8 Most Breathtaking Towns In Scotland
Scotland’s beauty is wild and dramatic, with deep, mysterious lochs and rugged, untrammeled mountain peaks. The Highlands are ancient and retain their sense of untouched majesty, while the green hills and castles have a romantic and serene atmosphere that seems to hover about them. Scotland is also filled with historic, breathtakingly beautiful small towns like Crail, where you can stroll along a 17th-century harbor overlooking the sea, and Plockton, with its uncharacteristic and iconic cabbage palm trees, which sway in the wind as visitors stroll past historic cottages sheltered by an inlet of Loch Carron.
Crail
The historic Crail Harbor features whitewashed buildings and red stone walls that stand out splendidly against the blue of Roome Bay. You cannot drive here, but you can take the easy walk down the hill while enjoying the views of the quintessential Scottish streets and structures. Roome Bay is the site of the old Castle Wall and King’s Mill, and there is even a sundial to admire. The views are spectacular from the harbor, so you can take them in for a bit before heading to the Crail Harbour Gallery & Tearoom for a coffee and scone.
To explore more of Crail’s beauty, take the Fife Coastal Path, which stretches an incredible 117 miles from the Forth Estuary to the Tay Estuary. You can test your hiking endurance on this trail, or walk in short bursts while gazing out at the lovely surroundings of green hills and the North Sea. If you do not feel like walking or hiking, book your ticket on The May Princess (during high season). This pleasure boat will take you from Anstruther to the Isle of May, which lies 5 miles off the coast of Fife. There is lots to see on and from the isle, including seals, dolphins, and whales.
Cromarty
If dolphins are what you want to see, the gorgeous setting of Cromarty on the Black Isle is just the place to keep your eyes peeled for them. Cromarty is an 18th-century town that offers views all the way to the Sutors and a serene atmosphere. At the Cromarty Firth, you can spot bottlenose dolphins without having to venture into the water. But, if you want to be on the water, a boat tour can take you to South Sutor for even better views. You can also hike the Sutors of Cromarty Walk to the South and North Sutors above the town, where you can look out over the Moray Firth. It is possible to see dolphins and seabirds from this vantage point as well.
If you want to stroll along the shore, you can visit the 1846 Cromarty Lighthouse, which is a great place to see the boats that bob on the restless waters. For something completely different, make your way to Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage and Museum, which celebrates Hugh Miller’s first discovery of a 320-million-year-old ancient fish fossil on Cromarty Beach in 1830. Miller was a self-taught stonemason and geologist who identified the Devonian period as the Age of Fishes and discovered thousands of fossils, after that initial find, in the Old Red Sandstone.
Pitlochry
The Victorian town of Pitlochry is called the gateway to the Highlands thanks to its location on the River Tummel. There is so much to see here, including beautiful rivers and mountains. The town itself is also simply gorgeous with its Victorian center that is filled with florals. Before you explore the town, you can hike Craigower for views of the two local lochs, Loch Faskally and Loch Dunmore. While you are out and about, make some time to see Queen’s View. This view is the one that looks out over Loch Tummel and that Queen Victoria fell in love with. Queen’s View has a visitor center where you can ask for information about the area, and there is a café where you can have coffee and a snack.
If the snack does not sustain you, grab fresh fish and chips at McKay’s on the main road, before heading to the Blair Castle and Gardens, just 13 minutes away from Pitlochry. Keep an eye out for the red deer that frequent the grounds where the white castle stands. The castle grounds are also home to the St Bride’s Kirk ruins, where the grave of Bonnie Dundee is located. Just north of Pitlochry, you can visit the House of Bruar, a large retail estate selling Scottish goods, before taking a stroll to the nearby Falls of Bruar, which inspired Robert Burns to write "The Humble Petition of Bruar Water.”
Cullen
Cullen is a tiny village on the Moray coast and one of the most beautiful coastal villages in Scotland. The houses in the bay look like something from a movie, especially with Cullen Beach and the old railway viaduct in the background. The viaduct hails from Victorian times and is part of the Moray Cycle Route. It is listed as a Grade B structure and one of the best places to get a full view of the cottages and coast below.
If you want to enjoy more of the magnificent views Cullen has to offer, take the Cullen Bay and Portknockie circular coastal walk that starts in the center of the village. The trail is nearly 5 miles long and rewards hikers with unmatched panoramic views of the beach and the Moray Firth. When you get to Portknockie, look out for the Bow Fiddle Rock on the Moray Firth Coast. This sea stack resembles a fiddle’s bow (although many people see a sinking ship instead). The rock consists of quartzite and is millions of years old. If you also want to explore the beaches of Cullen, Sunnyside Beach is accessible from the village center coastal path and offers nothing but views and sunshine.
Plockton
It may seem strange, but Scotland is sort of known for its cabbage palm trees, thanks to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream. These trees are found on the Isle of Arran and the pretty village of Plockton, also known as Scotland’s "palm tree village." Plockton is located near the Skye Bridge and creates a wonderful picture with its bayside cottages, green palms, and never-ending sea views. You can experience this picture for yourself by taking a walk along the pier and the stone walls that frame the waterfront as you take in the view of the Loch Carron.
When you explore the village itself, look for the red telephone box on Harbour Street to find the causeway that leads to the Aird A’ Mhorair peninsula. It is safer to access the causeway during low tide, and once there, you can enjoy the view of the cottages and the Duncraig Castle, which sits on the other side of the loch. You can also take a boat trip on the loch to see the various marine creatures that call this part of Scotland home. After your boating adventure, take a walk to the coral beach for views of the Applecross Mountains.
Isle of Arran
In addition to palm trees, the Isle of Arran offers you the chance to see the ruins of two ornate castles and one that is still standing, Brodick Castle. Brodick Castle is simply stunning and also features several trails that will take you across green woodlands. Remember to keep an eye out for the resident castle ghost, which is said to be a white horse that appears in the garden.
If you want a break from the ghosts, which also include an old man that wanders the library and a grey lady that haunts the grounds, take a walk to the spectacular North Glen Sannox Falls. You will want to spend a couple of hours here just immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the waterfalls before continuing your walk, this time to Lochranza Castle. These castle ruins are surrounded by water and provide the perfect Scottish backdrop for selfies.
Other incredible sights include East Mor, a 100-foot waterfall in the Arran forest, and the famous Giant’s Caves. The caves are the remains of what used to be Neolithic chambered cairns. For more historic sights, the Viking Fort at Kingscross Point is bound to give you a couple of goosebumps as you explore the Viking boat burial and Iron Age fort.
Stonehaven
Stonehaven is not only a breathtakingly beautiful town, but it is also full of the cool and unusual. For instance, this historical coastal town is known for its memorable Fireball Ceremony that celebrates Hogmanay. The ceremony includes pipers and drummers who entertain the crowds who gather to see in the new year. As soon as the bells sound at midnight, men and women start swinging burning fireballs as they march down the main street. When they reach the end of the display, they toss the fireballs into the harbor. It is said that this festival helps ward off evil, ringing in the new year with a clean slate.
As for Stonehaven’s beauty, you will find plenty of that at Dunnottar Castle. The castle sits on the cliffs just south of the town. It may be in ruins, but it is some of the most stunning you will ever see, especially with the setting sun's rays sparkling over it. And, for an even more magical outing, make your way to Dunnottar Woods to see the fairy doors, the Shell house, the Ice house, and Gallow Hill.
Dunkeld
In Dunkeld, the Dunkeld Cathedral grounds beckon to those who want to stand on the site of Viking raids and Jacobite wars. The cathedral was built in 1318, and with its Gothic arches, it creates one of the most breathtaking scenes in this small town. The area from Dunkeld to Loch Ordie features scenic paths through Atholl Woods, offering roughly 8 to 10 miles of walking trails amid forest and river views. You can also take the Hermitage Walk and hike all the way up to Ossian’s Hall, where you can look out at the Black Linn Falls.
If you are a Shakespeare fan, you simply must stop by the 500-year-old Birnam Oak in Birnam Wood. This ancient oak tree is mentioned in Macbeth. And, for something on the quirky side, head to the Birnam Arts Center to experience the Beatrix Potter exhibit, which includes Peter Rabbit-themed displays.
Exploring the Beautiful Corners of Scotland
Throughout Scotland, natural and historic beauty complements one another. You will find the same pleasure looking at the unusual palm trees in Plockton as you would in taking in the view of Dunnottar on the windy cliffs of Stonehaven. You can find a bit of everything here, including the charm of Victorian history and a glimpse into the fascinating lives of the Vikings. Once you see how the light hits the Moray Firth or you smell woodsmoke in the air, you will only be able to imagine yourself living on Scottish ground. And that feeling will stay with you long after you have unpacked your bags at home.
