Three Scenic Scotland Attractions | United Kingdom
When it comes to scenery and landscapes, Scotland is a paradise. It’s got a unique beauty that in many parts of the country is totally unspoilt. Here are a few scenic stops that should be on any visitor’s route.
Glen Coe Scotland Hike by Craig James
Glen Coe, Highlands
Located in the Highlands and once part of the county of Argyll, Glen Coe is one of Scotland’s most beautiful areas. In fact it is part of the National Scenic Area which includes Ben Nevis. On one side the glen is framed by rugged mountains; on the other, the landscape is gentler. Once owned by Clan Donald, the area is part of the National Trust for Scotland and is guaranteed to stay wild. Glen Coe is a popular tourist attraction partly because of its history (it was where the infamous 1682 Massacre of Glencoe took place). Just as importantly, it offers excellent climbing and walking routes. The main settlement is the village of Glencoe, which offers lots of self-catering accommodation for visitors to the area.
Cairngorms National Park
Cairngorms National Park is a relatively new park which was established in 2003. The largest such park in Britain it is 4,528 km squared and includes parts of the Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray and Perth and Kinross regions. The park encompasses the Cairgngorms Mountains, home to five of Scotland’s highest mountains. The tallest of these is Ben Macdhuit at 1,309 metres. The mountains can stay snowy for much of the year and have experienced the coldest temperature ever recorded in the UK, -27.2 degrees Celsius. So it’s no surprise that the area is known for skiing and winter sports, including ice climbing. Wildlife spotters also enjoy a visit to this region. The national park includes the remains of the ancient Caledonian forest and is a good place to spot wildlife including deer, hares, squirrels, wild cats, otters, birds and even reindeer!
Cairngorms National Park by Alden Chadwick
Glenan Bay, Argyll
For something a bit different, check out Glenan Bay, which is a walker’s paradise – and a beautiful spot to picnic. Start at the Glenan Forest Nature Reserve and step back in time to see unspoilt countryside. While many of the trees aren’t that attractive, the views certainly are and visitors enjoy the chance to enjoy the Glenan Bay vista. Away from the main path, the abandoned village of Glenan, which dates back to the early 14th century, can be seen. Glenan Bay is popular with campers and stargazers as the pitch black night and lack of light make it easy to spot the constellations.
Scotland has a lot to offer and these three locations offer a fantastic introduction to its natural beauty.
Emma Ross writes for Embrace Scotland, a leading provider of self catering cottages in Scotland.