We’ve been to over 250 places in Scotland – from ‘Caribbean’ beaches to an island ‘frozen in time’, here are the country’s best spots to visit

Scotland has a lot to offer visitors – 118 inhabited islands, more than 290 beaches, more than 1,000 castles and more than 30,000 lochs.

But many of the sights are separated by miles and miles of wilderness.

Make the wrong choices and you could waste hours behind the wheel of a car (in pouring rain!).

Here to steer you to the perfect itinerary for a Scottish trip are photographers and content creators Laura and Tom (@traveltwo_), who have visited over 250 places in Scotland in the past five years.

They’ve created a mesmerising gallery of helpful video travel guides and an interactive map guide to the ‘best of Scotland’ – and here reveal even more top tips, including the joys of one of the UK’s most remote islands, the country’s most surprising places, its most underrated areas, the best spots for wildlife and more.

The best place to visit in Scotland

With so many top destinations across Scotland, Laura and Tom explain that it’s a challenge to ‘pick a favourite’ spot as in ‘each season, different parts of the country have their special charm’.

That said, it’s the island of Harris and Lewis (sometimes referred to as separate islands) that they would choose if they had the chance to visit somewhere ‘for the first time’ again.

The Scotland experts explain: ‘There’s a warmth to the island – even on its coldest days – that shines through its local people and across the stunning, often virtually empty, white sandy beaches.

‘We think of it as the Caribbean of Scotland, minus the guaranteed sun of course – though it has always been sunny when we’ve visited!

‘Every time we go, the landscape shows us something different and like many of Scotland’s islands, it’s a place where time is not in charge, which we love.’

The most underrated place in Scotland

The pair reveal: ‘Somewhere we send lots of people and genuinely just love to visit is Fife [between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth]. 

‘It’s an area that’s easily reached from Edinburgh and Glasgow and offers something for everyone.

‘[Fife has] historic towns with cobbled streets, quaint little harbours serving up some of the UK’s best fish and chips, wild swimming saunas, palaces, woodland walks, castles and some of our favourite foodie and accommodation spots.’

Laura and Tom recommend including Falkland, Crail, Culross and Ceres on a Fife holiday itinerary. 

The most surprising place to visit in Scotland

Looking to get away from civilisation? 

St Kilda, one of the UK’s most remote islands and Laura and Tom’s top unique Scottish destination, might be just the place. 

If you can get there, that is. 

Laura and Tom explain: ‘It’s certainly not easy to reach, which is part of its charm (we were third time lucky after cancelled crossings). But wow is this place somewhere that will stay with you long after you have left its shores.

‘Stepping foot onto the island was like stepping into the past, an island frozen in time since its last inhabitants were forced to leave in 1930 due to life becoming unsustainable for them.

‘Quite how people lived on this remote and dramatic island becomes harder to imagine when you visit.

‘The epic cliffs they used to scale for food, its history, abandoned settlements, the thousands of rare seabirds, and the scenery make this trip a bucket list adventure if you can find the time in the summer months.’

The best nature in Scotland

Scotland’s rich natural environment is home to more than 90,000 species, but Laura and Tom recommend homing in on the Isle of Mull if you’re an animal lover. 

The pair say ‘there is nowhere better’ for wildlife in Scotland.

The travellers explain: ‘One minute you can be otter-spotting on the banks of its lochs, next you’ll be looking up at golden eagles soaring overhead or following dolphins making their way around the island.

‘It has beaches, the only island Munro (mountain over 3,000ft/914m) outside of Skye, and boat trips out to places such as Fingal’s Cave and to see the puffins on Staffa. A real nature-lover’s paradise.’

Scotland’s best city 

There’s only one choice for a Scottish city break for Laura and Tom.

They say: ‘As Edinburgh is our home, it’s fair to say that if people have the chance to visit just one city, we’d always say here.

‘A place designed to be explored on foot (though pack trainers as it’s built on a lot of hills!), we have over a hundred recommendations on our map for a reason.

‘Its history, architecture, shops, and of course the castle that everything sits around, make this not just our favourite city in Scotland, but in the world.’

Tips and tricks for visiting Scotland

Hire a car or a driver

‘We always say to people looking to explore the Highlands and Islands to hire a car or a driver,’ advise Laura and Tom. 

They add: ‘Public transport is great between the cities and bigger towns, but once you get more remote, things become less reliable. Driving is a lot safer than people think and provided you are respectful of the road and the rules of single-track lanes, you’ll be fine.’

Prepare for midges

Worried about midge season? The Scotland experts reveal how to lower the risk.

They explain: ‘We always get asked about midges, so to set the records straight, yes, they can be bad in the summer but only on days with little wind and once the sun has gone down (around water in particular).

‘Be prepared for this and pack midge repellent. It’s a small price to pay for still being able to find remote spots in peak season.’

Slow down

Laura and Tom explain: ‘Don’t rush. We often speak to people looking to visit a few famous spots, often hours apart. In doing so, they spend much of their trip in the car rather than outside exploring.

‘That’s why we designed our map to help people see all the best things in the areas they are visiting and not miss out on something great because they are rushing to the next destination.’

Follow the rules

Scotland’s Outdoor Access Code should ‘always be followed’ when ‘exploring Scotland’s great outdoors’, say the pair.

The best accommodation in Scotland 

‘There are lots of well-documented famous hotels, but as part of what we do, we are always on the lookout for places that are totally unique, and you can’t find anywhere else,’ explain Laura and Tom, who moved to Edinburgh from London.

Best guesthouse – ‘The Dundonald in Culross, which we love both for its interiors and hospitality’.

Best for a group holiday – ‘Tigh An Tobair on Skye, Hebrides House on Uig Sands and The Lodge at Dun Aluinn (Perthshire) can’t be beaten.’

Best for couples – ‘Creag na h-lolaire (Torridon), Glenmorangie House (near Inverness), The Lazy Duck (Cairngorms), Croft 103 (NC500) and The Witchery (Edinburgh) are like nothing else.’ 

Wild camping and campervans – ‘You can’t beat Scotland for its camping adventures!’

Want to know more about Scotland from Laura and Tom? Check out their map of Scotland that’s packed with recommendations and follow them on Instagram – @traveltwo_ – and TikTok… @traveltwo_.