Certainly, one of the most underrated destinations in Europe is Scotland, a real treasure encapsulated into a small country. From stunning architectural monuments and castles to breath-taking scenery, Scotland is simply amazing. For a vacation, this location should not be missed in any way. When people think of Scotland, they only consider their old castles or their most popular towns. This is not a bad start, but it has much more to offer.
Scotland is a perfect country for people who want to admire the wildness and untouched beauty of nature. With many places protected by local authorities, it comes with pristine scenery and islands. Thus, in this article, all those who want adventure will find the perfect places here. Whether it’s a castle on a mountain top or a mysterious bay, this top of Scotland’s locations won’t disappoint our beloved travellers!
Great Castles of Scotland
Due to the desire of the Scottish authorities to keep the architectural monuments in perfect condition, they remain glorious even today. To date, numerous organizations have been set up, which fight with the authorities to preserve the historical monuments. Nowadays, some of the most famous architectural monuments are:
- The ruin of St. Andrew Castle
- Edinburgh Castle
- Stirling Castle
- Loch Ness with the Urquhart Castle
The ruin of St. Andrew Castle
This destination is dedicated to all golf lovers. However, this location offers over 5 link courses in the oldest golf course in the world. The castle at that location also houses the British Golf Museum. Here, people can learn the whole history of this sport over the years and centuries.
Edinburgh Castle
Fans of medieval English architecture will be impressed by this 13th-century building. This monument was erected on top of a basalt stone cliff and offers an unimaginable landscape. Inside the castle, there are also many sights, such as Crown Jewels and the well-known Stone of Destiny. Visitors can also find Edinburgh’s oldest building, St. John’s Chapel. Margaret, with evidence of the year of construction being 1130.
Stirling Castle
Another incredible location, not only from an architectural point of view but also from a historical point of view, is Stirling Castle. It was once the residence of King James V and the home of Mary, Queen of Scots. Here, visitors can admire one of the most beautiful Renaissance-style castles in the UK. Also, this castle has undergone numerous restorations, to be kept in ideal condition, with the help of the Scottish Storytelling Center.
Loch Ness with the Urquhart Castle
Of course, many people, when they hear about Loch Ness, the first thing they think of is the Loch Ness monster. However, there are few connoisseurs of this magnificent area. First of all, the canal that is positioned in that space has one of the most beautiful landscapes. Also next to the canal is the famous Urquhart Castle, on the highest hill. Thus, it guards all the surroundings. Thanks to the state authorities, this 12th-century castle managed to remain almost intact. Despite the fire of the 1700s, it is still a top tourist destination.
Top 5 destinations in Scotland
Of course, not all visitors want to see only the castles of Scotland. You can also have a look at this article about top activities in Scotland. These 5 locations will be the perfect destinations to make a real stay on this spectacular island.
Edinburgh
A trip to Edinburgh, even for a city break, is a great opportunity to enjoy Scotland. The local architecture is extraordinarily restored and preserved, so that tourists can enjoy beautiful buildings. An interesting route is through Grassmarket, where people can admire many Georgian houses. Being an extremely lively city visitors will find many activities, events, and interesting festivals. One of the most anticipated events is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which is an art event.
Glasgo
This town is located on the west side of Scotland, right on the coast. At the European level, this city is one with many museums and galleries with works of art to see. One of the largest arches is the central part, next to the Riverside Museum.
Scottish Highlands
For the hiking side, the Scottish highlands is definitely the perfect place. Here, travellers can take a backpack and admire various magnificent landscapes, where the TV Show Outlander was filmed. The Scottish Highlands route ends with the Caledonian Canal, which is a real focal point of industrial development in Scotland.
Inverness
Another tourist city that attracts thousands and thousands of visitors is Inverness. This town is also included in the Scottish Highlands route, so it is perfectly integrated into an extended trip. During their stay in this city, tourists can take many walks, being a fairly small city. Also, on their way, it is important to reach Inverness Castle, from where you can admire River Ness.
Aberdeen
One last important city is Aberdeen, which is found in many famous series and books. This city is especially known for its cathedral St. Machar. It was built in the 1300s and remains an important landmark of the city today.
Scotland has a lot of places waiting to be discovered by visitors. They can admire not only architectural objects that have withstood the times but also an absolutely breath-taking nature. Thus, all these aspects make Scotland the perfect place for your next vacation or even for a honeymoon full of adventures.