Top Tips
Scotland is renowned as a place of natural beauty. Its dramatic landscapes and glistening lochs have formed the backdrop for many blockbuster movies, from The Waterhorse - Legend of the Deep to Harry Potter. Here are just a few scenic highlights.
1. Loch Ness from Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit
Scotland’s longest loch and the one that intrigues the most with tales of what lies beneath. Its sheer scale and endless views are best appreciated from this Highland stronghold. The protected castle ruins lend themselves perfectly to photos.
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2. Eilean Donan, near Kyle of Lochalsh
For many people this iconic view of a castle on an island is Scotland. The ramparts offer their own amazing outlook to the Isle of Skye and the romantic history of the castle itself completes the picture.
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3. Glencoe
Travelling south from Fort William, the magnitude of the surrounding scenery is overwhelming. The Glencoe Visitor Centre graphically recounts the Campbells’ massacre of the MacDonalds nearby but even that cannot detract from this glen’s scenic beauty.
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4. Ben Eighe from Torridon
The competition is strong but the mountain landscapes around Torridon are considered by many to be Scotland’s best. Ben Eighe rises up through the valley as the road wends its way south, passing one spectacular setting after another.
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5. Queen’s View, Loch Tummel, near Pitlochry
A viewpoint with the royal approval of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who never tired of its aspect towards Loch Tummel and the Schiehallion mountain. A visitor centre and car park make it even easier to enjoy today.
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6. Tarbert, Harris, The Hebrides
All the views are good here. For one that sums up the Hebridean Isles, head south from Tarbert for the dazzlingly white sands hugging the coastline and views to the island of Taransay and the mountains of Harris.
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7. Scott’s View, Gattonside, Scottish Borders
A favourite spot for one of Scotland’s favourite sons, author and poet Sir Walter Scott. Pause here, as he did, for inspiration, the wonderful sweep of the River Tweed leading to the Eildon Hills beyond.
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8. Dunnotar Castle, Stonehaven
Road and rail travellers on the east coast are met at Stonehaven by this stunning castle. Mainly in ruin, it stands proud on its clifftop promontory against the sea. Franco Zeffirelli filmed much of Mel Gibson’s “Hamlet” here.
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9. Wideford Hill, Orkney
Orkney blends with the sea and the sky, a place of standing stones and ancient civilisations. Wideford Hill, near the main town of Kirkwall, offers fine views north to Stronsay and south to the famous anchorage at Scapa Flow.
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10. Eshaness, Shetland
The archipelago’s coastline is the thing here – about 1,500 kilometres of it! The exposed headland of Eshaness offers some cracking views and a great place to start a walk. The crashing waves set the red granite cliffs off perfectly.
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