Off the Beaten Path Destinations in Scotland

Life is basic and boring if you go to the same places and take the same pictures as everyone else. After all, Columbus wouldn’t be Columbus, ‘The Explorer’, if he had stuck to the same journey as everyone else again and again, right?

Beyond the classic cities and landscapes, Scotland can offer so much more. With this 10 wonderful destination alternatives, you can explore the less travelled roads of United Kingdom’s northernmost country and discover the country’s hidden wonders. You can be guaranteed with extreme satisfaction with picturesque villages, ethereal natural beauty, a taste of history with historic buildings, art-filled galleries, as well as excellent local restaurants, just to name a few. 

1. Berwickshire is a must-go for quaint coastal town lovers. 

Traveling to Berwickshire will indeed fulfill your pleasantly-old-fashioned heart. This town, which is nestled in the east of the Tweed Valley Forest Park in the Scottish Borders, is an hour away from Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. Being a historic county, Berwickshire can offer you a relaxing break from the hectic stress that life and the city offers—there are many great outdoor activities such as diving! While staying here, you can enjoy the beauty of quaint towns and villages, stunning country houses, magnificent birdlife, and beautiful sandy beaches sheltered by high cliffs. Doesn’t that sound remarkable? 

2. Cowal Peninsula

If you love the glistering lake, or lochs as Scottish people would say, and high mountains, why not try the Cowal Peninsula? Surrounded by Loch Long an Long Fyne in the west of Scotland, the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and Bute is a place where you can find stunning scenery. The northern part of the Cowal Peninsula is surrounded by the Argyll Forest Park. Furthermore, the area is only a little over an hour, by car, away from Glasgow, where you can find the fascinating Highlands. Those who love the outdoors, food, and wildlife buffs will have the time of their lives in this peninsula.

3. Lanarkshire, the land of beautiful scenery and outdoor pursuits.

Although the other places we have mentioned above have spectacular views and outdoor activities, nothing can compare to Lanarkshire. Lanarkshire, also known as the County of Lanark, is a historic county in the central lowlands of Scotland. It is important to note that leaving this place, which is sandwiched between Glasgow and Edinburgh, might be a bit hard to leave. Why? Because Lanarkshire offers an abundance of sights to see and activities to do. A round of gold, fascinating historic buildings, two UNESCO World Heritage sites, what more can you possibly ask for?

4. Love pristine and dramatic scenery? Try the Sutherland and Caithness area.

Who doesn’t love pristine and dramatic scenery that looks like it came out of a movie? The Sutherland and Caithness are some of the isolated and least populated parts of the far north of Scotland. However, they offer great amounts of sensational scenery, wonderful wildlife, rich heritage, high mountains, narrow valleys, seascapes, and landscapes. Your holiday in this remote area of Scotland will offer you so much!

5. The small but abundant Cumbrae.

The Isle of Cumbrae or Great Cumbrae is the larger and most accessible of the two islands known as The Cumbraes in western Scotland. The untainted coastline is popular amongst visitors who especially love water sports, cycling, walking, and nature.

6. Nothing beats peaceful walking in beautiful scenery, so go ahead and try the Angus Countryside and Glens. 

If you are one of the many people who enjoy peaceful strolls while enjoying the scenery around you, then the countryside of Angus, which stretches out from the city of Dundee, is the perfect area for you to witness the lush valleys and soft peaks of the Angus Glens. In these areas, you can find endless miles of twisting small roads and paths, which are perfect for walking, cycling, and just enjoying the great outdoors—there are also towns and smaller villages where you are able to experience serenity and interactions with friendly locals. 

7. What about Dumfriesshire?

If you love rolling hills and sandy beaches, then Dumfriesshire might be the perfect place for you! The hilly area of Dumfriesshire has a generous mixture of landscapes, undisturbed lochs, woodland to a rocky coastline, as well as sandy coves. Dumfriesshire, or the County of Dumfries, is situated along the shore of Solway Firth and is an outdoor lover’s ideal haven.

8. Next on the list, Banffshire!

If you love rugged cliffs and an abundant amount of wildlife, it’s a must to pay a visit to Banffshire. With miles of rocky cliffs, sandy bays, and splendid examples of Georgian architecture, the wonderful corner of northeast Scotland, is full of pure artistry.

9. The Shetland Islands, the wonderful archipelago of Scotland. 

Being made up of more than 100 islands, there’s so much more to the Shetland Islands than meets the eye. Each island possesses and shows off their own stunning sceneries, unique heritage, and special characters. With every island you visit, you’ll get a taste of their wealthy archaeological and historic sites as well as a diverse array of flora and fauna—which are distinct to the isles.

10. With East Lothian, you are guaranteed pretty seaside villages and beaches. 

With East Lothian, known for its picturesque countryside and delightful coastline, you’ll never be bored. Although last in the list, with a range of outdoor activities, over 40 miles of coastline, golden beaches, food, some of the world’s finest golf courses, and award-winning attractions, East Lothian is definitely not the least when it comes to wonderful places to visit in Scotland!

Things not to do when traveling in the UK

Navigation:

• Don't confuse England with the rest of the United Kingdom
• Asking anyone if they know the Queen
• Don't Block the Escalators
• Don’t stop or cut lines in front of the carriage entrance
• Don't underestimate the value of British coins

Traveling to the UK soon? It’s easy to feel right at home in Britain, where it’s easy to navigate the place, find hotel bookings, cheap recreational activities, and great sights waiting to be discovered. North Americans share a bit of common heritage with Britain. During the height of its empire, Britain ruled about a quarter of the world and they successfully passed on some of their cultures to their colonies. It’s one of the main reason people love going to England and the rest of UK. 

Everyone loves to write itineraries and what they like to visit in Britain, but before heading further west, you might need to take some notes on what not to do. There are some customs in North America that Britain and the rest of the UK find insulting and worse rude. So don’t be a nosy tourist in their country, and make some adjustments with these few reminders:

Don't confuse England with the rest of the United Kingdom

The official and proper name of UK is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain comprises of three other countries, England, Scotland, and Wales which are all different from one another. It’s not like a state or county, these countries have their own local government, unique ethnic identities, and own rich culture. Nothing annoys people from Scotland or Wales than being called English. If you call someone English who’s definitely from Ireland, you might find yourself in big trouble. It’s always generally safe to ask.

Asking anyone if they know the Queen

The Royals especially the Queen are the biggest attractions in Britain. But don’t assume everyone loves them. Britain may seem small on the map compared to the US, but don’t forget their number is huge. An estimated 60 million people live in the UK and at least 8 million live in Greater London. Asking if they know the Queen is a ridiculous and laughable matter to start a conversation – it will never happen.

The harsh reality is Brits don’t pay much attention to the Royals or to the Queen. It’s not like what you see on the TV. She may appear on the news from time to time, but that’s just it. And it’s a bit entertaining for some, but don’t expect everyone will be jolly good when it comes talking about the Queen.

Don't Block the Escalators

Britain and the rest of the UK are busy people, and well aware of the time. You’ll find them racing up or down the escalator in airports, stores, train station, or the ‘Tube’. For them, walking gets them to their destination faster and more efficient. If you don’t feel like going with the flow, then stand on the right side of the escalator and let the busy traffic past on the left. For them, standing on the left is a social crime, and you’ll hear a lot of grumble by standing on it. Likewise, they love to fall in line that’s why they call it a queue. Jumping in front of the line will also get you in trouble. Don’t let them label you as ignorant and rude tourists in doing so.

Don’t stop or cut lines in front of the carriage entrance

Brits either love or hate their daily commute with the ‘Tube’ or their subway systems, depending on the time of the day. But their ‘Tube’ is the most extensive and efficient public transport systems in the world. That being said, it’s the most popular way of getting around the city; it gets overcrowded, very stuffy and hot. So anything that impedes the locals in getting that dreaded morning commute is having tourists blocking their way. Whatever you do, don’t jump in front of the carriage when there are people lining up to get onboard. This makes it easier for people getting off and boarding the train. It prevents overcrowding when another door remains virtually empty. Make sure of the map, sometimes walking above and on the streets are far better than navigating the labyrinth-like underground systems of Britain. 

Don't underestimate the value of British coins

You could easily get annoyed when you already accumulated a pocket full of coins. But whatever you do, don’t throw them out. Don’t underestimate the value of British coin. Spend them on your daily adventure; they are not just useless coins clanking around in your purse. A single British pound coin is worth at least a dollar and a half. Two-pound coins are worth more than two dollars. So a pocket full of them can buy you a decent snack may be more.