Some of the most breathtaking nature experiences come down to choosing the right region, staying in a well-positioned area, and knowing how to move efficiently between key sites. From island chains in the Indian Ocean to wind-carved valleys at the southern tip of South America, these destinations offer direct access to landscapes that feel raw and grounded.
In this article, I’ll show you how to make the most of your time if you’re only in Edinburgh for a short visit. I recently spent a day exploring the city and found the perfect mix of local spots and major attractions. Here's how to see the best of the Scottish capital in just one day.
If you're planning a trip to Scotland anytime soon, check out these typical hotel costs so that you can plan your travel budget. We've also got suggestions for the best hotels in various categories, too.
While Scotland may not be the first place you think of for gorgeous beaches, you better think again. With long stretches of beautiful sands, perfect surfing conditions, and jaw dropping surrounding scenery, Scotland’s beaches offer the perfect summer escape. Here are the seven best beaches in Scotland that are definitely worth a visit.
Scotland has been home to over 2,000 castles over the centuries, although just several hundred have stood the test of time. The magnificent castles that stand today offer visitors an opportunity to step back in time and explore the beauty and extravagance of these ancient royal homes and fortresses. With all of these amazing castles to see, it can be difficult to decide which ones to visit on a trip to Scotland. To make the decision a little easier, here's a list of the top 10 castles in Scotland, all of which offer incredible sights and experiences to be had.
Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, is one of the best preserved medieval cities in the U.K. with their 12th century castle and medieval architecture found throughout Old Town. You can easily spend a weekend exploring the winding streets with their hidden alleyways and climbing up to mountain top viewpoints. Use this weekend tour as your guide to get the most out of everything Edinburgh has to offer.
Located off the north coast of mainland Scotland, the Orkney Islands offer some of the best preserved ancient sites in all of the U.K. From 5,000-year-old villages to World War Two era sunken ships poking out of the lochs, Orkney is like stepping back in time. Orkney is a place of constant discovery, with archaeologists are flocking here every summer to discover some new Neolithic period artifacts.
If you've ever wanted to feel like you've ventured into an enchanted universe, look no further than the Isle of Skye. Located on the west coast of Scotland, this beautiful island is home to incredible natural scenery and prehistoric areas just waiting to be explored!
From stunning coastlines to winding mountain roads, Scotland's North Coast 500 offers some of the most incredible views of the country. The Scottish answer to Route 66, the North Coast 500 makes a full loop starting and ending with Inverness and working its way along the west, north, and northeast coasts. Based on my own road trip along the North Coast 500, I've put together a four-day itinerary that includes some of the best sights and hidden gems along the route.
It was mostly on a whim that I decided to climb the three highest peaks in the U.K. while visiting there last summer. Mount Snowdon (3,560 ft.), Scafell Pike (3,209 ft.), and Ben Nevis (4,409 ft.) are scattered throughout Wales, England, and Scotland. Completing the U.K. 3 Peaks Challenge ended up being one of the most incredible travel experiences I’ve had to date. Maybe it’s because I went into it with little to no training and still succeeded (which means you can too), or maybe it’s because I got to feast my eyes upon truly incredible and one of a kind views.