8 Offbeat Towns To Visit In Scotland
Scotland is a beautiful country that is part of the United Kingdom with England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It has a rich history going back to prehistoric times and has maintained an independent spirit throughout the ages. Its highlands, lowlands and islands are idyllic places that hide many cute small towns. These towns have great distilleries, castles, beaches, cathedrals, and much more to see and explore. The next time you go on a trip to Scotland, consider visiting these 8 off-beat small towns in Scotland.
Cullen
The seaside town of Scotland is a cute place for a day on the beach or exploring local architecture. At Cullen Beach, you can either dip your toes in the water or take the buggy and wheelchair friendly coast path to take in the ocean views. Visitors can learn how to kayak, sail, or coastal row at Cullen Sea School. You can learn about the history of this village at Cullen's Heritage Centre. The area is great for walking, with multiple trails in town, including the Crannoch Wood Walk, Crannoch Hill Walk, and Bin Hill. During your walk, you can explore Cullen Auld Kirk, a church first built in 1236, which contains the remains of Queen Elizabeth de Burgh, second wife of Robert the Bruce. Lastly, just outside of town, you can explore the ruins of a 13th-century fort: Findlater Castle.
St. Abbs
This fishing village is a charming spot on the Berwickshire coastline in Southeastern Scotland, about a 90-minute drive away from Edinburgh. The area was first settled in the mid-1700s, but the name comes from a 7th-century Northumbrian princess. Today, the area is a popular destination for scuba divers due to the crystal clear water. It's a beautiful place to watch seabirds, as the St. Abbs Head National Nature Reserve has beautiful cliffs and seabird colonies. Spend a day at the beach at Coldingham Sands, close to St. Abbs Nature Reserve, which can also be accessed by the Berwickshire Coastal Path. For other spots in town, consider visiting the St Abbs Lighthouse or grab a drink and food from The Allanton Inn.
Luss
Located on the shore of Loch Lomond, Luss earns its name from the Gaelic word for a sweet herb, which supposedly grew on the grave of Saint Kessog in the 6th century. This town is highly walkable, and you can see most of its 18th and 19th-century cottages on the Luss Village Paths. These paths will also take you by the Parish Church, which has beautiful stained glass windows, and Luss Pier. In fact, this town has magical trails that are perfect for families. At Loch Lomond Trails, children can explore the Faerie Trail, which has many faerie houses and magical mushrooms to see along the way. Before you leave town, check out the Inverbeg Gallery to see beautiful art for sale.
Pitlochry
Located in Highland Perthshire, you'll find some of the oldest spots in the entire country in Pitlochry. One such spot is Blair Athol Distillery, one of the oldest of its kind in the country, which gets its water from the Allt Dour in the foothills of the Grampian Mountains. You can also visit Killiecrankie Gorge, a site of a bloody battle in 1689 during the Jacobite Uprising. At this gorge, you will see Soldier's Leap and the beautiful waterfalls beneath it and the Pass of Killiecrankie. Speaking of waterfalls, make sure to explore the Black Spout waterfall at Black Spout Wood. Golfers will particularly enjoy Pitlochry as its 69-hole golf course is one of the best in the area.
Portree
Nestled on the Isle of Skye, this quirky island town is both a great location to explore the island and an idyllic destination in its own right. Portree was first settled in the 19th century by Lord MacDonald as a fishing village and today is a quaint place with several attractions waiting to be explored. One such place is the Apothecary Tower located on a hill in town, which is a beautiful spot for a picnic. You can also take several hikes in Portree, such as Ben Tianavaig, which will give you a great view of the island once you reach the top. For true adventurers, consider going on the Portree Treasure Hunt Trial, which will take you 1.25 miles through the village to see many of the hidden treasures in town. If you want to learn more about the history of Portree, check out the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Center.
Crieff
This market town in the lowlands is a popular spot that serves as the capital of Strathearn. Despite this, only 7,280 people call Crieff home, which gives it a great small-town feel. Of note in town is Drummond Castle and Gardens. This 17th-century garden is one of the oldest in Europe, which makes it a must-visit. There are plenty of places to hike in town, such as Lady Mary's Walk, which goes along River Earn, MacRosty Park, and Loch Monzievaird, located west of Crieff and contains the ruins of Castle Cluggy. If you show up in the summer, make sure to go to The Crieff Monthly Market for local meat, jams, crafts, and gifts. Lastly, if you're a lover of rare books, visit the Innerpeffray Library, the oldest library in the country.
Braemar
Located next to the Grampian Mountains and the River Dee, Braemar is famous for the Braemar Gathering, a highland game that is attended by the royal family each year. The town itself is a must-visit for both outdoor enthusiasts and castle explorers alike. There are two castles you can visit, Braemar Castle and Kindrochit Castle, both hundreds of years old. Braemar Castle, in particular, was built by the Earl of Mar in the 1600s and played a critical role in the Jacobite Uprising. Hikers will appreciate the trek up to the Lion's Face and the Cromlins or Creag Chonnich, a hill path in the village. For other places in Braemar to see, consider the Braemar Church and local shops such as Lamont Sporrans, N.G. Menzies, and Braemar Chocolate Shop.
Dunkeld
This small town of 678 people located north of Perth is a historic place within the highlands that makes for a great day trip. Dunkeld's best attraction is Dunkeld Cathedral, which features peaceful grounds alongside the River Tay. Inside the Cathedral, you will find an intriguing tomb of Alexander Stewart, the younger brother of King Robert II, with a beautifully preserved effigy of the man. Shakespeare enthusiasts will want to visit the Birnam Oak, a 600-year-old tree referenced in Macbeth. Within the town, you'll find many cute craft stores like Kat N Kat, Naked Sheep and The Vintage Shop. Before you leave Dunkeld, you'll also want to check out The Telford Bridge and the nearby Hermitage walk through the woods, which will lead you to Black Linn Falls.
Scotland is one of the prettiest places on earth, especially with its many offbeat small towns. In these towns, you'll discover quaint fishing destinations, historic cathedrals, castles, and picturesque hills that you can hike up to experience fantastic views of the countryside. The next time you visit the U.K, don't just stop at the big cities, make time for some of these small towns to get the full Scottish experience. And while you're at it, bring back a souvenir from the local shops.
