The Ultimate Scotland Bucket List

Scotland is one of those countries that truly has it all: nature, history, art, foodie experiences and so much more. Because there is so much to see, it can be a bit daunting to narrow down what exactly tops your Scotland bucket list. Luckily, with the help of other bloggers, we’ve put together a massive Scotland bucket filled with Scottish favorites that you must-see. Plus, we’ve included a few tips to help you plan your trip even more! This post is broken down into three regions: Highlands, Lowlands and Islands. Then within those categories, the sites are listed in alphabetical order. Check out our ultimate Scotland bucket list and enjoy preparing to explore this vast, beautiful country!

HIGHLANDS

BOTHY HIKING

Mags from The Family Freestylers
One of the best ways to experience the incredible wilderness of the Highlands is to hike & stay overnight in a bothy. Bothies are shelters, often an ancient cottage set in the wilds, only accessible by foot. Perfect for those who love outdoor adventures, bothies are a hiker’s dream often set in spectacular scenery, plus incredibly they are absolutely free! Don’t expect luxury. Bothies are basic with limited facilities (many without toilets but equipped with a spade!). Most bothies require a good distance hike in, but there are many excellent bothies only a short walk from the roadside. Be aware you must carry in all food, water & equipment like a good sleeping bag & mat. Bothies are maintained by volunteers & there is a ‘bothy code’ that hikers are asked to respect, such as to replenish kindling & wood before leaving & to carry out rubbish. Bothies are dotted all over Scotland but to head to the true wilderness the Highlands is the best place to start your adventure.

CAIRNGORM MOUNTAINS

Christa from Expedition Wildlife
The Cairngorm Mountains are some of Scotland’s lesser known gems, sitting in the northeast Highlands and boasting its status as the United Kingdom’s largest natural park. The edges of the Cairngorms National Park are dotted with picturesque villages, centuries-old castles, and stunning nature, all encompassed by some of the best hiking and wildlife watching Scotland offers. The trails around Glenmore Forest Park and Abernethy Forest are enjoyable and relaxing, even in the height of summer when tourists abound elsewhere. Using the sweet town of Aviemore as a base, visitors can easily drive on the meandering mountain road toward Cairngorm Mountain to hike near pristine lakes, jaunt along babbling brooks, and even summit challenging mountain peaks. Wildlife love this oasis as well, and the Cairngorms offer some of the best bird watching throughout the springtime, and even winter sees wildlife such as reindeer, mountain hare, capercaillie, and ptarmigan.

CLAVA CAIRNS

Paige from For the Love of Wanderlust
Clava Cairns is an archaeological site located just outside of Inverness, Scotland that contains passage tombs and standing stones that date back 4000 years. Unlike other standing stone or passage tomb sites like Knowth or Stonehenge, you have free reign to explore and wander through these amazing sites. And they’re free to visit as well! Just remember to be super respectful of this important Bronze Age site to keep it that way. There’s wonderful signage telling you more about the site’s history and it actually has a tie to Outlander. It’s one of the standing stone sites that inspired Craig na Dun as it’s located just up from the Battlefield of Culloden.

COLDBACKIE SANDS

Gemma from highlands2hammocks
Okay, picture this. You are driving along the side a mountain, crystal-clear waters on your right and an azure sky above. The green landscape around you is something out of a fairy tale. Unbelievable beauty.
All of a sudden, the greenery on your right opens up. There is a steep drop, at the bottom of which lies the tiniest hint of a beach. Hidden and forgotten. What do you do? Pull over of course! It’s time for an adventure.
Coldbackie Sands lies on the northern coast of Scotland, just outside of the small town of Tongue. Hidden from the road by towering sand dunes, the beach goes quite unnoticed to the thousands of explorers that pile along the North Coast 500 road trip. Upon a quick investigation, however, you will understand why this is a mistake! Explore the resident caves, waterfalls or just unwind on the beautiful, white sands. Heaven!

CRAIGIEVAR CASTLE

Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations
Craigievar Castle looks like something from a fairytale: it’s pink! That alone makes it worth visiting, but so does the inside. Dating from the 17^th century, this Scottish Baronial-style castle is still furnished as if the owners just stepped out for a walk. In fact, the Forbes family lived there for 350 years until the last occupant, William Forbes-Sempill, left in 1963, leaving all the furnishings. That makes it a homey castle: one you can actually imagine living in … if you don’t mind not having electricity or central heating.
Originally built for defense, this “tower house” castle is seven stories tall. The lower levels have massive, thick walls, while the upper levels are prettier and turreted, added when defense wasn’t needed anymore. Craigievar Castle is set in rural Aberdeenshire, off the A980 just south of Alford, about an hour’s drive from Aberdeen.

DOUNE CASTLE

Bret L. + Mary G. from Green Global Travel
Doune may not be the fanciest castle in Scotland, but it’s arguably among the most famous. That’s because it’s Medieval-style architecture has a made it a Hollywood favorite, featured in Ivanhoe (both Liz Taylor’s 1952 film and the 1996 BBC adaptation), Monty Python & the Holy Grail, Game of Thrones (where it was the location for Winterfell), and Outlander. Located in the Stirling district, Doune was originally built for Robert Stewart, the son of King Robert II (grandson of Robert the Bruce, who reigned 1371–1390). The castle eventually became a royal retreat and hunting lodge for the Scottish monarchy– the Stewarts– for centuries. You can take a guided tour of Doune Castle, but we preferred the entertaining audio tour narrated by Monty Python’s Terry Jones. There’s also an alternate audio track narrated by Outlander star Sam Heughan. Both really help to bring the castle’s medieval history to life as you explore its eerily familiar halls and rooms.

EILEAN DONAN CASTLE

Clare from Travels in Peru
Eilean Donan is a 13^th century castle in the western highlands of Scotland a few miles from the bridge to the Isle of Skye.  It was partially destroyed in 1719 but in 1911 restoration work began.
It is one of the most recognised castles in Scotland as it’s one of the most iconic images of Scotland and appears on many calendars and souvenirs.   It has many visitors who stop here on their way to the Isle of Skye.
It is located on an island where 3 lochs meet and is connected to the mainland by a stone bridge which was built in 1932 to give access to the castle.
It is a stunning place to visit, with the castle sitting out in the water and surrounded by the hills of the land around it.  A place you must visit if you are in Scotland.
Stop here on a tour of Isle of Skye. 

FIFE COASTAL PATH

Nicola from Funky Ella’s Travel
The Fife Coastal Path is 117 miles long and curves the coast of the Kingdom of Fife, in the east coast of Scotland. From the Tay Bridge in the north to Kincardine Bridge in the south it passes through the wonderful St. Andrews, as well as the super cute East Neuk and the villages of Aberdour, Kinghorn and Culross. Discover white sandy beaches, back by windswept sand dunes, mighty sea cliffs and ancient red stone rock formations. Spot wildlife such as grey seals and red squirrels and explore castle ruins and historic harbours. This trail is fantastic and worth spending a week to complete, you can stay in one of the towns and there are many restaurants and cafes along the route. Most of the sections are relatively easy but some are steep and slippery go prepared. The Fife Coastal Path is great at any time of year but the spring, when the flowers are beginning to bloom, is just stunning.

FORT GEORGE

Rosilinda of Frequent Traveller
Fort George is a 12-mile drive from Inverness. This imposing artillery fort juts out into the dark waters of the Moray Firth creating a narrow channel, a perfect natural defence.
Fort George was constructed after the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at the battle of Culloden. King George II ordered the creation of the fort to enforce order in the Highlands and deter future Jacobite uprisings.
The face of the Highlands changed as Clan Chiefs were stripped of power and wearing kilts, playing bagpipes and speaking Gaelic was banned.
By the time Fort George was completed the Highlands were peaceful and the fort was never used in battle.
Walking the forts impressive ramparts, peering down into deep defensive ditches and looking out over stunning Moray Firth views, it’s not hard to imagine the life of an 18^th century soldier. Fort George remains a military garrison to this day and houses military museums and exhibits that will have you intrigued for hours.

JACOBITE STEAM TRAIN

Priyanko from Constant Traveller
Even though it is known to hikers as a summit point for Ben Nevis, Fort William to me means something else altogether – a train ride along the original Hogwarts Express, courtesy the Harry Potter movies. In fact, the first thing I did after booking my tickets to the UK was reserve my seat on the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig, a port town on the Scottish Highlands. It was just as well as the train runs on a limited schedule and tickets tend to sell out quickly.
Apart from driving through the now-iconic Glenfinnan viaduct and indulging in all my Potter-related love, the highland beauty and raw nature of the steam train’s journey was yet another highlight of riding the Jacobite Express. It just adds to the experience of riding one of the most iconic trains in all of United Kingdom.
Buy your Jacobite Train tickets here.

LOCH AWE

Ellie from Soul Travel Blog
The third largest fresh-water loch in Scotland, Loch Awe extends for 41kms from end to end. Set in Argyll and Bute, the Loch is famous for trout fishing and ruined castles, although we explored Loch Awe while staying at an eco/self sufficient yoga retreat there.
Loch Awe does live up to its name, and is well worth a detour/stop over while exploring other parts of the western Scottish Highlands. Located on the North Western end of Loch Awe is Kilchurn Castle, one of the Loch’s best known ruins. Built in the 1400’s, the castle is managed by Historic Scotland and well worth a visit for the views of Loch Awe from the top. Less well known castles on Loch Awe include the almost-completely-camouflaged Innis Chonnel Castle and Fincham Castle, dating from the 13th century.

LOCH LOMOND – THE COBBLER

Kate from Love, From Scotland
One of Scotland’s most famous hills, the Cobbler (or to give it its proper name, Ben Arthur) is famous for its distinctive shape and rocky crags – and the challenge of ‘threading the needle’ – jumping across and then scrambling up the pinnacle to stand on the very top of the hill. Starting from the banks of Loch Long near the village of Arrochar, the Cobbler path zigzags up through the forest before popping out into a valley surrounded by towering Munros with views across to Ben Lomond and the rest of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. The Cobbler climb will take you around 4-5 hours return – and you will be climbing up to 884m – so wear walking boots, bring a waterproof jacket and be prepared for the weather to change in an instant! On a good day, the views are absolutely incredible.
Wanna take a cruise on Loch Lomond? Book your tickets here! 

LOCH NESS

Priya from Outside Suburbia
When visiting Edinburgh you can go on a tour to go see the magnificent beauty of Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, the Great Glen, Highland Perthshire and then go looking for Nessie in Loch Ness. Loch Ness is a large, deep, freshwater loch or lake in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately 23 miles southwest of Inverness. Its surface is 52 ft above sea level. Loch Ness is best known for alleged sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, also known affectionately as “Nessie“.  We took a cruise boat around the lake to look for ourselves. The kiddos kept looking for him in vain, our son till this day claims he spotted this elusive monster but I will let you be the judge.
Get your Loch Ness tickets for a cruise + castle tour here.

LOCH OSSIAN

Kathi from Watch Me See
Loch Ossian is the Scottish bucket list destination you have never heard of. Most people would not consider visiting. You can’t get there by car, so why even bother including it into your road trip itinerary, right? But among hikers and nature lovers this unique place in the Scottish Highlands is an absolute winner!
Loch Ossian is a deep blue loch surrounded by high mountain peaks and dark green woodlands. It lies at the edge of Rannoch Moor, a remote moorland plateau in the Highlands. The only way to get here is by train to Corrour station (the mainline railway station in the UK) or on foot/by bike.
There is a small hotel at the station, but I recommend staying at Loch Ossian Youth Hostel, a cosy eco-hostel right by the water. It is the perfect place to disconnect from the bustling tourist destinations all over Scotland.

LOST VALLEY HIKE

Eniko from Travel Hacker Girl
The Lost Valley hike in Glencoe is a lovely 5 km round trip, which can also be suitable for families. Don’t miss it if you are in the Scottish Highlands! Some scrambling is required and there is a part where you will have to cross a stream, but it is all part of the fun. The parking lot is a 30 minutes drive from Fort Williams, making it ideal for a day trip from the town. Arrive early to secure a spot as there are several hiking trails in the area and it can get busy especially during the summer months. Along your way, you will have lovely views of the Three Sisters, some waterfalls and at the end, you will arrive at the Lost Valley. We had the whole place to ourselves. We spent a few minutes there enjoying the peace and quiet and just taking in the beautiful surrounding.

NEW SLAINS CASTLE

Patrick from The German Backpacker
One of the coolest attractions in Scotland are the ruins of New Slains Castle, just a few miles norths of the city of Aberdeen. These ruins are dramatically located on steep cliffs right at the ocean, giving you a breath-taking view. Be careful though, there aren’t any railings and it might get a bit slippery if you get too close to the cliffs. The castle also happens to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel, since the author visited the region two years before publishing his famous book.
Nowadays, there isn’t much left of Slains Castle besides the ruins. Unfortunately, a hundred years ago the roofs were taken off to save taxes, leading to the slow destruction of the castle. What I enjoyed most about Slains Castle is that it’s not very touristic and I was actually the only person visiting!

NORTH COAST 500

Gemma from Two Scots Abroad
Turquoise seas, white sandy beaches, a paradise all to yourself!
You’d think I was describing a remote island in the Maldives but honestly, I am sharing a Scottish secret. Scotland’s Highlands have spectacular beaches for picnics, kayaking and Instagram pics.
Fair enough, the temperatures don’t quite match those in the Maldives and your over the water bungalow is, in fact, a wind/waterproof tent but you can unzip each morning to the sounds of the lapping waves (just hopefully not the rainfall too).
Achmelvich beach is one of Scotland’s top beaches and those doing the NC500 road trip shouldn’t miss this stunning crescent shaped holiday haven.

PUCK’S GLEN

Susanne from Adventures Around Scotland
Puck’s Glen near the town of Dunoon in Scotland, is arguably one of the best short walks in the country.  The circular trail is only about 1 and 3/4 miles, but it is not short on magical scenery.

WALKING THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY

Gemma from A Girl and Her Dog on the Road
If you are looking to spend a week hiking on some wonderfully scenic trails in Scotland, why not consider walking the West Highland Way.  This popular 96-mile multi-day hike starts in Milngavie (pronounced Mill-guy), just outside Glasgow and finishes in Fort William in the Scottish Highlands and is normally completed within 4 to 8 days.
Along the way you will be able to take in the views from Conic Hill, walk along the edge of spectacular Loch Lomond, experience the vast, often bleak, Rannoch Moor and marvel at the dramatic mountains in Glencoe.
Make sure you take a good pair of walking boots, some vaseline to minimise the blisters, plenty insect repellent to help keep the dreaded Scottish midge at bay and lots of good humour to see you through the long days.

LOWLANDS

AURTHUR’S SEAT

Leo from Safari Nomad
If you love panoramic views of a city and watching sunrise or sunset then Arthur’s seat is a good choice for you. This a great option for an activity in Edinburgh.
Arthur’s seat is the highest and the main peak in Holyrood Park, situated in Edinburgh city. Actually, it is a part of the extinct volcano that erupted millions of years ago including a large and well-preserved fort.
Because of its spectacular landscape and breathtaking view, this is a favorite site for tourist and locals alike. There are several trails to reach the peak. The climb up is steep but accessible and for anyone, including kids. 

CALTON HILL

Inma from A World to Travel
Calton Hill offers some of the best views of Edinburgh there are. They are so good that it is advisable to climb both day and night to enjoy both sunrise and sunset, even if you only have 2 days in Edinburgh.

CIRCUS LANE

Isobel from Bel Around the World
In a nondescript alley 1.5 km away from Edinburgh’s old town lies a circular street named Circus Lane. Away from the bustling touristic centre, this is row of residential houses and cobblestone path makes for a nice quiet walk to take in the other side of Edinburgh.
Walking along the length of Circus Lane, you’ll come across Stockbridge, a bridge overlooking gentle streams, beautifully aged English buildings and overgrown shrubbery. Together they make such a perfect harmony of a shot.

CULZEAN CASTLE – STAYING AT THE CASTLE

Lisa from Mindset Yes Family
Spending the night in a castle is the quintessential Scottish experience. I highly recommend The Eisenhower at Culzean Castle. It is located on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland and is steeped in history, some American.
The castle was home to the one of Scotland’s oldest families until 1945 when it was donated to the National Trust of Scotland. One of the stipulations for this gift was that the top floor of the castle be given to General Dwight Eisenhower as a thank you for his war efforts in WWII.
Eisenhower visited here with his family and friends on several occasions. After his death, it was transformed into a hotel with six guest rooms, a dining room, and a drawing room. The grandest of the guest rooms is named the Eisenhower Suite.
During our stay, we enjoyed afternoon tea in the drawing room, a private tour of the castle, access to the castle park grounds, and dinner and breakfast in the dining room. 

DUNFERMLINE PALACE + ABBEY

Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan
Dunfermline Palace and Abbey are the centerpieces of Dunfermline, the ancient capital of Scotland. The abbey was built in the 11th century in the Romanesque style, while the palace is a later addition from the 16th century. Inside the abbey are the tombs of King Robert the Bruce and seven other Scottish kings.

EAT HAGGIS AT THE WORLD’S END

Amber from With Husband in Tow
Throughout the world there are a number of “love it or hate it” dishes. Durian fruit from Asia, hot dogs from the US and yes, the national dish of Scotland: haggis. Haggis is traditionally made from sheep or calf offal (organs), mixed with seasonings, stuffed into animal stomach, and boiled. A dish not for the faint hearted, haggis is served alongside “neeps and tatties,” which is Scottish for mashed potatoes and turnips. While it might sound scary from the outside, the seasoning of the haggis along with a thick, rich gravy makes it a surprisingly enjoyable dish. Like most traditional dishes, it’s best to enjoy haggis in the proper setting. All across Edinburgh, traditional pubs serve up classic dishes like haggis, cullen skink, and of course Scotch eggs. The World’s End Bar on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile is one of the best stops in Edinburgh to experience this dish, which is a must eat in Edinburgh.

EDINBURGH CASTLE

Anisa from Two Traveling Texans
Towering over the city of Edinburgh, perched on top of Castle Rock is Edinburgh Castle.  It’s one of the best places to visit in Scotland because of its history, the Scottish Crown Jewels, and the views.  It was a Royal Palace, King James VI of Scotland/James I of England was born there. Edinburgh Castle was also once a place where they held prisoners of war.  It also has the oldest building in Edinburgh – St. Margaret’s Chapel – and the National War Memorial.
As part of the Crown Jewels you can see the crown and scepter first used for the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543 and the Stone of Destiny.  If you are at the castle at 1 pm, you can see Mons Meg, a large canon, being fired. Be sure to get your tickets for the castle in advance as one million people visit each year!
Get your tickets ahead of time for Edinburgh Castle here. 

THE ELEPHANT HOUSE – THE BIRTHPLACE OF HARRY POTTER

Paige from For the Love of Wanderlust
No Scotland bucket list would be complete without mentioning that Harry Potter was “born” in Edinburgh. J.K. Rowling complied the first two books in various cafes across the city. The Elephant House is the cafe that still functions as such and claims to be ‘The Birthplace of Harry Potter’. Being a massive HP fan, I knew that this was a must on my Edinburgh list. Knowing that my mom was coming to meet us here made it even better because she and I read Harry Potter together throughout my childhood. Not only is there a wonderful tie to Harry Potter, but there’s a stunning view of Edinburgh Castle (which inspired Hogwarts), the cemetery (which names on stones there inspired names of characters) and super yummy food!
Serious about Harry Potter? Check out this Harry Potter Walking Tour.

GOLF AT ST. ANDREWS

Sherrie from Travel by A Sherrie Affair
St. Andrews on the east coast of Scotland has so many amazing aspects.  However, for golfers it is somewhat like the holy grail of golf, in fact it is considered the “Cathedral of Golf”.  This is where it all began and the golf traditions that have been followed for years.  There are a few courses that you can play on, but the Old Course is the legendary course.  Located right in the historic section of St. Andrews and surround by St. Andrews Bay.
The old course is open to the public, however you need to make reservations a year in advance, unless you learnhow to golf on the Old Course without a reservation.  But the experience is one for your memory books.  Don’t forget to buy as many golfing paraphernalia and souvenirs in all the golfing shops!

JEDBURGH ABBEY

Heather from Conversant Traveller
If you’re into crumbling castles and historic ruins, then you should check out the stunning Jedburgh Abbey, in the village of Jedburgh, just 10 miles north of England in the Scottish Borders. It’s an Augustinian abbey and remarkably, despite being attacked several times by raiding armies over the years, it’s still standing 900 years after the foundations were laid by David I. The abbey is one of the most popular tourist sites in the area, and there’s a small visitor centre, and plenty of opportunities for some great photos. Many visitors like to combine a stop here with the three other Borders’ abbeys at Kelso, Dryburgh and Melrose, and there’s a scenic walking trail between them which is a wonderful way to explore.

LINLITHGOW PALACE

ISLANDS

CALLANISH STANDING STONES – ISLE OF LEWIS

Vanessa of Wanderlust Crew
If you’re a fan of Outlander and wondering if those standing stones really do exist, the answer is no. But visiting the Callanish Stones may be the closest you’ll get to Craigh na Dun.
Located atop a hill on the Isle of Lewis, one of the lesser known islands in the Outer Hebrides, the Callanish Stones are an arrangement of stones built in the Neolithic era around 2800 BCE and were used in ritual activity during the Bronze Age.
There are many speculations about what the stones were actually used for, but the truth is we’ll probably never know. They sure are a marvel, standing all these years later. I love that you can actually walk around these standing stones, unlike Stonehenge where you can only see them from behind a fence. There’s also a fantastic cafe on site with delicious food!

CAVE OF MELODIES – ISLE OF STAFFA

Jessica from One Girl, Whole World
The Isle of Staffa is like something out of legend.  Rising up dramatically out of the sea, the tiny uninhabited island (only .12 square miles!) off Scotland’s west coast is famous for its stunning hexagonal (six-sided) stone formations.
It’s also known for being the location of Fingal’s Cave, or Cave of Melodies, made famous by the composer Mendelssohn.  He wrote his “Hebrides Overture” after being inspired by the cave’s acoustics—make sure to do some singing yourself to get the feel!  Depending on when you visit, you’re likely to see adorable seals basking on rocks, and you may get lucky and see nesting puffins as well.
Only a few tour companies do boat tours to Staffa, but it’s totally worth the effort.  You can visit from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, and one goes from Iona as well.

FAIRY GLEN – ISLE OF SKYE

Paige from For the Love of Wanderlust
The Fairy Glen is a series of conical shaped hills that sit down in a valley surrounded by a waterfall on one side and a rock formation that looks like a castle tower on the other with ponds speckled in between. You have to drive up a one-lane dirt road to reach this site and there’s limited parking. While it isn’t an overly crowded site yet, I expect it will be soon, so visiting in the morning will guarantee more parking availability. There’s a dirt path that takes you up and around these hills which inspired awe as you climb up. The hills are covered in ferns and foxgloves that inspire nothing but whimsy. That’s me standing on the first hill we came across, after climbing the first hill I had a smile planted on my face as joy took over while I explored my own personal fairyland.
Interested in visiting the Isle of Skye on a tour? Check out this three day tour of Skye and the Highlands!

FAIRY POOLS – ISLE OF SKYE

Lisanne from Chapter Travel
If you’re looking for an easy trail on the Isle of Skye with beautiful scenery, then you should definitely visit the Fairy Pools. These crystal clear blue pools can be found on the River Brittle, near Carbost on the West of Skye. Not only are they a treat to the eye (and camera), you can also decide to go swimming in these magical pools. But, be aware, the water is freezing cold!
To get to the Fairy Pools you need to do a small hike, which takes about 40 minutes, and the route is the same way there and back. On the way to these pools you get to admire lots of other waterfalls and different pools. It’s the perfect site to visit on the gorgeous Isle of Skye.

HIKING THE QUIRAING – ISLE OF SKYE

Nicky from Go Live Young
This spectacular walk takes you into a fantastic landscape of rocky pinnacles and cliffs, with far reaching views across the Isle of Skye. The dramatic features of this area were created by a series of landslips. The Quiraing is located on the Trotternish Peninsula, to the north of Skye, on the road connecting Uig and Staffin.
Hiking the Quiraing is a 7km circular walk which takes you into the heart of this dramatic scenery, up and over the famous pinnacles. The entire circuit takes approximately 2 hours to hike, with some steep drop offs at times. The landscape and scenery throughout this walk are spectacular. The hike takes you through the rocky pinnacles, one of which is the Needle. Beyond the Needle, is the Table, a flat greasy area, out of sight, in the middle of the Quiraing, surrounded by rocky towers.
The entire circuit should only be hiked in good weather.

RING OF BRODGAR – THE ORKNEY ISLANDS

Maggie from The World Was Here First

While growing in popularity, the stunning Orkney islands off the north coast of Scotland are still considered fairly off the beaten path for those on a longer trip to England, Scotland, and Ireland. While many people might treat Orkney as a day trip, there are numerous natural and archaeological sites to visit on the islands and you could easily spend a number of days here and not get bored.
One of the most popular and incredible sites to visit in Orkney is the Ring of Brodgar. Located on the biggest island of Mainland Orkney and only a short drive from the biggest town of Kirkwall, the Ring of Brodgar is one of the largest standing stone rings in Britain. Though archaeologists have yet to figure out the ring’s actual purpose, this 104-metre ring is truly awe-inspiring.
Though only 27 of the original 60 stones remain standing today, it is still definitely worth a visit when you are in Orkney.

ROADSIDE CAFE w/ AMAZING VIEWS – ISLE OF SKYE

Pola from Jetting Around
It was my second day driving on the Isle of Skye, still getting used to the left side. It was starting to rain and I could have kept on driving aimlessly, glad to look at the misty, grayish-green mountains and lakes. But then I spotted a quirky roadside cafe. “Why not?” I thought, as I parked my bright red car near the entrance.
I was surprised to see the place not only serve coffee, but also double as a bookshop. The friendly owner chatted with me, as I ordered French press and took a seat at the counter by the window.
The day was off to a good start with strong coffee and can’t-believe-I’m here views. I didn’t even know where I was, but I still remember that morning. So if you find yourself driving through Struan, make sure to stop by what is now Bog Myrtle Skye and get that window seat.

TOMB OF THE EAGLES – THE ORKNEY ISLANDS

Helena from Through An Aussie’s Eyes
The Tomb of the Eagles is a Stone Age chambered cairn on the Orkney Islands. Perched on the edge of the South Ronaldsay cliffs, this is one of the Orkney’s top archaeological sites. The Tomb had a collection of bones and artifacts that stretch back to 5,000 years ago. Just down the road from the tomb, is a Bronze Age site that includes the remnants of a stone building.
The reason it is called the Tomb of the Eagles is because there were 14 white-tailed eagle talons found with the human bones. It was the only tomb on the Orkneys that had eagle talons. One of the most interesting things is trying to work out why the eagles played such a significant role in the lives of these people. It is one of those mysterious that we may never find out.

As you can see, Scotland has something for any type of traveler. History buffs, nature lovers, foodies and more will have no issue finding something to explore in this gorgeous country. Tell me, have you been to Scotland? If so, tell me all about your favorite places to explore in Scotland in the comments below!

Booking.com

Did You Enjoy This Post? PIN IT So Others Can Too!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you book with GetYourGuide.com or a room with Booking.com through For the Love of Wanderlust, you will help me stay on the road + keep my site running at no additional cost for you.