Tourist Map of Scotland: Things to Do

There is no single ‘most beautiful’ part of Scotland, but there are a few areas that are widely regarded as being particularly beautiful. These include the Isle of Skye (especially the Quiraing), Glencoe, Loch Lomond, Glenfinnan, and the Isle of Lewis and Harris.

Other places that are considered amongst the most beautiful in Scotland are Edinburgh for its atmospheric medieval buildings, Cairngorm National Park for its dramatic mountain ranges, and Pitlochry for its unspoilt forests.

Must-do’s for anyone visiting Scotland include Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle, the Isle of Skye (especially the Quiraing, the Fairy Pools, and the Storr), Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, Loch Ness, and the Cairngorm National Park.

Visitors on an extended tour of Scotland should try to include; Glasgow city centre, Stirling Castle, Ben Nevis, the Isles of Mull and Islay, and the North Coast 500 route.

The best area to stay in depends on how long you intend to spend in Scotland and where you will be travelling to.

Edinburgh is a recommended place to stay to explore the city, the Scottish Borders, and Central Scotland.
Glasgow is a recommended place to stay to explore the city, the Trossachs, Strathclyde, and Dumfries & Galloway.
Portree is a recommended place to stay to explore the Isle of Skye.
Fort William is a recommended place to stay to explore the Highlands.
Inverness is a recommended place to stay to explore the North Highlands.

The best time to visit Scotland depends on where you will be visiting, however, May is usually warm, midge-free, has low average rainfall, and is cheaper as it is out of the peak tourist season.

The two largest cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow have many attractions within a small area which can be enjoyed at all times of the year, and Edinburgh, in particular, has superb Christmas festivals in December.

The Highlands are extraordinarily beautiful in summer (June to August) but they are often plagued by midges. May and September in the Highlands see warm temperatures, fewer midges, and fewer tourists than in summer. Winter is generally best avoided for all but the most hardened hillwalkers.