Scotland is a beautiful place to visit no matter what time of year. With breathtaking landscapes, historic cities and stunning coastlines, Scotland is the perfect destination for a holiday. So here are the top 5 places to visit in Scotland this Summer.

EDINBURGH

Edinburgh is a city teeming with history and culture and a place you can easily spend a few days to a week exploring. There are so many incredible places that are worth a visit, some of the locations including the following -

Royal Botanical Gardens - With a history dating back to the 17th century, this world-leading botanical garden is so beautiful no matter what time of year you visit!

Calton Hill - The best time of day to visit Calton Hill is during sunset as you slowly watch the sun lower behind the horizon. The rooftops glow and the sky turns magnificent shades of pink and purple.

Princes Street Gardens - Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the busy high street, Princes Street Gardens is a great place to sit down and soak in the atmosphere. With Edinburgh Castle dominating the skyline and the water fountain providing the perfect amount of ambiance, there’s no better place to spend a few hours than relaxing in these gardens.

Arthur’s Seat - The steep climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat is worth the panoramic views you get from across the whole city and beyond. On a clear day you can see for miles, and the views are worth the hike up!

GLASGOW

From one great city to another! Glasgow which is situated on the River Clyde on Scotland’s west coast is a wonderful place to visit. With plenty of museums which are free to enter such as the Riverside Museum as well as art galleries that are worth a visit all year-round. This is the perfect city to explore on foot with many of these places of interest a short walk from each other. Some locations worth visiting in Glasgow include the following -

The Kelpies - Just a short drive or train journey out of the city, these 30-metre-high horse-head sculptures are a magnificent sight to behold.

Riverside Museum - Located along the banks of the River Clyde, the Riverside Museum is full of collections of historic vehicles and state-of-the-art interactive displays which is the perfect place to visit with the whole family and is completely free of charge.

People’s Palace - Set in the historic Glasgow Green, the People’s Palace is home to a collection of objects, photographs, prints and film which offers a unique insight into how Glaswegians lived, worked and played in years gone by to the present day.

The Lighthouse - With 360 degree views across the city at the very top of the building, the lighthouse is a visitor centre, exhibition space and events venue in the heart of Glasgow. It is housed in the former Glasgow Herald building, the first public commission completed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and is the perfect place to begin a Mackintosh tour of Glasgow!

LOCH NESS

No trip to Scotland is complete without a pleasant stop in one of the most iconic lakes in Scotland... Loch Ness! A place shrouded in myth and legend is one of Scotland's top locations to visit. Scanning the horizon for a glimpse of the elusive monster and visiting the ruins of Urquhart Castle. It is easy to spend a day exploring the Loch and the surrounding area and it is the perfect thing to do during the Summer months. 

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

If you’re looking for something a bit more rural this Summer, then a trip to the Scottish Highlands is like no other. With its rugged coastline and soaring mountains, the highlands are the perfect place to escape to. During the warmer months a trip to the Cairngorms National Park is the perfect area for hiking and biking.

The Scottish highlands have some of the most outstanding natural beauty in the whole country and have served as the backdrop to hit movies and TV shows such as the hugely popular Outlander series. 

There are so many incredible places to visit across Scotland during the summer months, this list only covers just a handful of them. Get prepared for your Scotland adventures with our range of Scotland souvenirs and gifts!