While Applecross may sound like a pretty Cotswold village Dropdown content, its name is a corruption of the Gaelic for “estuary”- Apor Crosan. In fact, its epic nature earned it a spot in our feature on the world’s most extreme drives Dropdown content, and our overview of the best road-trips in the UK Dropdown content. An exhilarating rollercoaster of a road that connects Torridon to Applecross. Bealach na Bà – in Wester Ross in the Scottish Highlands What you love: “the rustic, remote beauty”īealach na Bà ('Pass of the Cattle') is a bona fide bucket-list beauty spot.

Loch Tummel and Tay Forest Park as seen from Queen's View © grafxart/Shutterstock 8. To make the most of your trip, try a Highlands tour from Edinburgh that takes in Fort William and Loch Ness en route to pretty Pitlochry. Where to stay:īest for foodies and nature-lovers: Pine Trees.įind more places to stay in Perthshire. Meanwhile, mountain biking, canyoning, quad-biking and white-water rafting adventures await in the countryside around nearby Aberfeldy.Ĭonsidering a holiday in the Highlands Dropdown content with kids? Read our guide to family-friendly experiences in the Scottish Highlands Dropdown content. Looking for more pulse-quickening experiences? Go gorge-jumping at Killiecrankie Gorge, which also happens to be the site of one of the bloodiest battles of Jacobean history. Lovers of the glorious outdoors will also want to explore Ben Vrackie (“speckled mountain”), with its 841m summit providing a splendid backdrop to town, and its peak offering fine views of the Beinn a Ghlo range to the north. Pitlochry is certainly one the best places in Scotland for foodies - think distilleries, pubs, restaurants and tearooms - with easy access to a host of rewarding walks and exhilarating outdoor activities Dropdown content.Īfter visiting and sampling the wares of one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries, Blair Athol Distillery, head to Queen’s View for a variety of woodland walks and (you guessed it) excellent views over Loch Tummel. Located in the spectacular Highlands of Perthshire Dropdown content, it’s clear to see why the peaceful, picturesque town of Pitlochry made it into your top ten most beautiful places in Scotland. Pitlochry – in the heart of Scotland What you love: “the wild forests and rivers” Orkney's spectacular Skara Brae settlement © LouieLea/Shutterstock 9. What to do:īased in Inverness? Consider taking a 3-day guided tour to Orkney. Where to stay:īest for cosy convenience: The Stromness Hotel by Paymán Club.īest for fine food and fishing: Merkister Hotel. If hikes are your thing, you’ll want to discover 10 great places to go walking in Scotland Dropdown content. That and the runic graffiti left by the Vikings back in the 12th-century.Īlongside loving Orkney’s spectacular scenery and historic attractions, you also mentioned its excellent opportunities for outdoor adventuring, with one respondent declaring Orkney to have “some of Scotland's best walking routes”. Arguably Europe’s most impressive burial chamber complex, Maes Howe’s most extraordinary feature is the way the tomb aligns with the winter solstice sun. Then there’s the Ring of Brodgar, the monumental Stones of Stenness, and the nearby Maes Howe burial site Dropdown content. Stunningly-sited by the sweeping curve of the Bay of Skaill, the remains of this 5000 year-old fishing and farming village are astoundingly well-preserved, and especially beautiful on bright days. The ancient settlement of Skara Brae is a must-visit. Stromness also happens to be one of the best seaside towns in the UK Dropdown content. The four sites that make up the Heart of Neolithic Orkney near Stromness were awarded World Heritage Site status in 1999. Rich in mystery-shrouded Stone Age sites, Orkney Dropdown contentis a veritable living museum. Orkney – off Scotland's northeastern coast What you love: “the lovely beaches and open scenery”

Nice scenery