Looking for the best small towns in Scotland for a weekend break?
I’ve rounded up 15 of the best small towns in Scotland for a weekend break, from seaside favourites like North Berwick and Oban to Highland gems such as Pitlochry and Callander. Each one includes what to do, where to eat, where to stay, plus a simple 2-night itinerary to make planning easy.
Let’s go!
Jump to: Oban | Pitlochry | St Andrews | Portree | Dunkeld | Fort Augustus | Plockton | Aviemore | Aberfeldy | North Berwick | Callander | Anstruther | Ballater | Linlithgow | Melrose
The best small town for seafood – Oban, Argyll
Best for: seafood, harbour strolls, island-hopping vibes
Oban is a lively waterfront town on Scotland’s west coast known for its harbour, seafood shacks and ferries to the Hebridean Islands.
With incredible views from McCaig’s Tower over the bay, a bustling harbourfront with restaurants and pubs, and a popular distillery, Oban is a great small town for a weekend break.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check in to The Scot (£) No17 The Promenade (££) or Dungallan Country House (£££) then head for a waterfront dinner at The Fish House followed by a sunset walk along the harbour.
- Day 1: Climb up to McCaig’s Tower, Oban distillery visit, grab seafood from the Oban Seafood Hut (Green Shack) on the harbour.
- Day 2: Visit to Dunollie Castle, brunch, final walk by the water, head home.
Public transport? Yes. Take the direct train to Oban from Glasgow Queen Street. Oban is easy to explore on foot.
For lochside walks – Pitlochry, Perthshire
Best for: whisky, cosy weekends, woodland + loch walks
Pitlochry is a classic Victorian Perthshire resort town, with a bustling high street, traditional hotels, and plenty of places to stop for coffee or dinner without needing to drive anywhere once you arrive.
For an easy day out, begin at the Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder, then follow the well-marked woodland paths around beautiful Loch Faskally. Visit Blair Athol Distillery to try local Pitlochry drams.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check in to Pine Trees Hotel (££) or the Atholl Palace (£££), book dinner at The Old Mill Inn.
- Day 1: Explore the Dam walk, dram at Blair Athol Distillery. For a special dinner head to Killiecrankie House.
- Day 2: Brunch, Loch Faskally trails, head home.
Public transport? Yes. Take the train to Pitlochry from Edinburgh or Glasgow, via Perth. The dam and woodlands at Loch Faskally are walkable once you arrive.
The best small town for coastal history – St Andrews, Fife
Best for: history, beaches, lively evenings
St Andrews is a historic coastal town with medieval streets, a compact centre, and a lively atmosphere thanks to the university and year-round visitors.
Begin your weekend with a visit to with St Andrews Cathedral and the castle ruins, then follow the coastal paths down to West Sands Beach for a long walk along the shore.
Then spend the rest of the afternoon browsing the independent shops and cafés in the town centre.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, book into The Arran (££), Seaton House or Kinnettles Hotel & Spa (£££), town stroll, pies and drinks at the classic The Criterion pub.
- Day 1: Cathedral, castle, West Sands walk, relaxed seafood dinner at The Seafood Ristorante.
- Day 2: Brunch, shops and cafés, harbour stroll, head home.
Public transport? Yes. Take the train to Leuchars, then hop on a bus or taxi into St Andrews. The town is very walkable.
For a Skye scenery base – Portree, Isle of Skye
Best for: iconic Skye scenery, dramatic landscapes
Portree is Skye’s main town and the most convenient base on the island, with a colourful harbour, a good choice of restaurants, and easy access to the island’s best-known landscapes.
For a classic Skye day, start with a harbour stroll and viewpoints around town, then head out to the Old Man of Storr for one of the island’s most iconic walks before returning to Portree for dinner.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check into the Bosville Hotel (££) or Skeabost House Hotel or Cuillin Hills Hotel (£££) harbour stroll, dinner at Dulse & Brose.
- Day 1: Coffee at Birch, daytripping to the Old Man of Storr, Lealt Falls, dinner at Scorrybreac Restaurant.
- Day 2: Sligachan Waterfalls, coffee stop in Broadford, head home.
Public transport? Yes, but it takes planning. Travel by train to Inverness or Kyle of Lochalsh and connect by bus to Portree. Services on the island are limited.
For vibrant culture and cakes – Dunkeld, Perthshire
Best for: cafés, small shops, woodland walks
A small Perthshire town which has earned the title of “Best Place to Live in Scotland”, Dunkeld has one of the most vibrant town centres in Scotland, with independent shops and great pubs.
On the outskirts of the town, The Hermitage is one of Scotland’s best short woodland walks with waterfalls and autumn colours. Finish back in town with tea on the riverbank.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check into The Taybank or Dunkeld House Hotel (££) and have dinner at The Taybank Restaurant or if it is a sunny evening on the banks of the river.
- Day 1: Get up early to grab cakes from Aran Bakery, visit the Cathedral, find The Birnam Oak, explore the shops on the high street. For dinner head to Redwood Wines for wine and tapas.
- Day 2: Brunch, visit to The Hermitage, head home.
Public transport? Yes. Take the train to Dunkeld and Birnam. The village is a short walk or taxi ride away. The Hermitage can be accessed on foot from the village via the River Tay (40 minutes)
For a Loch Ness weekend – Fort Augustus, Highlands
Best for: Loch Ness views, canal walks, Highland village feel
Fort Augustus is a small lochside village at the southern end of Loch Ness, best known for its canal locks and views across the water.
Stroll alongside the Caledonian Canal to watch the boats passing through the lock, then out towards the banks of Loch Ness. Then book a Loch Ness cruise, before finishing the day with a relaxed dinner in the village.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check into the Loch Ness Gate House (£) The Lovat, Loch Ness (££) or Lock Chambers (£££), dinner and drinks at The Lock Inn.
- Day 1: Head out on to the loch with Loch Ness Cruises – do you dare try the RIB? Stroll out alongside the Caledonian Canal, dinner at Station Road Restaurant.
- Day 2: Walk a short stretch of the Great Glen Way, brunch, travel home.
Public transport? Yes, bus from Glasgow or Inverness.
→ Plan your visit to Fort Augustus
The best small town for a quiet coastal escape – Plockton, Wester Ross
Best for: quiet coastal escape, sea views, wildlife spotting
Plockton is a small coastal village with a sheltered bay, waterfront cottages and a couple of great pubs. Start with a walk along the harbour and shoreline, then follow the coastal paths just outside the village for sea views back towards the mountains.
Then take a wildlife boat trip, before ending the day with dinner overlooking the water.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check into the Plockton Inn (££), dinner at The Plockon Inn or Plockton Hotel.
- Day 1: Boat trip out on Loch Carron, cosy evening in the pub.
- Day 2: Coffee with a view, final stroll to Plockton Coral Beach, head home.
Public transport? Yes. Take the train to Plockton on the Kyle line via Inverness. The village is easy to explore on foot.
The best small town for an outdoor weekend – Aviemore, Highlands
Best for: Cairngorms adventures, forest trails, fresh-air weekends
Aviemore is an outdoor-focused town with plenty of cafés and restaurants, and quick access to the Cairngorms National Park.
Start with a walk through Rothiemurchus Forest, then head to Loch an Eilein for one of the best easy lochside walks in the area. Then finish with a scenic trip up towards Cairngorm Mountain for views, before returning to town for dinner.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive check into The Cairngorm Hotel (££) or The Balavoulin (££), drinks and dinner at The Old Bridge Inn.
- Day 1: Explore the Rothiemurchus Forest or hike the Loch an Eilein loop. Dinner at Delaneys’ Restaurant.
- Day 2: Brunch, short final forest walk, head home.
Public transport? Yes. Take the train to Aviemore from Edinburgh or Glasgow, via Perth. The town is walkable and local taxis can help with wider National Park access.
→ Plan your visit to The Cairngorm’s National Park
The best small town for a Perthshire base – Aberfeldy
Best for: riverside strolls, distillery visits, a friendly town base
Aberfeldy is a small Highland town on the River Tay, with a good choice of restaurants, bars and cafés.
For a weekend day out, start with a walk along the river and a visit to The Birks of Aberfeldy, made famous by Robert Burns. Then visit Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery for a tasting and tour before finishing the evening in a cosy pub.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check into The Schiehallion Hotel (£) or The Townhouse Aberfeldy (££), dinner at Cidsin Bistro and Gin Bar.
- Day 1: Morning walk to The Birks of Aberfeldy, lunch in town, visit to Aberfeldy Distillery, dinner.
- Day 2: Brunch, riverside stroll, pick up a book at The Watermill, head home.
Public transport? Yes, mainly by bus. Take the train to Perth or Pitlochry and connect by bus to Aberfeldy.
The best small town for a seaside break – North Berwick, East Lothian
Best for: classic seaside break, coastal walks, easy weekend escape
North Berwick is a lovely seaside town with sandy beaches, a busy high street, and some of the best coastal walks close to Edinburgh.
Start with a beach walk from the town centre, then follow the coastal path for views across to the Bass Rock. Then spend the afternoon exploring the harbour area and finishing with dinner and sea views.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check into the Nether Abbey Hotel (££) or the Marine North Berwick (£££), go for a sunset beach walk, dinner at Herringbone or Osteria.
- Day 1: Visit the Scottish Seabird Centre and West Beach, lunch from the Lobster Shack or The Rocketeer, ice cream from Alanda’s Gelateria. Head to The Ship Inn for dinner and drinks.
- Day 2: Coffee, take a rib boat trip along the Forth from the harbour, home.
Public transport? Yes. Take the direct train from Edinburgh to North Berwick. It is one of Scotland’s easiest coastal breaks without a car.
→ Plan a trip to North Berwick
For Trossachs scenery – Callander, Stirlingshire
Best for: Trossachs scenery, lochs, forests, cosy food spots
Callander is a popular small town at the edge of the Trossachs, with great foodie spots and countryside scenery right on the doorstep.
Explore Bracklinn Falls or head out further into the Trossachs to lovely Loch Katrine. Then return to Callander for dinner and a slow evening in one of the great local pubs.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check into the The Waverley Hotel (££) or Thackray House (£££). Go for dinner at Greg’s Bistro.
- Day 1: Explore the lochs of the Trossachs with a visit to Loch Katrine for a trip on a steamship, or climb Ben A’an. Dinner at Scott’s Bistro at Loch Akray (booking essential).
- Day 2: Grab a takeaway lunch from Mhor Bread, head home.
Public transport? Yes, but requires trains and buses. Take the train to Stirling, then travel onward by bus to Callander.
→ Plan your visit to The Trossachs
For harbour-side fish and chips – Anstruther, Fife
Best for: fish & chips, harbour views, coastal path walks
Anstruther is a pretty fishing and harbour town – home to Scotland’s most famous fish & chip shop. However there is so much more to Anstruther than a just a takeaway.
Anstruther is the capital of the East Neuk with its gorgeous villages and is a great spot from which to hike the famous Fife Coastal Path.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check into The Bank (££) or The Waterfront (££), head for dinner at the cosy Dreel Tavern.
- Day 1: Hike the coastal path either to Pittenween or the longer route to the lovely Crail and its harbour. Return for fish and chips in Anstruther harbour.
- Day 2: Café breakfast, final wander, head home.
Public transport? Yes, mostly by bus. Take the train to Leuchars or Kirkcaldy and continue by bus to Anstruther.
→ Plan your visit to Anstruther
The best small town for Deeside – Ballater, Aberdeenshire
Best for: Royal Deeside, local shops, countryside calm
Ballater sits on Royal Deeside at the edge of the Cairngorms, and has strong focus on local food and independent shops.
Start your day with an easy walk in Craigendarroch Oakwoods or walk around Cambus o May, then spend time in the village browsing the small gift shops. Visit Balmoral and the surrounding estate before finishing back in Ballater for dinner.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check into The Barrel (£) or The Balmoral Arms (££), head for dinner at The Balmoral Bar or Rothesay Rooms.
- Day 1: Visit to Balmoral and the Estate to find the Balmoral Pyramids, dinner at the Fish Shop Restaurant
- Day 2: Brunch, final walk at Craigendarroch Oakwoods, head home.
Public transport? Yes, but it is a longer trip. Take the train to Aberdeen, then continue by bus to Ballater.
For palace ruins and loch walks – Linlithgow, West Lothian
Best for: history, palace ruins, easy walks
Linlithgow is a historic small town with an impressive palace in the centre and an easy lochside walk that works perfectly for a short stay.
Start by visiting Linlithgow Palace, then walk the path around Linlithgow Loch for views back towards the town. Then finish with lunch and a relaxed afternoon exploring the high street and cafés.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check into the Linen Bank Residence – Aparthotel, dinner at The West Port Hotel.
- Day 1: Visit Lithlithgow Palace, trip out to Blackness Palace, famous for Outlander, dinner at The Lobster Pot in Blackness.
- Day 2: Brunch, final stroll around the shops, head home.
Public transport? Yes. Take the direct train from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Linlithgow.
The best small town for abbey ruins and Borders views – Melrose, Scottish Borders
Best for: abbey ruins, rolling hills, quiet weekends
Melrose is a Borders town with best known for its abbey and nearby hill walks.
Start with a visit to Melrose Abbey, followed by a visit to Walter Scott’s home Abbotsford, then head up to the Eildon Hills for panoramic views across the Borders countryside. Then return to town for a relaxed café stop and dinner to end the day.
2-night itinerary:
- Night 1: Arrive, check into Burt’s Hotel (££) or The Townhouse Hotel (££), dinner at Burts Hotel.
- Day 1: Visit to Melrose Abbey, Abbotsford, Eildon Hills walk, dinner at Provender.
- Day 2: Brunch, browse shops, head home.
Public transport? Yes, mostly by rail plus bus. Take the train to Tweedbank on the Borders Railway, then continue by bus or taxi to Melrose.
Planning your weekend trip in Scotland’s best small towns
Scotland’s small towns make weekend travel easy. With just two nights you can fit in a few great walks, some proper sightseeing, and long meals without rushing, especially when everything is close together.
If you are choosing one town from this list, start with somewhere that matches your travel time and the kind of weekend you want.
So which small town should you choose?
If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few easy picks depending on the kind of weekend break you want:
- For a coastal escape: North Berwick, Oban Anstruther
- For a cosy Highland-style weekend: Pitlochry, Dunkeld, Ballater
- For island vibes: Portree
- For scenery without the full road-trip planning: Oban, Plockton
- For a car-free trip by train: Pitlochry, Dunkeld, Aviemore, St Andrews
Whichever you choose, these towns are perfect for a 2-night Scotland getaway, with plenty of great food, walks, history, and views packed into a short break.
If you’re planning your trip right now, don’t forget to save this post for later, and check availability early for popular towns like Portree, especially in summer.
Wherever you go, a 2-night trip is enough time to explore, switch off, and come home feeling like you’ve had a proper break.
Kate – love from Scotland x
I’m Kate, the Scotland-based travel writer behind Love from Scotland. I share first-hand destination guides and accommodation recommendations across Scotland. Let me help you plan your best ever trip!