The best things to see in Scotland: 20 historical sites, castles and landscapes

If there is a region of the British islands that arouses the most tourist interest, that is without a doubt Scotland.

In the north of the islands territory you will find a city with great charm as its capital Edinburgh, as well as other very interesting cities such as St Andrews o Stirling, or pretty towns, such as Pitchlory o Portrait, the latter in the Isle of Skye.

But a trip through scotland is distinguished by the great landscapes that you will also be able to see, in which the castles They have a great role.

Its scenery that the further north you travel, the wilder they are going to be, and in which the fjords and cliffs They will be part of the most outstanding scenes.

On this trip you will visit the southernmost region of the Lowlands (Lowlands) and the northernmost of the Highlands (Highlands).

Route to travel for tourism in Scotland

At the outset, for your trip, we propose a 8-day route by car to visit Edinburgh and Scotland as well as some useful Tips for driving on Scottish roads.

Its winding and narrow routes add to the difficulty of driving on the left, which you are probably not used to.

These will also be useful to you Tips for renting a car for your trip to Scotland.

The best things to see and visit in Scotland, our experience

Likewise, we are going to propose the most interesting places to visit at the sightseeing trip to scotland, beyond the essential Edinburgh visit.

I'm sure it will be useful to you.

Edinburgh, one of the most attractive cities in Europe

I can affirm that Edinburgh is one of most attractive cities to visit in Europe, and therefore it should be the main focus of your plan trip to scotland.

It is a city with great history where you can breathe the medieval atmosphere, and you can also visit very easily.

The main focus of your visit will be Royal Mile, long street that extends along the ancient medieval city.

But you can also visit monuments such as the great complex of the edinburgh castle, the St Giles Cathedral or palace of holyroodhouse.

And you should also know places like Princes street, axis of the edinburgh new town, and the Calton Hill, from where you have the most famous panoramic views of the city.

• Here you have the best tips for visiting Edinburgh in two days.

St Andrews, university tradition in Scotland

St Andrews must be a essential visit on a driving route through Scotland.

It is a small and historic town with a long university tradition and which is also considered as the birthplace of the sport of golf.

In your visit of St Andrews you must not miss seeing the remains of whatever it was Scotland's largest cathedral, and above all you must climb St Rule's Tower from where you have beautiful panoramic views of the remains of the cathedral and the city.

You can also visit the British Golf Museum, in which you can learn about the history of this sport that began to be practiced in the prairies of St Andrews already in the 12th century.

• What to see in St Andrews

Stirling, historic city in Scotland

As with Edinburgh, big castle chairs the historic city of Stirling.

But on your visit to this city of Scottish Lowlands, which is located near the capital, you also find other notable historical corners such as the Wallace Monument or medieval church of Holy Rude.

In short, Stirling It is another highly recommended visit in a car route through Scotland, or to make a excursion from Edinburgh given its proximity.

• What to see in Stirling

Stirling Castle, Renaissance architecture

The great monument that you should visit in this small Scottish city is the Stirling Castle, a large fortification that will largely remind you of Edinburgh.

Its origins date back to the beginning of the 12th century, but the buildings you will currently visit are from the 16th and 17th centuries, being the best example in Scotland of the renaissance architecture.

On your visit to Stirling Castle you will see the old Royal Palaceas well as the building of the Big room where celebrations were held and Royal chapel.

• How to visit and what to see at Stirling Castle

Holy Rude Church, medieval architecture in Stirling

Another interesting corner to visit in Stirling is Holy Rude Church, which you find as you go up from the city center towards the castle.

The current building dates back to 1414, although there was already a first church at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, which was destroyed by a fire.

This small church with large Gothic arches will draw your attention to its half-timbered roof, which is one of the few that is preserved from the Middle Ages in Scotland.

Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

As I have already mentioned, Scotland It is a land of great landscapes, and it is not necessary to go too far north to enjoy them.

In the Lowlands You can visit the Trossachs Nature Region, which is found near Stirling. and which is known as the Rob Roy Land, a young rancher from the 18th century whose story was the subject of a film.

There you can see mountain landscapes or, if you prefer, you can walk along the shores of a lake, specifically, Loch Lomond. which is integrated into what has been the first national park declared by the Scottish Parliament.

Loch Ness, the legend of a monster in Scotland

On a route through Scotland you have an appointment with him famous Loch Ness, already in the Scottish Highlands, which is one of the most famous enclaves of said British region, which continues to be surrounded by legend of his famous monster.

With a length of 39 kilometers and a width of just a kilometer and a half, the most notable corner to visit is the Urquhart Castle.

There you will also be able to sign up for a Loch Ness cruise, and in this way get to know its most notable corners.

You have several cruise options from one hour to four hours long, and to do so you must go to the pier Clansman Harbor, nine miles south of Inverness.

• What to see in Loch Ness

Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness

But you Loch Ness visit should have as its main focus the visit to the remains of Urquhart Castle, a 13th-century fortification that was destroyed by fire caused by an attack in the late 17th century.

Isle of Skye in Scotland

In a trip through scotland You should consider visiting one of the islands that are located further north.

And if you have to choose one, the most advisable is the Isle of Skye, west of the Highlands.

Located next to the continent, so you can reach it by crossing a bridge by car, or if you prefer, by ferry, there you will find some of the most beautiful landscapes of this region of the Highlands.

In addition to natural enclaves such as Kilt Rock Cliffs, In Isle of Skye You should not miss visiting the beautiful town of Portrait, with its charming fishing port.

• What to see on the Isle of Sky

Portree, most charming town on Skye

The main corner that you should know in your Isle of Skye route It's the little one Portree fishing village.

It is the most prominent tourist place on the island where you can find the charm of small fishing towns, and where you can sign up for a boat trip to spot wildlife, from sea lions to dolphins.

Dunvegan Castle, clan history on the Isle of Skye

Another corner to highlight in Skye is the Dunvegan Castle, which as a curiosity has been inhabited for more than 800 years by the clan of the McLeod.

With a large tower, it is worth noting that in this castle you can see various antiquities from the history of Scotland, such as the flag Fairy Flag and Dunvegan Cup of 1493.

At the castle you can visit its gardens and you can also sign up for boat trips.

Eilean Donan, the most beautiful castle in Scotland?

I tell you that it is about me Favorite castle in Scotland.

Indeed, the Eilean Donan Castle, despite its small dimensions, has a charm that is difficult to find in other Scottish castles.

At the Eilean Donan Castle What do you find off the isle of skye, you will feel transported to the Middle Ages.

Wester Ross, natural landscapes in Highlands

If you want to know the most inhospitable and wild natural landscapes of the Highlands, you should not let go to the area known as Wester Ross, which is located on the continent north of the isle of Skye.

On your route along a very narrow and winding road you will discover beautiful landscape scenes.

Inverewe Gardens, tropical garden in Scotland

One of the surprises that you are going to find in the enclave of Wester Ross, In the Highlands, is to discover that you can visit gardens that house a varied tropical flora, this despite being so far north of Scotland.

It is about those of the Inverewe Gardens which were founded in 1862, and whose tropical character is explained by the effects of warm Gulf Stream that runs along the west coast of the British islands.

Pitlochry, a holiday town in Scotland

If in your car route through Scotland do you want to include some nice village, you should not stop knowing the Pitlochry holiday village, south of the Highlands.

It is a very visited enclave in summer, where many hiking excursions are made, as well as fishing or nautical activities that you can do in a nearby lake, and where you can find small holiday hotels.

Blair Castle and Scottish bison

Near Pitlochry you can visit Blair Castle, in whose surroundings you can even see some examples of the scottish bison.

At the Blair castle you will be able to learn the curious history of the private army of the Atholl Highlanders which still exists today.

What to do on a trip to Scotland, gastronomy and festivals

Below you have information about what is usually eaten in Scotland, what are the typical dishes, and what traditional festivals you can attend during your trip.

Something that will surely be useful for you to know for your trip is what to eat in scotland, and specifically, what are the most traditional customs and dishes.

You have the possibility to try the porridge, which is the most traditional Scottish breakfast.

Then during the day you will see that the most popular thing is to have a light meal composed of a typical Scottish soup made with various vegetables, and a sandwich, leaving the heartiest dishes for dinner.

As for the most typical gastronomic preparations in Scotland, on your trip you will have the opportunity to try the haggis, a large sausage of lamb offal, like a large blood sausage, which is accompanied with mashed potato and turnip.

Traditional festivals in Scotland

Your trip to Scotland can coincide with the celebration of traditional Scottish festivals, such as the spectacular international bagpipe event Royal Military Tattoo which is held every August in Edinburgh.

Other events that may be interesting to you are the Hebrides Celtic Festival or the most ancient Highland Games.

Explorer Pass in Scotland

Finally, for your trip it will be useful for you to know what tourist pass You can purchase to save on your visit to Scotland's monumental and cultural heritage.

Specifically, you have the Explorer Pass of the organization Historic Scotland, which allows you to visit up to 70 historical places, most of them castles.

Apart from Scotland there is the cultural entity National Trust for Scotland, whose members have free access to more than 100 monuments and protected places.