From Castles to Antarctica: The 8 Cities to Visit in Scotland

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Hello, my friend! Scotland - what a stunning place, right? Home to 13 UNESCO sites, each with its own charm and story. But did you know Scotland only has eight cities? Of course, Edinburgh and Glasgow steal the spotlight, but the other six? Each with a personality of its own, packed with rich history, and fun facts, offering a great mix of culture and heritage.

Let me take you on a stroll through Scotland's cities, so you can decide which ones to add to your list for the next visit. Or maybe you'd want to see them all!

If you’ve already familiar with Edinburgh and Glasgow, feel free to skip ahead - but revisiting them through this post might bring a fresh perspective (or just a fun dose of nostalgia 😉).

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh:

History Snippet: Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, the city that exudes history from every cobblestone. It's roots trace back to ancient times, with the area originally settled by the Celtic tribe of the Votadini. By the 7th century, it was a stronghold known as "Din Eidyn" under the Britons. The city grew around Edinburgh Castle, which sits atop an ancient volcanic rock and became a royal residence. In the 12th century, King David I granted Edinburgh the status of a royal burgh, and it flourished as a center of trade. By the 18th century, during the Enlightenment, the city gained a reputation as a hub for intellectual and scientific development. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Interesting Facts: Beyond its historic grandeur, Edinburgh hosts the world's largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The city also has its share of mysteries in the form of underground streets, like Mary King's Close and Underground Vaults. While the plan and design of New Town was one of the most significant urban planning projects of the 18th century that influenced the rest of Europe.

Must-See Places: The Royal Mile is a must-visit, a [almost] mile long street leading you from Holyrood Palace to Edinburgh Castle. I’d also highly recommend visiting the interactive Scotch Whisky Experience 🥃 if you enjoy a ‘wee dram’ like me. For an absolutely gorgeous view of the city, hike up the extinct volcano, Arthur's Seat at Holyrood Park.

Glasgow:

History Snippet: Glasgow dates back to the 6th century, when St. Mungo founded a Christian settlement there. By the 12th century, Glasgow became a religious center with the establishment of Glasgow Cathedral. Its strategic location along the River Clyde helped it grow as a major trading hub, particularly for shipbuilding and textiles during the Industrial Revolution. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Glasgow expanded rapidly, becoming one of the largest and most important industrial cities in the world. Today, it’s known for its vibrant arts and music scene, architecture, and cultural heritage.

Interesting Facts: Glasgow has more than 90 public gardens and parks! 🌳 Because of its contribution to the music scene, it is now a UNESCO City of Music since 2008. While the Glasgow School of Art is one of the most influential art schools in the world.

Must-See Places: Explore the eclectic Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, while do not forget to visit the Kelvingrove Park too! Visit the impressive Glasgow Cathedral, one of the few medieval churches that survived the Reformation intact. Delve into the city's maritime history at the Riverside Museum. Of course, you absolutely have to see the City Center Mural Trail and visit Ashton Lane. 😍

Ashton Lane by Johnny Briggs

Inverness:

History Snippet: Inverness, known as the "Capital of the Highlands," is steeped in history and folklore. Its history dates back to the Picts, with Inverness as their capital in the early middle ages. The city grew around its strategic position near the River Ness, becoming a stronghold for Highland clans. Inverness played a critical role in the Jacobite Risings, particularly the Battle of Culloden in 1746, which was fought just outside the city. After the battle, the Highland way of life changed dramatically due to the suppression of the clans by the British government.

Interesting Facts: Inverness is considered one of the fastest growing cities in Europe! And also, is often considered the starting point for the Caledonian Canal, an impressive 60-mile waterway that connects the east and west coasts of Scotland. The canal, designed by engineer Thomas Telford, allows boats to travel the Great Glen and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Of course, i have to mention it is close location to Loch Ness, home to the legendary Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as "Nessie". 🦕

Must-See Places: Cruise the Loch Ness in search of Nessie and stop by for a visit at the Urquhart Castle. Visit the Culloden Battlefield for a deeper dive into history, and the last battle on the British soil. Don't forget about Clava Cairns - an ancient burial site dating back at least 4000 years.

Do take relaxing strolls along the tranquil River Ness and visit the Ness Islands for amazing sunsets. I’d also highly recommend going outside of Inverness to Chanonry Point on the Black Isle to catch a glimpse of the bottlenose dolphins. 🐬

Greig Street Bridge, Inverness by Robin Canfield

Perth:

History Snippet: Known as the "Fair City," Perth’s history is intertwined with Scottish royalty and goes back at least 800 years. It was a significant religious center in the Middle Ages, with nearby Scone Abbey being the traditional site for the coronation of Scottish kings. 👑 In the 12th century, Perth was a major Scottish town and later became a royal burgh. Its location on the River Tay made it ideal for trade, and it thrived as a center for commerce. Although it lost its status as Scotland's capital (capital from 1214 to 1452), Perth remained an important cultural and administrative hub to this day.

Interesting Facts: The city's medieval architecture, such as St. John's Kirk and Scone Palace, whispers tales of kings and queens. River Tay, on which Perth stands, is the longest river in Scotland, running 119 miles. It's home to Scotland's oldest Highland Games, The Perth Highland Games, which began in 1927. 🎯

Must-See Places: Wander through Scone Palace and its beautiful gardens, it is well worth a visit. Explore the intimate charm of Branklyn Garden that houses some of the most rarest plants of our planet. Dive into history at the Black Watch Museum at the Balhousie Castle, where you can learn a thing or two about the oldest Highland Regiment. I also highly recommend visiting Kinnoull Hill. It has amazing scenic hiking trails and incredible views over the city.

Aberdeen:

History Snippet: Aberdeen, founded in the early Middle Ages, grew as a fishing and trading port. Just like Edinburgh, it was made a royal burgh by King David I in the 12th century. Aberdeen became known as the "Granite City" due to its locally quarried grey granite, which gives the city its distinctive look. The discovery of North Sea oil in the 20th century transformed Aberdeen into Europe’s energy capital, leading to economic prosperity and growth. ⚡️

Interesting Facts: Scotland's oldest newspaper, The Press and Journal, calls Aberdeen home, dating back to 1748. 📰 The city has one of the longest-established universities in the world, The University of Aberdeen, founded in 1495. As well as, Aberdeen’s Union Street is nearly a mile long and built entirely of granite. What a site to see!

Must-See Places: A must are Marischal College's stunning architecture and hauntingly gorgeous King’s College Chapel. Make sure to walk amongst Johnston Garden's serene landscapes (it is one of the best gardens/parks to visit, in my opinion) and, of course, can't miss Duthie Park as well. I absolutely recommend visiting Footdee (Fittie) - a quaint old fishing village with charming cottages. The Gordon Highlanders Museum which brings to life a 200 yo history of one of the finest Scottish regiments. Its unique blend of history, heroism, and heritage offers an immersive experience for history buffs and casual visitors alike.

Wallace Monument by Eilis Garvey

Stirling:

History Snippet: Stirling has long been a pivotal location in Scottish history, primarily due to its strategic position between the Highlands and Lowlands. Stirling Castle, 🏰 one of Scotland's most historically significant castles, was the residence of many Scottish monarchs, including Mary, Queen of Scots. The city played a central role in the Wars of Scottish Independence, particularly in the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, where William Wallace defeated the English. It did serve as the site of several other important battles, including the Battle of Bannockburn, where famous king Robert the Bruce led the Scots to victory over the English.

Interesting Facts: One of my favorites, is that Stirling is often called the “Brooch of Scotland” because it links the Highlands and Lowlands. What a neat nickname. 😍 It also has the oldest working town clock in Scotland, dating back to 1511! 🕰🤯

Must-See Places: Discover the well-preserved Stirling Castle, a grand testament to its role in Scottish history. Wander through the charming Old Town, and don't miss the the National Wallace Monument dedicated to William Wallace. Walking up all 246 steps will reward you with one of the most iconic and breathtaking views you don't want to miss. You can also visit the famous Bannockburn Battlefield.

Dundee:

History Snippet: The 4th largest city, Dundee, is a city with an industrial past. It grew from a small medieval settlement into an important industrial center by the 19th century, particularly in jute manufacturing. Its economy also relied on shipbuilding and trade, becoming known for "jute, jam, and journalism." Today, Dundee has reinvented itself as a center for design, education, and video game development (think Grand Theft Auto). 🎮

Interesting Facts: Dundee was the first city in the whole UK to have a publicly owned electric tram system and the first city in the UK to be awarded UNESCO City of Design status.. It was known as the "City of Discovery" because of the famous research vessel RRS Discovery (which you can now visit) was built and launched in 1901 from Dundee on an expedition to Antarctica with Captain Robert Scott. ⛴ The city is also known for getting the most sunshine hours in Scotland ☀️🌞🌅

Must-See Places: Explore the futuristic design V&A Dundee Museum. Admire the art at the gorgeous victorian McManus Galleries. As I mentioned above, visit Discovery Point - home to the RRS Discovery, which took Scott and Shackleton on their Antarctic expedition. Unwind with a tranquil stroll along the Riverside Walkway. For fantastic city views head to an extinct volcano (yes, there are quite a few of those in Scotland! 🌋) - Dundee Law.

Dunfermline Abbey by David Dixon.

Dunfermline:

History Snippet: Back in the Middle Ages, Dunfermline was a major center for Scottish royalty, serving as the capital before Edinburgh took over (from 11th to 15th century). The city is home to Dunfermline Abbey pictured on the left, where many Scottish monarchs, including Robert the Bruce, are buried. In the 19th century, the town became known for linen production. The famous industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie was born here, leaving a lasting legacy.

Interesting Facts: It is the youngest city of Scotland, gaining its status only in 2022! The city’s Dunfermline Abbey is the final resting place of 11 Scottish kings and queens, including Robert the Bruce, whose heart is buried separately in Melrose Abbey. 🤴🫀 While the Dunfermline City Chambers is a stunning Victorian Gothic building with an impressive tower, often compared to a fairy-tale castle due to its intricate architecture.

Must-See Places: Of course you have got to explore the timeless Dunfermline Abbey and Palace, a monumental testament to Scotland's royal history. You can also pay homage to Andrew Carnegie's legacy at the Carnegie Birthplace Museum. While, visiting the oldest & most important Carnegie Library. And take a leisurely walk through the serene Pittencrieff Park, a green oasis in the city's heart, known locally as "The Glen" 🌳 with its most famous residents - peacocks. 🦚

Now you know Scotland’s cities offer a range of experiences, from historic landmarks to stunning natural landscapes and vibrant culture. Regardless of your interests, whether it be in history, the arts, or the great outdoors, these cities have something for everyone. Pack your bags and allow yourself enough time to explore these amazing cities of Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿