Scotland may be a small country, but its far-reaching cultural legacy and natural beauty have made it a tourist destination for centuries. In recent years, Scotland-based films and shows like Harry Potter, Skyfall and Outlander have created a renewed influx of international tourists. Here, we explore best things to do in Scotland, from the southern border to the Shetland Islands.
The Best Places to Visit in Scotland: The Central Belt
For most international visitors to Scotland, the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh are usually the first port of call. The two cities and the densely populated stretch of land between them, collectively known as "The Central Belt", contain over half the nation’s population and both major international airports.
1. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of the most-visited cities in the world, renowned for its castle and month-long annual arts festival. As Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh is also home to the Scottish National Museum, Art Gallery and Portrait Gallery, all of which are free to visit. For such a site-filled town, Edinburgh is decidedly compact – most of the city centre and major attractions can be explored in two or three days.
2. Glasgow
Despite being only separated by a 45-minute train journey, Edinburgh and Glasgow are markedly different. Glasgow is larger and livelier than Edinburgh. While it may lack Edinburgh’s spectacular geography or looming castle, it’s widely recognised as the nation’s cultural capital - the famous nightlife and food scene make it one of the best places to experience contemporary Scottish life. Glasgow city centre is a living timeline of Scottish history, encompassing medieval houses, gothic university buildings, Victorian tenements, the mid-century Finnieston Crane and the futuristic Riverside Museum.
3. Loch Lomond and Stirling
While Glasgow and Edinburgh are must-visits, tourists who choose to explore the smaller towns of the central belt will be richly rewarded. The compact region is home to some of the most significant sites from Scottish history, including Stirling Castle. This hilltop fortress is the third-most visited site in Scotland, partially due to its spectacular setting, and partially due to its easy accessibility from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. For those looking to explore more of Scotland’s natural beauty, the Loch Lomond National Park is less than an hour’s travel from Glasgow.
The Best Places to Visit in Scotland: The Highlands and Islands
1. Loch Ness
Inverness is Scotland’s northernmost city. The city has an international airport and receives thousands of arrivals every year, chiefly to visit the nearby Loch Ness and catch a glimpse of the resident monster, Nessie. Of Scotland’s 1,500 lakes, Loch Ness is by far the most famous and now supports a thriving tourist economy.
Whether you believe in Nessie or not, Loch Ness is still a strikingly beautiful lake and well worth the journey. The shores of the loch are lined with hiker’s hostels, outdoor vacation companies and sailing spots, making it a popular family holiday destination year-round.
2. Glenfinnan, Oban and Mull
Inverness also serves as a transport hub to more remote sections of the Scottish Highlands, including direct rail transfers to Fort William, Glenfinnan and the North Coast. The train ride over the Glenfinnan Viaduct features in the Harry Potter movies and has seen a renewed interest in visitors to this area over the last twenty years. Nearby Mull is one of the most accessible and populated Hebridean islands, though still contains a wealth of isolated beaches and dramatic clifftop scenery.
3. Islay
Scotch Whisky is produced all over the country, with whisky production broadly grouped into four regions: Highlands, Islands, Speyside and Lowlands. The island of Islay is easily reached from Glasgow and is a must-visit for whisky fans. The small isle is home to nine distilleries - that's one whisky distillery for every 300 residents. Islay Whiskies are world-renowned for their powerful, smoky flavour.
4. The North Coast 500
If you can't decide which corner of the Highlands to visit first, consider following the North Coast 500. Scotland's answer to Route 66, this circular road takes in some of the Highland's most iconic attractions and views, as well as hidden gems, castles and smaller settlements.
The Best Places to Visit in Scotland: The East Coast
As you travel eastwards, the sheer cliffs and splintered islets of the West Coast give way to the rounded peaks and vast open glens of the Scottish East Coast. The landscape becomes shallower, more sweeping, but no less captivating. Eastern Scotland’s sheltered bays and sand dunes have long made it a popular destination for golfers, birdwatchers and walkers.
1. St Andrews
Just north of Edinburgh, the small town of St Andrews is known worldwide as the birthplace of golf, and home to the most prestigious course in the world: the Old Course. For non-golfers, the seaside town also contains one of the world's oldest universities and several early medieval buildings, ensuring a steady stream of tourists, students and golfers through the three streets of the town centre.
2. Northeast Scotland
Northeast Scotland is home to a number of historic castles, from the clifftop ruin of Dunnottar to the still-inhabited royal Palace Balmoral or the baroque Dunrobin Estate. Aberdeen, Scotland’s third largest city, is perfectly positioned as a base camp for exploring the eastern Highlands. Due to its relative seclusion, Aberdeen City and the surrounding Shire have a unique culture, cuisine and dialect (Doric) that makes them well worth exploring.
3. The Cairngorms
The Cairngorms National Park occupies a vast area between Aberdeen and Inverness. The park is known for its mountain range, dense forests, and rare wildlife, including stags, wildcats and pine martens. The Cairngorms are also home to some of the only outdoor ski slopes in the UK. Visiting the outdoor slopes at Glenshee is one of the best things to do Scotland in winter.
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When to Visit Scotland in 2025
1. Burns Night
While St Andrews Day (November 30) may be Scotland’s official national day, Burns Night is the most widely observed celebration of Scottish culture, both in the country and overseas.
Every year on January 25, people come together in homes, community centres, pubs and village halls to commemorate the life and works of the 18th-century poet Robert Burns. Burn’s romantic and political works, often centred around working-class narratives, have made him an enduringly popular figure. January 25 is an essential date in the Scottish calendar. Common to all Burns night celebrations is the Burns dinner, a tripartite stodgefest of haggis, neeps (mashed turnips) and tatties (potatoes), usually served with a glass of whisky. Burns night also provides the chance to try some of Scotland’s other traditional dishes like stovies (mashed potatoes and spiced lamb), cullen skink (a creamy fish soup) and sticky toffee pudding.
Burns Night 2025 falls on a Saturday, making the expected festivities even livelier than usual this year. The largest celebrations are usually planned in Glasgow, Edinburgh and the poet’s home region of Ayrshire. However, pubs, restaurants and dance halls across the country will usually mark the occasion with some form of meal or ceilidh (a traditional celtic dance). If you’re planning a spontaneous trip to Scotland for Burns night, make it easy with a Scotland eSIM.
2. Up Helly Aa, the Shetland Winter Festival
Up Helly Aa is the name given to a series of January celebrations across the Shetland Islands to mark the new year. The largest, in Lerwick, culminates in the ritual burning of a Viking longship. These traditional celebrations are unique to the islands, underlining Shetland's independent culture and Nordic ties. This year, the Lerwick Up Helly Aa will take place on the 28th of January, three days after Burns Night.
When to visit the Highlands and Islands
A particular irony of Highland life is that much of the region’s short summer is also the worst time of year to be outside. Between July and September, the weather may be at its warmest – but it’s also the season of the Highland midge. Individually, these tiny insects are nearly invisible. During late summer, however, they gather in swarms to make life miserable for wildlife and hikers throughout the mainland Highlands. Staying away from the Highland interior during this period is the most effective way to avoid midges. For those determined to venture in regardless, the midge forecast live tracker is an indispensable tool for monitoring local midge conditions throughout the season.
Visiting in early summer will still provide plenty of daylight and possibly even some sunshine, allowing visitors to experience one of the world’s most outstanding regions of natural beauty unimpeded. Coastal regions and islands remain a viable holiday option all year long.
3. The Royal Highland Show
The Royal Highland Show is a major tourist event held every year in Edinburgh, rather than in the Highlands. Conveniently for international visitors, the 200-year-old fair takes place directly outside Edinburgh Airport.
The event highlights traditional Highland music and crafts, as well as serving as a trade show and meeting point for the Scottish agricultural industry. This year, the Royal Highland Show will take place between the 19th and 22nd of June.
4. Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Every August, the streets of Edinburgh become a citywide showcase of live comedy, music, theatre and circus. Nearly every cafe, pub and bar with the space for it will host their own month-long program of entertainment, often for free, while drinking hours are extended across the city to 5am.
Comedians and performers from across the world look to use the Fringe as a springboard to stardom - last year’s Netflix hit Baby Reindeer began life as a one-man Fringe show. The scale of the festival means that accommodation fills up fast and prices can rise quickly – if you’re planning on seeing Edinburgh in August, start looking for places to stay as soon as possible. A simple way to make travel around Edinburgh easier and more affordable is by downloading a Scotland eSIM before going. These downloadable local SIM profiles allow travellers to get online throughout Scotland and the UK, without paying roaming fees.
5. Hogmanay
Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration. The largest celebrations are held in Edinburgh. In recent years, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay party has become a major international tourist attraction, with over 100,000 people gathering to count in the new year under the shadow of the castle.
Further North, Stonehaven hosts one of the country's lesser-known, but most unique New Year's celebrations. Residents of this Aberdeenshire fishing village mark the new year by parading down the high street at midnight swinging flaming braziers around their heads. The free event dates back centuries and is an integral part of Northeastern tradition.
Visiting with a Scotland eSIM
A Scotland eSIM is the easiest way to use mobile data throughout the country without paying roaming charges. These travel eSIMs allow you to connect to our high-speed international network at a cheap local rate, the minute you arrive in Scotland. And if you’re headed south, these eSIMs provide coverage throughout the entirety of the United Kingdom as well, from England and Wales to Northern Ireland.
No more queuing up for a local SIM – just one simple mobile plan that can be downloaded in minutes, and ready to get anywhere throughout Scotland and the UK.
Europe eSIM Data Plans
If you’re planning on visiting more than one European country, a Europe eSIM is often the simplest and most cost-effective way to access the internet while travelling. Valid in 47 European countries including the United Kingdom, a BetterRoaming Europe eSIM allows for smooth travel across the continent on a single prepaid eSIM data plan with no need to switch SIM cards or providers every time you cross a border.
