Scotland isn’t just renowned for being a fantastic place for a walking holiday; it is home to some of the best tourist destinations in the whole of the UK. That is why lots of visitors who head north of the border want to explore its famous cities, historic sites, and beautiful landscapes, as well as slip on their hiking boots and enjoy its fresh air.
The Herald put together a list of the 22 must-visit destinations around the country for the Best of Scotland magazine, giving inspiration to those planning their Scottish staycation this year.
Among the top locations are Knoydart Lochaber, close to the settlement of Inverie. This tranquil peninsula on the north-western coast is only accessible by boat from Mallaig, so you can imagine how remote and serene it is.
It is bordered by Loch Nevis and Loch Hourn, enclosed by luscious green mountains, and has an abundance of walking routes over rough ground for the more adventurous trekker. There are four munros – mountains over 3,000 feet –
and several corbetts – peaks between 2,500 and 3,000 feet – within the 55,000 acres, making it extremely popular for climbers and hillwalkers.
The publication also named the city Aberdeen as a must-visit destination for 2022, thanks to the arrival of Spectra – Scotland’s Festival of Light from February.
There will be light shows throughout the city, including Union Street, Broad Street, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Mariscal Square. Artists who will be featured are Luke Jerram and Lucid Creates, among many others.
Fort William was also highlighted as somewhere to visit this year, boasting a great location between Skye, the Isle of Mull, Fort Augustus, and Ben Nevis.
Many ramblers head here to begin the West Highland Way or embark on the Highland Railways and Hills journey, enjoying a unique trip on the Strathspey steam railway before spectacular climbs up Ben Na Lap.