Things not to Miss

Rough Guides Editors

5/7/2019

#01 Eigg

© JoshoJosho/Shutterstock

#02 Hogmanay

New Year celebrations, with whisky, dancing and fireworks staving off the midwinter chill.

© PK Perspective/Shutterstock

#03 The Cairngorm mountains

Natural splendour and terrific outdoor activities.

© Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock

#04 Gearrannan, Lewis

Stay in the thatched blackhouse hostel in this beautifully restored former crofting village.

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#05 Melrose Abbey

Ruined Cistercian abbey situated in the most beguiling of Border towns.

© Richard Melichar/Shutterstock

#06 Tobermory

The main town on the beautiful island of Mull, and Scotland’s most picturesque fishing port.

© James McKay/Shutterstock

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#07 Scottish Parliament

Enric Miralles’ startling, contemporary design has transformed the old Holyrood area of Edinburgh.

#08 Glen Coe

Moody, poignant and spectacular glen within easy reach of Fort William.

© A Jellema/Shutterstock

#09 Staffa and the Treshnish Isles

View the basalt columns of Staffa’s Fingal’s Cave from the sea, and then picnic beside the puffins on the Isle of Lunga.

© Aelice/Shutterstock

#10 Edinburgh Festival

The world’s biggest festival of theatre and the arts transforms Edinburgh every August.

© Tana888/Shutterstock

#11 Islay

Hebridean island with no fewer than seven whisky distilleries, and wonderfully varied birdlife that includes thousands of wintering geese.

#12 Jarlshof, Shetland

An exceptional archeological site taking in Bronze Age, Iron Age, Pictish, Viking and medieval remains.

#13 Shetland Folk Festival

Shetland is the place to experience traditional folk music, and the annual Folk Festival is the best time to do it.

#14 Pubs

Forget the great outdoors and install yourself in one of Scotland’s cosy and convivial hostelries.

#15 Glasgow School of Art

Finest example of the unique style of Glasgow architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

#16 Burrell Collection, Glasgow

An unconventional but impressive museum at the heart of Glasgow’s cultural renaissance.

#17 Mousa, Shetland

The mother of all Iron Age brochs, on an island off the coast of Shetland.

#18 Edinburgh Old Town

Lose yourself in the capital’s medieval cobbled streets and closes.

#19 Stirling Castle

The grandest castle in Scotland, with a commanding outlook over Highlands and Lowlands.

© mountaintreks/Shutterstock

#20 Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Treasures including the ivory Lewis chessmen are housed in this striking modern museum.

© Heartland Arts/Shutterstock

#21 South Harris beaches

Take your pick of deserted golden beaches in South Harris, or further south in the Uists.

#22 Iona

The home of Celtic Christian spirituality, an island of pilgrimage today as in antiquity.

Iona Abbey, Scotland © Heartland Arts/Shutterstock

#23 Caledonian forest

Among the gnarled survivors of the great ancient forests you’ll find one of Scotland’s largest populations of the elusive red squirrel.

#24 Dunnottar Castle

Memorably dramatic ruined fortress, surrounded by giddy sea cliffs.

© aiaikawa/Shutterstock

#25 Calanais, Lewis

Prehistoric standing stones that occupy a serene setting in the Western Isles.

Travel advice for Scotland

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