Scotland’s Picturesque Villages

Scotland’s Picturesque Villages

Whether you feel you are after the coast, quaint streets, history or simply just absorb the beauty of the scenery there are so many villages to consider visiting. 

1.    Wester Ross is truly breath taking and Plockton will not disappoint. Here you will find a quaint little village nestled on the coast of Loch Carron in the North West. This is known as the “jewel of the Highlands” and it really is a gem of a place. Not only will you be able to embrace the landscapes but you can enjoy the slightly milder climate. Here the drama series Hamish Macbeth was filmed and you can take a stroll down the main street which is filled with traditional houses and is encased by the mountains from the Applecross Peninsula. You can easily spend your day wandering and exploring or hop on a boat and go on a sight seeing tour to spot birds, otters, dolphins and seals. Plockton is just a few miles away from the Isle of Skye if your heading here later in your trip. 

2.    Elgol on the Isle of Skye is located on the shore of Loch Scavaig, here you gain some of the best views of the Cuillin ranges. There are lots of walking routes available and one thats a favourite of ours is Loch Coruisk. Legend has it that the Loch was once home to the Kelpies which are a mythical water horse in Scottish forklore. Take a trip to the Cave where Bonnie Prince Charlie hid after the Jacobite defeat in the mid 18th Century.
3.    Cullen by the Moray Firth was once a bustling fishing port and is the birthplace of the famous dish Cullen Skink soup which is made with smoked haddock, potato and milk. Here you can take a walk along the lovely sandy beach or marvel at the imposing Victorian viaduct which is spectacular. 
4.    Calling all Avengers Fans, St Abbs was featured as the fictional place of New Asgard in the film Endgame. When it isn’t being featured in movies it is home to birdwatchers and nature lovers alike. It is best known for being a small fishing village on the East of Scotland and has a rugged coastline rich with wildlife and the best opportunities to scuba dive in Scotland. There are lots of clifftops and sea stacks alongside wildflowers, butterflies and a lighthouse to keep everyone’s interests alive. One recommendation we have here is to pop into one of the local cafe’s and get yourself a crab sandwich which is as fresh as they come and delicious. 

5.    Crail is hidden away in the East Neuk of Fife, this village is just charming. Here you will find the Fife Coastal Path which entails a massive walking route of 116 miles, this runs from Kincardine on the River Firth Estury to Newburgh on the River Tay. There are lovely cobbled streets and charming little shops. You can enjoy the local fish and chips, some fresh caught lobster or dressed crab. Why not pop just along the road to the toastie shack located at Kingsbarns whilst enjoying watching the sun set. 

6.    Whilst in Fife St Monans, is worth a visit, is a jewel on the rugged coastline of Fife. It is the smallest of the fishing ports dotted along the coast of East Neuk. There are so many fantastic photo opportunities to be had here when the high tide makes the waves pound on the breakwater. The Parish Church is one of the oldest medieval churches in Scotland. 
7.    Heading up the road as we would say towards Aberdeen you will come across Crovie which has a very neat single row of houses in one of the most dramatic settings among Scotland. The history of this village stems back to the 18th Century. When the sea comes in the spray lashes across the narrow ledge located at the front of the houses. The village is only accessible via some very steep steps that descend the cliffs to the seafront. You cannot simply drive through this village which makes it even more intriguing. There’s a car park at the top of the cliffs and you can walk down the wooden steps. 

8.    Often we try not to head to Loch Lomond as it is so buy however the little village of Luss is so pretty it will make you fall in love all over again with Scotland. From the little stone cottages to their matching stunning gardens and floral displays. Each and every one takes such a huge pride in their home here. The small beach nearby is a beautiful spot for sunbathing and swimming in the summer. There is a stunning wooden pier where you can gain a lovely view of the loch. 
9.    Heading North one of the most beautiful hamlets is Fort Augustus which is just an hour drive from Inverness. Here you can get a great view of the Caledonian Canal. There is a lovely Heritage Centre where you can embrace the local history, lots of walking particularly the Great Glen Way and some lovely spots to stop and eat. If you travel just a little further out you can visit Urquhart Castle, being one of the largest ruined castles in Scotland it is also home to thousands of years of history. 
 
10.    Applecross is a place everyone should visit at some point in their live. Located in Wester Ross this village is truly stunning and the drive up is breath-taking! Here you can indulge in fresh caught seafood at the Applecross Inn, visit the Bay itself or head over to the Heritage Centre. You can gain incredible views to the Isle of Raasay and the Isle of Skye. There are of course two roads to access Applecross so if you dont fancy the mountain pass you can come in from the other side. Dependant on the size of your motorhome this is something to take into consideration. 
11.    Shieldaig, is another hidden gem on the shore of Loch Torridon. This coastal village is prime for photos are almost all the cottages are whitewash. There is a little island about a quarter of a mile from the coast with is a dense population of Scots Pine Tree. Here the village was initially used to train people ready for battle in the wake of the Napolenic wars and latterly it was a fishing hamlet. With a population of around 100 locals this is a great village to immerse yourself into country living.

12.     Lochranza sits on the northernmost part of the Isle of Arran. There is a castle, distillery and a field centre for those interested in Geology. The village was an inspiration for Sir Walter Scotts poem The Lord of the Isles. Here you can feel like you are really connecting with nature but also a prime opportunity to sample fresh local food. The Arran Cheese is absolutely divine. 
13.    Not far from Eilean Donan Castle is Dornie, Kintail which is often overlooked by tourists however it is only a few minutes by car from the Kyle of Lochalsh and it is the gateway to the Isle of Skye. There is not a huge amount to do here but the scenery is beautiful. 

14.    Braemar, Aberdeenshire, is the perfect place to immerse yourself into the wilderness and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. This is one of the coldest places in Scotland as it sits around 339 metres above sea level. The Braemar Gathering and the Highland Games take place yearly and they make for a wonderful day out. There is plenty to be keeping busy with from walking, hiking and fishing alongside viewing and spotting wildlife. Braemar Castle has had a turbulent history of over 400 years and if you travel a mere 9 miles eat you can visit Balmoral Castle which has some outstanding grounds and walking to do.
15.    Over at Lochaber, Glencoe is another quaint village with just over 400 residents found at the shore of Loch Leven. Here places worth visiting is the Massacre of the Glencoe Monument which occurred on the night of the 12th February 1692. Almost 40 members of the Clan Macdonald were murdered by the government forces under instruction by Archibald Campbell. If you are a keen hiker then you can climb Pap of Glencoe which looms over the village. 

16.    Killin in Perthshire is not to far from our Scottish Tourer base and is a beautiful village especially for those who love the outdoors. There are plenty of walking opportunities such as the Falls of Dochart and you can walk to visit the burial place of the Clan Mcnab. Our favourite walk here is the walk Sron A' Chlachain which is a pretty steep walk of around 2 miles although the ascent is only about 400metres. From the top the view is breath-taking and you can see panoramic vires of Loch Tay and the surrounding mountains. There are the choices of a spot of fishing, watersports, boat tours and of course cycling here as well which makes for a great point if everyone likes different things. You can then all meet up at the Falls of Dochart Inn which has a lovely menu where you can unwind and talk about the day you have had. 
17.    Comrie again not far from our depot in Perthshire offers amazing walking opportunities and the Devil’s Cauldron and the Melville Monument rail are very popular for avid walkers. This walk is particularly beautiful in Autumn with the change in colours of the trees and the leaves. If you are into Geology then Comrie has more earth tremors than anywhere else in the UK due to its location on the Highland Boundary Fault. One of the first seismometers in the world was installed in Comrie around the mid-19th century. Drummond castle has some truly enchanting gardens and is just about twenty minutes drive from Comrie,  and is worth a trip to see. 
18.    Culross over in Fife, is a place where you feel you have stepped back in time. Founded in the 6th Century by Saint Serf is a well preserved historic village in Scotland. Here you can explore the cobbled streets or take a tour of Culross Palace, which was established in the 17th Century by a wealthy merchant. The house has painted ceilings and passageways connecting the small rooms. In recent years the popular TV series Outlander has brought this village on the tourist map. 

19.    Falkland in Fife is a former royal burgh of Stuart Kings and Queens of Fife. This is almost like a living time capsule and is the first conservation village in Scotland. Here the Lomond hills loom over and there are honeycomb houses, cobbled lanes alongside Falkland Palace and Gardens. Mary Queen of Scots used to regularly visit the palace and enjoyed falconry and hunting. The residence here boasts one of the oldest tennis courts in the world! For those who love nature why not head over to Mapsie Den or if your up for a challenge why not try the full East Lomond Circuit. 
20.    Heading over to the Isle of Lewis Gerrannan Blackhouse Village is the remotest on our list. This is a former crofting village on the west coast of the island. Its a must see on anyone’s bucket list with the unique cluster of thatched cottages. You can really get a glimpse into the Hebridean life in the past and present. They used to weave the world-renowed Harris Tweed and survived the wild North Atlantic weather. There are of course the Calanais Standing Stones and the Iron Age Broch that can be combined in a single visit to the island. There are so many cycling and walking opportunities you will not be short of the fresh air!

There are so many villages in Scotland worth a trip to and these are just the ones we have explored. Be sure to let us know if you visit any whilst on a trip with Scottish Tourer or if you find any new ones that you feel we need to tell our customers about as it's always a learning curve!