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Scotland is celebrated around the world for its stark beauty and dramatic scenery. Embellishing the mountains, lochs, and coastline are numerous small towns and villages, charming places unique in character and exuding a personality all their own. Many serve as historic destinations, established centuries ago and standing as testament to the country's long history. Others are found on remote islands, little visited but always worth exploring.
If Scotland is on your travel wish list, make sure to include the following small towns and villages in your itinerary. Click through for ideas of where to go and what to see.
Idyllic Cullen is a traditional village nestling in a sheltered bay on the coast of the Moray Firth. The destination enjoys historical links with Robert the Bruce, King of the Scots. He founded the chapel here in the early 14th century. Foodies appreciate Cullen as the birthplace of the cherished Scottish dish Cullen Skink—a tasty broth made of smoked haddock, potato, and milk.
The coastal fishing town of Tobermory was founded in 1788. It's located on the east coast of Mishnish, the most northerly part of Mull, in the Inner Hebrides. The town's rainbow-hued harbor-front buildings make it a popular tourist attraction.
One of six UNESCO World Heritage Sites found in Scotland, New Lanark is a fabulously preserved mill village that was founded in 1785. Besides the restored mills and tenement blocks, visitors can wander recreated school rooms, village stores, and mill workers' cottages.
Balloch lies on Loch Lomond, which forms part of the beautiful Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The village's must-see visitor attraction is the PS Maid of the Mist, the last paddle steamer built in the United Kingdom.
Blessed with film set looks, Portree, the capital of the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides, overlooks a natural harbor. The collection of quayside cottages adds a wonderful splash of color.
Culross is one of the best-preserved historic villages in Scotland. What you see dates back mainly to the 16th and 17th centuries. Notable structures include Culross Town House, the palace building, and the remains of the Cistercian house of Culross Abbey, founded in 1217.
Plockton is a delightful village in the Lochalsh, Wester Ross, area of the Scottish Highlands. Set on a lovely bay on Loch Carron, the community is characterized by old terraced homes and cottages clustered around the harbor.
A year-round ferry service connects Glasgow with the Isle of Arran, whose capital is the town of Brodick. The medieval castle is one very good reason to linger. The more active can hike Goat Fell mountain, which summits at 873 m (2,864 ft).
Some of the buildings in picture-book Pittenweem, set on Scotland's east coast, date back to the early 1600s. The village enjoys strong ties with the United States: in 1779, John Paul Jones—known as the "Father of the American Navy"—anchored off Pittenweem in the USS Bonhomme Richard.
As a village, Roslin is rather overshadowed by its world-famous 15th-century late-Gothic chapel, immortalized in the 2006 Tom Hanks movie 'The Da Vinci Code.'
Its proximity to Edinburgh makes Peebles an ideal excursion option for anyone wishing to escape the city. A market town, it lies on the River Tweed, which is spanned by the stone-built Tween Bridge. The town's Old Parish Church (pictured) serves as an impressive landmark.
Windswept and whitewashed, Portnahaven on Islay, the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, draws nature lovers to its small harbor, which serves as a playground for families of playful gray seals.
The small fishing village of Hopeman is located on the Moray Firth. On either side of the harbor lie two excellent beaches, East Beach and West Beach. The former is recognized for its regiment of colorful beach huts and a series of rockpools—a veritable adventure playground for inquisitive youngsters.
A small and attractive coastal resort situated on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, Anstruther features a wealth of heritage buildings, some dating back to the 16th century. A far more modern premises is the Anstruther Fish Bar, a fish and chips bar that numbers Prince William and Tom Hanks among its illustrious clientele.
Anstruther is close to the well-known Caves of Caiplie, situated on the Fife Coastal Path to neighboring Crail. And it's worth the walk to explore this stunning destination, the history of which stretches back to the mid-13th century.
One of Scotland's most remarkable destinations is the restored Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, a former crofting village set on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. This remote but alluring visitor attraction offers a fascinating insight into Hebridean life of yesteryear.
The stark beauty that is Glencoe belies a tragic past. The village is on the site of the infamous Massacre of Glencoe in 1692, in which 38 members of the Clan MacDonald were murdered by forces acting on behalf of the government of King William III. A memorial stands as a reminder of the notorious event.
Fort Augustus is named for the defensive garrison built in 1715 in the aftermath of the Jacobite rising to safeguard the Caledonian Canal, today a major maritime gateway to the south-west end of Loch Ness.
Located at the western end of tranquil Loch Tay, Killin nestles in the foothills of the Breadalbane mountains. The picturesque village is home to the beautiful Falls of Dochart.
Fans of the 2019 superhero film 'Avengers: Endgame' will likely recognize St Abbs as the fictional location of New Asgard, a town settled by the surviving Asgardians and led by Thor. Otherwise, this scenic beauty spot is known for its wildlife and as one of Scotland's best scuba diving locations.
Crovie still conjures up images of life in the 18th century. The long, narrow ledge facing the sea anchors a line of traditional cottages, most of which serve today as holiday rentals. The village is only accessible via a steep lane that ends at a postage stamp-sized car park with enough room for three vehicles.
Luss enjoys a spectacular location on the shores of Loch Lomond and is rightly regarded as one of Scotland's prettiest villages. The village hosts a water taxi service to aforementioned Balloch, and also makes a wonderful base from which to explore the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Few outsiders make the effort to reach Elgol, a hidden gem of a village tucked away on Skye. This remote community is little more than a cluster of whitewashed houses over which looms the magnificent Cuillin hill range.
Applecross is in fact the name of the peninsula this charming 19th-century village sits on, which locals simply call "Shore Street." The destination falls within the Wester Ross region of Scotland and lies on the North Coast 500 route—one of the country's most scenic roads.
So enamored was Sir Walter Scott with Lochranza that the noted Scottish novelist referenced the village in his poem 'The Lord of the Isles.'
Exuding an appealing local atmosphere, Shieldaig is a fishing hamlet set along the shore of Loch Torridon in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands. Interestingly, the village was established in 1800 originally to train recruits for war against Napoleon.
Portpatrick was founded on fishing but was once also the main port for importing goods from Ireland, just 33 km (21 mi) away. Nearby points of interest include the ruins of Dunskey Castle and the landmark Killantringan Lighthouse.
Nestled where the waters of Loch Duich, Loch Alsh, and Loch Long all meet, Dornie in Ross-shire is celebrated for Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most famous landmarks in Scotland. Many visitors pause here for the obligatory selfie before either exploring the village or heading onwards to the Isle of Skye.
Beautiful Braemar is steeped in history, and enjoys historic royal connections. The annual Braemar Gathering and Highland Games are hosted here, traditionally attended by senior members of the British royal family. Balmoral, the historic royal residence of Scotland, lies 14 km (9 mi) east of Braemar.
Comrie and its environs is a walker's paradise. There are numerous nature trails to follow, with the Deil's Cauldron and the Melville Monument Trail especially popular. Just outside Comrie is Drummond Castle, appreciated for its expansive garden.
At an elevation of 466 m (1,531 ft), this is Scotland's highest village. Its industrial heritage can be appreciated by browsing the engaging Museum of Mining.
Busy St Monans is a small fishing port in the East Neuk of Fife. The village is named after the legendary Christian missionary Saint Moran.
Sources: (Visit Scotland) (History) (National Trust for Scotland)
See also: Saints who probably never existed
Scotland's quaintest small towns and villages
Top destinations of charming appeal and unique character
TRAVEL Great britain
Scotland is celebrated around the world for its stark beauty and dramatic scenery. Embellishing the mountains, lochs, and coastline are numerous small towns and villages, charming places unique in character and exuding a personality all their own. Many serve as historic destinations, established centuries ago and standing as testament to the country's long history. Others are found on remote islands, little visited but always worth exploring.
If Scotland is on your travel wish list, make sure to include the following small towns and villages in your itinerary. Click through for ideas of where to go and what to see.