From historic castles to magnificent mountains, Scotland is home to numerous stunning landmarks that are more than worth a trip across the world to see.
Here are just five that should be included on your itinerary.
1. Edinburgh Castle
Located in the heart of Edinburgh along the Royal Mile, atop Castle Rock, stands the exquisite Edinburgh Castle.
Little of the present-day castle predates the sixteenth century but a royal castle has existed on the rock since at least the twelfth century. The site continued to serve as a royal residence until 1633.
As for Castle Rock, that has been occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age.
A trip to Scotland isn’t complete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle, so make sure it’s on your itinerary.
Having said that, there are many famous landmarks in Scotland, so, if you’re only visiting the country for a short time, you’ll have to plan carefully to fit everything in. Perhaps a better idea is to go on private tours of Scotland. You can then pack in as much sightseeing as possible.
2. Loch Ness
Over 200,000 overseas tourists travel to Loch Ness each year, and most of them probably hope to get a glimpse of the legendary Loch Ness Monster, which many people believe is real.
There are even some convincing photographs in existence to help prove Nessie’s existence.
While it’s a long shot that you’ll actually spot the monster, if indeed it does exist, you’re sure to enjoy visiting the loch itself.
Loch Ness is the largest lake in the U.K. and you won’t appreciate just how beautiful it is until you arrive.
While at the loch, you’ll also want to check out the ruins of the thirteenth-century Urquhart Castle, which is located on the shore of Loch Ness. The castle was the stronghold of Robert the Bruce. It was destroyed by the English in the seventeenth century.
3. Skara Brae
The stone-built Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae is situated on the island of Mainland, which is the largest of Scotland’s Orkney Islands.
Incredibly, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Skara Brae is older than both Stonehenge in England and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The site was occupied from around 3180 BC to around 2500 BC.
Today, it’s Europe’ most complete Neolithic village.
Skara Brae consists of ten houses made from flagstones in earthen dams, which give support to the walls. The houses include stone hearths, cupboards, and beds. Furthermore, the site has a primitive sewer system.
4. Stirling Castle
Another castle that is undoubtedly worth a trip across the ocean to see is Stirling Castle, which is located in the city of Stirling.
The exact date of the castle’s original construction is not known, but the first record comes from around 1110; when a chapel was dedicated on the site by King Alexander I.
Over the centuries, many Scottish royals were crowned at Stirling Castle, including Mary, Queen of Scots.
Sitting atop an impressive crag, the castle is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, so, when the castle was in use, it had a strong defensive position.
Most of Stirling Castle’s principal buildings date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, but there are also a few structures that date from the fourteenth century.
5. Ben Nevis
Whether you want to climb it or just look at its magnificence, Ben Nevis is undoubtedly the greatest natural landmark in all of Scotland.
In fact, the mountain is the highest in all of the British Isles. The summit is 4,411 feet above sea level.
Located in the Grampian Mountains near the town of Fort William, around 130,000 people climb Ben Nevis every year.
If you decide to climb the mountain yourself and you make it to the top, you’ll not only be rewarded by breathtaking views. You’ll also be able to see the ruins of an observatory and the collapsed dome which was once the top of an ancient volcano.
