Inverness Castle Experience
© The Inverness Castle Experience

Tourist attractions in Scotland

Plan the perfect day out at top tourist attractions in Scotland, whether you like spooky castles, beautiful art, or learning about our history. Take a trip to one of our world-class attractions and make memories at some of Scotland's hidden gems, big hitters, and latest exhibitions and events. Don't miss out on passes, offers, and deals and more.

Top attractions ideas in Scotland

Scotland has an incredible variety of attractions to explore. Climb the castle ramparts, sit down by the loch or sip a dram at a distillery.

Popular types of tourist attraction in Scotland

Skara Brae, part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site

Historic attractions & iconic landmarks

You’re spoilt for choice with castles, monuments, palaces, abbeys, historic homes, chapels and more. We’ve got some of the most ancient sites – Skara Brae in Orkney – and unusual – a stone pineapple near Stirling.

Natural wonders & landscapes

Two National Parks, two UNESCO Biospheres and many forest parks, gardens and more. Look out for our sculpture parks – Jupiter Artland, outside of Edinburgh or Crawick Multiverse, in the south of Scotland.

City culture & heritage attractions

Free museums, wonder-filled art galleries. Highlights include the much-loved V&A Dundee, upgraded Aberdeen Art Gallery and reinvented Inverness Castle Experience.

Film, TV and book locations

Scotland has inspired many works of fiction including Outlander and Harry Potter and been used as a backdrop to James Bondand Brave. Visit many of these locations, including the Calanais Standing Stones and Glencoe.

Must-visit attraction ideas

History buff

Battle of Bannockburn Experience near Stirling. An immersive experience with 3D and guided tours of the battlefield where Robert the Bruce won against King Edward I.

Culture lover

The Great Tapestry of Scotland. Created in 2012/3 by 1,000 volunteers, the 160 panels are now on show in Galashiels.

Nature seeker

Explore ancient pinewoods and watch for golden eagles, red deer and pine martens at Beinn Eighe in the north west Highlands, part of the UNESCO Wester Ross Biosphere.

Family-friendly

With over 150 species, Five Sisters Zoo is dedicated to supporting animal welfare and home to rescued circus bears and lions, as well as monkeys, otters and crocodiles.

Trend-setter

Dundreggan Rewilding Centre is the first of its kind in the world. Explore ancient pinewood, and connect with centuries of Gaelic history.

Museums and galleries

Find the perfect museum or gallery for your visit to Scotland with this handy map.

Museums Galleries Scotland

Stories you’ll hear in Scotland

The Jacobites and Bonnie Prince Charlie

The Jacobites were supporters of the exiled Stuart king, James VII of Scotland and II of English after the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688. They fought to restore the Stuart monarchy in Scotland, England are Ireland across such events as the Battle of Killiecrankie, the Massacre of Glencoe and Battle of Culloden.

Find out more about the Jacobites

Celebrate Scotland’s coasts

Scotland has always had a strong connection to the sea, from fishing and shipping to lighthouses and coastal cliffs. These four attractions are all on Scotland’s east coast, so why not visit them all on a short trip?

Arbroath Signal Tower Museum

Bell Rock, the world’s oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson.

Blackness Castle

Blackness Castle is one of Scotland's most impressive strongholds, built in the 15th century.

Discovery Point and RRS Discovery

Experience life in the Antarctic with Captain Scott and his crew on the RRS Discovery at Discovery Point.

Museum of Scottish Lighthouses

The very first lighthouse on Scottish mainland, a castle and a purpose-built museum.

FAQs about Scotland's attractions

Are Scottish attractions open year-round?

Yes, many are open all year round, particularly in the cities. Some sites open seasonally, from early April until late October. Opening hours can be found on our map.

How much does it cost to visit attractions in Scotland?

Ticket prices vary, ranging from around £10 to £25. Many of our most-loved attractions are free to visit – Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Edinburgh’s Botanic Garden and Loch Lomond Shores. Or look out for offers and passes for discounts.

Do you need to book Scottish attractions in advance?

It depends on when and where you’re going. If you’re visiting at the height of summer (July and August) or choosing popular destinations like Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Highlands, booking ahead is recommended. Many attractions can be easily booked online, so you're guaranteed a spot.

How can I find an accessible attraction?

Check out websites like Euan’s Guide and AccessAble which let you search for a place to visit and provide access guides and/or reviews.

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