Planning your trip to Scotland? Here are my guides to my favourite regions, towns and villages to visit
Regions of Scotland to visit
How to visit: Aberdeenshire
With 265 castles, 165 miles of dramatic coastline & one very famous Count (Dracula, that is) here is why you should visit Aberdeenshire.
How to visit: Angus
With glacial glens, beautiful beaches and as much fresh fish as you can eat, here is how to visit Angus.
How to visit: Ardnamurchan (and the West Highland Peninsulas)
Let me introduce you to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, one of Scotland’s true hidden gems. Here are my things to do in Ardnamurchan.
How to visit: Argyll and Bute
My guide to visiting Argyll and Bute from Oban to the Cowal Peninsula, the Isle of Bute, to Inveraray and island hopping to the Hebridean Islands.
How to visit: Assynt and Lochinver
With otherworldly mountains and white sand beaches, amazing wildlife and tasty pies Assynt and Lochinver is one of Scotland’s most spectacular regions. Here is how to visit.
How to visit: Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a land of vast vistas, sweeping coves, iconic castles, stunning islands and one very famous poet. Here is how to visit Ayrshire.
How to visit: Caithness
The most northerly part of the UK, Caithness has a dramatic coastline, stunning beaches and is part of the famous North Coast 500. Here’s my guide to visiting Caithness.
How to visit: Cowal
The Cowal Peninsula forms part of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and sits on Loch Fyne – here’s how to visit Argyll’s secret coast.
How to visit: Dumfries and Galloway
From the Mull of Galloway to the the Machar Peninsula and the Solway Firth, here’s how to visit Dumfries and Galloway.
How to visit: Fife
Voted ‘No 1 outdoor destination’ in Scotland by Scottish Natural Heritage eight years in a row; it’s no wonder I spend a lot of time in Fife. Here’s the best things to do in Fife.
How to visit: Orkney
Visit Orkney – with stone-age villages and huge seascapes, a trip to Orkney in north-east Scotland is a dip into 5000 years of history.
How to visit: Outer Hebrides
A visit to the Outer Hebrides makes for an incredible adventure playground where you can go horse riding on stunning beaches on South Uist, kayaking around a castle on Barra, and mountain biking in the mountains of Harris.
How to visit: Perthshire
Perthshire is full of beautiful lochs, towering Munros, huge glens and stunning woodlands of the Trossachs – they don’t call Perthshire Big Tree Country for nothing.
How to visit: Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire
On the River Dee are the pretty towns of Braemar, Ballater, Aboyne & Banchory. With royal connections, here is what to do in Royal Deeside
How to visit: Speyside
Speyside might be a hallowed destination for whisky lovers, but the region is a fabulous place to visit even if you don’t indulge in a few drams! Here is my guide to things to do in Speyside.
How to visit: the Isle of Arran
Located in the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Arran is one of Scotland’s most accessible islands which makes it perfect for a weekend away.
How to visit: the Scottish Borders
Scotland starts here! From alpacas to mountain biking, here are my favourite things to do in the Scottish Borders and Midlothian.
How to visit: Wester Ross
A guide to visiting Wester Ross, one of the world’s most spectacular regions.
Towns and villages to visit
10+ things to do at Balmaha, Loch Lomond
On the eastern banks of Loch Lomond is the popular village of Balmaha and the iconic Conic Hill. Here are the best things to do at Balmaha.
10+ things to do at Loch Ness & Fort Augustus
Beyond the day tripping tour buses and hoards of Nessie hunters lies the real Loch Ness…
10+ things to do in Aberdeen
With quirky villages, street art, dolphins and fine food, Aberdeen should be on your radar on a visit to the North East of Scotland.
10+ things to do in Dunfermline
Scotland’s newest city, Dunfermline was once the ancient capital of Scotland. Here are the best things to do in Dunfermline.
10+ things to do in Edinburgh
We all know how easy it to fall into the trap of visiting the ‘top ten’ places – here are my favourite things to do in Edinburgh.
10+ things to do in Fort William
Often called the outdoor capital of the UK, and home to Ben Nevis, here are the best things to do in Fort William.
10+ things to do in Glasgow
Forget everything you thought you knew about Glasgow. With a lively music scene, a huge art community and people who can make a party out anything, here’s what to do in Glasgow.
10+ things to do in Inveraray, Argyll
On the banks of beautiful Loch Fyne sits Inveraray. Here are the best things to do in Inveraray from Dun na Cuaiche to Inveraray Castle.
10+ things to do in Inverness
Sitting on the Caledonian Canal and the River Ness, Inverness is the capital of the Highlands of Scotland. Here is what to do in Inverness.
10+ things to do in Perth
Sitting on the banks of the beautiful River Tay, Scotland’s Fair City was once Scotland’s capital. Here are 10+ things to do in Perth Scotland
10+ things to do in Thurso, Caithness
A popular stop on the North Coast 500, or before a trip to Orkney, the area around Thurso is full of fantastic hidden gems.
10+ things to do in Ullapool, Wester Ross
Sitting on Loch Broom on the North Coast 500 is the pretty highland village of Ullapool. Here are the best things to do in Ullapool.
How to visit: Spectacular Sutherland
From Cape Wrath to the tip of Ben Hope, Scotland’s most northerly Munro, Sutherland takes in some of Scotland’s most dramatic coastal scenery – here is how to visit.