Is Scotland Worth Visiting? Reasons to Travel in 2024

IS SCOTLAND WORTH VISITING?

I’ll let you in on a little secret…Before I planned my own trip to Scotland, it was a bit of an afterthought in planning my trip to the United Kingdom. It almost makes me ashamed that I wasn’t as excited about portions of our itinerary. But let me tell you, Scotland is worth visiting for so many reasons and I would go back in a heartbeat.

Is Scotland Worth Visiting in 2024?

Scotland may be small but it has something to offer every type of traveler. Locally sourced dishes will delight and surprise foodies. Outdoor enthusiasts will love hiking mountains and exploring hidden glens. Those seeking relaxation will find plenty of it in cozy inns and quiet villages. The Scottish also know how to have fun. Cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow are home to bars with late-night music, and cultural performances.

What is so special about Scotland?

Have you ever traveled to a place where you just immediately felt at home, and every aspect of your experience feels as if someone upstairs is commanding an orchestra to ensure each detail is perfect for you? At every corner, there’s something new to drop your jaw, whether it’s nature’s beauty or an idyllic pub.

For history lovers, Scotland feels like time-traveling as castles pop up along the landscape like you’d expect a gas station or a fast food drive thru back home.  Everything feels like a scene out of Outlander. For all of these reasons, there’s no doubt that Scotland is worth visiting.

How much does it cost to go to Scotland?

In the winter (meaning January and February), flights from New York to Edinburgh fall in the $500-$700 range. This is the off season but it’s still fairly pricey. You’ll have more flexibility financially if you search for flights into London.  Not only can you spend a few nights exploring London, you can take a high speed train which will get you up to Scotland in just over four hours. 

You can also rent a car and do your own road trip from London up to Edinburgh, which is what me and my family did. Accommodation is very reasonable. You can of course book five star hotels, but guest houses and inns give a more authentic, local experience and they’re affordable. They also have family style rooms for groups which was perfect for us. This, in my opinion, definitely made Scotland worth visiting.

Its Harry Potter Connection Makes Scotland Worth Visiting

Did Edinburgh inspire Harry Potter?

Everyone has their “nerd” thing right? Some people love Star Wars, others love gaming or Lord of the Rings. My nerd thing has been and will always be Harry Potter. If you are apart of the tribe, you get it.

So, like any good fan, I have a huge appreciation for the city that birthed this beloved series. JK Rowling moved to Edinburgh and would write in cafes with her young daughter beside her. There are three locations where it has been confirmed that Rowling worked in before she became too famous to work in public.

The first cafe is Spoon, which her brother-in-law owned during the time she frequented it. She also spent time at the Elephant House which definitely leaned into its part in Harry Potter’s history, hanging photos of JK Rowling inside and allowing guests to graffiti the bathrooms with quotes and drawings from the series. Unfortunately, there was a fire there in 2021 and the cafe remains closed as of this writing.

The third location is Traverse Theater Cafe. Being attached to a theater, it’s not surprising that its patrons are all varieties of creatives, from writers to directors and actors. 

The city of Edinburgh itself is credited with inspiring the Harry Potter series. Rowling hasn’t confirmed which sites and specifics inspired her whimsical writing, but after visiting the city, its clear why adoring fans have come to these conclusions. The graveyards, castles, and winding streets all make you feel like you’ve stepped into the pages of a storybook. 

You can explore these sights on your own, or by booking a very affordable tour like these here.

The land that inspired Harry Potter

Outside of Edinburgh, there are plenty of places that scream Harry Potter. While this first one is technically just south of the Scottish border, it is one of the most iconic as its where the first Harry Potter movie was filmed. It’s very easy to do a day tour from Edinburgh in order to visit Alnwick Castle if you don’t have a car. 

You’ll notice that the courtyards of Alnwick are where Harry and his classmates first learned to fly with Madam Hooch. Many of the other outdoor scenes with students walking between classes or the gang heading down to Hagrid’s, will come flooding back to you since they were filmed here too.

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking a ride on the Hogwarts Express, you can!

The Jacobite Steam Train travels through the Scottish Highlands over the Glenfinnan Viaduct with its 21 imposing arches. This is the same train used in the films. Sadly, it will not deliver you to Hogsmeade, but you can take the 42 mile journey between Fort William and Mallaig.
Throughout Scotland, you’ll find scenery that was used as backdrops in your favorite Potter scenes. My favorite is probably Hagrid’s Hut. It’s easy to imagine the hut right there in the Glencoe countryside. Loch Eilt will also be familiar as Dumbledore’s grave. And filmmakers digitally combined nearby Lochs like Morar to create the Black Lake.

The Local Brus Make Scotland Worth Visiting

Scotland’s Other National Drink

There is a beverage in Scotland that I liked ALMOST as much as their whisky. It’s bright orange and tastes sort of like bubblegum but also like nothing discernible at all. I know I’m REALLY selling it here, but hear me out! 

One of my top priorities when visiting a new place is to find that weird, local thing and embrace it. Just go to Reddit to see what people think about Irn Bru. It’s not exactly beloved, but it is begrudgingly theirs. Whether you like it or not, at least give it a try! I had a particularly perfect afternoon sitting by the water in Oban, drinking an Irn Bru with vodka, enjoying the sun on my face.

Scotch or Whisky?

Did you know they’re the same? Scotch is whisky, just from Scotland. And by the way a few countries like Scotland, Canada, and Japan drop the ‘e’ in whiskey. In Ireland, they distill whiskey three times compared to Scotland’s two. Scotland also uses malted barley, while Irish whiskey uses a mix of corn, barley, and wheat. And finally, for whisky to be Scottish, it has to be matured in oak casks for at least three years.

Clearly, the Scottish know their whisky, so you can find it in any and all pubs and restaurants. You can also choose to drink and learn more than the average bear by touring different facilities.

I took my dad on a very special tour at Glengoyne Distillery, just north of Glasgow.  For his birthday I gifted him the Malt Master Experience (£90 per person). This was a 90 minute, in-depth tour of the distillery, a tasting, and the opportunity to create our own single malt to bring home with us. We really enjoyed the private aspect of the tour, it felt like we had the place to ourselves.

Whether you’re staying in Edinburgh or Glasgow, or road-tripping around, there are plenty of whisky tours and experiences to fit every budget:

Scotland has an astounding 141 distilleries spread across five regions. You could orchestrate an entire trip around visiting as many as possible. I would plan in a few rest days of castle wandering to give your liver a break though.

Be Enchanted by Scotland’s Legends

Many magical creatures have perforated Scotland’s folklore for centuries. For me, I think it adds a layer of strangeness and mythology you don’t always find while traveling. For me, it’s another thing that makes Scotland worth visiting.

I think we all know Nessie. At some point in life we learned about the creature supposedly living in Loch Ness. A 5th century monk first recorded the monster but the world came to know Nessie in 1933. Visit the lakeside exhibition or take a tour around the lake and see Urquhart Castle at the same time.

This next one is what drew us to Scotland – fairies. We hoped to see them up on the Isle of Skye. We did hike along the fairy pools and stare in wonder at the unwordly shapes of the fairy glen, but found no actual fairies.

Scottish folklore tells us that “faeries” or “little people” come in many different forms. Some will be friendly and others may unleash their fury if you cross or disrespect them.

Don’t Confuse These Two Magical “Horses”

How charming is it that Scotland’s national animal is a unicorn? By definition I think that makes Scotland magical.  In Celtic mythology the unicorn has been a symbol of purity (cue my Harry Potter fans) and innocence. as well as masculinity and power. Unicorns have always been known to be fierce and untameable, and it seems Scots have always related to these personality traits. 

Keep an eye out while traveling through Scotland for unicorns featured in the royal crest and in wood carvings in St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. You’ll also find them in many castles throughout the land, like Stirling, Brodick, Fraser, and Crathes.

Now, if you see another horse down by the water while admiring Scotland’s beauty, just leave that horse alone. It may be a kelpie, and not a horse at all. According to legend, kelpies are water spirits with shape shifting abilities and the strength of 100 horses. And with that strength, it’ll drag you down into that beautiful loch and make it your final resting place. 

Sort of dark eh? Certainly much more dark and dangerous than those pure, white, unicorns. 

I had to look up what kelpies were because while we were driving from Edinburgh to Doune Castle, we passed these absolutely massive steel horse heads in Falkirk. These impressive 98 foot (30 meter) sculptures opened to the public in The Helix park in 2014.

Scotland is Worth Visiting for Afternoon Tea

So technically, you can have afternoon tea other places, but it just hits different in Scotland. While it feels fancy and sophisticated, it’s also relaxed and fun. Best of both worlds.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Cup in Edinburgh. Sadly that location closed as of 2023. They do have two locations in Glasgow. One big reason why we chose Cup was because of their allergy-friendly menus. My sister has celiac disease and so she was very pleased to be able to enjoy gluten-free sandwiches, scones, and sweets. They also have a vegetarian menu.

Not only was their service quick and friendly, but the food was delightful and plentiful. We each got five sandwiches, a scone and numerous baked goods to share. And maybe best of all, they have an extensive gin selection and we were able to create some pretty fantastic cocktails with different flavored gins and tonics. Even my dad got into it!

Besides Cup, there are plenty of other great options for afternoon tea in Scotland:

🫖 The Colonnades at the Signet Library, Edinburgh
🫖 Peacock Alley at the Waldorf Astoria, Edinburgh
🫖 The Dome, Edinburgh – they have a vegan tea
🫖 Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Fort William
🫖 Mackintosh at the Willow, Glasgow

You’ll Feel Like a Princess in Scotland

The castles! This was probably our top reason for visiting the UK. My dad is a huge history and architecture buff and really wanted to see the land of our forefathers. It is estimated that there are 1,500-3,000 castles and they all make Scotland worth visiting. 

With that number, I’m not sure if anyone could visit them all and unfortunately some have not been preserved over time. That being said, we had a few favorites that we fell in love with.

Game of Thrones. Monty Python. Outlander.

These are just a few of the projects which used Doune Castle as a filming location. It was breathtaking driving up to it. Winterfell was suddenly real and I was about to walk into the same courtyard as the Stark family. I could picture those crazy knights clicking coconuts together.

We spent an enjoyable afternoon recreating some of our favorite scenes (think: Holy Grail, coconuts), exploring dark, creepy rooms, and playing dress up in the Outlander exhibit they had on at the time. 

I’m not sure if every family is this “interactive” but we had a grand old time. As an American, it’s astonishing to walk through a structure dating back to 1400 that’s seen so many things over centuries.

My Tattoo Inspiration

Correct, I liked this next castle so much, it is now a permanent part of my body (photo below). Come back with me to that magical moment when I first laid eyes on it. We were driving along the water on A87. I was in the passenger seat (on the left, never not weird),  just gazing out at the still water and noticing the brilliant, yellow gorse. We turned a corner and this stunning stone structure rose up into view. It took my breath away. Like a kid (I was 30 at the time) I begged my dad to drive faster so we could get there.

The first castle on this land dates back to the 13th century. Its history stretches across clan feuds and the Jacobite rebellion, with the castle ultimately being destroyed in 1719. 

Fast forward two hundred years. They rebuilt the castle starting in 1919. While I am thankful it was restored, the only disappointment here is that the inside of the castle was rebuilt in a more modern style as a family home. Understandable and in their right, but I was hoping for a more historic vibe inside to match the remarkable exterior.

Don’t let that deter you though! Eilean Donan is one of Scotland’s most popular castles for good reason.

The Most Besieged

What a title to have. Edinburgh Castle is the most besieged place in all of Britain. And unfortunately on weekends it’s one of the most crowded. We were so spoiled during our other castle visits. Being the off season, we practically had them to ourselves. But Edinburgh Castle on a Saturday, even in late April was busy. This is one castle that you should visit during the week and during the shoulder season. You can also buy tickets in advance online or do a guided tour with this skip the line pass.

Gin Makes Scotland Worth Visiting

Our family did not go into our trip as big gin fans, but let me tell you, Scotland quickly changed all that. You can find inventive gin cocktails at bars all throughout Scotland. We were delighted by gin mixed with fresh, muddled fruit. And we loved mixing and matching gins and tonics to create new herby, flowery collabs.

If you’re already a gin lover or you want to learn more, Scotland has 70+ distilleries, most of which you can tour and visit. Tipplers can drop into state of the art Edinburgh Distillery for a tour or try one of three tastings at the new visitor center. I can attest that their rhubarb & ginger gin is fantastic, and others must agree since it is one of their best sellers.

For a little more of a local experience, take a trip to the Isle of Harris Distillery. The island’s population has declined by almost 50% in the last 50 years. This is mostly due to young people leaving to find work elsewhere. The distillery was started with this one goal in mind, to create “sustainable local employment”. They are working to protect their local culture and traditions. What is more beautiful than that? Supporting a small business is great. Supporting one that supports current and future generations of an entire community is better.

Scotland is Worth Visiting for a Hike

What is a Munro? Scotland’s Highest Mountains

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland and one of the most well-known and popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts. As such, it is also quite a long and challenging hike. Most sources clock it at 10.5 miles, requiring 7-9 hours of trekking. 

Many Scottish hikers participate in “Munro bagging”, the attempt to hike all of the country’s listed munros. Munros are mountains reaching 3,000+ feet. So Ben Nevis is the highest, but as of 2020, the Scottish Mountaineering Club has listed 282 munros in total. You certainly have your pick! Here are some other popular options around Scotland:

⛰️ Ben Macdui – 4,295 ft / 1,309 m, ~10 mile hike, Moderate
⛰️ Braeriach – 4,252 ft / 1,296 m, 13 miles out & back, Hard
⛰️ Cairn Gorm – 4,084 ft / 1,244.8 m, 7.1 miles, Hard

If hiking if your jam, make sure you look into bothies, which are free or low cost huts for hikers to crash in. A bothy can be found in popular hiking areas and parks. They’re usually pretty basic amenity wise, but dreamy in a star gazing, no wi-fi sort of way.

More Scenery, Less Sweaty

I love to hike, but sometimes I’m looking to enjoy nature without getting a full fledged workout in. I have Orange Theory for that, thanks. These hikes are slightly less strenuous, but a lovely jaunt in the great outdoors nonetheless.

🥾 Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye – This trail is 2.6 miles out and back. It’s rated as moderate as there’s some elevation gain. Having personally done this one, it did get my heart rate up a bit, but we stopped so many times to take photos, I never walked for long enough to get truly sweaty.

🥾 Glenfinnan Viaduct Circular, Highlands – Whether you actually take a ride on the Jacobite Steam train or not, this is an easy hike that’ll give you those iconic views that Harry Potter made famous. This 2.4 mile route begins with a gentle path and then becomes a steeper climb up to the viaduct and loch viewpoints. You can follow this trail to the train station where there’s a museum, and it also passes by Loch Shiel. Take a detour to the Glenfinnan Monument. This honors those who fought in the Jacobite Rising of 1745.

If seeing the train go by is important to you, be sure to check the train schedules and get there early for a parking spot. 

🥾 Loch an Eilein, Cairngorms National Park – This 3.5 mile trail will take you around the loch itself and through the Rothiemurchus Forest. In the center of the loch is an island with a castle dating back to the 13th century. 

🥾 Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh – Although no one is sure, many speculate that Arthur’s Seat refers to the location of Camelot. There are six trails leading to Arthur’s seat, of varying length and steepness. Choose which one works best for you, but it’s roughly a 2.5 mile loop or out and back.

You Won’t Go Hungry in Scotland

Admittedly the British are not known for their fabulous cuisine. I won’t lie and say there was a huge variety of five-star food everywhere we went in the UK. However, I will defend that we ate a lot of extremely tasty dishes during our travels there. These are some traditional Scottish foods you should try on your trip:

🍟 Fish & Chips – You’ve probably had these elsewhere. They’re fairly common even in the States. It may be because they were first served in the UK starting in the 1800’s, but they just taste so good here. And the newspaper thing was out of necessity during the war, but I enjoyed the ones I had in fake newspaper wrapping.

🐟 Cullen Skink – This popular creamy soup originated in Cullen. It typically contains smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. It’s a bit chowder adjacent, but the smokiness puts it in a category all its own.

🐑 Haggis – I can’t honestly recommend it. Surely you’ve heard of what it’s made of? You can use different words – pluck, offal, etc but its the innards of a sheep. I do believe you should try it despite my awful description here, since it’s a quintessential Scottish dish. Maybe the haggis bon bons I had were just bad? Maybe! Report back to me after you go 😉

🥔 Neeps & Tatties – We are definitely on team starch, and these vegetables do not disappoint. They are often served with the aforementioned haggis, but you’ll see this potato and turnip side on many a Scottish menu.

🧆 Stovies – This is a common dish traditionally made with leftover meat and potatoes.  Sometimes it’s offered as an appetizer. Other times you’ll see it as an accompanying side dish. Think of it as a cozy stew.

🍬 Tablet – And now for something sweet (a necessity in my opinion). Scottish tablet is often compared to fudge, but it has a grainier, more brittle-esque texture. Like fudge, it comes in a variety of flavors like salted caramel, chocolate orange, maple walnut, Irish creme, and more. 

🍯 Cranachan – It’s fitting to end this list with a second sweet, a dessert that is quintessentially Scottish. Cranachan was originally served up to celebrate the raspberry harvest. And it used to be a breakfast day. Nowadays it is served year round as a dessert. It is popularly included in a Burns Night dinner and is made with whisky, honey, oats, and fresh raspberries.

Scotland’s cuisine choices may not be as diverse as you’re used to, but the produce, meat, and fish here is super fresh and many restaurants source things locally. This is pretty different from a lot of food here in the United States. Whether we were enjoying a casual fish & chips or a fancier meat dish, we found the food to be delightful.  I am always looking for an excuse to have beans on toast. We most definitely did not go hungry in Scotland. 

If you’re visiting the Isle of Skye, check out this list of 31 restaurants to try!

The Ultimate Road Trip Makes Scotland Worth Visiting

The NC500

Five hundred miles of dazzling coastal scenery await you on this epic route around Scotland. To complete this road trip, I recommend spending 5-9 days. This will break up the driving to 30-100 miles per day which is quite manageable. 

If taking this on, I recommend planning out your route and booking accommodations ahead of time. Popular hotels and guest houses can book up 3-6 months in advance. 

Let me do this road trip planning work for you! Email me to get started.

Start the trip in Inverness by exploring Inverness Castle and taking a detour to the historic Culloden Battlefield, site of the last battle of the Jacobite Rising.  As you drive northeast, tour Dunrobin Castle and admire the Stacks of Duncansby. You can also see striking Dunbeath Castle along the cliffs.

The north coast leg stretches from John O’Groats to Durness. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is another ruin that appears to be crumbling into the sea, but breathtaking at sunset nonetheless. Stop in the charming village of Tongue, flanked by those intimidating Bens – Hope and Loyal. In Durness, you can see Scotland’s largest cave, Smoo Cave, in addition to Balnakiel Beach which features the ruins of the old Balnakiel Church. 

Sandwood Bay is a must-see as one of the most isolated and idyllic beaches in the whole United Kingdom.  Continuing south on the NC500 will take you over jaw-dropping Kylesku Bridge and even further south you won’t be able to miss Stac Pollaidh. Summiting this 613-meter mountain is only for the most experienced climbers, but it’s worth parking and walking down to Loch Lurgainn for some stunning views.

This route has everything. Mountains, lochs, waterfalls, white-washed villages, and beaches. If that enchanting combination doesn’t make Scotland worth visiting, I don’t know what does!

FAQ – Is Scotland Worth Visiting?

How many days in Scotland is enough?

Based on our experience, I would recommend 8-10 days in Scotland. If you’re visiting England as well, I’d tack on another week depending on what you want to see. We covered a lot of ground in our 8 days but I wished we had the luxury to spend more time in certain areas like the Isle of Skye.  There are also so many Scottish islands and villages to visit, that you could easily spend a month adventuring through its cities, historical sites, and landscape.

Is Scotland a good place for Americans to visit?

Yes, Scotland is worth visiting as an American and it’s a great place to visit as an American. Although the Scottish accent can sometimes cause one to scratch their head, they do indeed speak English, so there’s no language barrier. Scotland has something for everyone – the foodie, hiker, history buff, city dweller, and art lover.

What is the best month to visit Scotland?

The shoulder seasons are the best months to visit Scotland. This means March to May or September to November. Not only will you find cheaper airfare and accommodations, but popular sights won’t be overcrowded and booked up like in the summer months. The weather is also fairly mild these months. It may be a little chilly or rainy but it’s nothing an extra layer or an umbrella can’t fix.

What is the most beautiful part of Scotland?

I personally loved Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye and found them to be exquisite for different reasons. Some other beautiful places in Scotland include…

✨ The Southern Hebrides – Islay, Isle of Mull
✨ Loch Lomond
✨ Glen Coe
✨ Glenfinnan
✨ Lewis and Harris

Can you drive in Scotland with a US license?

Yes, you can drive in Scotland with a US license as long as your license is valid. This is true if you’re visiting from other countries too, like Australia or India.

Conclusion – Is Scotland Worth Visiting?

Absolutely, Scotland is worth visiting for so many reasons. We truly fell in love with Scotland when we went. It felt magical and faraway but comforting and cozy at the same time. Step back in time as you enter each castle. Meet locals down at the pub. Chance upon a fairy or a unicorn. Taste some of the world’s best whisky. Hike among the bluebells and gorse. It’s all possible on your next trip to Scotland!

Dying to go? Message me for help planning your Scottish adventure.

Featured Photo by Connor Mollison on Unsplash