09/05/2026
Could not agree more…get off the beaten track! And, yes, our tours of Scotland have visited (or will visit, in the case of Mull) all the alternatives suggested
# 5 SCOTTISH PLACES I'D CHOOSE OVER THE FAMOUS ONES 🏴
Now before anyone gets upset…
**I am NOT saying the famous places aren't worth visiting.**
Edinburgh Castle? Absolutely gorgeous.
Isle of Skye? Stunning.
Loch Ness? Worth seeing if you've always dreamed of seeing it.
But Scotland has a rather annoying little problem.
Everyone keeps going to the same places.
And I get it. You see a photograph of the Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr or Eilean Donan Castle and immediately think, **“Yep. I'm going there.”**
But once you've ticked off some of the big names, I really think it's worth looking a little further.
Because some of my favourite places in Scotland are the ones that don't get nearly as much attention.
So if I were planning another Scotland trip, here are **five places I'd seriously consider choosing over some of the usual suspects.**
# # # 🏰 1. CRAIGMILLAR CASTLE INSTEAD OF EDINBURGH CASTLE
Don't get me wrong, Edinburgh Castle is one of those places you should probably see at least once. It's sitting right there on top of that enormous rock, the views are fantastic and there's an awful lot of Scottish history packed inside those walls.
But if you've already been, or you're looking for something a little quieter, head south of the city to Craigmillar Castle.
It's a proper medieval castle, complete with towers, courtyards, ruined rooms and a rather fascinating history. It's also much less overwhelming than Edinburgh Castle, so you can actually wander around and imagine what life here would have been like.
And here's the best bit: **it's only a few miles from the centre of Edinburgh.**
So you don't have to dedicate an entire day to getting somewhere remote just to experience something different.
Sometimes the best alternatives are hiding practically under your nose.
# # # 🌊 2. NORTH BERWICK INSTEAD OF ANOTHER DAY IN EDINBURGH
I love Edinburgh. I really do.
But if you're spending several days in the city, I'd seriously consider hopping on a train and heading east for the day.
North Berwick is a gorgeous little seaside town with sandy beaches, independent shops, cafés and some fantastic coastal walks. You can also get beautiful views across to the Bass Rock, which rises dramatically out of the Firth of Forth.
And if you're feeling energetic, you can walk up North Berwick Law for some cracking views over the surrounding countryside.
It's an easy change of pace from the city, and you can get there by train from Edinburgh in under an hour.
**See? No rental car required.**
And while you're there, you can add places like Tantallon Castle to the day, which is perched dramatically on the cliffs overlooking the sea.
Honestly, this is one of those trips where you might come back to Edinburgh wondering why you didn't do it sooner.
# # # 🌲 3. GLENCOE'S LESS-FAMOUS NEIGHBOUR: KINLOCHLEVEN
Glencoe is famous for a reason. Those mountains are spectacular, and I wouldn't tell anyone to skip it.
But if you're already in the area and want to escape some of the crowds, take a little detour to Kinlochleven.
It's a small village surrounded by mountains at the head of Loch Leven, and it's particularly good for walkers.
One of the things I love about this area is that you get that dramatic Highland scenery without necessarily having to follow the exact same route as every tour bus heading through Glencoe.
And if you're into hiking, the West Highland Way passes right through the village.
It's a great reminder that you don't necessarily need to find some completely unknown secret location.
Sometimes you just need to look **one road over from the famous one.**
# # # 🏖️ 4. THE NORTH COAST OF FIFE INSTEAD OF ONLY VISITING ST ANDREWS
St Andrews is lovely.
It's got the cathedral ruins, the castle, the famous golf courses and a beautiful coastline, so yes, I understand why everyone wants to visit.
But here's a little secret:
**Fife has much more to offer than St Andrews.**
Head along the East Neuk and you'll find a string of gorgeous little fishing villages, including Crail, Anstruther, Elie and Pittenweem.
These are the places where I'd happily spend an afternoon wandering around the harbour, grabbing something to eat and taking far too many photographs of colourful boats.
And if you've got time, walk some of the Fife Coastal Path.
You get dramatic cliffs, beaches, little villages and sea views without needing to fight your way through a major tourist attraction.
It's slow travel at its best.
# # # 🏝️ 5. MULL INSTEAD OF SKYE
Okay, this one might get me into trouble. 😂
**I LOVE SKYE.**
But if you've already been to Skye, or you're planning a second trip to Scotland, why not try Mull?
Mull has that same feeling of being somewhere wild and spectacular, but it has its own personality.
You've got mountains, beaches, wildlife, castles and gorgeous coastal scenery, along with Tobermory, which might just be one of the prettiest little harbour towns in Scotland.
And because Mull isn't always the first island people think of when planning a Scotland trip, it can feel like you're stepping slightly off the well-worn tourist path.
You can take the ferry from Oban, and once you're there, you can spend your time exploring instead of constantly worrying about how many famous viewpoints you still have left to tick off.
And honestly, that's the kind of Scotland trip I love.
# # # THE THING IS…
I'm not suggesting you replace every famous Scottish attraction with something nobody has heard of.
If Edinburgh Castle has been on your bucket list for ten years, **GO TO EDINBURGH CASTLE.**
If you've dreamed about seeing Skye since you were a kid, **GO TO SKYE.**
You don't need to be different for the sake of being different.
But if you've already done the big attractions, you're visiting Scotland for the second or third time, or you're simply looking for a trip that feels a little less predictable, start looking beyond the usual list.
Because Scotland is much bigger than the places that show up on Instagram.
There are tiny fishing villages, forgotten castles, quiet beaches, winding coastal roads and little Highland communities where you can stop for lunch and wonder why you didn't hear about the place sooner.
And sometimes, those are the places you remember most.
So here's my question for all you Scotland regulars:
**What's the Scottish place YOU think people should visit instead of one of the usual tourist hotspots?**
Give me your best recommendations below.
But please don't tell everyone.
We don't want your favourite quiet little village turning into the next Skye. 😂
