Scotland is one of the most popular and breathtaking destinations in Europe. The country is quite popular for its magnificent highlands, islands, and medieval castles. There is a wide range of extreme places to visit in Scotland regardless of the weather you are traveling in.
The summer and spring season is considered the best time to travel to Scotland due to the warm temperature. The summer in Scotland lasts between June to August and the temperature goes up to 17°C. During this season, a huge number of tourists come here either to explore the Scottish highlands or some prefer to stay on Islands or beaches.
Before planning your tour, let’s have a look at some of the top 10 places to visit in Scotland in the summer.
Top 10 Places To Visit In Scotland In Summer
1. Loch Ness
Loch Ness is one of the popular places to visit in Scotland in Summer. It is one of the most picturesque locations that contain crystal clear water even more than any water in England. This loch is famous because of a water beast “Nessie” or Loch Ness Monster. The monster first appeared in 1933 according to a Scottish newspaper.
The place also contains the ruins of Urquhart Castle, which is now managed by the Historic Environment Scotland and is accessible to tourists throughout the year. Here you can also enjoy a range of watersports such as boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and others.
Location: Fort Augustus, Highland
2. Holyrood Palace
Situated in the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace is a medieval castle and yet another top tourist attraction in Scotland. If you are touring Edinburgh city then you are most likely to come here in the Royal Mile. While you are in the Royal Mile, you just can’t miss visiting Holyrood Palace that too in summer. The palace has been listed among the world heritage list of UNESCO.
It is the official residence of the British Royal family and is open to the public. The major highlights of the palace include a collection of antique furniture and a painting gallery.
Location: Canongate, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh
3. Kelvingrove Park
Kelvingrove is one of the most popular public parks in Glasgow. A huge number of tourists come here to explore the art gallery and Kelvingrove Museum. Here you will be able to experience some of the major tourist attractions in Glasgow. The Kelvingrove Park has several paths that connect to other parts of Glasgow city.
During summer, you can also take a riverside walk on the 10-mile path. The pathway starts from the Kelvingrove museum and leads towards the Milngavie countryside. Kelvingrove is one of the worth-visiting places in Scotland during Summer.
Location: Argyle Street, Glasgow
4. Loch Morlich
Loch Morlich lies deep in Strathspey which is just a few distances away from Cairngornm range and Aviemore. It is one of the most ideal places to explore in summer as features one of the most exotic beaches. There are plenty of things to do on this loch including mountain biking, trekking, and skiing.
Other activities you can engage yourself in include kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and other water sports. If you are not a sports lover, then take off your shoes, put on a towel, and relax for some time on the beach.
Location: Loch Morlich, near Glenmore village
5. Fort William
Also known as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK”, Fort William is yet another place to hang out during the warm season in Scotland. It lies near the tallest British mountain “Ben Nevis”. Some of the remarkable places to explore near Fort Willaim include steam trains dating back to the Jacobite era, ruins of Inverlochy Castle, West Highland, and the Glencoe Folk Museum.
Fort William has been featured in some of the popular Hollywood movies such as Skyfall, Braveheart, Rob Roy, and Harry Potter. It is the same location where the harry potter train scene was shot, the same as shown in almost every part of the wizard franchise.
Location: Isle of Tiree
Also Read: Top-Rated Things To Do In Dundee, The Cultural Hub Of Scotland
6. Isle of Mull
Situated between the Islay and Sky, Isle of Mull is another tourist destination to visit in the warm season of summer. It was a less crowdy island, unlike Skye Island. If you are tired of the huge crowd of Skye Island, then head towards the Isle of Mull.
There is a variety of things to do in Isle of Mull such as spot the wildlife, hike at the majestic mountain of Ben More or visit the historical castle of Iona Abbey. The island also features some indoor tourist attractions such as Mull Aquarium, Tobermory Whiskey Distillery, and others.
Location: Hebrides
7. The Hermitage
The Hermitage is an isolated forest protected by the National Trust of Scotland. It is good to take a walk within the woods. There are several plant species such as Douglas-fir, conifers, and some other tall trees. The Hermitage also has trails for tourists that lead towards Ossian’s Hall.
The forest was initially developed by the Dukes of Atholl in the 18th century as a pleasure ground. The trees found in this forest are one of the tallest in the entire UK.
Location: Tay Forest Park
8. Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is one of the top priorities among 70% of the tourist who visits Scotland. The castle welcomes more than 2 million tourists in a single year. The summer season witnesses more tourists as compared to other seasons throughout the year. The castle of Edinburgh is so majestic that you can spend your entire day exploring it.
The major highlights in Edinburgh castle are the Argyle battery, Palace yard, and oldest building near Mond Meg. The castle now comes under the Historic Environment Scotland which has responsibility for the management and several operations within the castle.
Location: Castlehill, Edinburgh
Also Read: Top 5 Places And Things To Do In Aberdeen, The Flower Of Scotland
9. Holyrood Park
In case you want to skip visiting the old castles in the city of Edinburgh, then head towards Holyrood Park. The Holyrood Park is a 650-acre green park that is also regarded as the mini Scottish Highlands. It is an ideal place to visit in Edinburgh if you want to avoid the crowd, especially in summers.
You can either take a walk on spider-web-like paths while exploring this beautiful landscape or climb at 800 foot long Arthur’s seat to experience some panoramic view. It is best advised to visit the Holyrood park before 10:00 AM otherwise you will be stuck between the crowds.
Location: Queen’s Drive, Edinburgh
10. Bidean Nam Bian
If you are looking for a place for sightseeing and or want to go for an adventurous hike, then do head towards Glenco which leads towards Bidean Nam Bian. Bidean Nam Bian stands at the height of 1,150 meters and offers some of the most stunning views. The trekking path starts from the car parking but making sure reaching the top is not easy as it seems.
The trek becomes crowdy during the summer, so it is best advised to leave earlier in the morning. Also, head for a trek during weekdays to enjoy the landscape views with a peaceful atmosphere.
Location: Glencoe, Argyll