How To Find Awesome Places to Visit in Scotland
There are so many incredible places to see in Scotland. Castles, lochs (their word for lakes), the Highlands, incredible natural beauty, so many sheep, historical monuments, battlefields, and more. While driving around it’s not uncommon to see a castle off on a hillside and the sheep are in fact too numerous to count. In this post I am going to tell you the secret of how to find awesome places to visit in Scotland. It’s not even that secret to be honest, it all comes down to the National Trust of Scotland.
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How To Find Awesome Places in Scotland
If you have never been to Scotland it can be a bit overwhelming to try to figure out where to go. Or, maybe you live in Scotland during a pandemic and need to find some outdoor activities close to home?
The National Trust of Scotland (NTS) website is the resource for you. Their sites range from well-known battle fields like Culloden to lesser known places like The Pineapple.
As always follow your local coronavirus restrictions! Some of these places are still open (outside) should you live in the local authority area – please check the gov.scot website for full lockdown restrictions details.
How to Use the Website:
Post Code Search:
Prior to lockdown my favorite way to use the website is the option to enter your post code (zip code). It then comes up with a list of NTS sites within 30 minutes of your home, a list within 1 hour of home, and then a selection of places over 2 hours away. I wish I had known about this resource before some friends came to visit last year because there is so much more to be seen, and available to the public, than I could have ever imagined.
Things To Do Section
In the “Things To Do” section of their website there are pre-made lists with suggestions for things like “wonderful dog walks in Scotland”, “the North-East Castle Trail” (top of my list!), and “things to do with kids”. It’s incredible the thought and attention that has gone into building this resource.
Places Section
In the “Places” section of the website it offers recommendations, there is an “Inspire Me” button that will pop up with more suggestions, and you can also search by types of places, whether that be Battles, Castles, Gardens, Jacobites, or the great Outdoors. This website is organized to help you find the places that you will find awesome to visit in Scotland.
Places to Stay
Have you ever dreamt of staying in a castle? Scotland is definitely the place to make that happen. The National Trust for Scotland has many holiday accommodations ranging from a small cottage on a loch (my dream) to literal castles.
Accessibility Guides
A number of their sites have been designed with accessibility features in mind. They also include online Accessibility Guides to help you design the trip that is right for you.
Costs and Fees
The majority of outside locations, grounds, and gardens do not have any fee, and the page for each site will let you know if there is a fee or not. To enter the majority of the buildings (castles and such) there is typically a nominal fee. This can either be paid per location or through a membership to the National Trust of Scotland. This membership would also get you entry into National Trust sites throughout the United Kingdom including England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as well as various National Trust organizations worldwide (including some in the US!)
Shop
Wishing you could get a bit of Scotland right now? They have an online shop (with some great sales at the moment!) and offer international delivery!
Places I’ve Visited:
Over the years I have visited a number of National Trust of Scotland sites – some before I really even knew what the NTS was! I love how the NTS encompasses so many different areas of interest. From places to explore outdoors, to history, battles, and castles. It’s incredible the range that they offer. It’s also incredible how much they have helped to preserve within Scotland and kept accessible to the public.
The Pineapple:
This one is well, a bit odd. If you are looking for some interesting architecture and a nice place to have a picnic this could be it. I’ll tell you the story of it in a forthcoming blog post!
The Battle of Culloden:
A great place for an outdoor history lesson, or, if you are a fan of the show Outlander, a great place to see from the show. If you have Scottish ancestry it is also interesting as there are many markers for the clans that fought in the battle.
Glenfinnan Viaduct:
I have been lucky enough to go over the viaduct (just like the Hogwarts Express!) as well as visit it from below. It is as spectacular in person as you would think. Put it on your list. It’s beautiful.
P.S. you can see the difference in the greenery season to season. Top picture is from July, bottom is from early April.
Dollar Glen:
For our visit we stayed outside the castle (due to the pandemic) but the area of Dollar Glen and the absolutely beautiful scenery around it is well worth the visit.
Glencoe:
Although I haven’t explored this area as much as I would like and I haven’t visited the visitor centre, I can appreciate the spectacular nature of it’s beauty. I am also so grateful that it is part of the National Nature Preserve and will remain as beautiful for years to come. And, yes, it was as foggy out as this picture looks.
In Conclusion
How to find awesome places to visit in Scotland? Through the National Trust of Scotland, of course! Their great work preserving so much in Scotland is incredible, and their website is such a great resource for planning a trip across such a variety of interests and finding off the beaten path places to stay. I know I am eyeing a trip to a cottage on a loch and perhaps the North-East Castle trail the next time my mom comes over. What are you dreaming of?
