Scotland is among the world’s most popular places. The northern most nation of the UK is understood for its tales of Scottish kings and queens, patriotic sense of culture, and imaginative skills. And while rural areas like the Scottish Highlands have luring, windswept views, cities in Scotland are a few of the very best locations to accept Scottish life– previous and present. You’ll discover museums, galleries, dining establishments, walkings, and history galore.
The Best Towns and Cities in Scotland
This guide will cover the very best cities in Scotland, with a few of the most unmissable towns sprayed in for excellent step. Scotland’s cities and towns are globally renowned, which is unbelievable thinking about that some have such little populations. Thrilled? You ought to be. Let’s begin.
1. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the apparent beginning location when preparing to check out Scotland. The capital city of Scotland is the most well-known of all the cities in the nation. It has lots of historical structures and abundant history. Edinburgh is a stunning city with a photogenic town hall. You’ll require to devote time simply to stroll the streets in Edinburgh Old Town– trust us, you’ll be desperate to optimize time on the patched streets with Edinburgh Castle above you.
When you aren’t in the Old Town or checking out Edinburgh Castle, there are lots of other activities in Edinburgh. As the 2nd biggest city in Scotland, it has among the very best destination scenes and a dynamic environment, contributed to by Edinburgh University. We advise treking the brief walk to Arthur’s Seat for daybreak or sundown, shopping on the Royal Mile, climbing up the Scott Monolith, and checking out the Sheep Heid (among Scotland’s earliest clubs).
Edinburgh was constantly ensured a put on our list. The renowned capital city is not just one of the most stunning cities in Scotland however likewise among the most interesting for numerous destinations and things to do. Edinburgh is quickly accessed by worldwide visitors. It is likewise well-connected to London by train if you are taking a trip from England.
Learn More of our Edinburgh guides
2. Aberdeen
Aberdeen is the 3rd most populated city (check out the main Aberdeen population here) and among the very best cities in Scotland. Aberdeen is understood for being a port city situated on the coasts of the North Sea. The city is likewise renowned for producing regional granite and has a commercial however cosmopolitan environment. Its history of granite production has actually offered the city centre an unique appearance, with captivating silvery-grey structures that are spectacular to appreciate while roaming around on foot.
The very best things to do in Aberdeen consist of checking out Duthie Park, the Gordon Highlanders Museum, St Machar’s Cathedral, and Aberdeen Art Gallery. The city has a mix of outside and indoor destinations, with lots of museums and historic destinations. In general, Aberdeen won a location in this guide for its sense of character and sticking around commercial history.
3. Glasgow
Glasgow has a track record for being Scotland’s ‘other city’, frequently coming 2nd behind Edinburgh. Nevertheless, over the previous couple of years, Glasgow has actually truly entered into its own, and it is now thought about among the very best cities in Scotland. Glasgow is positioned inland, simply under Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Forest, and ideal for nation excursion. The city has a a great deal of museums. It is Scotland’s biggest citiy, using lots of home entertainment to sink your teeth into. Glasgow has fantastic green area, too, with the River Clyde going through the city centre and parks like Glasgow Green, Richmond Park, and Pollok Nation Park.
The very best things to do in Glasgow are Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Science Centre, George Square, and individuals’s Palace. While if you desire a more laidback experience, you can invest an hour or 2 hopping in between the stores and fantastic dining establishments in the dynamic city centre. Glasgow has a varied and busy environment, landing it in our guide.
4. Perth
Perth is a riverside city positioned along the banks of the River Tay. It is a stunning city with a royal environment and identified historic architecture. Perth is nicknamed the ‘Fair City’ of Scotland due to its close links to Scottish royalty throughout history. Prior to Edinburgh increased to fame, Perth was Scotland’s capital city up until around 1452. Lots of consider it Scotland’s ‘very first city,’ house to lots of customs and historic occasions. For example, the Stone of Fate was housed at Scone Abbey, and lots of queens were crowned there in the city’s more youthful years. For those thinking about Scottish history and royalty, a check out to Perth ought to be on the cards.
The very best things to do in Perth are to check out Elcho Castle, Branklyn Garden, Black Watch Museum, Fergusson Gallery, and Perth Museum and Art Gallery. Naturally, to value the city’s royal history to the max, a check out to Scone Palace is likewise a must. The palace has more than 1,000 years of history and was the designated crowning location of Scottish kings. As you might have thought, Perth’s close ties to Scottish royalty and royal history made it a leading position in our guide. It is a distinct and interesting little city to check out in Scotland.
5. Dundee
Dundee is another city on the eastern coast of Scotland and a wonderful location to check out. Dundee is the 4th biggest city in the nation and widely known for its imaginative markets, being a UNESCO City of Style and hosting the only V&A museum, not in London. If you desire a vibrant experience in a Scottish city with great deals of art, style, and imaginative culture, Dundee is the one for you. Its imaginative culture makes it among the most interesting cities in Scotland and has actually protected it a location in our guide.
So, what exists to do in Dundee? Simply put, a lot. You can check out the Discovery Point and RRS Discovery, Contemporary Arts Museum, Glamis Castle, Scotland’s Jute Museum, Dundee Science Centre, and Mcmanus Art Gallery & & Museum. Focus on a check out to Dundee’s art museums, which are great locations to invest a damp and windy day.
6. Stirling
Stirling is among the most historical cities in Scotland and an enormously photogenic city break. Stirling is understood for its political history– be that the crowning of Mary Queen of Scots or disobediences versus the English. The city is set out with Stirling Castle on a separated crag above Stirling Old Town and the spire of the National Wallace Monolith on Abbey Craig. Mentioning William Wallace, Stirling likewise neglects the battlefield of the Fight of Stirling Bridge, where William beat the English in 1297. Stirling is a famous city– loaded with stories of defend Scottish self-reliance and enormously connected with the Scottish warrior hero William Wallace. The quantity of mentally engaging Scottish history in Stirling ensured it an area in this guide.
The National Wallace Monolith is Stirling’s most popular destination and hosts various exhibitions in memory of William Wallace. The most treasured artifact is Wallace’s longsword, which is a huge 1.63 meters in length. Apart from the monolith, the very best things to do in Stirling consist of checking out Stirling Castle, the Holy Rude, Old Town Prison, and Robert the Bruce Statue. Invest a minimum of 2 days in Stirling, as this city has a lot to unload.
7. Inverness
Inverness is another city main to Scottish history. The little city is among the most northern Scottish cities and is simply a brief drive away from Loch Ness and Culloden Battleground. These 2 destinations draw many people to Inverness, with Loch Ness reported to be the house of a fantastic sea beast and the Culloden Battleground, the hallowed last perspective of the Jacobite Uprising. A see to Inverness is coming face to face with dark stories and awful history. It is among the very best locations in Scotland to learn more about the history of the UK and early life in Scotland.
Apart from checking out Loch Ness and Culloden Battleground, you might visit Urquhart Castle. This fairytale-like castle lies simply an hour’s drive north of Inverness, making it a simple outing. In the city, there’s likewise Inverness Castle, Inverness Cathedral, the Ness Islands, and the notorious Leakey’s Bookshop.
Learn more about checking out Inverness
8. Fort William
Fort William is technically a town, however it is such a substantial area in the Highlands we needed to include it. It is an entrance to Ben Nevis, Loch Linnhe, and Scotland’s significant snowboarding scene. Treking enthusiasts will love remaining in Fort William as Ben Nevis is the greatest peak in the UK– understood all around the world. While in winter season, skiers come down on the city to delight in the slopes. Fort William is likewise simple to check out if you wish to experience the Highlands without leasing a cars and truck, as it is linked to Glasgow and Edinburgh by public transportation.
Fort William is an amazing town in Scotland and among the very best locations for outside experiences in the UK. Whether you wish to go hiking, snowboarding, or fishing, it is a tranquil however daring vacation area. And, when you aren’t keeping active, you can unwind in the charming streets with lots of independent stores and coffee shops. There’s likewise the West Highland Museum and Ben Nevis Bourbon Distillery to check out.
9. Kirkwall
Like Fort William, Kirkwall does not have the Scottish city status. Nevertheless, this town has a lot to provide– beginning with a distinct place on the Orkney Islands, north of the Scottish mainland. Kirkwall is the biggest town on the Orkney Islands and was initially a Norse settlement. Nowadays, it has a population of around 7,000 individuals and is a stunning little port ‘capital’ of the island chain. It is still filled with Viking history and character, however.
Kirkwall’s striking place and fascinating history bagged it an area in our guide. Nevertheless, it has some dazzling destinations too. The very best things to do in Kirkwall consist of checking out the St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney Museum, Highland Park Whisky Distillery, Ring of Brodgar, and Orkney Wireless Museum.
Kirkwall is a dazzling option if you desire a lesser-visited, special location in Scotland. Kirkwall is finest reached by ferryboat, and routine ferryboat services leave off the north shoreline– what much better method to direct your inner Viking?
10. Portree
Portree has a comparable ambiance to Kirkwall, in spite of being simpler to reach. Portree is the biggest town (and informal capital) on the Island of Skye. It is reached by crossing over a big bridge linking the island to the mainland. It is thought about the entrance to all Skye needs to provide– consisting of the wonderful Old Guy of Storr trek– and is defined by its famous row of vibrant homes ignoring the harbor. For an adorable, slow-paced intro to Scottish island life, Portree is a simple and stunning choice. It is perfect for those who wish to remain on the primary traveler tracks however leave the Scottish mainland.
The very best things to do in Portree consist of checking out the renowned harbor, the Swelling, and treking the Scorrybreac Path. Naturally, you ought to benefit from Portree’s place to check out the Island of Skye, with destinations like the Fairy Pools, Kilt Rock, Mealt Falls, An Corran Beach, and Fairy Glenn within driving range. Portree made our list as the very best town to utilize as a base to experience the Island of Skye.
11. Oban
Oban is a big town in Argyll and Bute. It is a resort hotspot, with its population swelling each summer season with the extreme increase of checking out travelers. Oban uses lots of caps; some describe it as Scotland’s seafood capital, and others as the entrance to the Western Highlands or Hebridean Isles. Whatever you select to associate Oban with, you’ll delight in the port views and spectacular ruins on Battery Hill above the town centre.
Things to do in Oban consist of checking out McCaig’s Tower and Battery Hill, going whisky tasting at Oban Distillery, unwinding on Ganavan Sands, and checking out Gylen Castle, Dunstaffnage Castle, and Dunollie Museum. Oban has great deals of history and is extremely walkable. It is stunning and compact– ideal for those who desire a Scottish town with which they can rapidly end up being familiar. Oban is likewise perfect for taking excursion from neighboring Scottish islands if you feel more daring. The most popular are Lismore, Mull, and Iona.
Learn More about Oban
12. Ayr
Ayr is a stunning location to check out in Scotland and is referred to as a summer season holiday-style location, with long sandy beaches which somewhat tacky seaside appeal. The town is walkable and filled with enjoyable. For those thinking about poetry, Ayr likewise has a claim to popularity through Robert Burns, Scotland’s nationwide bard. Robert was born in Ayr, and you can check out the Robert Burns Birth Place Museum throughout your stay.
Ayr is a ‘seaside town’ vacation. Nevertheless, it isn’t simply games and beaches– which is why it made it onto our list. Ayr has lots of destinations, such as Burns Home, Alloway Auld Kirk, Rozelle Estate, Belleisle Conservatory, and the Wallace Tower. It likewise has a strong sense of culture through its literature links to Robert Burns. For an easy going, enjoyable beach vacation, Ayr has some excellent sightseeing to cancel the beach days.
13. St Andrews
St Andrews rests on Scotland’s east coast, simply above Edinburgh. The town has lots of favorable qualities. Nevertheless, it is most understood for its golf courses and unbelievable playing golf competitions. St Andrew’s a lot of famous golf course is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, which you can reserve to check out. St Andrews is likewise understood for its university, so when you aren’t on a golf course, you can experience a friendly, younger night life.
Additional destinations in St Andrews consist of St Andrews Museum, St Andrews Castle, the Wardlaw Museum, and (not to wander off too far from its playing golf identity) the R&A World Golf Museum. You can likewise check out the Old Course, which houses an ancient 18-hole course established in the 15th century.
14. Dunfermline
Trying to find more royal history and insight into early Scottish life? Dunfermline served as another capital city of Scotland, covering the time duration in between Perth and Edinburgh. The town was preferred in the reign of Malcolm III and was viewed as a royal fortress. Nowadays, you can still check out Dunfermline Abbey and Palace, albeit in ruins. It is a wonderful city to get away the crowds of Edinburgh yet still accept royal history and noteworthy architecture. This balance of a lesser-trodden location with prominent destinations won Dunfermline an area in our guide.
You can check out the Dunfermline Abbey and Palace, walk in Pittencrief Park, or come by the Dunfermline Carnegie Library & & Galleries. On the city borders, Townhill Nation Park is likewise spectacular to walk on a bright day. Dunfermline is a much quieter city to experience compared to others on our list, and you can quickly travel all of the city centres in a day or 2.
15. Falkirk
Another location simply beyond Edinburgh, Falkirk is a town most famous for its enormous statue of kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel. The Kelpies are 2 enormous horse heads illustrating a Scottish mythological legend that drew guys into water to drown. The 30-meter-high statues are made from steel and are fittingly set beside water functions in real keeping with Scottish legends. Falkirk is extremely connected with its relationship to water. It is best beside a series of canals, consisting of the Union and Forth, and Clyde canals. The Falkirk Wheel notoriously links these 2 with a turning boat lift system.
Falkirk is a fantastic location to check out and experience more domestic life in Scotland. The town is finest experienced by the canal– who understands, you’ll be brave enough to deal with the Falkirk Wheel. You can remain a number of nights in the town centre and after that book a number of nights on a canal vacation, checking out the environments individually by boat.
Scotland Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 7 primary cities in Scotland?
The primary cities in Scotland are Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth, and Stirling. These cities are very important centres of population, culture, and market in Scotland, and each has its own special character and history.
What is Scotland’s most significant city?
Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland in regards to population. It has a population of around 600,000 individuals and lies on the River Clyde in the nation’s west-central lowlands.
The number of cities remain in Scotland UK?
There are around 79 cities in Scotland. A few of the biggest and most widely known cities in Scotland consist of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee.
Which city is more stunning in Scotland?
It is tough to identify which city in Scotland is the most stunning, as appeal is subjective and various individuals might have various viewpoints. That being stated, there are lots of cities in Scotland that are understood for their natural appeal and historical beauty. Some cities that are regularly mentioned as being especially stunning consist of Edinburgh, with its castle and historical Royal Mile; Inverness, situated in the Scottish Highlands and understood for its natural appeal; and St Andrews, a seaside city understood for its stunning beaches and historical university.
To Conclude
Scotland is an enormously popular nation in the UK, and after hearing more about its finest cities, you now understand why. Scotland’s cities and towns comprise the lots of hearts of the nation. A city break is an ideal method to immerse yourself in Scottish culture.
Have a fantastic journey to Scotland. And if you have additional time, why not integrate a city break with the North Coast 500 trip?