Scotland
Misty glens, mirror lochs and brooding castles

About Scotland

Overview

Scotland is a land of misty glens, mirror lochs and brooding castles, where medieval cities give way to the wild drama of the Highlands and Islands. Travelers come for the scenery of Skye and Glencoe, the history of Edinburgh and Stirling, and world-famous whisky, festivals and clan heritage. It is compact enough to tour in a week yet endlessly atmospheric.

On the map

Touristic sites

The landmarks that shape a journey through Scotland, explore them on the map.

  • 1
    Edinburgh CastleThe fortress crowning Edinburgh's skyline, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
  • 2
    Isle of SkyeThe largest Inner Hebrides island, famed for the Cuillin ridge, the Old Man of Storr and fairy pools.
  • 3
    Loch NessA vast, deep Highland loch legendary for its elusive monster and lochside Urquhart Castle.
  • 4
    Glenfinnan ViaductThe curving railway viaduct made globally famous by the Harry Potter films' Hogwarts Express.
  • 5
    Ben NevisBritain's highest mountain, a magnet for hillwalkers near Fort William.
  • 6
    Stirling CastleA grand Renaissance royal castle at the historic gateway between Lowlands and Highlands.
  • 7
    The Royal MileEdinburgh's historic spine linking the castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with closes, shops and pubs.
  • 8
    GlencoeA hauntingly beautiful Highland glen of soaring peaks, waterfalls and clan history.
Best time to travel

May, June and September

Spring brings longer days as nature bursts into life, and summer means long warm days, festivals and island-hopping. Savvy visitors choose the spring (May to June) and autumn (September) shoulder seasons for drier weather and lower prices. July and August bring festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe plus generous daylight, but the biggest crowds. Winter, from November to March, means wilder weather and cosy nights, and the best chance to stargaze and see the northern lights.

Apr-JunSpring's long days and settled, drier weather, ideal for hiking and islands before peak crowds.
Jul-AugWarmest, longest days and Edinburgh's festivals, but the busiest and priciest.
Sep-OctAutumn shoulder season with golden colour, dry days and lower prices.
Nov-MarCold, wild winter with short days but the best stargazing and northern-lights odds and quiet cities.
Good to know

Scotland at a glance

The practical essentials for planning your trip. Our team confirms the details for your dates and nationality.

Best time to travelMay to June and September
CapitalEdinburgh
LanguageEnglish (de facto), Scots and Scottish Gaelic
CurrencyPound sterling (GBP)
Entry / visaScotland is part of the United Kingdom, outside the Schengen Area, and follows UK entry rules; travelers should confirm current UK visa or ETA requirements before departure.
Getting aroundTrains link Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Highlands including the scenic West Highland Line, while a hire car is best for Skye, Glencoe and remote glens, and ferries serve the islands.
What to book

Best tours in Scotland

A taste of our most-loved journeys. Every one is a flexible starting point for your tailor-made trip.

Classic & Cultural

Highlands & Islands Grand Tour

Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Isle of Skye across Scotland's most iconic landscapes.

Luxury

Whisky & Castles Journey

Private tastings on the whisky trail paired with stays in historic castle-hotels.

Adventure & Nature

Munro & Glen Trekking

Guided walks up Ben Nevis and through Glencoe for keen hikers.

MICE & Incentive

Scotland for Groups & Incentives

Castle-venue dinners, whisky-blending team activities and Edinburgh conference facilities for corporate groups.

See all Scotland programs
Why Scotland

The specials

Highland drama

Few landscapes rival the raw beauty of Skye, Glencoe and the lochs.

Living history

Castles, clans and centuries of legend are woven into every glen and city.

The water of life

Scotland is the global home of whisky, with distillery trails across the country.

Questions about Scotland?

Read our frequently asked questions, or tell us what you're dreaming up and we'll design it around you.

Read the FAQ Plan a Trip

Travel facts verified from VisitScotland, Wikipedia, Scotland, Lonely Planet, Best time to visit Scotland, Wikipedia, Edinburgh Castle. Sample tours are suggested starting points; details and pricing are finalised by the Tourkom team.