The Best Small Towns In Scotland To Visit For A Storybook Adventure

There are such a lot of locations value visiting in scenic Scotland. Edinburgh, the nation’s capital, was named primary in Time Out’s list of greatest cities on the earth for 2022. Glasgow is famend for its music, nightlife, and humanities scene. Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands, boasts gorgeous landscapes, medieval sites, and proximity to Loch Ness. However whereas all ought to definitely be in your must-see checklist, they generally overshadow the quainter locations that contribute simply as a lot to Scotland’s magnificence and intrigue as their bigger counterparts. In actual fact, chances are you’ll not have heard of lots of Scotland’s most charming (albeit, smaller) cities in any respect.

And it’s time to alter that. When you’re planning a visit to the nation, undoubtedly make area for its largest points of interest — however on the identical time, make sure to embody some under-the-radar, equally character-filled locations to offer you a fuller expertise. Not solely will they expose you to extra of Scotland’s wealthy historical past and countless out of doors adventures, however they’ll additionally offer you loads of the basic storybook-like attraction that the nation is so well-known for. Excellent Instagram pics, right here you come.

Although for those who’ve by no means been to Scotland, that’s clearly simpler mentioned than finished. Thus, TZR tapped a number of consultants to get the lowdown on among the quaintest, prettiest, and lesser-known Scottish cities you shouldn’t miss. From tiny coastal villages to breathtaking lake-front destinations, right here’s what they recommended.

Oban

Scotland is brimming with charming cities, however Oban is one specifically that comes extremely really helpful from our sources. Mandy Pullin, co-owner and agent of DPP Travel and a Virtuoso Journey Advisor, calls it one in all her favourite locations within the nation. In response to her, that’s as a result of it has “all of the issues” that make Scotland distinctive and fantastic. “It’s a seaside port metropolis with historic websites close by (two castles!), fantastic native purchasing, and pubs.” And, she continues, “It’s a gateway to the Isles and actually, you possibly can see the Isle of Mull from the shoreline.”

There are lots of different attracts as nicely. Pullin says it serves “among the greatest seafood you’ll ever eat” proper close to the port on the Oban Seafood Hut. Oban is a part of the Above and Below Argyll trail initiative, and can also be a terrific place to expertise “wild water” in Scotland. For lodging, she loves staying a bit out of city at Loch Melfort Hotel. “You don’t get way more charming than Highland Cows (Coos) proper there on the property and sweeping views of the loch.”

Kenmore

In response to Rick Lunt, Head of Journey Curation at Origin, Kenmore is a small city in Perthshire situated on the banks of Loch Tay value visiting. Whereas there, he recommends exploring the place in addition to the small villages surrounding the lake. He additionally says to not miss the Black Rock Viewpoint, the city of Killin, and the hamlet of Ardeonaig throughout your go to. And as for the place to remain? “There are a number of luxurious inns and personal mansions to name house whilst you discover this gorgeous area of the Highlands.”

Tobermory

In search of one thing really picture-postcard excellent? Victoria Gooch, a UK-based journalist and British journey professional who runs the web site Curiously British, says Tobermory, the capital of the Isle of Mull within the Interior Hebrides, is it. “Brightly coloured buildings line the harbor entrance and are backed by tree-lined hillside,” she tells TZR, setting the scene.

In response to Gooch, the city was initially constructed as a fishing port within the 18th century, and is now “a preferred stop-off level for boaters crusing within the western isles of Scotland in addition to guests by ferry.” On its most important road, she says you’ll discover resorts, arts and craft outlets, full of life pubs, and the Tobermory Distillery. And, there’s a lot to do in its surrounding areas as nicely. “Past Tobermory, you possibly can discover the wilder elements of Mull and its trails, or comply with the shoreline for spectacular surroundings within the Sound of Mull,” she continues.

Falkland

All you Outlander followers, take observe — Gooch says Falkland was recast as Inverness within the cult-favorite present, that means you’ve in all probability already added this gorgeous city to your journey checklist with out even realizing what it was.

In response to Gooch, Falkland is a former royal burgh within the Kingdom of Fife in jap Scotland. “On the foot of the Lomond Hills, the medieval city is house to the Sixteenth-century Falkland Palace, a favourite of Mary, Queen of Scots,” she says. And that’s not all for its historical past: Gooch says it’s additionally “house to the Royal Tennis Membership, the world’s oldest actual tennis courtroom nonetheless in use.”

Dornoch

Mike Peddie is the proprietor of the Scottish journey web site Secret Scotland, and lives in and explores Scotland year-round to analysis for the positioning and journey guides. Of all of the locations he’s been, Peddie cites Dornoch — a city on the east coast close to Inverness — as a specific favourite.

In response to Peddie, Dornoch oozes attraction, “with slender facet streets that meander across the previous cathedral, quaint cottages all constructed from a gold-colored sandstone, and delightful floral arrangements in summer season.” The truth that it has a citadel within the city middle “is the icing on the cake,” he says. Dornoch additionally has a wealthy historical past that makes for an fascinating go to. It’s constructed round a small cathedral that dates from the 13^th century, and he says there are even signposted strolling trails that information you to varied locations, just like the spot the place the final witch was burnt to demise in Scotland.

Lodging permit for a variety of budgets right here, says Peddie. On the upper finish, you possibly can keep in Links House Hotel close to Royal Dornoch Golf Membership, or Dornoch Castle, which has a comfortable whisky bar. “For one thing cheaper, we suggest Heartseed House B&B which is situated in quiet countryside simply beside Dornoch, or for someplace in Dornoch city the Albatross B&B,” he continues.

Ullapool

Matt Vickery is a former freelance journalist who based the journey web site Wandering Our World, and grew up within the Highlands of Scotland. Whereas he says he’s lived elsewhere for greater than a decade, he at all times spends time in Ullapool on Scotland’s west coast when he returns house. “The street to this gorgeous coastal village from Inverness is gorgeous because it’ll have you ever meandering previous mountains, lochs, and thru valleys, earlier than opening as much as the west coast and the small city of Ullapool — the gateway to the distant Western Isles.”

One of many most important causes Vickery loves Ullapool is as a result of it’s really one of many main hubs of Scottish conventional music. “On the weekend, you possibly can usually discover a number of cozy pubs serving scrumptious meals, native beer, and whisky to the sound of stay conventional Scottish music within the background,” he shares. In response to him, three of the preferred stay music spots to go to — The Argyll Hotel, Ferry Boat Inn, and the Ceilidh Place — every have lodging choices, too.

Whilst you’re ready for the night festivities to start out, Vickery recommends taking a street journey to Achiltibuie. “The street winds across the backside of mountains, previous loch shores, and is spectacular,” he says. “The view from the village of Achiltibuie out in direction of the Summer season Isles is without doubt one of the greatest in Scotland. Nevertheless it’s a bit identified spot amongst vacationers.”

Dunkeld

For one more lesser-known however charming city in Scotland, Matthew Fox, CEO of Independent Cottages, suggests Dunkeld. “It’s brimming with historical past courting again so far as 2,000 years, with a fantastic cathedral that’s the centerpiece of its city and quaint white cottages lining its streets.” Being that it’s a small city in Perthshire, Fox describes it as the proper place to expertise a quieter, extra rural lifestyle. Nevertheless, it’s additionally near “standard Scottish locations together with Perth, Aberfeldy, and Blairgowrie,” he explains, so you possibly can simply go to different locations for those who want extra to do.

With its surrounding countryside, Fox says Dunkeld can also be best for individuals who get pleasure from biking and strolling, and to soak up Scotland’s famend surroundings. “Close by there’s Hermitage Woodland, which is open all 12 months spherical with among the tallest bushes in Scotland, and Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve, well-known for its ospreys which come to nest yearly right here.” And for those who’re on the lookout for a spot to remain, The Bothy is a rural hideaway within the space made for retreating to after a day of exploration.