The Best Non-Touristy Places in Scotland

Each year, around 14 million visitors come to Scotland to explore the country’s top tourist attractions, with destinations like Edinburgh Castle welcoming over 2 million tourists annually. While these attractions are fantastic places to visit, fighting your way through heaving crowds can be a real chore, and they can be frightening for people with anxiety issues.

Discover how to escape the monstrous crowds in the busiest attractions with this ultimate guide to the best non-touristy places to visit in Scotland.

The Isle of Arran

Yes, I know Arran gets very busy in the summer. But travel there out of season, and you’ll find this lovely island on the west coast is rather quiet.

The Isle of Arran lies to the west of Glasgow in the Firth of Clyde, which makes it one of the easiest west coast islands to visit, and yet it’s large enough that you can head to its extremities and feel like you’re completely isolated from the rest of civilization.

Arran is one of the larger Scottish islands at 167 square miles, and it’s often referred to as ‘Scotland in miniature’ thanks to the mountains, forests, and beaches that comprise the stunning landscape. It’s easy to lose yourself in the wilds of Arran, and enough is going on in the towns and villages dotted about that you won’t get bored even if you decide to spend a week or two there.

If you really want to get your adrenaline pumping, you can try gorge walking, rock climbing, kayaking, or just get your boots on for a spot of hiking up the stunning mountains that can be found in the north of the island. The largest of these peaks is Goatfell, an 874-metre mountain (specifically, a Corbett) that’s managed by the National Trust for Scotland and offers superb walks for any nature lover who fancies a challenge.

The most commonly used route (and the one I recommend) to the top of Goatfell starts near Brodick Castle and runs for 3 miles through forest and moorland to a viewpoint that offers beautiful panoramic views across the island.

Another good walk is the one to the Historic Environment Scotland-managed Machrie Moor. Visit Machrie Moor, and you’ll find six large and very mysterious stone circles that date from prehistoric times. Some of these circles are made from granite boulders, while others are made from sandstone pillars, and while we might never understand the original purpose for the stones, we can at least enjoy walking around them on the one-hour walk across the desolate moorland that surrounds them.

The scenic countryside of Arran is perfect for horseback riding, and luckily there are a couple of riding centres on the island, but if you prefer your saddle on top of two wheels, you can hire a bike instead.

There are excellent cycling trails around the island that allow you to see the sights up close, but I’d say the coast road from Machrie to Lochranza is one of the best, mainly because it’s relatively flat and there’s little traffic on it. In fact, this road is so highly regarded that it has been designated as a tourist attraction in itself, which I cover in The Arran Coastal Way.

Finally, for the ultimate secluded getaway, I highly recommend visiting Holy Island which is situated off the east coast of Arran. Holy Isle is a privately run island that has a long history as a hermit’s refuge, while in modern-day times it’s used as a Buddhist retreat. It’s a genuinely beautiful place, so if you’d like to know more about it, read The Holy Isle.

The Isle of Mull

The Inner Hebridean Isle of Mull is the third-largest island in Scotland and is home to a wide variety of tourist attractions, with pretty harbour towns nestled along the rugged coastline and spectacular mountain landscapes in the island’s centre that attract visitors from across the UK and beyond. With some of the cleanest beaches in Scotland and some of the most diverse wildlife species in Britain, Mull has plenty to offer tourists who are looking for a taste of the great outdoors.

But while other large west-coast islands are completely jam-packed with tourists throughout the year (*cough* Skye *cough*), Mull is quieter and just as pretty. I’ll add one caveat to that statement, though. As with most places in Scotland, Mull is fairly quiet throughout the year, except for the peak tourist season in the summer.

From the start of May to the end of August, expect to find just as many tourists on Mull as any other large west coast island, but thankfully, their numbers decrease substantially from September to April.

One feather in this Hebridean island’s cap is that it’s very easy to get to due to the frequent ferries that sail there from Oban, and because many international visitors prefer travelling to Skye, tourism on Mull remains well-managed. In fact, taking a hike into the mountain peaks on Mull could mean you won’t see another person all day, so if you’re after peace and seclusion, you could certainly do a lot worse than visit this lovely island.

One of the best outdoor attractions on Mull is Ben More, the 3,169-foot mountain that dominates the island’s interior. This mountain (it’s actually a Munro, a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet) is absolutely vast, and climbing it is, to say the least, a challenge.

Not only is Ben More the highest mountain on the island, but it’s one of the highest in the Inner Hebrides, beaten only by the peaks of the Black Cuillin’s on Skye. But although the mountain can’t take credit for being the tallest, I have to say it wins the award for having the most impressive panorama, with the view from the top encompassing the Sound of Mull, the islands of Staffa and Ulva, and the Isle of Skye.

While the hike to the top is tough (very tough if you approach it from the south) the views on the way up are nothing short of breathtaking, and on a clear day you can see for miles in all directions and even across to Ben Cruachan on the mainland.

Another secluded highlight of Mull is Calgary Bay, which is located on the west side of the island. This incredibly charming and remote bay has a wide expanse of white sand, some of the clearest seawater you’ll ever see, and a delightful woodland sculpture walk.

The bay is a haven for wildlife and you can pretty much guarantee you’ll either see otters swimming about on the hunt for their next meal or seals lazing around on the nearby rocks. No wonder the beach has been voted amongst the top 20 in the country.

The Carsaig Arches are well worth visiting too, but only if you’re relatively fit and don’t mind a challenging scramble over rocks. The arches themselves are sea caves that have been carved through the cliff faces by the power of the crashing waves, and while they’re certainly impressive, the difficulty of the trail turns away many tourists.

The route starts at Carsaig Pier which is very picturesque, and you’ll more than likely see colonies of seals soaking up the sun on the exposed rocks jutting out of Carsaig Bay. After waving goodbye to the seals you’ll walk along rocky beaches and boggy grassland while following a boulder-strewn goat track, in between scurrying across waterfalls and traversing narrow clifftop paths before arriving at the dramatic arches.

Recommended places to visit near Mull are the Isle of Ulva (lovely walks) and the Isle of Iona (home to the famous Iona Abbey), with both islands accessible by ferries. Ulva is a very, very quiet place that offers sublime coastal walks, while Iona is rather more tourist-focused due to people making pilgrimages to the abbey.

To sum up, I have to say I personally love Mull, not only for its landscapes but for the seclusion it offers. It has 90% of the beauty of Skye but 50% fewer tourists, which makes it 100% my favourite island on the entire west coast.

The Isle of Eigg

With a total area of only 12 square miles, the Isle of Eigg is one of the smaller Hebridean islands situated on Scotland’s west coast, but it has one of the most interesting histories. This remote location is one of the least-visited western isles – which is surprising seeing as it’s so close to the ever-popular Isle of Skye – but its small tourism industry only adds to its charm.

People have been living on Eigg (pronounced ‘egg’) since the Bronze Age, and traces of ancient weapons including knives, axes, and arrowheads, have been dated to the Neolithic era, so in many ways, it has a lot of similarities to the islands of Orkney and Shetland. But where those islands are quite desolate, Eigg has plenty of woodlands to complement its wild and remote areas.

Arguably the most beautiful part of the island (and one of the most beautiful places in Scotland in my opinion) is the moorland plateau in its centre, which rises nearly 400 metres at An Sgurr, the enormous sheer-sided pitchstone pinnacle that dominates the island and offers amazing views from the top.

It’s possible to walk to the top of this rocky outcrop, and if you do, you’ll have fantastic views across to the Islands of Mull, Coll, Muck, Rum, and Skye – at least in good weather. Attempt the climb on a misty day, and the views will be a lot less interesting.

There are only around 100 inhabitants on Eigg, which makes it perfect for travellers looking to find some peace and quiet in the Western Isles. That being said, the summer months do see an increase in the number of visitors due to the ferry routes from the mainland fishing port of Mallaig and the village of Arisaig on the mainland.

One of the most interesting facts about Eigg is that it’s owned and managed by a trust that comprises a number of the local residents as well as the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Highland Council. Between them, they’ve managed to increase the population from around 65 to just over 100 in the last 7 years.

That’s not a huge population by any means, but this is an island that thrives on staying small enough to sustain itself, something that can be seen in the fact that it’s completely powered by renewable energy – something the highly populated areas of Scotland can only dream about.

If you manage to get onto the island to explore it for yourself, you’ll find a few modern amenities that cater to visitors, such as a restaurant and bar near the ferry jetty. But the best reason to go there is to just get out and explore it on foot.

That’s really the only way you’re going to get to see the majority of the bird species that live on Eigg, and if you take your binoculars (link to binocular reviews), you’ll be in for a treat as the island has breeding populations of falcons, kestrels, owls, and even golden eagles swooping over the majority of its landscape.

There are also a couple of stunning white-sand beaches on the western side of the island, notably at the Bay of Laig and the Singing Sands. Reaching either on foot is almost impossible on a day trip but if you hire a bike from the Eigg ferry terminal you’ll have at least a couple of hours on the beaches before making the return cycle ride back to the ferry.

The Isles of St. Kilda

If you’re looking to get away from the tourist hordes, you won’t go far wrong with a trip to the spectacular volcanic archipelago of St. Kilda. Situated off the western edge of the Outer Hebrides, St. Kilda comprises four separate islands: Hirta, Dun, Soay, and Boreray, with the largest island, Hirta, being the destination most favoured by the few tourists who actually manage to get to the islands.

Travelling to this remote part of Scotland involves a lot of effort due to the fact it’s located over 40 miles west of North Uist (which already lies on the edge of the Outer Hebrides). The biggest St. Kilda tour operator departs from the slightly nearer Isle of Skye, which is still a relatively remote destination to travel to.

Walking on St. Kilda is an experience you’re not likely to forget thanks to some of the highest cliffs in Europe which are home to nearly one million seabirds including puffins and gannets, as well as several rare and endangered species of birds and mammals.

There are sheep that are unchanged from the type that was first introduced during the Iron Age, a type of wren that is only found on St. Kilda, and a species of field mouse that has somehow managed to grow to twice the size of its mainland cousins.

While St. Kilda is renowned for its wildlife it also has plenty to offer visitors interested in human history thanks to the remains of human occupation that can be found throughout the islands, some of which date back over 4,000 years. That’s pretty amazing, but what’s even more amazing is the fact that an entire community continued to live on Hirta right up until 1930 when a combination of illness and the aftermath of WWI caused them to evacuate to the mainland.

Today, St. Kilda has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and although it’s uninhabited, you can still experience what life would have been like for those hardy souls in days gone by. If you want to see history and wildlife in one of the most unique places in Scotland, these remote islands on the far-western edge of the country have to be at the top of your sightseeing itinerary.

The Isle of Tiree

The Isle of Tiree on the western edge of the Inner Hebrides seems to have gone unnoticed by international visitors, although it does get busy in summer due to its multitude of golden beaches (read The Beaches on Tiree for more information).

These beaches run almost uninterrupted around its perimeter, and because the island is so flat, many of them have very shallow bays where you can walk far out into the sea with the waves only just lapping up to your knees.

Although it can be incredibly windy because it’s so flat, Tiree has some of the highest levels of sunshine recorded anywhere in the United Kingdom, and on a summer day, you could easily be forgiven for thinking you’re sitting on a beach somewhere in the Mediterranean. And even better, because it’s such an off-the-beaten-track destination you can often find yourself sunbathing on those stunning beaches completely alone, apart from the odd seagull or two.

Be aware there are a couple of times during the year when visitor numbers really pick up, which are the Tiree Music Festival in July and the Tiree Wave Classic windsurfing event in October, although these events only last a week each.

You could quite easily walk around the entire coastline of Tiree if you want to take a walking and camping holiday as it’s only 46 miles from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll find the remains of more than twenty Iron Age fortresses, with the huge stone structure (known as a ‘broch’) at Dun Mor Bhalla being the best preserved on the island.

Not only does Tiree have oodles of history but there’s lots of wildlife to see thanks to the enormous colonies of birds that live on the island, with noisy gannets and fulmars filling the skies alongside rather more subdued lapwings and skylarks. You’ll also see seals and dolphins with young pups and calves taking shelter in the shallow bays around the coastline, notably at Caolas on the isle’s northern tip which overlooks the two equally scenic islands of Gunna and Coll.

Peebles

This historic town is located just 23 miles south of Edinburgh in the very peaceful Borders countryside, where it offers lots of outdoor activities including fishing, golf, cycling, and horseback riding.

The best reason to visit Peebles is to use it as a gateway into one of Scotland’s prettiest regions, which is also blissfully free of crowds. This is because it’s close to Edinburgh and most international visitors prefer to head into the Highlands after a visit to the capital city, which means there are fewer tourists exploring the Scottish Borders.

Peebles is an old market town (it has been a Royal Burgh since 1152) that lies at the junction of the River Tweed and Eddleston Water, and many of the mediaeval closes and alleyways have remained virtually unchanged since the 12th century. There are lots of quaint shops to stroll past in the old High Street, and there are plenty of places to stop and eat in the town centre before heading down to the peaceful walkways that run alongside the River Tweed.

If you have the time, you won’t go far wrong with the Peebles Town Trail which offers an interesting stroll through the history of the town as well as the area surrounding the river. The river is pretty much the heart of Peebles, and if you like salmon fishing, you’ll definitely want to visit it.

The Borders area is a biking hotspot, and one of my favourite cycle routes is the Tweed Cycleway which runs across 90 miles of unspoilt countryside between the towns of Biggar and Berwick-Upon-Tweed, with Peebles sitting roughly in the middle. You don’t have to stick to roads though, and if you have a mountain bike you can go slightly off-track and head into the forests at Glentress, Cardrona and Elibank, with Glentress offering some truly awesome mountain bike trails.

In fact, Glentress is frequently rated as one of the best mountain biking destinations in Britain thanks to its downhill tracks which offer a challenge for both novice riders and experts.

Peebles also has lots of walking routes that pass through southern Scotland’s hills and forests, including the John Buchan Way which offers an easy walk across 13 miles of countryside. The town is also close to one of Scotland’s best walking routes, the Southern Upland Way, which starts at Portpatrick and ends at Cockburnspath.

Perth

There has been a settlement in the area of Perth since prehistoric times, and it’s known that tribes of hunter-gatherers lived there over 8,000 years ago, which is pretty amazing considering that’s 3,000 years before Stonehenge was built.

This is one city in Scotland that drips with history, and yet in all the times I’ve been there, I’ve never seen a big group of tourists walking around it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like there are no visitors to this city, but it’s undoubtedly low on the list of Scotland’s tourist hot spots. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth adding to your sightseeing itinerary.

The city is split down the middle by the River Tay, which is very picturesque, while the city centre is great for shopping and has lots of restaurants and bars to keep visitors occupied in the evening. But what I think makes Perth the perfect city to visit for a quiet holiday is that it makes a fantastic base to explore central Scotland.

The first stop I’d recommend you make is Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park which lies to the east of Perth. If you take a walk to the top of Kinnoull Hill (which is the highest peak inside the park), you’ll be rewarded with amazing views from the top, but be aware that there are cliff faces partway around the hill with sheer drops of 150 metres.

The lower level of the park has several cycle trails running through it as well as several footpaths, and not only is the woodland inside lovely to stroll through, but it’s very quiet mid-week.

One nearby attraction that’s worth visiting is Branklyn Garden, a 2-acre National Trust garden that’s home to many plant species collected from across the globe that have been pruned and trimmed to perfection for nearly one hundred years.

A little further away from Perth is the town of Dunkeld, which also lies on the banks of the River Tay. The forests around Dunkeld are known as ‘big tree country‘ and there’s more woodland in this part of the country than anywhere else in Scotland. One of the best sites in the big tree country is The Hermitage which is an oasis of Douglas Firs bordering the grounds of Dunkeld House.

The hermitage is famous for having some of the tallest trees in Scotland, as well as salmon that jump up the waterfalls of the River Braan on their way to their spawning grounds. It’s a truly wonderful place to visit for nature lovers.

Heading back into Dunkeld, you can walk along the banks of the river before relaxing in one of the coffee shops in the quaint little town square. If there’s enough time left in your day, you can then visit Dunkeld Cathedral which is a part-ruined 14th-century cathedral that’s still in use today.

The Solway Firth

Situated on the southern edge of Dumfries and Galloway, the Solway Firth forms part of the border between England and Scotland. Many tourists bypass this scenic area as they make their way north to Glasgow or south to Hadrian’s Wall, which is surprising as it’s one of the best places in Scotland for wildlife watching.

The entire Solway Coast is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and there are plenty of places to explore, but my personal recommendation is to head to the National Nature Reserve at Caerlaverock (check out my guide to Caerlaverock Castle before you go).

Caerlaverock Reserve covers over 21 square miles of salt marsh, mudflats, grazing land, and beach, and there are over 130,000 birds on the site at any one time. More than enough to keep your binoculars glued to your face for a few hours.

If you prefer peaceful walks in the countryside, then the Annandale Way starts (or finishes, depending on your direction) in the Solway Firth, with the other endpoint around 56 miles away in the Moffat Hills. You can do the entire route on foot, but it’ll take around 5 days to complete, so if you’re a bit lazy like me, you might want to do a short section at a time instead.

Because the estuary is so flat, you’ll see vast salt and mud flats open up once the tide moves out, which might tempt you to get your wellies on and go for a walk out there. But be warned, there are several patches of quicksand that have been known to catch out unwary hikers.

Although the Solway Firth is a bit lacking when it comes to cycle routes, there are lots of footpaths on both the English and Scottish sides, so I recommend taking a look at the official Solway Coast website to plan your visit (although the site concentrates on the English side). An alternative resource is Walk Highlands which details several walks in Dumfries and Galloway close to the Solway Firth.

East Lothian

East Lothian is a beautiful county in the southeast of Scotland that’s frequently bypassed by visiting tourists who tend to make a beeline for the historic city of Edinburgh, which lies immediately to the west. That’s a shame, as the county has one of the nicest coastlines in Scotland and has a picturesque landscape that’s comprised of a mix of open countryside, woodland, and rolling hills.

If you’re planning a trip to East Lothian, here are some of the top tourist attractions, towns, and beaches that you should visit to avoid crowds.

Tantallon Castle: Dating back to the 1300s, the red sandstone stronghold of Tantallon Castle near North Berwick provides stunning views of the surrounding coastline. You’ll get a great view of the seabird colonies flying to and from Bass Rock from the top of the curtain wall, or you can stroll down to Seacliff Beach (which is known for its enormous rock pools) to enjoy a scenic coastal walk.

John Muir Way: The John Muir Way is a 134-mile-long trail that runs from Helensburgh on the west coast of Scotland to Dunbar on the east coast. It passes through some of the most beautiful countryside in southern Scotland and is a great way to explore the region for anyone who enjoys a good walk.

Many memorable parts of the route pass through East Lothian but a personal favourite is the section towards the endpoint near Dunbar which follows the county’s beautiful coastline and passes alongside superb beaches like Gullane and Yellowcraig.

North Berwick: North Berwick is a charming seaside town with a beautiful beach, a historic harbour, and lots of craft shops and artisan restaurants. It’s a popular destination for families and it’s a great place to spend a day, especially midweek when it sees few tourists (weekends are rather busy though). Highlights of North Berwick are the Scottish Seabird Centre and North Berwick Law which is a remnant of a volcano with stunning views across the Firth of Forth from its summit.

Dunbar: Dunbar is a historic town that’s famous for its association with John Muir, the conservationist and naturalist who was born in the town but moved to the United States where he founded several national parks including Yellowstone. Not only is the town home to a gorgeous beach and a picturesque harbour, but it’s also a great place to start quiet walks along the coastline in both directions.

Yellowcraig Beach: Yellowcraig Beach is a stunning sandy beach with views of Bass Rock and Fidra Island – the inspiration for the book Treasure Island. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the sunshine midweek, though as it’s one of the most popular beaches in the region it gets a wee bit busy at the weekend.

Yellowcraig has a fascinating coastline thanks to the rocky shorelines at its furthest edges, which allow children to spend hours guddling about in rockpools, after which they can burn off any remaining energy in the play park in the on-site car park. Other facilities include a toilet block and a semi-permanent snack van.

The John Muir Country Park: The John Muir Country Park is a large nature reserve that covers more than 7,000 acres to the west of Dunbar. It’s home to a wide variety of wildlife including deer, rare moths, and many types of songbirds, and is a great place to explore for families, couples and solo travellers alike. The dunes that ring the edge of the park are enormous and offer lots of places to sit with a beach towel and relax with a good book in hand, with nothing but the rolling waves and the singing of skylarks for company.

Tips for Avoiding Crowds in Scotland

1: Travel Off-Season

The main tourist months in Scotland run between April and September, although December is also popular with visitors to Edinburgh and Glasgow for the Christmas celebrations. Heading out into the wilds between October and March might mean you’ll be taking a chance on our rainy Scottish weather, but you’re also much more likely to find attractions that are free from crowds.

2: If in Doubt, Ask a Local

We’re a friendly bunch here in Scotland and we’ll be only too happy to help enquiring visitors find the best places to visit, so why not ask us where we think the quietest places are? After all, who knows more about an area than the people who live there?

3: Book Your Accommodation With Care

While you might find some of the cheapest hotel prices at the edges of city centres in the off-peak season (£29 Travelodge room, anyone?), you’ll find that no matter where you go, there’ll still be lots of other visitors barging about. It’s much better to get a room far away from the city, where you’ll be guaranteed peace and quiet. Just make sure it’s near public transport, or get a rental car.

4: Go Wild

It’s unavoidable to get stuck amongst groups of fellow walkers if you venture to the same places as everyone else, even in winter (I’m looking at you, Isle of Skye), but setting out to areas that are less well-known means you can have the glorious Scottish landscapes all to yourself. For some great walking route ideas, check out the Walk Highlands website.

5: Avoid Tour Companies

This is pretty self-explanatory, but a quick Google search of Scotland’s tour companies will show you all the places where you can expect to find coach after coach of camera-wielding tourist crowds. The fact of the matter is there are so many attractions in Scotland that you can have a great time even if you don’t visit the ‘usual’ destinations, so be creative and do your own thing instead.

6: Plan Your Holiday as a Theme

Following on from the previous tip, why not theme your holiday around a particular interest, like Scotland’s castles or maybe our whisky distilleries? Research the most popular ones (Edinburgh Castle, Glenfiddich Distillery, etc.) and choose to avoid them. You’ll find plenty of nearby smaller attractions that are equally entertaining but much quieter – and often much cheaper too.

7: Get Up Early

I know it’s painful, especially when you’re on holiday, but you can avoid most of the crowds at the more popular attractions by getting there as soon as the attraction opens, while the rest of Scotland’s tourists are still munching on their morning porridge. The great thing about starting your adventures early in the morning is that you then have the rest of the day to head to Scotland’s quieter locations.

8: Get Out on the Open Water

Given that the UK is an island with water on all sides, there are many opportunities to get away from people by leaving the land far behind. Your options here are varied, with many water sports companies offering daily hire of kayaks, canoes, and powered boats. The best thing about getting out on the open water is that you can go to places other tourists simply can’t get to, such as the myriad small islands that are dotted about inside most of Scotland’s larger lochs (Loch Morar is my top recommendation, followed by Loch Lomond).

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Posts