First of all, let me just say that I LOVE Scotland! There is so much to see & do! How do you narrow down the top places to visit in Scotland? The highlands with the rolling hills covered in heather, the ruins, the castles, the pubs, the kilts, standing stones, bagpipes, the Highland Games, and of course, the Scotch whiskey – I mean, what’s not to love? The towns are charming from Edinburgh to Inverness, Glencoe to Glasgow. The countryside is rural and untouched. It is a place I could go back to time and time again and never tire of.
There are so many places to visit, that it would take several trips to fit it all in (or one REALLY long one). So, how do you decide what to see and do in your limited time there? Let me kick it off for you with three STUNNING places that should be at the top of your bucket list of places to visit in Scotland! They are all on the west side of the country and not terribly far from each other. You could easily fit in all three, even if you’re only there for a short time.
#3 – Devil’s Staircase
Located just east of Glencoe, Devil’s Staircase is a hard hike of approximately 3 miles that gets steeper and steeper as you reach the top. It is a small section of the MUCH longer West Highland Way – which stretches 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William. But, don’t let the 3 miles fool you…it’s a tough hike!
This entire area is absolutely breathtaking. There are many photo opportunities as you get close to the trail. These hills have served as the back drop for many films including Braveheart, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, just to name a few.
The trail is easy to follow and popular, so it’s unlikely you’ll be alone. If you are like me, you can marvel at the people that zoom past you with their giant back packs. They are obviously experienced hikers doing the BIG hike. It gets steep as you approach the top, but hang in there! You’ll be rewarded by awe inspiring views. There was a light, but constant and cold, rain the day we were there, but the views were still spectacular! It took us about 2 hours, but we really took our time along the way and rested for a bit at the top and ate the lunch we brought with us.
👍ARE YOU TRAVEL OBSESSED? Join ‘Our Travel Obsession' Facebook group!
A Surprise At The Top:
After your hard work to make it up the staircase, you will see the, very charming, Honesty Tuck Shop – one of the most interesting things I've seen hiking! They have drinks and snacks for sale. No one manning the shop, just a sign and container of money. Put your money in & take what you bought. It’s a great little reward!
How To Get To The Devil's Staircase:
First, head east on A82 from the Glencoe visitors center. Go about 7.4 miles and watch for the white cottage shown in the picture above. There is a small parking lot on the opposite side of the road. There are no big trail markers here. Just look for the small green sign marking the trail to Kinlochleven. You’ll probably see a few people & cars too.
Be Prepared:
There are no restrooms, no eating establishments, nadda (unless you count the Tuck Shop). Be sure to bring a backpack with snacks and plenty of water. And, as always in Scotland, don’t forget your rain gear.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR GLENCOE
Spacious Highland Getaway.
Little Dunire is ideally located in the heart of the stunning Glencoe village. From here you can explore everything the West Coast of Scotland has to offer.
The cottage boasts 3 bedrooms – all of which are en suite.
#2 – Devil’s Pulpit/Finnich Gorge
This place is straight out of a fairy tale! The “pulpit” is a rock formation in the 100-foot (give or take) Finnich Gorge. There are many legends of fairies and magic in Scotland. When you see this place, you’ll understand why. Water flows over red sandstone and moss covers everything as you make your way down a very steep stairway/path (which dates back to around 1860).
One of the things I liked about this spot, besides its undeniable beauty, is that it is not a big tourist attraction. There will be a few people there (which will help you find the place), but it's not overly crowded. It’s a beautiful spot to hang out for a bit and a great place to capture some amazing photos! You will feel like you’ve entered a magical, prehistoric world.
How To Get To Finnich Gorge:
This one is not quite as easy to find, but REALLY worth the effort! The gorge is about 13 miles outside of Glasgow. There aren’t really any signs or markers specifically for the gorge, so GPS coordinates are your friend: 56.034243,-4.419551. Once you arrive at the intersection of A809 and B834, you will see a small parking lot that will fit a few cars. Park there.
There is a gate off the parking lot that leads into a field – don’t go there. Follow the worn path down the A809 road, walk over the bridge and look for a gap in the fence. Then, go through the gap. From there, you’ll be able to follow the path through the trees (and probably hear voices as well). The path will lead you along the fence. BE CAREFUL! There are no rails or anything to keep you from falling down into the gorge. As long as you watch where you are going, you’ll be just fine.
Once you reach the “stairway” leading down into the gorge, there are ropes to hold onto and you will want to take advantage of them – it’s VERY steep, muddy, and wet, so be extra careful! I definitely do not recommend this one if you have any trouble walking or climbing.
Interesting Fact: It may feel like you are trespassing when you go through the gap in the fence – not so in Scotland. Thanks to their Land Reform Act of 2003 (also known as the Freedom to Roam), you are free to walk and camp just about anywhere in Scotland. If you spend much time hiking or driving around this gorgeous country, you’ll see many tents and RV’s in random places. This is one of the coolest things about visiting Scotland. If you see something beautiful or interesting, just pull over and go exploring!
There are, of course, a few places you can’t go. Don’t go walking into someone’s house or try to camp at a construction site, for example. Luckily, most places you’d want to go, are open for your pleasure. Here is a list of more places to avoid.
Be Prepared:
No restrooms, food or drinks here. Bring good shoes that have some grip to them and be prepared to get your feet wet if you plan to go all the way to the pulpit (you will need to get in the water, but it was less than knee deep when we were there). And, as always in Scotland, bring your camera! It’s also a great place to have a little picnic.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR FINNICH GORGE
Appletree Cottage is a cosy, bright, newly built luxury self catering lodge set in the peaceful surroundings of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Sleeping up to 8 people in four en-suite bedrooms, Appletree features a large and spacious living space with wood burning stove and picture windows looking southwards across open countryside. Photo courtesy of VRBO.
#1 – Arnisdale and Corran
And now, my ABSOLUTE favorite place in ALL of Scotland! Arnisdale is a TINY village that sits on the north shore of Loch Hourn about 10 miles from Glenelg on the west coast of Scotland. A short walk down the road will bring you to Corran, an even smaller village, literally at the end of the road (just ½ a mile from Arnisdale). If you are looking for a place to unwind, get far away from the hustle and bustle, and enjoy some of the best views Scotland has to offer, this is the place for you!
Make no mistake, this is a place to escape to. There is no store, no pub, nothing but peace and quiet in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. The people are friendly and the views are out of this world. As we drove toward the village, I think I said “WOW” about 1,000 times. Every time we turned a corner or came up over a hill, I thought the scenery couldn’t get any better – I was wrong.
We rented a room in Arnisdale House through Airbnb (This is a room in the house with the host) – hosted by Andrew (highly recommended). He was gracious and charming and the views from our bedroom and bathroom couldn’t be beat! During our visit, we walked down the road (there is only one), and saw an amazing sunset and some Highland stags.
Another evening, while out walking through this dreamland, someone started playing the bagpipes in the distance – it was one of my favorite moments of the whole trip! Walking outside in Scotland, surrounded by so much beauty and then…BAGPIPES!?! It doesn’t get any better than that!
The Hunt for Highland Cows:
We had driven all over Scotland for 6 days already and hadn’t seen a single Highland “coo”! Our awesome host, Andrew, gave us directions to head towards Corran, take a left at the bridge, go through the red gate and follow the river. So, we put on our hiking boots and headed out. Sure enough, after walking for a while, we found them ( a whole heard of them resting by the river).
We came back and had a bite to eat at Sheena’s Tea Hut (excellent quiche). This little tea hut is tiny – it would have felt crowded with 5 people in it. It was cozy & warm, the food was great and, of course, the views were stunning. We took tons of pictures and really enjoyed our stay in this area. It is one of those places that I would love to spend a month in.
Side Note:
From Arnisdale it is only about a 30 minute drive to the Glenelg Skye Ferry, the last turntable ferry in the world. You can catch a ride “over the sea to Skye.” It can be a long drive to most places in Skye though, on narrow winding roads that go through the hills. Be aware of the time and be sure to get back before the ferry runs for the last time, or you’ll be in for a much longer drive back around on A87. The ferry runs 7-days a week from 10am-6pm (until 7pm in June, July, and August). It runs every 20-minutes, but there may be a line, so give yourself plenty of time.
Be Prepared:
This area is extremely rural. There are no grocery stores or gas stations in Arnisdale or Corran and the only place to eat is Sheena’s Tea Hut. Things close early around here. I highly recommend picking up some food, water, wine…whatever you think you’ll need, before you arrive.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR ARNISDALE/CORRAN
The location at the road end near to the headwater of Loch Hourn is almost other worldly. Right by the sea loch with amazing views, it’s frankly a bit of a paradise.. Ground Floor:
All on the ground floor. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
So there you have it – my top three favorite places to visit in Scotland! Honestly though, the entire country is so beautiful. Anywhere you go in Scotland, you are sure to find amazing things to see! Now, go plan YOUR Scotland trip!
If you loved this post, PIN IT for later & check out the related posts below!
Related Posts:
- The Perfect Scotland Road Trip (a four part series all about our trip – it covers EVERYTHING!)
- 17 Fun Facts About Scotland You Never Knew
- Virtual Vacations (virtually tour the Scottish Highlands with Rick Steves & more)
Until next time…
Until next time…
About The Author
My mission is to inspire and empower families to prioritize travel now, creating unforgettable memories and deeper connections with their loved ones.
I provide guidance and practical solutions to help busy parents integrate travel into their lives, fostering joy, fulfillment, and stress-free adventures. Don’t wait until it’s too late; the time to travel is now.
Learn more about me & My Travel Obsession here.
My Favorite Travel Booking Apps & Websites
⭐MY TRAVEL OBSESSION:
- Products & Services – My Travel Obsession's travel planning products, services, and freebies!
- What To Pack – See all of my personal favorite travel items.
- Travel Resources – Resources that I use most when planning, booking & traveling.
🏡FOR FINDING GREAT PLACES TO STAY:
- VRBO – My #1 recommendation for family-friendly lodging options.
- Expedia – My favorite for hotel bookings.
🚗FOR CAR & RV RENTALS:
- Discover Cars & Sixt – My favorite sites for rental cars worldwide.
- Turo.com – Rent a car from an individual owner – It's like VRBO for cars!
- RVShare – Rent an RV for your next family road trip!
🚁FOR ACTIVITIES, EXCURSIONS, & TOURS:
- Viator & Get Your Guide – The best sites to find and book activities & excursions.
- Gypsy Guide – An AWESOME audio tour app. ALWAYS check to see if they have a tour available.
🩺FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE:
- SafetyWing – The lowest-cost travel insurance out there. Several options starting as low as $42 for 4 weeks of coverage.
✈FOR FINDING GREAT FLIGHT DEALS:
- Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) – My #1 recommendation for saving big $$$ on flights. Sign up for a free 14-day trial.
🥾FOR HIKING:
- AllTrails – THE APP for hikers. I recommend paying for the pro version so you can use the navigation feature while hiking.
Once you're done here, head to the homepage to explore or jump to one of these categories: Texas Travel ~ US Travel ~ International Travel ~ Travel Tips & Tricks ~ Travel Gear & Gadgets ~ What To Pack ~ Travel Planning ~ Shop
Wow, incredible! You’ve seen more of Scotland than I have, and I used to live in the UK! Isn’t that the way though lol! We still plan to return and hit the Highlands and Devil’s Cove would be amazing. Thank you for all the Scotland travel tips!
You are so welcome & yes, we often don’t see all the things in the areas where we live.