Attractions
If you're looking for the best things to do in Scotland, then look no further. We've got iconic castles, incredible museums, beautiful gardens and much more in this list of top tourist attractions in Scotland.
Take a look below at the top 20 and see how many you've visited and make a plan to tick the others off your list. Plus, what else would you recommend? Hop over to our iKnow Scotland Community to share your tips and pick up a couple more for your next break or day out in Scotland.
Set on Edinburgh's Chambers Street, National Museum of Scotland is a treasure trove of ancient artefacts and precious objects. It's the most popular attraction in the UK outside of London and offers a great, year-round programme of temporary exhibitions. Don't miss the 10 recently opened galleries covering science, design and fashion.
Edinburgh Castle is a true icon of Scotland and has dominated the skyline of the capital for centuries. Unusually, it's set atop of an extinct volcano. It takes the title of Scotland's most-visited paid-for attraction.
Scottish National Gallery houses Scotland's national collection of fine art from the early Renaissance to the end of the 19th century. The walls are adorned with masterpieces, from Raphael, Velázquez and Vermeer to Monet, Cézanne and Van Gogh, as well as works of Scottish artists.
Opened in 2011, the spectacular Riverside Museum sits on the River Clyde and is home to the Glasgow Museum of Transport. It is full of fascinating objects and vehicles which tell the story of Scotland's past and present.
You'll want to keep coming back to this museum time and time again. Set next to a classic Victorian park by the River Kelvin in Glasgow's west end, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses a staggering 8,000 objects in over 22 beautiful galleries.
Located halfway down the historic Royal Mile, the framed crown spire of St Giles' Cathedral is one of the most recognisable features of Edinburgh's skyline.
Founded in 1670 and considered to be one of the finest gardens in the world, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh offers 72 acres of peace and tranquillity and is only a stone's throw from the bustling city centre.
This historic building in Dumfries & Galloway is probably one of the most romantic of Scotland's attractions. Check out the Gretna Green Story Exhibition and find out about the countless loved-up couples who have eloped to Scotland over the centuries.
Set within the walls of Edinburgh Castle, the National War Museum is filled with exhibits and artefacts that tell the tale of the impact of war on Scotland's history, identity and reputation abroad.
Also based within Edinburgh Castle, the Regimental Museum covers over 300 years of history of the only Scottish cavalry regiment in the British regular army. You'll see weapons, uniforms, medals and paintings right from the beginning in the late 1600s to the modern day stories of regimental personalities such as explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
The third most popular paid-for attraction in Scotland, Edinburgh Bus Tours provide a selection of themed open top tours that take you to some of the city's most remarkable sights and attractions.
Housed in the stunning neo-classical building in Glasgow's Royal Exchange Square, at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) you can gaze upon contemporary artworks that are the result of the interests, influences and working methods of artists from around the world.
Not only one of the finest and best-preserved Renaissance buildings in the whole of the UK, Stirling Castle was also the favoured residence for many of Scotland's kings and queens.
A feat of engineering, The Falkirk Wheel is the world's only rotating boatlift, and is used to connect the Forth & Clyde and Union canals in central Scotland. Take a boat trip on it and experience soaring through the air.
With over 1,000 animals from every corner of the globe, including giant pandas, a visit to Edinburgh Zoo is a fantastic family day out. Meet the penguins at the famous Penguin Parade and get closer than ever before to chimpanzees on the Budongo Trail.
A much-loved and photographed castle thanks to its setting by Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle covers over 1,000 years of drama. Explore Grant Tower and the gloomy prison cell, and hear stories of how St Columba may have worked miracles here in the sixth century.
Head to Glasgow's West End to discover a beautiful oasis of green space at the city's Botanic Gardens. Don't miss the Kibble Palace, an exquisite Victorian glasshouse.
Great for families, the Glasgow Science Centre helps you get hands-on with their exhibits, workshops, shows, activities and more. Relax in the celestial sky of the planetarium, question perceptions, or imagine the future - and see what you can find!
This iconic monument in the Highlands was created to honour the fallen Jacobite clansmen, right back in 1815. Still standing tall today, take a guided tour to the top of the Glenfinnan Monument and hear the stories behind this poignant reminder.
All aboard the famous Royal Yacht Britannia for an exclusive look into royal lives. Hear about the history across five decks with Royal apartments and bedrooms, and take in the views from the beautiful Royal Deck Tea Room.
Immerse yourself in 400 hectares of blissful countryside - the surroundings in the valley of the River Clyde are simply beautiful. Home to many sports events, music festivals and guided walks, Strathclyde Country Park also has outdoor adventure playgrounds, bike hire and watersports activities.
Those bonnie banks of Loch Lomond have a very special allure, so it's no surprise that hundreds of thousands of people flock to Loch Lomond Shores every year. It's the perfect day trip destination with its offering of family attractions, fun activities and quality shops.
Set among a scenic wooded glen by the Rotten Calder River, Calderglen Country Park has lots of gorgeous waterfalls and important geological features. Don't miss the children's zoo and animal experiences, nature trails and gardens.
Duthie Park, in the south of Aberdeen city centre, was donated by Lady Elizabeth Crombie Duthie in 1880 in memory of her father and his family, a group of merchants, ship owners and builders. Admire the exotic plants, wander around the boating ponds, and pop into the David Welch Winter Gardens, one of the largest indoor features in Europe.
This 500 acre park to the east of Glasgow has a variety of landscapes to explore with moorland, woodlands and grasslands, and featuring two natural lochs. Visit Drumpellier Country Park's outdoor adventure playground or spend a moment of quiet in the peace garden.
*Top 20 attractions complied from the Moffat Centre Visitor Attraction Monitor 2017.
