for hikers, the summit has spectacular views of the Grampian range.

Adventure and sport

VisitBritain/Nadir Khan

Two mountain bikers cycling downhill down a mountain
Inner Hebrides, Scotland

Whether you’re a total beginner or a budding pro, Scotland’s west coast is a surfer’s dream.

Adventure and sport

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Islands

A man paddleboarding in the sea off Traigh Beach Arisaig
Orkney, Scotland

Swim alongside incredible marine life or a fleet of wrecked wartime ships; diving at Scapa Flow in Orkney should be on every diver’s bucket list.

@krakendivingorkney

Scuba diving at the WW1 wreck at Churchill Barrier no.3
Highlands, Scotland

With their one-of-a-kind sports, these traditional Scottish tournaments are the ‘Olympics of the Highlands’.

VisitBritain/Highland Games Academy

Woman wearing a kilt learning how to toss the caber with male instructor
Aberdeen, Scotland

Find your wild side with dolphin, seal, otter and whale spotting.

ammonitefan16

Dolphin watching
Edinburgh, Scotland

Filling the streets with colourful parades, dancing and live music, this is Scotland’s longest-running Pride party.

Pride Edinburgh

Crowd at Pride in Edinburgh
Culzean, Scotland

This is no ordinary castle – Culzean has its very own beach, country park, Adventure Cove and more.

VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Culzean Castle and Country Park
Loch Lomond, Scotland

Kayak, canoe, cruise or wild swim? With its watersports and boat trips, Loch Lomond is a refreshing place to unwind.

VisitScotland

Bluebells in springtime on Inchcailloch - an island on Loch Lomond just a short distance from Balmaha.
Benmore, Scotland

This charming garden boasts huge 150-year-old redwoods, plus blooms and blossoms galore. Look out for wild red squirrels too!

VisitScotland

Scotland

Man standing beneath avenue of tall trees at Benmore Gardens
Edinburgh, Scotland

Welcome to the previous home of Mary, Queen of Scots, offering guided tours, royal exhibitions and opulent afternoon teas.

VisitScotland

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, a royal residence in Edinburgh, Scotland

Follow the herd in Dumfries and Galloway

VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

A couple taking a guided farm experience among Highland cattle and sheep from a purpose-built trailer.

They’re some of Scotland’s most famous residents – think floppy fringes, shaggy amber fur and a rather large pair of horns! At Kitchen Coos & Ewes, you can get up-close to a gorgeous herd of Highland cows on a farm experience in the Luce Valley. Almost like a safari, you’ll head out among the cattle in a purpose-built trailer and learn all about this ancient breed. Afterwards, warm up with a cup of tea and homemade bakes from the farmhouse kitchen.   

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