Things to do in Scotland
60 places worth stopping for and 24 places to stay on a road trip through Scotland.
See and do
- Beach
Beach · KinlochbervieHidden gem
Sandwood Bay
Mile-long pink sand beach with a sea stack, reached only on foot from Blairmore.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · ScourieHidden gem
Handa Island
Seabird reserve reached by a short boat from Tarbet, with huge cliff colonies.
- Cave
Cave · Fionnphort
Fingal's Cave, Staffa
Basalt column sea cave, reached by small boat from Mull in calm weather.
- Walk
Walk · StoerHidden gem
Old Man of Stoer
Walk along sea cliffs to a 60 m sandstone stack off Stoer Head.
- Walk
Walk · AchiltibuieHidden gem
Stac Pollaidh
Short, steep hill walk with jagged summit ridge and big views over Coigach.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Glenfinnan
Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint
Curving 21-arch railway viaduct, with a hill path to a view of the steam train.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · KilchoanHidden gem
Ardnamurchan Point
Lighthouse at the westernmost tip of the British mainland, at the end of a long single-track road.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Glenbrittle
Fairy Pools
Crystal-clear pools and small waterfalls below the Black Cuillin, 20 minutes' walk from the road.
- Walk
Walk · Portree
Old Man of Storr
Pinnacled rock formation reached by a steep 4 km walk, with views to Raasay and the mainland.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · GlendaleHidden gem
Neist Point
Lighthouse at Skye's westernmost point, reached by a steep stepped path.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · CannichHidden gem
Glen Affric
Pinewood glen with lochs and waymarked walks, at the end of a road from Cannich.
- History
History · Skaill
Skara Brae
5,000-year-old stone village beside a sandy bay on Orkney's west coast.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · Applecross
Bealach na Bà
Single-track mountain pass climbing 630 m from sea level to Applecross.
Beach · SannaHidden gem
Sanna Bay
White shell-sand beach with dunes and views of Eigg, Rum and Muck.
Beach · DervaigHidden gem
Calgary Bay
White shell-sand crescent on Mull's north-west coast, backed by machair.
- History
History · Stenness
Ring of Brodgar
Neolithic stone circle on a narrow neck of land between two lochs.
Walk · Staffin
The Quiraing
Landslip scenery with a high path under cliffs, reached via a single-track pass.
Scenic drive · Newton Stewart
Galloway Forest Park dark sky viewing
The UK's first Gold Tier Dark Sky Park, with some of the clearest night skies in Britain.
History · Stonehaven
Dunnottar Castle
A clifftop ruined castle on a rock above the North Sea.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · Fortrose
Chanonry Point
A shingle spit where bottlenose dolphins often swim past within a few metres of the shore.
- History
History · Callanish
Calanais Standing Stones
A cross-shaped setting of Neolithic standing stones, with a visitor centre and café.
- Beach
Beach · Luskentyre
Luskentyre beach
A vast white-sand beach with turquoise water, on the west coast of Harris.
- Walk
Walk · Hoy
Rackwick Bay and the Old Man of Hoy walk
A boulder-strewn bay at the end of the Hoy road, and the start of the walk to a 137 m sea stack.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · Torridon
Glen Torridon drive
A mountain-filled road past Liathach and Beinn Eighe toward Loch Torridon.
Lake · Aviemore
Loch an Eilein
Flat 5 km walk round a pine-fringed loch with a ruined castle on an island.
Scenic drive · Durness
Cape Wrath
Mainland Britain's north-west corner: a passenger ferry, then a minibus out to the lighthouse.
- Beach
Beach · MorarHidden gem
Silver Sands of Morar
Pale sand beaches facing the Small Isles, a few miles south of Mallaig.
- Walk
Walk · GlencoeHidden gem
Lost Valley (Coire Gabhail)
Hidden corrie reached by a short scramble up a gorge from the A82.
Beach · ClaiganHidden gem
Coral Beach
White 'coral' beach near Dunvegan, made of crushed red seaweed fragments.
- Activity
Activity · Elgol
Elgol and Loch Coruisk boat trip
Road to the edge of the Cuillin, with boats to wild Loch Coruisk.
- History
History · Fionnphort
Iona Abbey
Early Christian centre reached by a 10-minute passenger ferry from Fionnphort.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · John o' GroatsHidden gem
Duncansby Head
Lighthouse and sea stacks near John o' Groats, with puffins in summer.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · DunnetHidden gem
Dunnet Head
Mainland Britain's actual northernmost point, with a lighthouse and an RSPB reserve.
- Walk
Walk · StromnessHidden gem
Yesnaby Cliffs
Cliff walk with sea stacks and blowholes on Orkney's west coast.
- History
History · BirsayHidden gem
Brough of Birsay
Tidal island with Pictish and Norse ruins, reached by a causeway at low tide.
- Beach
Beach · LaideHidden gem
Mellon Udrigle
Quiet white-sand bay on the Gruinard peninsula, with views across Gruinard Bay to the Torridon hills.
- Activity
Activity · Falkirk
Falkirk Wheel
A rotating boat lift joining two canals, with boat trips on it.
- Lake
Lake · Trossachs
Loch Katrine and Trossachs Pier
Steamship rides and a flat cycle path along a classic Trossachs loch.
- History
History · Castle DouglasHidden gem
Threave Castle
A ruined island tower house reached by a rowing boat.
- Cave
Cave · Durness
Smoo Cave
Huge sea cave with a waterfall inside, a short walk from the car park.
Beach · DurnessHidden gem
Balnakeil Beach
Wide white-sand beach with dunes, a short drive past the Durness craft village.
Beach · Lochinver
Achmelvich Beach
Small white-sand bay with turquoise water, 5 km from Lochinver.
- History
History · Inchnadamph
Ardvreck Castle
Ruined 15th-century tower on a rocky point jutting into Loch Assynt.
- History
History · Dornie
Eilean Donan Castle
Island castle where three sea lochs meet, linked to shore by a stone bridge.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Glen Nevis
Steall Falls
A 120 m ribbon waterfall at the end of an easy gorge walk, with a wire bridge across the river.
Beach · CarbostHidden gem
Talisker Bay
Black sand beach below sea cliffs, with a waterfall dropping onto the shore.
History · Stenness
Maeshowe
Neolithic chambered cairn with Viking runes carved by raiders.
- Town
Town · Plockton
Plockton
Whitewashed village with palm trees on a sheltered bay, used for TV and film.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · North Berwick
Scottish Seabird Centre and Bass Rock cruises
Boat trips to see the world's biggest gannet colony.
- History
History · Lamb Holm
Italian Chapel
Wartime chapel built from Nissen huts and scrap by Italian prisoners of war.
- Roadside oddity
Roadside oddity · Falkirk
The Kelpies
Two 30 m steel horse heads rising out of the canal beside the M9.
- Walk
Walk · Balmaha
Conic Hill
Short, steep climb with the best view of the Loch Lomond islands.
Walk · CramondHidden gem
Cramond Island causeway
Walk across the tidal causeway to a small island in the Firth of Forth.
- Walk
Walk · St Abbs
St Abb's Head
Cliff-top seabird colonies and a lighthouse walk on the Borders coast.
- History
History · Maybole
Culzean Castle and Country Park
A clifftop castle with a huge estate, beach and walled garden.
- History
History · Dumfries
Caerlaverock Castle and wetland reserve
A moated triangular castle beside a famous goose reserve.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Drummore
Mull of Galloway
Scotland's most southerly point, with a lighthouse and clifftop cafe.
History · Stirling
Stirling Castle
A big, hilltop royal castle with a huge view over the plain.
Walk · DunkeldHidden gem
The Hermitage and Ossian's Hall
Forest walk to a waterfall and a folly perched above the river.
- Town
Town · Crail
Crail harbour
A postcard East Neuk harbour with lobster boats and a tiny beach.
Food stops
- Bakery
Bakery · LochinverHidden gem
Lochinver Larder pie shop
Pie shop in Lochinver known for venison and seafood pies.
Pub · Applecross
Applecross Inn
Shore-side pub in Applecross serving local seafood after the pass.
- Café
Café · DurnessHidden gem
Cocoa Mountain
Hot chocolate and handmade truffles at Balnakeil Craft Village.
- Restaurant
Restaurant · Colbost, Skye
The Three Chimneys
Converted crofting cottage restaurant at Colbost on Skye serving local seafood and game.
- Restaurant
Restaurant · Kishorn
Kishorn Seafood Bar
Seafood served in a casual setting on Loch Kishorn.
- Food truck
Food truck · UllapoolHidden gem
The Seafood Shack
Small seafood hut on the Ullapool waterfront.
- Restaurant
Restaurant · CarbostHidden gem
The Oyster Shed
Simple shed in Carbost serving oysters and scallops beside the sea.
Pub · Glencoe
Clachaig Inn
Climbers' and walkers' pub in Glencoe with real ale and pub food.
Restaurant · Anstruther
Anstruther Fish Bar
Award-winning fish and chips on the harbour front.
- Ice cream
Ice cream · Gatehouse of Fleet
Cream o' Galloway
A dairy farm with its own ice cream and a big adventure playground.
- Pub
Pub · DuddingstonHidden gem
Sheep Heid Inn
Edinburgh's claim to oldest pub, with a surviving 1880 skittle alley, right by Arthur's Seat.
- Pub
Pub · Inverarnan
The Drovers Inn
1705 coaching inn at the head of Loch Lomond, with a restaurant and weekend live music.
Places to stay
Campground · DundonnellHidden gem
Badrallach Bothy and Camp Site
Remote shore-side camping on Little Loch Broom, facing An Teallach.
Campground · ApplecrossHidden gem
Applecross Campsite
Waterside camping at Applecross Bay, below the famous Bealach na Bà road.
- Campground
Campground · FionnphortHidden gem
Fidden Farm Campsite
Machair camping next to white sand beaches on the Ross of Mull.
Campground · KinlochbervieHidden gem
Oldshoremore Camping
Croft campsite by a white-sand beach, near the walk to Sandwood Bay.
- Campground
Campground · Arisaig
Camusdarach Campsite
Beach-side camping on the sands used in the film Local Hero.
- Campground
Campground · Glenbrittle
Glenbrittle Campsite
Beachfront camping beneath the Black Cuillin.
- Campground
Campground · Great BerneraHidden gem
Eilean Fraoich Camping
Croft-side camping on Great Bernera, minutes from empty beaches.
Freedom camping · KinlochbervieHidden gem
Wild camping at Sandwood Bay
Walk-in wild camping on the dunes behind a remote beach.
Campground · Kilchoan, ArdnamurchanHidden gem
Ardnamurchan Campsite
25-pitch shoreline campsite west of Kilchoan at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, with nine pitches just above the high tide line.
- Campground
Campground · Loch RannochHidden gem
Kilvrecht Campsite
Forest camping beside the ancient Black Wood of Rannoch.
Campground · ScourieHidden gem
Scourie Caravan and Camping Park
Small, sheltered park beside Scourie Bay on the north-west coast.
Campground · UllapoolHidden gem
Ardmair Point Holiday Park
Seaside pitches on a shingle point, with views to the Summer Isles.
Campground · Fort William
Glen Nevis Caravan and Camping Park
Big riverside park at the foot of Ben Nevis, minutes from Steall Falls.
- Campground
Campground · Loch SunartHidden gem
Resipole Farm
Sheltered woodland and lochside camping on the road to Ardnamurchan.
Campground · Aviemore
Glenmore Campsite
Forest campsite with a short walk to Loch Morlich's beach.
Campground · Clachtoll
Clachtoll Beach Campsite
Clifftop campsite beside a white-sand beach and the Split Rock.
- Campground
Campground · Durness
Sango Sands Oasis
Clifftop camping above Sango Bay, a mile from Smoo Cave.
Campground · Staffin
Staffin Camping and Caravanning
Camping at the foot of the Quiraing, close to Kilt Rock and Staffin beach.
Campground · BrodickHidden gem
Glen Rosa Campsite
Simple camping under Goat Fell in a classic Arran glen.
- Freedom camping
Freedom camping · Glencoe
Glen Etive roadside wild camping
Informal lay-bys and river flats along the 12-mile glen road.
Campground · BargrennanHidden gem
Glentrool Holiday Park
Camping on the edge of Galloway Forest Park, one of the UK's darkest skies.
- Campground
Campground · LickistoHidden gem
Lickisto Blackhouse Camping and Yurts
Camping, yurts and a bothy by a sea loch on the east side of Harris.
- Campground
Campground · HushinishHidden gem
Huisinis Campervan Site
Five electric motorhome pitches above Huisinis beach, paid by donation.
- Campground
Campground · Hougharry, North UistHidden gem
Balranald Hebridean Holidays campsite
Beachside campsite on North Uist beside the Balranald RSPB reserve, with pitches for tents, campervans and caravans.
Plan the drive, not just the stops
Roadtrip works out what the drive costs in fuel for your car, splits it into days with the best stops and places to sleep, and finds the cheapest fuel on the way.
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