I often get asked for recommendations of where to visit in Scotland – and people usually expect me to recommend Glencoe, Edinburgh or Loch Ness. However, after travelling around Scotland for over 20 years, I have a few favourite areas of Scotland to recommend instead. Planning a trip? Start here!
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1. The East Neuk of Fife
Fancy a lobster roll, beautiful harbour villages, spotting some puffins and a stroll along a beautiful beach? Then you should visit East Neuk of Fife – one of Scotland’s hidden gems.
From the beautiful villages of Elie & Earlsferry with its magnificent beach, to historic Pittenween, St Monans and Crail and golfing paradise Kingsbarns, the East Neuk is in my opinion, one of the prettiest areas of Scotland.
My favourite part? The tiny harbours along the East Neuk are still home to boats landing lobster and crab.
- Do: Watch the beach cricket at Elie, take a RIB to see the puffins on the Isle of May, hike the 113 mile Fife Coastal Path, and visit the monthly Bowhouse food markets.
- Stay: The Shoregate hotel in Crail, the lovely Dreel Cottage in Anstruther, The Inn At Kingsbarns, The Waterfront in the heart of busy Anstruther, go glamping at The Tree Houses at Madeira Pittenweem, or for a bit of luxury, the Old Course Hotel St Andrews.
- Eat at: book early for posh pub grub (the steaks are amazing) at The Kinneuchar Inn, stop for fresh crab and seafood at The East Pier Smokehouse, grab a bench at The Lobster Hut at Crail, or head to The Ship Inn at Elie for dinner with a view of the beach.
The West Highland Peninsulas
The West Highland Peninsulas – Ardnamurchan, Morvern, Ardgour, Moidart, and Sunart are a little bit special. The ‘headland of the great seas’ is the most western part of the British mainland and is beautifully unspoilt, wild and remote and is home to just 2000 people.
Along with some of the best beaches in the country, the West Highland Peninsulas have volcanic landscapes – and have amazing views out to Mull and the Small Isles.
- Do: Walk to one of my favourite beaches in Scotland, Sanna Bay, long the coast from Portuarik, visit the magnificent Castle Tioram, drive to the most westerly part of the UK Ardnamurchan Point and Ardnamurchan Lighthouse from which you can spot dolphins, and visit the Ardnamurchan and Nc’nean distilleries.
- Stay: the Kilchoan Hotel is owned by the Ardnamurchan Estate, the Loch Shiel Hotel and Mingarry Park are at Acharacle. Or go camping! There are great sites at Kilchoan – Ardnamurchan Campsite and at Sunart – Resipole Farm Holiday Park and Sunart Camping.
- Eat at: Mingary Castle Restaurant, Glenuig Inn, The Strontian Restaurant, Ariundle Restaurant, Lochaline Snack Bar.
Read my complete guide to the West Highland Peninsulas.
Assnyt
In the far north west of Scotland, Assynt has otherworldly mountains and white sand beaches, amazing wildlife and tasty pies, so whether you are driving the North Coast 500 or not, a visit to Assynt and Lochinver in Scotland not to be missed.
My favourite things to do in Assynt include climbing Stac Pollaidh and Suilven, two of Scotland’s best hillwalks.
- Do: visit Achmelvich and Clachtoll Beaches, catch the ferry to Handa Island to see puffins and other sea birds, climb the magnificent Stac Pollaidh, eat a Lochinver Pie, visit Ardveck Castle and hike out to Sandwood Bay.
- Stay: Inver Lodge is a luxury hotel, go glamping at North Coast 500 Pods, or check into Achmelvich View self-catering, a cute log cabin in Lochinver. The best spots for those Assynt views? Try the Summer Isles Hotel and the Acheninver Hostel – a fabulous hostel in a location which needs to be seen to be believed!
- Eat at: Lochinver Larder and Peet’s Restaurant in Lochinver, further north visit the The Kylesku Hotel and the Newton Lodge Restaurant, or head to The Old School Restaurant & Rooms or the Eddrachilles Hotel.
Read my complete guide to Assynt
Highland Perthshire
Highland Perthshire is full of beautiful lochs, towering Munros, huge glens and the stunning ancient woodlands of the Trossachs – they don’t call Perthshire Big Tree Country for nothing. Highland Perthshire is most popular for its spectacular Autumn colours, but the region is popular all year round with forest and lochside walks galore.
- Do: take a stroll through the woods at The Hermitage, Dunkeld, hike Ben A’an, a mountain in miniature with an incredible view, take a steamship out onto Loch Katrine, visit the Birks of Aberfeldy – made famous by Robert Burns’ famous 1787 poem, and drive to the end of Scotland’s longest glen, Glen Lyon.
- Stay: the Meikleour Arms Hotel, a boutique coaching inn with a great restaurant, Mhor 84 and its big sister Monachyle Mhor, boutique hotels with great food, Murrayshall Country House Hotel near Scone Palace, or my favourite cool spot, The Taybank Hotel in Dunkeld which has a sauna on the river.
- Eat at: Mhor 84, The Grantully Hotel, The Restaurant at Meikleour Arms, The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, The Taybank Hotel Restaurant or garden which serves pizza on the river, Aran Bakery in Dunkeld.
Read my complete guide to Perthshire and more things to do in Dunkeld.
Speyside
Speyside is 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! All based around Scotland’s famous River Tay, go distillery hopping along the river, or walk the Speyside Way or why not practice your ‘Spey cast’ in the hope of landing a salmon?
- Do: hike the River Spey along the Speyside way, visit a Speyside whisky distillery and Speyside Cooperage, eat shortbread.
- Stay: the whisky themed Mash Tun with its fabulous whisky themed rooms and whisky bar, the Craigellachie Hotel of Speyside, the Highlander Inn offers ‘whisky stays’ where you pay for your room for two nights and get the value back on the bar in whisky! Luxury glamping in the woods at the Dell of Glenlivet.
- Eat at: The Mash Tun Aberlour, TimeSpirit at the Macallan Distillery, Drouthy Cobbler and Orrin in Elgin, Copper Dog, Craigellachie.
- Read my complete guide to Speyside
Read my complete guide to Speyside and Speyside whisky
Frequently asked questions about places to visit in Scotland
What are the most underrated areas of Scotland to visit?
Some of Scotland’s best areas are overlooked in favour of more famous spots. The East Neuk of Fife offers beautiful harbour villages, fresh seafood and puffins without the crowds of Skye. Ardnamurchan on the West Highland Peninsulas is the most westerly point of the British mainland and barely visited. Assynt in the far northwest has some of Scotland’s most dramatic mountain scenery. Speyside is far more than just whisky distilleries. Highland Perthshire has stunning glens, lochs and ancient woodlands within easy reach of the central belt.
What is the East Neuk of Fife?
The East Neuk of Fife is a stretch of beautiful fishing villages along the Fife coast, including Crail, Pittenweem, St Monans, Elie and Anstruther. It’s known for its tiny harbours still landing lobster and crab, excellent seafood restaurants, the chance to spot puffins on the Isle of May, and a magnificent beach at Elie. It’s one of Scotland’s most underrated areas and often called Scotland’s Cornwall.
What is Speyside famous for?
Speyside is Scotland’s most celebrated whisky region, home to more distilleries than anywhere else in the country — including Glenfiddich, The Macallan, Glenlivet and Glenfarclas. The region is also known for the Speyside Way long-distance walking route along the River Spey, some of Scotland’s best salmon fishing, and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival each spring.
What is the best area of Scotland for a first visit?
For a first visit, Highland Perthshire is an excellent choice — it’s within easy reach of both Edinburgh and Glasgow, offers everything from Munro bagging and forest walks to distilleries and beautiful small towns like Dunkeld, and is spectacular in every season. The East Neuk of Fife is perfect for those who want coastal scenery and great food without long drives. Both areas are far less crowded than Skye or Glencoe.
What are the West Highland Peninsulas?
The West Highland Peninsulas — Ardnamurchan, Morvern, Ardgour, Moidart and Sunart — make up the most westerly area of the British mainland. The region is home to just 2,000 people, has some of Scotland’s finest beaches including Sanna Bay, Castle Tioram, and two excellent distilleries at Ardnamurchan and Nc’nean. It’s one of Scotland’s most beautifully unspoilt and remote areas.
What is the best area of Scotland for autumn colours?
Highland Perthshire is Scotland’s autumn colour capital, particularly around Dunkeld, The Hermitage, Glen Lyon and the Trossachs. The ancient woodland of birch, oak and rowan turns gold, red and orange from late September through October. Speyside’s river valley is also spectacular in autumn, as is Glen Affric in the Highlands.
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Love from Scotland x
