The Top 10 Most Scenic Destinations in Scotland: From Picturesque Glens to Historical Sites
Nestled in the northernmost corner of the United Kingdom lies the picturesque country of Scotland. Home to a world of dramatic scenery, it’s no wonder Scotland attracted over 13 million visits from UK residents between April to December 2021.
With such a diverse range of sights, we wanted to discover which areas people treasured the most.
We used social media hashtag data to uncover which popular scenic destinations, towns, trails, and days out were most sought-after to give us an idea of the country’s most beloved natural locations. Read our findings below to learn the most scenic Scottish wonders that are just waiting to be explored.
Quick links
The most scenic destinations in Scotland
Scenic Scottish towns to visit
Scotland’s Great Trails
The most scenic days out in Scotland
The most scenic destinations in Scotland
We excluded cities from our overall ranking but have included Inverness and Stirling as they are the county towns of Inverness-shire and Stirlingshire, respectively.
Inverness is Scotland’s most scenic destination with the highest amount of hashtags
Loch Lomond is the most scenic natural attraction in Scotland
Scotland’s world-famous Loch Ness is the sixth-most popular destination according to our data
Scotland’s most scenic destination is Inverness: the biggest city in the country, the capital of the Highlands, and the location that secured the highest number of hashtags (729,959). Inverness lies on the northeast coast and is the closest city to Scotland’s famed Loch Ness.
It’s not just social media that can attest to the city’s splendour. Renowned travel publication Time Out has listed Inverness as the 13th best city break in Europe for 2023, citing its historic Culloden Battlefield and Urquhart Castle as key attractions.
The seaside town of St Andrews (639,118) and city of Stirling (562,190) followed with the next highest number of hashtags. Both areas have a rich history: St Andrews University is the third oldest in the English-speaking world and is known around the globe as the “Home of Golf”, while parts of Stirling Castle date as far back as the early 12th century.
Stirling was followed by the famous Loch Lomond, which has 556,858 hashtags and is the fourth-most scenic destination on our list.
The loch sits as part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park: a 720 square mile spread of land that holds the title of the fourth-biggest national park in the UK. The fact that around 50% of the country’s population lives within an hour’s drive of the park attests to its sheer size. It brings in over four million visitors each year to admire its breathtaking landscape and enjoy outdoor pursuits like camping, fishing, hiking, and more.
If you’re planning to visit the park, be sure to shop our ladies’ and men’s waterproof jackets or read our guide to the best outdoor clothing for exploring Scotland here.
Loch Ness appeared as the sixth-most scenic countryside destination on our list, according to our research. The famous body of water is the resting place to the legend of the Loch Ness monster. Affectionately named ‘Nessie’ by locals, 2020 research determined that the mythical creature contributes around £41 million to the Scottish economy each year.
Scenic Scottish towns to visit
While Scotland’s rugged hills and flowing lochs are famous worldwide, it also hosts many charming cities and quaint towns. From the white sands of Morar to the colourful homes that line the shores of Tobermory, we also wanted to highlight some of the popular Scottish towns that we found had significant social media hashtags.
With 538,486 hashtags, Glencoe is a village set in the Glencoe valley that displays an abundance of enchanting waterfalls and trails. As well as offering ample opportunity for outdoor pursuits, it’s in close proximity to Glen Etive – a mist-shrouded glen that famously featured in the James Bond epic Skyfall (2012).
Leith received 336,153 hashtags. Past this historical port’s picture-perfect waterfront lies an eclectic mix of contemporary eateries, galleries and museums, and the floating Royal Yacht Britannia. As well as hosting many notable historical figures, the ship holds Which? magazine’s best historic attraction in the UK and TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best awards.
The coastal town of Oban, also known locally as the ‘The Seafood Capital of Scotland’, had 297,561 hashtags. Its convenient location on the country's west coast makes it the perfect base for taking a boat trip out to the surrounding Inner Hebrides islands like Iona, Staffa, and Lunga.
Our research also revealed that North Berwick had 159,981 hashtags. Another seaside town, it offers a slower pace of life with its sunny beaches, world-renowned golf courses, and award-winning gardens and horticultural scenes. Unlike the other locations uncovered by our data, North Berwick is situated within Southern Scotland – a stretch of regions that borders England and illustrious winner of one of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel destinations for 2023 award.
Scotland’s Great Trails
It wouldn’t be possible to discuss the most beautiful countryside destinations without mentioning Scotland’s Great Trails: a selection of 29 spectacular long-distance walking routes that offer an exceptional opportunity to explore the country’s nature and scenery first-hand. Each trail is a minimum of 25 miles long and, collectively, they total over 1,900 miles of established pathways from the western Borders to the Highlands in the north.The Great Trails bring you as close to nature as you can get, making these exposed terrains perfect for exploring in the spring or autumn when the climate is milder. But regardless of the season, don’t forget your waterproof boots and wet-weather wear to protect from changing weather conditions.
The most popular of Scotland’s Great Trails, based on our data, is the West Highland Way trail, which garnered 135,697 hashtags. It spans 96 miles and traverses from Milngavie up to Fort William, a route that about 36,000 walkers complete each year.
The Fife Coastal Path is the second most scenic route with 61,630. With bountiful seascapes, stretches of sand dunes, and salty air aplenty, this 117-mile route offers an unmatched walking experience.
Great Glen Way is the third-most scenic trail (17,476) and includes the Great Glen Canoe Trail, which can be traversed on water. Next came the John Muir Way trail with 9,730 hashtags. Named after the ‘Father of National Parks’ and esteemed naturalist, John Muir, this trail can be explored by bicycle thanks to its expanse of pleasant pathways.
The most scenic days out in Scotland
- Edinburgh Castle revealed as Scotland’s most scenic historical site and day out
- Loch Lomond is the most-shared loch in Scotland
- West Highland Way is the most scenic walking trail
Whether you’re seeking a family-friendly walking trail or want to step back in time to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s rich history, there’s an adventure to satisfy every interest.
Our ranking of the most scenic days out looks at hashtag data on the great outdoors of Scotland. It excludes urban cities and towns, but includes castles, national parks and reserves, historic sites, public gardens, monuments and ruins, churches and cathedrals, Great Trails, and country estates.
Scotland’s rocky terrain is punctuated by many a fort (believed to be up to 4,000 at certain points in the past), but none are more celebrated than Edinburgh Castle. With 663,250 hashtags on social media, it’s the most shared tourist attraction on our list and was named by travel specialist Kuoni as the number one most beautiful British sight. It attracts over 2 million annual visitors to witness its towering presence along the Edinburgh skyline as it sits atop an extinct volcano, and it also holds the title of the country’s most popular landmark.
The sweeping stretch of water at Loch Lomond was the setting for the second-most spectacular day out in Scotland (556,858). Whether you’re looking to enjoy hikes up the Munros, glen-side camping, or fly fishing in the salmon-filled waters, discover our expert advice and recommendations for how to choose suitable clothing for your day out.
When it comes to specific walking routes, the West Highland Way long-distance trail is famed for its magnificent and undisturbed terrain (135,69). Despite taking around a week to journey the entire length of the route, West Highland Way can be enjoyed in parts and is one of the most popular choices for a walking day trip in Scotland (135,69).
Edinburgh Zoo received the next highest number of hashtags (126,844); over 2,500 animal species from all over the world make it an exciting day out for children and adults alike. Eilean Donan (98,480) and Stirling Castle (85,052) follow behind, with the former castle winning the Best Heritage Tourism Experience award at the annual Scottish Thistle Awards in 2018.
Visiting Scotland’s most scenic destinations
Scotland’s rich history, vibrant culture, and untouched wilderness capture the interest of millions of visitors every year. From child-friendly days out to weekend breaks, there’s an adventure to suit everyone.It’s only fitting to round out our list with our very own Pitlochry. A spirited town in Perthshire on the edge of Cairngorms National Park, Pitlochry received over 114,000 hashtags and was the 16th most scenic town in Scotland, according to our data.
The town of Pitlochry is also home to the celebrated Green Park Hotel, listed as one of TripAdvisor’s top 25 hotels in Europe in 2022 in their coveted Best of the Best awards, and Scotland’s home of country clothing and independent department store: The House of Bruar.
If you’re heading up to the Scottish Highlands, The House of Bruar store lies just off the A9 and is the perfect place to stop for a taste of premium country attire and more.
