Scotland is one of the most stunning countries in the world; with its rolling hills, majestic monuments, arty cities, and not to forget its intriguing past, hearty food, and tasty drinks!
This Scotland travel guide will detail unmissable destinations, popular tourist attractions, and the lesser-known local spots.
Below you can also find travel information on accommodation, getting around the country, money, safety, food, and entertainment.
Oh hiya! Welcome to Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is a city split in two; the cobbled streets of the Old Town and the neoclassical New Town both credited by UNESCO World Heritage.
As a first time visitor to Scotland, you will want to spend time in both.
In the Old Town, you will find the Royal Mile with Edinburgh Castle at the top and the Scottish Parliament at the bottom, overshadowed by Arthur’s Seat aka that big hill.
Edinburgh’s main shopping strip is called Princes Street and behind that is the fancy George Street but if you are looking for ‘real-life’ Edinburgh, head down Leith walk to the village in the city, Leith.
Personally, I think Leith is one of the most under-rated places to visit in Scotland.
The best and busiest time to visit Edinburgh is in August, and that’s not just because there is a chance to avoid the Scottish rain, it’s the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Over 3000 acts in 313 venues take over Edinburgh for three weeks and the city does not sleep.
Although you could easily spend three-four days in Edinburgh there are at least some reasons to leave the city on day trips: 14 reasons to leave the city on day trips!
Looking to meet men in kilts during your trip? Here are five ways to do so.
Note: I also own the city-specific guide to Edinburgh, Everything Edinburgh where you can plan every aspect of your trip, for free.
The Kingdom of Fife
The Kingdom of Fife is a mere bridge away from Scotland’s capital and this county has lots to offer those who love quiet beaches, gory history, fresh fish and a round of golf or two.
Golfers will find St Andrews and East Neuk one of the best places to visit in Scotland because of their scenic golf courses.
Fife now has it’s own emerging street art scene!
This excites me because I tend to fall in love with every town or city that has street art, always make a great first impression.
Not only is Glasgow a banging night out but it is also known as the Dear Green Place due to its several parks situated throughout the city.
Some of the coolest Scotland attractions such as the Barrowlands (vintage but still functioning music hall), 30+ street art murals, and the hanging faces of the Kelvingrove Art Museum can be seen in Glasgow.
Enough of the cities, you’ve come to Scotland to see the rolling hills, calm lochs, and highland coos and what better way to see them than by foot?
Why not take on the 96-mile trek, the West Highland Way which kicks off just outside of Glasgow (Milngavie) and ends in Fort William (near Inverness). You’ll pass over Conic Hill through Balmaha and on to my favourite spot in Scotland, Glencoe.
You also get to sleep in a valley and enjoy a well-deserved beer at the end of each day. If you are looking for a shorter trek, the West Island Way is a short train and ferry ride away from Glasgow (on the Isle of Bute) can be completed over two days.
Rothesay and the rest of the Isle of Bute is also a lovely day trip if walking is not your thing.
This landscape is a must-see in Scotland. If you prefer beaches with tuqoise water you don’t have to go as far as the Maldvies.
Check out Scotland’s Ardnamurchan on the West Coast instead.
Unless you’ve been hiding in a bothy for the past year, you will know about the new craze in Scotland – the North Coast 500.
Holidaymakers and locals are flocking to Inverness to drive (and cycle) 500 miles to John o ‘Groats and back down to Inverness taking in turquoise sea beaches, cute villages and a wee dram in one of the many NC500 distilleries.
By far one of my favourite trips in Scotland, so good we have visited twice.
Skye is stunning but the drive there is just as special. Saturated with stories of fairies and giants, Skye’s dramatic backdrop of waterfalls and mountains is the perfect canvas for folklore and fairytales.
Don’t miss the Old Man of Storr, the cute capital, Portree or Eilean Donan Castle on the way to Skye.
Unfortunately, the press is now deeming Skye as one of the worst Scotland places to visit down to its popularity. Go in low season if you can.
While you are up north you may want to head east to the ‘oil-rich’ city of Aberdeen.
Known for its love of seagulls and sheep, Aberdeen is one of Scotland’s lesser-known cities and stop off for many tourists heading to Aviemore and the Scottish Highlands.
The city is close to Cairngorms National Park which is a dream for hikers, bikers, and those who hit the slopes. Did you know that we have five ski resorts in Scotland?
The best place to visit in Scotland in autumn has to be Perthshire.
Big Tree Country, Perthshire, has the most majestic landscape and nature walks as well as cute historic towns and villages.
A good base is Pitlochry which has easy trails, pubs and restaurants. From here you can take day trips to other Perthshire towns, waterfalls and castles!
Once the capital of Scotland and these days a bustling university town full of students and lots of historical gems, Stirling is a quaint town dominated by a castle that no one should miss.
Make your way up to the High Street and explore the old Tolbooth, the Mercat Cross and go for a wander in the cemetery, which must be one of the prettiest in the country.
Once you’re done, make sure you check out the castle where some of the most important kings and queens once feasted.
Don’t miss the Old Bridge and the Wallace Monument. Want more? Why not hike all the way up Dumyat for some views?
For more information, check out this guide of Stirling crafted by fellow blogger Mad About Travel.
South West Scotland
South West Scotland has one of the darkest spots in the country so if you are into stargazing this may be the location for you.
Galloway Forest Park is located in Dumfries and Galloway and sees nature fans enjoy its 300 square miles of forest and hills throughout the year.
Referred to as ‘the Highlands of the Lowlands’, this region is lush and blessed with lochs.
Portpatrick is a busy harbour town with pubs along the waterfront.
Wigtown is Scotland’s national book town.
Here you will find a number of book stores and an annual book festival.
Find out more about the South West Scotland 300 road trip here.
Scotland’s public transport system (trains and buses) is mostly reliable, yet expensive, in the central belt. It is recommended that you hire a car or take a group tour when visiting the Highlands and Islands.
The buses tend to run on what we call ‘Sunday service’ the further up north you travel from Edinburgh, this means they are pretty non-existent.
A variety of types of accommodation can be found in Scotland which is great for the purse strings!
A choice of hostels is available in all cities however the Scotland Youth Hostel Association has the monopoly in the more rural areas.
Budget hotels to 5*country houses are also available, click here to check the best rates.
Want to stay in the castle?
No problem, the North Coast 500 alone has more than a handful! Bed and breakfast accommodation is very popular in Scotland and usually consists of a small room, sometimes with a private bathroom, and a hearty Scottish or continental breakfast.
Many B&Bs advertise through Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.
Campsites can be found all over Scotland and wild camping is legal in most areas.
Most of Scotland’s visitors miss out on these incredible things to do in Fife. Why? The popular route is to arrive in Edinburgh, head to Glasgow, then on to the west coast of Scotland to touch base with the likes of Loch Lomond, Inveraray, the Isle of Skye and our most popular road trip – the North Coast 500.
Now, I’m not saying don’t do this; the west coast is breathtaking and you will soon be lost in the most amazing scenic views (and, of course, bitten by the dreaded midges!)
However, don’t rule out heading over to the Queensferry Crossing by car, the Forth Road Bridge by bus or taking the train through the iconic steel, red girders of the Forth Bridge to the east coast of Scotland, the Kingdom of Fife.
Fife is an underrated area of Scotland; steeped in history, surrounded by countryside and waves with patches of poverty; it’s a ‘real’ portrayal of Scotland.
So if it’s time to escape the city, check out these fun things to do in Fife on a day trip from Edinburgh or multi-day holiday with time to stay and play. This Fife guide will share our tips on what to do and Fife hotels.
Best Things to do in Fife
1. North Queensferry Bridge Walk
Home to the former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, North Queensferry offers a tranquil alternative stop to marvel over the architectural wonder of the Forth Bridge.
The majority of visitors flock to the bustling South Queensferry over the other side of the bridge; still worth a visit, especially for those looking to take a boat ride to Inchcolm Island to snap photos of our Bridges, making North Queensferry a great choice for those who prefer serenity over stir.
North Queensferry has a handful of pubs, cafes and restaurants as well as impressive-looking houses.
The Wee Restaurant serves local, seasonal food made by chef Craig Wood.
Visitors can walk over the Forth Road Bridge from North Queensferry to South Queensferry and walk or get the train back (over).
While on the Forth Road Bridge, check out the lovelocks and our ‘new bridge’, Queensferry Crossing.
North Queensferry is also home to the world’s smallest working lighthouse.
Getting to North Queensferry
North Queensferry can be reached by train from Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket stations, for times, see the ScotRail site.
By bike or foot from Dalgety Bay (jump to Fife Coastal Path for Fife hikes), passing through Inverkeithing
By car, North Queensferry has parking (limited)
Edinburgh to North Queensferry Distance
14 miles
North Queensferry Hotels
Regardless of North Queensferry being a ‘wee’ town on the east coast of Scotland, there are two main options for accommodation, panoramic views of the Firth of Forth waters at The Queensferry Hotel or the family-run Ferrybridge Hotel.
2. Dalgety Bay Bridge Views + Fish Supper
Continuing along the Fife Coastal Path, you’ll find the town of Dalgety Bay and St Davids Harbour.
Once known as the Edinburgh commuter town, Dalgety Bay enjoys higher house prices than other surrounding areas.
It’s quite easy to see why when Marks and Spencer’s moves into the petrol station, we are talking a bit of disposable income.
Spectacular view of the Bridges, a wooded walking path for dog owners, three bars which sell meals, and our favourite, Dalgety Bay Fish and Chip Shop, can also be found in The Bay.
Buy some chips and eat them in the car in front of the sea, how Scottish.
Above the chip shop is Ale and Pate, a cafe with a huge food selection and cakes.
Alternatively, check out the upmarket, The Bay Fishmarket.
There is also a small selection of bars that sell food, such as The Compass, Louis Browns and Hugos.
What about a curry? Bay Of Bengal is BYOB Indian restaurant and the staff are so nice.
Perfect for soaking up the booze after a day of drinking at Hugos!
Close to Dalgety Bay is Hillend Tavern, a favourite of ours.
How to get to Dalgety Bay
Dalgety Bay can be reached by train, bus, or car.
Dalgety Bay train station has bike lockers and a free car park
Edinburgh to Dalgety Bay Distance
16 miles
Dalgety Bay Hotels
There are no hotels or bed and breakfasts in the town of Dalgety Bay. Holiday-makers tend to stay in the neighbouring town, Aberdour or Inverkeithing or the old capital of Scotland, Dunfermline.
3. Aberdour Golf + Beaches
Yet another beach town/village (we have a lot in Fife), Aberdour is older than Dalgety Bay, but age has served this old girl well.
The picturesque beaches and Coastal Path are popular with locals on that rare sunny day in May.
Aberdour has an annual festival at the end of July/start of August at the Silver Sands beach, which is kicked off with a 7-mile run called the Donkey brae run.
Aberdour has a second beach called the Black Sands, as well as a harbour, golf course (which you can walk/cycle along to the beach) and cafes.
Points of interest for our guide to Edinburgh day trips include Braefoot Point.
This is targeted at those interested in history with a nice view.
Dog walkers mostly use the area, but amongst the trees, you can explore the Braefoot Point Battery used from World War I to protect the Forth.
For food, check out, The Woodside, Aberdour Hotel, Cafe @ No. 16, Sands A Place By The Sea or pick up a delicious sandwich from Post and Pantry.
How to get to Aberdour
If arriving by train you will get the experience of the ‘best-kept station’, buses are also available
Edinburgh to Aberdour Distance
18 miles
Aberdour Hotels
Considering less than 2000 people actually live in Aberdour, it has a lot of pubs and hotels in its village.
The Woodside Hotel has a stunning stained glass roof which is worth checking out over lunch if you are not staying in this Aberdour accommodation.
The other hotel in Aberdour includes the 17th-century Aberdour Hotel, which features in the ‘Camra’ Good Beer Guide for selling real ale in its bar.
4. Burntisland and the Shows (Fairground)
Pronounced Burnt – island, this town is not actually an island (or burnt).
Burntisland is mostly known for hosting the longest-running fairground in Europe during the summer months.
Burntisland has a large award-winning beach, dockyard, swimming pool, skate ramps, takeaway shops, cafes and a castle which Mary Queen of Scots stopped for the night at.
Burntisland also has a dormant volcano called the Binn, which is worth the hike for these views (below) across the Firth of Forth, one of the free things to do in Fife.
A few bricks still stand of what was once the houses for shale oil workers.
According to the Burntisland website, the 1891 Census counted over 500 residents in 95 houses at the High Binn and 192 in the 33 houses of the Low Binn.
According to my Mum, after the shale works were closed, the village housing was turned into holiday homes.
My Granddad used to meet the holidaymakers off the train at Burntisland to help them carry their suitcases up the steep hill in return for pocket money.
At the bottom of the big Burntisland blue sea lies Charles I’s ferry, which sank tragically, with treasure to boot! Or does it?
Testing at the Blessing of Burntisland site has still to prove that this is the royal baggage ferry which was caught in a summer storm crossing from Burntisland to Leith, Edinburgh, in 1633.
The ongoing search and current site investigation by Burntisland Heritage Trust is one of the longest and most tantalising of treasure hunts.
Like Dunfermline’s Glen, Burntisland Library was gifted to the town by Andrew Carnegie.
The library has a museum upstairs, but this is not the only one in Burntisland; there is also the Museum of Communication on the other side of the High Street.
Finally, a previous resident of Burntisland can be found on the £10 note.
Scientist Mary Somerville was the first female to appear on a Scottish note.
For food, grab a chippy at Romanos, sit down at Links Fish Bar, enjoy coffee and lunch at Burntisland Roasting Project, or On A Roll, a bagel at The Fix, a baguette at The New Olive Tree, a messy burger at Burger Island, and ice cream at Novelis.
Pettycur Bay, just outside of Burntisland, has its own TV show and serves but great pub grub with gorgeous views.
The Ship in neighbouring Kinghorn does a mean steak pie.
How to get to Burntisland
Like the above Fife destinations, Burntisland can be reached by train, bus, foot, bike and car
Edinburgh to Burntisland Distance
21 miles
Burntisland Hotels
The Kingswood Hotel is a striking property on the outskirts of Burntisland. The hotel sits on 2 acres of woodlands and gardens, the rooms are bright, and the restaurant is popular with guests and locals alike. There is a story that the Grey Lady lurks around the road between Burntisland and Kinghorn, so you may get a glimpse of a ghost!
If you meet her, give her a curtsy, she is royalty, after all. The lady of Kingswood is Yolande de Dreux, the wife of Alexander III, who fell off his horse on the coastal road as he trotted to meet her at Kinghorn Castle.
If you are looking for a home away from home style property, The Laigh in Burntisland is a self-contained house which sleeps up to three.
5. Things to do in Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy is the next biggest town (Kinghorn is another small beach town in between Burntisland Kinghorn) on the east coast.
At Easter, Kirkcaldy’s prom is taken over by the fairground (or ‘the shows’ as we call it); this is where locals flock to buy candy floss and scream so they can go faster.
Theatre visits are amongst the Fife activities available in Kirkcaldy as it is home to the Adam Smith Theatre (named after the Scottish economist), which has a lovely vintage charm.
The theatre hosts shows such as musicals and pantomimes but is also Kirkcaldy’s only film house.
Kirkcaldy has a large public park with a duck pond, skate rInks/parks and tennis courts (Beveridge Park), as well as the Raith Rovers football stadium and Fife Flyers’ ice rink for sports fans checking out Fife activities.
For live music and/or good pub grub, head to The Duchess, enjoy BYOB at fried food at Jock’s Grill, for soup and a sandwich try Roots & Seeds, and you must try the cakes at The Merchant House Cafe.
Honestly, I am working my way through all of the cakes for this article.
The artist, Jack Vettriano, divides his time between his homes in London, Nice and… you guessed – Kirkcaldy.
Kirkcaldy also has an art gallery which often hosts visiting shows such as The Glasgow Boys, which is currently on display.
Follow in the footsteps of Tony Robinson and his Time Team to East Wemyss and check out the largest selection of caves in Great Britain, Wemyss Caves.
Symbols such as Pictish (4th-9th century) markings can be found in the caves, and visitors can take tours with informative guides.
For food, check out Koku Shi or pub grub at The Duchess.
How to get to Kirkcaldy
Like the above Fife destinations, Kirkcaldy can be reached by train, bus, foot, bike and car
Edinburgh to Kirkcaldy Distance
29 miles
Hotels in Kirkcaldy
The Beveridge Park Hotel, the three-star hotel, is located on private grounds, close to Kirkcaldy’s train station, Adam Smith Theatre and, of course, Beveridge Park. The Beveridge Park Hotel plays host to music events and fayres. Golfing, pamper, and anniversary packages are available.
The Dean Park Hotel is popular with locals and guests, who use the hotel’s facilities for dining, parties and conferences.
6. Leven and Lundin Links
Leven is yet another beach town in Fife which was put on the map during my childhood for parading a grizzly bear called Hercules at its Letham Glen park.
I kid you not; we used to take family trips to Leven to see Hercules wear hats, take a bath, and cuddle his owner, Andy.
I still can’t believe this happened!
Nowadays, most visitors to Leven head to the green to play golf on Lundin Links or for a stroll around Silverburn Park, one of the Fife points of interest on the coast.
How to get to Leven
There is no direct train to Leven; visitors alight at Markinch train station and take a bus to Leven from there. There are direct buses to Leven from many Fife towns such as Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes
Edinburgh to Leven Distance
36 miles
East-Central Fife
7. Glenrothes and Markinch
Glenrothes is another large Fife town, one of Scotland’s ‘new towns’ built in the 1950s and 60s to accommodate those who lost their homes during WWII (interested in Scottish history? Jump to Dunfermline).
Glenrothes also has a theatre, Kingdom Shopping Centre selling high street brands, golf courses, Riverside Park with one of Fife’s largest skate parks and a cute kino (cinema).
How to get to Glenrothes
Like the above Fife destinations, Glenrothes can be reached by train, bus, foot, bike and car
Edinburgh to Glenrothes Distance
32 miles
Hotels in Glenrothes and Markinch
Close to Markinch is home to one of the luxury hotels in Fife – the country house hotel, Balbirnie House.
Visitors can stay and/or dine in the A Graded Georgian mansion built in 1777.
Balbirnie House is also very popular with weddings all year round and high school prom dances as well as conferences. Image courtesy of Balbirnie House.
This country house was built in 1923 and sits in a large garden.
The Balgeddie offers guests access to its cocktail lounge, and food is served at The Brasserie.
East Neuk Villages
Neuk means a corner, and in this corner of Fife lies some of the most picturesque fishing villages in Scotland (and the UK?)
The East Neuk takes in the villages of:
Elie and Earlsferry
St Monans
Pittenweem
Anstruther
Crail
Kingsbarns
8. Elie and Earlsferry Beach
Elie is home to one of the oldest golf courses in Scotland, created in 1875, as well as Elie beach and the sheltered Ruby Bay (Elie Woodhaven).
Each year, visitors can scarecrow spot during the Elie Scarecrow Festival.
Families rate their favourite scarecrows around the village, and the winner is announced during a prize giving at the end of the Festival.
Hotels in Elie
If you are looking for pure relaxation, check out the Kilconquhar Castle Estate, which has an indoor swimming pool, tennis court and driving golf ranges. The estate offers hotel rooms and self-catering cottages close to Elie.
9. St Monans
St Monans is another cute fishing village. It has a church built in the 14th century by David II.
10. Pittenweem Witch Trails
Pittenweem has a dark past! This Fife town was the setting for the Pittenweem Witch Trials, which were responsible for the torture and death of three accused members of the village.
The accuser?
A teenage boy who was later found to be lying.
According to the BBC, the tollbooth still stands today in Pittenweem, where the accused were held captive.
Pittenweem might be a small place, but it has played an important part in Fife’s history.
St Fillan’s Cave is where St Fillan, the Patron Saint of the mentally sick, spent most of his time writing.
The story has it that those who were ill would spend the night bound in the cave, and if their bound had loosened overnight, they were no longer sick.
‘Pittenweem’ actually means ‘place of the cave’.
This village also hosts the ever-increasing Pittenweem Arts Festival, which takes place in August.
Don’t expect to be entering only the official museums and galleries to see the work of over 100 artists and designers; the art is on display in every nook and cranny – living rooms, seawalls and shops.
Pittenweem also has an open-air swimming pool if you fancy trying a bit of organised wild swimming.
The seasonal cafe at the pool serves hot drinks and snacks.
Locals love the Clock Tower Cafe.
Hotels in Pittenweem
There are a variety of self-catering cottages in Pittenweem and most of them are pet-friendly if you are hoping to take your dog to the East Neuk!
→ Check availability and rates for Pittenweem’s cottages here
11. Anstruther Fish n Chips
The most popular thing to do in Anstruther is to visit on a sunny day, buy fish and chips and people watch!
One of the popular things to do in Anstruther from April to September is to take a boat trip to the Isle of May for wildlife spotting.
The tour takes around 4.5-5 hours and includes a talk from the rangers on the island.
Birds spotted include puffins, guillemots, and razorbills are common.
A lucky few will spot a dolphin or possibly a whale!
There’s a handful of food places along the seafront.
Grab a soup and toasty at the Vintage Tea Room and cake from Anstruther Deli.
Hotels in Anstruther
There are quite a few top-rated hotels in Anstruther. The family-run four-star The Bank comes highly recommended with stunning views of the Firth of Forth. The Bank also has a restaurant with homemade food and ales in their bar
The Waterfront is also a four-star hotel with a restaurant which serves a cooked breakfast for guests each morning. The decor is contemporary, and it is located… on the waterfront.
12. Crail Races
Craig is well known for its car drag races at Crail airfield.
Every Sunday from March-November, you’ll find a car boot sale at the airfield.
13. Kingsbarns Gin
Kingsbarns is known for three things, golf, whisky and surfing.
I bet you didn’t see that coming?
For those who like to hit the waves, check out our North Coast 500 guide and skip to Thurso.
Although their malt is maturing, Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre are open for tours daily.
Not a fan of the water of life? No problem, Kingsbarns is also home to Darnley’s gin.
Let the games be-gin.
Image courtesy of Kingsbarns Distillery.
Getting to the East Neuk of Fife
This is when our public transport really starts to let us down.
From Edinburgh, you would take two buses (towards St Andrews) which takes over 2 hours (closer to 3 hours).
Distance from Edinburgh (to Elie)
44 miles
14 – 21. Things to do in St Andrews
The main reason people visit Fife is to spend time where royalty recently walked; the prestigious St Andrews University is where Prince William met Kate Middleton on the dance floor of the (now closed) Lizard Lounge.
Check out the Cathedral. Beautiful.
St Andrews is also renowned for its fore.
International golfers of both genders hit the Old Course green, then relax with a pint and lunch at the Jigger Inn.
Patrons can dine at the pub without playing golf or staying at the hotel; the outside seating area is pretty much on the Old Course, so perfect for an afternoon drink in the sun.
There are plenty of other things to do in St Andrews that don’t involve teeing off.
Outdoor enthusiasts should check out water sports activities with Blown Away.
This local company is run by twins and sea-sports enthusiasts Guy and Jamie, who are genuinely lovely.
We had the pleasure of paddleboarding with Blown Away this summer in partnership with Welcome to Fife.
I’m not going to lie; I was apprehensive about boarding the North Sea; people avoid swimming in Scotland for a reason!
However, the afternoon boarding at St Andrew’s harbour (it was too choppy for the sea), under the bridge, and through the mangroves exceeded my expectations.
The wetsuit blocked out the chill when I was pushed in, twice.
Blown Away water activities are a popular St Andrew’s attraction for stag weekends/bachelor parties and smaller group bookings.
St Andrews also has the botanic gardens open from 10am-6pm.
Don’t leave St Andrews without gorging on a Fisher and Donaldson fudge donut (pre-order the huge donut for special occasions) and Jannettas ice cream.
A great thing for kids to do in Fife is to visit the Secret Bunker close to St Andrews.
Underneath an unassuming farm, visitors head 100 feet underground to the bunker, created in the event of a nuclear attack.
Not only can you delve into what life would have been like in the bunker, but there is also a room dedicated to the work of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) open to the public.→ Disclaimer: our lunch at the Jigger Inn and the cost of paddleboarding was covered by Welcome to Fife in return for this honest review. You’ll be hungry after that. Sweet snacks in St Andrews are legendary. Try Jannettas ice cream and Fisher & Donaldson fudge donuts.
Getting to St Andrews
Annoyingly, St Andrews is not on the train line, and the buses to the town from Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline are long. Car hire would be my recommendation for travelling to St Andrews.
22. Guided Tours of Fife
If you don’t want to hire a car (we drive on the left!) and feel restricted by our limited public transport in the northeast of Fife there is help at hand.
There are a variety of guided tours of the East Neuk and St Andrews.
Meeting point in Edinburgh’s city centre.
St Andrews to Edinburgh Distance
50 miles
Hotels in St Andrews
There is so much choice in St Andrews for hotels, and some of the properties are super exciting.
The Old Course Hotel is the number one spot for golfers or those looking for a relaxing spa weekend. It’s always bustling, and you are on the Old Course if golfing is the reason for your trip.
There is a reason that the Fairmont at St Andrews is five-star, and you only have to look at the images to see why. The hotel decor is modern but tasteful. The hotel sits on cliffs overlooking St Andrews Bay. A free shuttle is available for guests, but with the facilities, I don’t see a reason to leave. Did I mention two golf courses? One of the finer Fife hotels.
There are cheaper hotels in St Andrews. The Albany is close to the beach and hosts guests in its Georgian terraced house built in 1795.
23. Cupar
Cupar is another cute small town in Fife.
Once the bustling marketplace, now a quiet residential area.
The river that runs through Cupar reminds me of the Seine!
It must be the lights.
Distance from Edinburgh
43 miles
24-26. Falkland
Visitors to Falkland may enjoy visiting one of Mary Queen of Scot’s favourite buildings, Falkland Palace, which was once home to the Stewart Kings and Queens.
Many locals climb the easy hike of the Lomond Hills, which has two peaks.
Outlander fans!
This is Inverness. Well, the filming location anyway.
The old mining village of Lochgelly is the closest town to Fife’s country park, Lochore Meadows.
Lochore Meadows has many walking trails and cycle paths and offers water sports activities like kayaking and windsurfing.
If you are interested in the history of mining in Scotland, you may like the film The Happy Lands, which stars my mum’s cousin, Joki Wallace.
Joki is not a trained actor!
This is a community-led film by Theatre Workshop Scotland, from grassroots to Hollywood.
Getting to Lochgelly
Lochgelly has a train station and bus links. Lochore Meadows is best reached by car
Distance from Edinburgh
23 miles
29. Knockhill
One of Fife’s biggest pulls is the Knockhill racing circuit.
Here you can ride super, vintage and rally cars.
How to get to Knockhill
Knockhill is accessible by car
Distance from Edinburgh
26 miles
30-40. Things to do in Dunfermline
Dunfermline is not only a historically important town in Fife but also in Scotland.
Dunfermline is the ancient capital of Scotland, and many visitors check out the resting place of Robert the Bruce, King of the Scots (minus his heart) at Dunfermline Palace and Abbey, as well as St Margaret’s Cave.
Check out the Netflix movie Outlaw King starring Chris Pine for scenes filmed in Dunfermline.
Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries it’s a great afternoon out for the family.
It takes you through Dunfermline’s successes via artefacts and stories.
There are three kitchens from different eras which share information, with a difference.
The war sections will bring a tear to your eye, and it boasts of the best views of the Abbey.
Dunfermline also has a large park in the centre of town called Pittencrief Park (Dunfermline Glen).
The Glen is home to the art deco, Glen Pavilion, resident peacocks, and the annual Bruce Festival.
This park was a gift to the town from Andrew Carnegie, the industrialist and philanthropist who was born in Dunfermline in 1835.
You can learn more about Carnegie at his Birthplace Museum in the town centre.
There’s a great music scene in Dunfermline.
The town produced the 70s band Nazareth (Love Hurts), Barbara Dickson (Band of Gold), Big Country (Chance) and The Skids (Into the Valley).
Dunfermline’s Alhambra hosts hundreds of gigs, musicals, and comedy shows annually.
The theatre has retained its 1920s decor, which makes it a special place.
Dunfermline has lots of high street stores for shopping, an art studio and cafe in the old fire station (Fire Station Creative), a cinema, two sports centres and many restaurants (a silly amount of curry houses!)
Dunfermline Athletic are the local football team and they play at East End Park.
The legendary ex-Manchester manager, Alex Ferguson (Dunfermline’s biggest goal scorer), is one of the Pars most popular players.
Fun fact – Harry Potter’s Moaning Myrtle and Trainspotting star Shirley Henderson resides in Dunfermline.
Playwright Gregory Burke (Black Watch and the film 71) was born in Rosyth, close to Dunfermline.
In Rosyth, you can grab a hearty breakfast at Hel’s Kitchen and an ice cream at Sweet Street.
Townhill, at the top of Dunfermline, is a nicely preserved village with a small loch and woods for walkers. The National Water Ski and Wakeboard Centre is also located at Townhill Loch.
If there is a flurry of snow in Dunfermline town, you can expect a decent dump in Townhill; get the sledges out for a ‘cool’ free thing to do in Fife with kids!
Dunfermline restaurant recommendations include Dhoom (Indian), Canmore for small plates, Haberdashery for food truck food, Cafe Wynd, 1703, Fire Station Creative (cocktails, lunch and cake), KOKU SHI (Japanese), Seven Kings (pub grub), Luca’s Kitchen (Italian), Christie’s (Scottish tapas at Dunfermline Leisure Park). Afternoon tea is served at The City Hotel.
There’s also a vegan cafe called 269 Vegan.
Its menu is 80% gluten-free.
For dessert, you can’t miss the pink cafe, Maria’s Baking Stories.
Getting to Dunfermline
Dunfermline’s Town and Queen Margaret train lines are both on the Fife circle from Edinburgh
Dunfermline is also connected by bus
Distance from Edinburgh
17 miles
Hotels in Dunfermline
On the outskirts of Dunfermline, two luxury resort hotels are popular with holidaymakers and wedding parties.
Forrester Park Resort can be found 4 miles outside of the town centre. The traditional hotel has a bar, restaurant and golf course.
Close to Dunfermline Golf Course and located in private woodlands, Kevil House Hotel offers modernly decorated rooms, a spa and an award-winning restaurant.
Of course, you have unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past three years.
The tiny village of Culross is one of six Outlander locations filmed in Fife.
The tiny village is well maintained with cute painted doors and colourful flowers.
Muse about Culross Pottery and Gallery, grab a coffee and cake or head to Bessie’s by Culross Palace for a bowl of soup and rock scone.
Prefer dinner? Go for steak pie at the Red Lion.
Culross Hotels
There is one property in the tiny village of Culross called Sandhaven.
This two-bedroom holiday home sleeps four people comfortably.
Dunfermline is the closest large town to Culross, which has many hotel options; please see above for details.
42. Limekilns
An old village with kilns by the water, Limekilns has a lovely walk down by the water and through the woods. Enjoy a hot chocolate at Coorie.
43. Walks in Fife
Fife Coastal Path stretches 117 miles from south to the north along the Firth of the Forth to the Firth of Tay.
Designated walking paths through towns, fishing villages, and beaches keep ramblers and cyclists safe from cars making these series of walking routes a free and easy thing to do in Fife with children.
The Fife Coastal Path is one of Scotland’s Great Trail starting in Kincardine and finishing at Newburgh.
44. Local Festivals
Each town in Fife has its local summer festival called a gala day.
The itinerary loosely takes the shape of a parade with a specific theme, the crowning of the gala queen and king, and the bigger towns also put on a highland dancing competition where children and adults show off their fling skills in a kilt (not to be confused with Scottish country dancing which takes place during a ceilidh, if you want to attend a ceilidh in Edinburgh check out this article).
Dundee – City of Discovery
Heading north of Fife, you will enter the Scottish ‘city of discovery’, Dundee.
Rarely high on any Scottish travel itinerary, Dundee is rough around the edges with an exciting emerging art scene now consolidated with the opening of the V&A.
This city has always been cutting edge for multimedia and was named the UK’s first UNESCO city of design.
It is where the world-famous Scottish comic, Beano, was first published and is home to most of the thriving computer games sector (Grand Theft Auto originated in Dundee).
The students certainly have their stamp on Fundee; some of my favourite charity shop finds have been from Perth Road.
My cousin, who studied in Dundee, recommends the pubs, the Art Bar, Duke’s Corner and the Tinsmith for nightlife in Dundee.
Visitors can hop aboard the RRS Discovery like Captain Scott and his crew on their way to the Antarctic.
The Discovery Point experience is a multi-media one, hence the reason holidaymakers wave about it (gettit?!)
Families love the Dundee Science Centre, which is full of interactive learning opportunities for kids.
From Dundee, there are many more day trip opportunities like a visit to the suburbs of Broughty Ferry or Kirriemuir, ‘the Wee Red Toon’ and birthplace of JM Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan.
Broughty Ferry
Less than four miles from Dundee is the pretty suburb of Broughty Ferry.
If you love coffee and cake, you’re going to be in heaven in this wee town as the High Street has cafes galore!
There’s also the 15th-century Broughty Castle by the beach, which makes for a great photo.
Final Words
Due to its proximity, The Kingdom of Fife makes for excellent day trips from Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh; however, since there are so many points of interest in Fife along its coast and inland, a longer stay at one of Fife’s hotels is warranted.
PS. Remember to use the hashtag #LoveFife when visiting The Kingdom and keep up to date with events at Welcome to Fife and ONFife.
There’s no shortage of things to do in Loch Lomond, the bonnie banks on every Scotland bucket list. Attractions by the sea, activities on the water, nature, hikes, shopping, food and drink, you’re in for a busy trip to this national park.
Loch Lomond is an easy day trip from Glasgow. Just hop on the train to Balloch and from there, it’s all aboard the Loch Lomond boat tours!
This a large, comfortable boat with indoor and outside seating.
The seats inside are located next to big windows for unspoilt views of the loch side.
Loch Lomond stretches for 24 miles and has 22 islands and 27 islets.
Learn about the history of the national park from the tour guide’s stories told over the speakers.
Have a Pint by the Fire at The Balloch House
The Balloch House is located in an 18th century building and has a beer garden for dining and drinking.
The menu includes staters and mains including fish, grilled food like steak and stonebaked pizzas.
Brunch is served Monday to Saturday and Sunday roast is available on Sundays.
Watch a Game at Tullie Inn
TheTullie Inn is a modern restaurant and pub with screens showing football games.
There’s also outdoor seating with umbrellas.
Karaoke with Locals Friday, Saturday and Sunday
If you like a cheap drink and a bit of sing song, pop into the ‘The Lodge’ Glenroy Bar at Lomond Park Hotel.
It gets rowdy at the weekends so be prepared for spilt drinks, sweat and singing!
Cocktails at The Pier
Prefer live music and a cocktail menu?
Reserve a table at The Pier Kitchen for a contemporary setting and friendly staff.
Food also available from brunch through to dinner.
Things to do at Loch Lomond Shores
Fly Among Nature at TreeZone
Loch Lomond has an aerial adventure course strung between the trees for wee and big kids!
The 1-1.5 hour Loch Lomond attraction for daredevils includes zip wires, balance beams, hanging platforms, tight-ropes, scramble nets and all works up to a white knuckle bridge with rewarding views over the loch.
The finale is a long zip line crashing back down to the woodlands.
Spectators can watch their family from the ground.
Harnesses are provided so all you need to bring is a waterproof coat and gloves for protection.
Everyone taking part tries the beginners course first so you can test if you are comfortable with the second higher and more intense aerial route.
Instructors explain how the set up works at the start and follow the group around as they navigate the ropes.
Shop at Loch Lomond Shores
Grab a snack at a loch side stall or shop ’til you drop at Loch Lomond Shores.
Popular brands and family-owned businesses are located at this scenic shopping centre.
Enjoy a Drink with Views at Duck Bay
Duck Bay is a popular restaurant and hotel by the loch.
The outdoor seating has views of Ben Lomond and the Arden Hills.
Inside there’s a relaxed cafe selling light meals and impressive cakes as well as an upmarket restaurant with varied menu.
You can also stay at Duck Bay which means you can make your way through the wine and whisky menu then fall into bed!
You really won’t be disappointed with the food and service at the Oak Tree Inn.
The menu consists of soup, sandwiches, main meals and desserts made by hand using local produce.
The decor on the walls of this cosy pub will keep you intrigued for the duration of your meal.
There’s also tables outside for al fresco dining which is ideal for those with dogs.
The Oak Tree Inn is across the road from the car park.
Ice Cream at St Mocha
St Mocha is a takeout ice cream and coffee shop next door to the Oak Inn.
Flavours include traditional ones such as vanilla and Scottish flavours like tablet. Cone or tub?
The cafe roasts its own coffee too.
Things to do at Luss and Beyond
Enjoy a Wander Around Luss
One of the most popular activities in Loch Lomond is a slow walk through the cute village of Luss.
It has a pier, Parish Church and 18th and 19th century houses.
Pick up a souvenir at Luss General Stores and food at Coach House or Village Rest.
Things to do Near Loch Lomond
Hike Ben A’an
Ben A’an is a busy hill in the Trossachs and it’s popular for good reason – the relatively short hike (3.7km / 2.25 miles) provides stunning views over Loch Katrine.
Aim to get to the car park on the A821 very early to avoid disappointment, especially on dry days.
Set aside 2-3 hours for hiking The Mountain In Miniature.
The Green Welly Stop
Did you even visit the West Coast if you didn’t go to the Green Welly Stop at Tyndrum?
Use the loo, grab a coffee to go or a diner style meal at this landmark.
Stirling For History
Stirling is a small yet historically significant city in central Scotland.
Visit Stirling Castle at the top of Castle Hill for exhibitions in this 12th-century royal building.
See The National Wallace Monument which celebrates Sir William Wallace is a prominent feature in the Stirling landscape.
Alternatively spend the afternoon at the spa in the old Victorian school building, Stirling Highland Hotel.
Alternatively, the train from Glasgow to Balloch takes 50 minutes however you are restricted to just the Balloch.
Citylink Buses have a service from Glasgow which stops at at Balloch, Duck Bay, Luss, Inverbeg, Tarbet, Inveruglas, Ardlui, Inverarnan, Crianlarich and Tyndrum.
Visiting Loch Lomond Responsibly
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is only one of two national parks in Scotland and its ease of access makes it a very popular place to visit.
Along with the Isle of Skye, it is often cited as a destination which suffers from overtourism.
Ways to travel to Loch Lomond responsibly include:
Visit during quieter seasons and outside of school holidays
Leave no trace – pick up all your litter from days out and camping
Apply for a permit to camp, you cannot ‘wild camp’ at Loch Lomond
Book local accommodation and dine out
Be respect of locals, don’t park outside of car parks and parking spaces
Use public toilets, if you have to do a number two while hiking, dig deep and cover the hole up
People have died swimming, only get into the water where it is safe to do so. Seven people died in 2021, don’t take this warning lightly
Glasgow is the Scottish city with sass. Every visitor’s itinerary features the capital, Edinburgh, and rightfully so as it is beautiful and steeped in history but Glasgow is real and Glasgow is raw.
It’s the big city with contrasting neighbourhoods, deadly music and art scene and most importantly, people with banter.
Edinburgh is Paris, Glasgow is Berlin and here is your one day in Glasgow itinerary curated with love by me, Gemma, the Fifer who ‘grew up’ in Glasgow
I (Gemma) moved to Scotland’s Dear Green Place at the age of 17 to attend the University of Glasgow and didn’t leave until my late 20s when I moved to the dark side, Edinburgh. I now reside in Fife.
Glasgow is where I met my life-long friends, formed my political views, danced around my handbag, gained weight by eating chips n’ cheese, lost the weight running around Kelvingrove Park – when I drive into Charing Cross the same feeling consumes me, that feeling that I’m home.
Personally, I don’t think one day in Glasgow is enough to really understand why it is special but I understand itinerary time constraints, I’ve been there.
This itinerary will recommend a variety of options for your day trip to Glasgow so you can pick and choose what suits your travel needs.
Covering Glasgow’s top attractions, the appeal of the five main neighbourhoods, food recommendations, which Glasgow pubs to party at and where to get the perfect shots.
This guide will also cover Glasgow’s past which some would like to hide, its involvement in the slave trade.
Glasgow’s Neighbourhoods
In Scotland, we don’t really use the term neighbourhoods but from my extensive travel in North America, I understand categorising areas of a city is the easiest way to help visitors find their bearings.
Glasgow does have distinct areas that can be zoned off making it an easy task.
Beginning with the City Centre you will find both train stations, Glasgow Central and Queen Street at George Square, and the Buchanan Bus Station.
There are three main streets starting with Argyle Street, which runs from the West End to the East, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street.
You will find Glasgow’s main shops on these three streets along with bars and restaurants.
One of the main drags of pubs and clubs for younger revellers is located at the top of Sauchiehall Street, after the shops.
Like with all cities, you want to veer off the big streets to discover the unique pubs like the Butterfly and the Pig which features mismatched furniture from your Gran’s house.
Behind Buchanan Street is the upmarket Merchant City bars, clubs and restaurants as well as Strathclyde University.
This is the area of Glasgow most associated with its slave trade involvement.
At the end of Argyle Street to the east is the Trongate, check out the 13th Note for vegetarian food, Clutha for a welcoming local bar and the Tron Theatre for shows, which takes you along the infamous Barras weekend market, a real Glasgow tradition and passed the Barrowlands, a true Glasgow establishment which houses music gigs, and into the East End.
Don’t miss Barras Art and Design (BaAd) internal courtyard for drinks and shopping, support the local shop owners by purchasing here.
The East End is also home to Glasgow Cathedral, Provand’s Lordship (oldest house in Glasgow), Glasgow’s necropolis, Glasgow Green (park), the People’s Palace and two breweries.
Running parallel to Argyle Street is Glasgow’s Canal.
Bridges take you over to our third neighbourhood, the Southside.
The Southside has its own parks, Queens and Pollok.
Most of the bars and restaurants are found around Pollokshaws Road, check out the Glad cafe for vegan cakes and intimate gigs.
The West End of Glasgow is where you will find most of the students in the city as well as a stylish crowd.
The main street is Byres Road, which is always busy with brunchers and shoppers.
Visit Oran Mor for gigs and don’t miss the cute cobbled street, Ashton Lane, for drinks under the fairy lights.
In summer, you can find a beer garden on Ashton Lane and there is also a small cinema.
Running along the back of Byres Road is Great Western Road, which is packed with vintage shops, furniture stores and food stops.
The University of the Glasgow is found behind Ashton Lane on University Avenue.
From there you can reach Kelvingrove Park, and museum or Woodlands Road, for comedy see The Stand, down to Charing Cross and back into town.
However, we are not quite finished with the West End yet because at the bottom of Byres Road you will find Argyle Street, which runs into the Finnieston neighbourhood.
Finnieston used to be known purely for the Teuchter or Highlander Triangle because of the three pubs, the Park Bar, The Islay Inn and Snaffle Bit.
Head here to listen to trad music, especially around Celtic Connections time but this area has exploded in the past years.
If you are in town for ethically sourced food, hop into the food trucks at Dockyard Social, and drinks or for dirty burgers and cocktails, try Strip Joint.
Finnieston Road leads to the Clyde, the Ovo Hydro, Glasgow SECC, Clydeside Distillery and the Transport Museum.
Getting Around Glasgow
Glasgow has an extensive network of bus routes, trains and also our beloved underground aka the metro or subway.
Our underground is not difficult to navigate.
It only goes around in one loop then back around the other way.
It is affectionally known as the Clockwork Orange and if you just want to spend your one day in Glasgow boozing you should play the Clockwork Orange drinking game.
The game involves getting off at each stop and having a tipple!
If you want to learn more about the city, save time and your feet, check out the Glasgow hop on/off tour bus with audio guide.
One Day in Glasgow – City Centre and the East End
Morning in Glasgow
Kick-off with a full Scottish breakfast or stacked French toast at Café Gandolfi (Albion Street) or eggs at the trendy Wilson Street Pantry in the Merchant City.
You’re going to need the energy.
Next, it’s a visit to one of Glasgow’s points of interest, the Gallery of Modern Art on Royal Exchange Square.
This museum is located in the former Cunninghame Mansion, home of the tobacco and sugar merchant and one of the prolific merchants of the transatlantic tobacco trade, William Cunninghame of Lainshaw.
In front of the GOMA is the iconic Duke of Wellington who often has a street cone on his head.
Next mooch through the Merchant City keeping your eyes peeled for the street art murals and more links to Glasgow’s slave trade involvement such as (Tobacco Lord, James) Wilson Street and (John) Glassford Street (tobacco plantation owner in Virginia and Maryland).
Glasgow is yet to recognise that these street names celebrate Scots who enslaved people for profit.
Other cities with similar involvement, such as Bristol, England, have created museums and made some changes.
Afternoon in Glasgow Itinerary
Go slightly off-piste to grab a sandwich at the chic takeaway, Piece (100 Miller St), jamming to the tunes while you wait on your ‘Jerk Off’ or grab a vegan lunch at The Glasvegan at St Enoch Square.
Head back east via Argyle Street towards the Trongate and onto Barrowlands Park.
Count the bands you’ve seen, then promise to come back to watch one live at the Barrowlands.
Walk towards the Barrowlands; if visiting on a weekend, swing by the Barras Market to experience this Glasgow institution set up by Maggie McIver, who died a multi-millionaire in 1958.
If you love music, you will want to join the Glasgow City Music Tours run by music journalists complimenting Glasgow’s UNESCO City of Music status. Grab a bite to eat at BaAd or continue on to the next stop on your Glasgow itinerary.
From here you have two options – park, palace and a pint or God’s house, the graveyard and gin.
Option 1: Glasgow Green, Breweries and Lunch
Glasgow Green is where you will find the People’s Palace, which houses a really interesting exhibition on life in Glasgow throughout the ages.
Look out for the washing line poles in the Green too; these were used by locals to dry their clothes!
Take a well-deserved pit stop at West Brewery or Drygate Brewery. Both serve food, beer and other drinks.
The Palais on Duke Street (Denniston) is another hip lunch option.
Option 2: Cathedral, Necropolis and Provand’s Lordship
Walk towards Castle Street to see Glasgow’s Cathedral; tours are available (one hour long), and donations are welcomed.
Behind the Cathedral, you will find Glasgow’s Necropolis, the giant graveyard that overlooks the city.
From up on the hill, you will get some of the best views of Glasgow, so have your camera ready.
End this history tour at the oldest house in Glasgow, Provand’s Lordship, across from the Cathedral and since you are here, it would be rude not to pop into St Mungo’s Museum to see the Egyptian mummy.
It is run by a real Glaswegian who is happy for you to ask them any question about life in the city!
Take that extra 5-minute walk to see St Mungo himself sprayed on the end gable (not the official name of this street art mural).
Head back to the Merchant City to enjoy whisky cocktails at Buck’s Bar or classic drinks and bar food at Bar Home.
For a real culture shock, head to the charming Alpen Lodge (25A Hope St) for its banging jukebox and live music at the weekends, if you can squeeze in.
Sticking around for the evening? Is it Saturday?
Then get yer dancin’ shoes on because Saturday night is ceilidh night at Sloans.
Add a meal on to make a full night of it.
One Day in Glasgow – City Centre and the West End
Morning Itinerary Options
Follow the above morning itinerary, but after street art spotting at the Merchant City, which continues throughout the city, there are over 22 murals to discover; make your way to Argyle or Buchanan Street underground tube station (subway/metro) to Hillhead Station arriving at Byres Road in the West End.
Alternatively, choose one of the afternoon options if you prioritise those Glasgow tourist attractions.
A few lunch suggestions here, depending on when you are visiting.
At the weekend, head to the Platform food market at the Arches on Argyle Street.
The ex-dance music venue is now home to food trucks selling locally sourced food from Indian food to haggis (Friday-Sunday). Image below.
I recommend the surf and turf slider burger!
Drinks are also available, and the venue is kid and dog-friendly.
During the week you can eat any type of food you want in Glasgow.
For mac and cheese, head to Sloans.
I love Japanese and can recommend Nippon Kitchen (91 W George Stree) for traditional meals/bento boxes and Mikaku (25 Queen Street), which is a modern, neon lights with smoking sake test tubes kinda place.
Fancy tapas? Cafe Andaluz is a consistently good Spanish small restaurant chain in Scotland.
Suga Pasta is a pasta specialist in the centre of town.
If you prefer some pizza, Nonna Said (26 Candleriggs) does Napoli-style pizza and frozen cocktails if starting early…
Or hold off for lunch until you hit the West End.
Afternoon Itinerary
Enjoy lunch at one of the many cafes/pubs such as Hillhead Bookclub or Hanoi Bike Shop.
Walk through Ashton Lane to University Avenue, aiming for the University of Glasgow’s cloisters for Hogwarts vibes.
Head down the hill and take a right to Kelvin Way, where you will find the Kelvingrove Museum.
Browse the 22 galleries, including work by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Salvador Dali and my favourite, the Floating Heads by Sophie Caves.
It’s free to enter, by the way.
Love tea? Don’t miss Tchai Ovna (42 Otago Lane).
A tea hut going strong since the year 2000.
I used to spend a lot of time here when I studied at Glasgow Uni.
Take a stroll through Kelvingrove Park, then if hungry/thirsty, dine/drink at Lebowski’s; White Russians are a must!
If visiting over the weekend, reserve a spot at Dockyard Social for truck food and booze.
Locker 1012 is a pink cafe that sells crazily good cakes.
Alternatively, if finished before 15:30, head back into town for tea and cakes at the Willow Tearooms, which closes at 16:00.
Staying around to go to ‘the dancing’?
Glasgow Clubs
SWG3: Specialist nights such as Bongo’s Bingo, disco, techno, and live bands
Sub Club: Longest-running underground dance club in the world
Arta: live music in the Merchant City, mixed age groups
The Berkeley Suite: Thursday-Monday dance and alternative music
Pretty Ugly: Indie-pop since 2005
Speakeasy: LGBT+ nights Thursday-Sunday
Boteco Do Brasil at the Merchant City
Things to do at Night in Glasgow That Don’t Involve Dancing
Bowling, but cool kid strikes at VEGA Glasgow
Vintage movie house, Grosvenor Cinema
Drinks and films at Everyman Glasgow
Theatre at the King’s Theatre, The Pavilion, Citizens Theatre or The Tron
Bar hopping in town, check out Shilling Brewing Company for craft beer and Stereo for vegan options
Ceilidh at Sloans
Ice skating at Braehead
Bingo, not for the fainthearted
Final Words
So as you can see, Glasgow in a day really is a challenge, but it is a nice taste of what the city has to offer.
As we say in Scotland, haste ye back – and I’m confident you will return for more because of Glasgow’s miles better, a reference to the 80s Glasgow tourism campaign.
Iona of my heart, Iona of my love. While there are only a handful of things to do on Iona, the pace on this 3-mile long island is slow and the scenery is stunning. Whether visiting as part of a Staffa tour, day trip from Mull, to stay on the island for a couple of nights, or as part of a pilgrimage, our Iona itinerary details what to do, places to eat, where to stay and how to get there so all you need to do is make bookings and enjoy your West Coast of Scotland trip.
Things to do in Iona
1. Enjoy the Ferry Ride from Mull
The starting point for your trip to Iona will be from Fionnphort in the south of the Isle of Mull.
Since no cars are permitted on the Inner Hebrides island of Iona, there is a car park to leave your car or camper at (fee-paying), a pub, public toilets and a beach.
If you are hungry after the one hour drive from Craignure or the 1.5 hour trip from Tobermory, you can get a snack at the harbour cafe or fresh fish at The Creel kiosk which also has outdoor seating.
Getting to Iona
There are a few ways to get over to Iona, the birthplace of Christianity.
Firstly you can visit as part of a Staffa Day tour where you get off at Iona and make your own way back to Mull using the CalMac ferry service.
Staffa is well worth a trip to see the geological wonder which appears in poetry and music, Fingal’s Cave.
If you are planning a visit between May and August you will be in for a chance of seeing puffins on the cliff at Staffa!
You can read all about this 3-hour trip from Mull on our Mull travel guide.
You can also travel independently using the CalMac ferry which takes 10 minutes to cross between islands and costs a couple of pounds.
See CalMac’s website for the most up-to-date details and times.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to drive around the island yourself and prefer a guide to organise everything for you check out this 5-day tour of Mull, Iona and Skye which leaves from Edinburgh or this 3-day tour which focuses on just Iona and Mull.
If planning your own trip to Iona sounds too stressful, why not let a professional build your Scotland itinerary for you?
2. Take a Tour of Iona Abbey and See St Oran’s Chapel
The most popular thing to do on Iona is a tour of the Abbey.
When you dock, follow the signs to Iona Abbey and St Oran’s Chapel to see the traditional resting place of kings.
It is said that 51 kings are buried on Iona, 48 of whom were Scottish.
The original Iona Abbey is thought to date back to AD 563 and was founded by a monk, St Columba, and his Irish followers.
One of which was his friend Oran and none of which would have been women or cows since they were both banished.
Women were sent to Eilean nam Ban before they could cause mischief, which meant the men who built the first abbey on Iona had to live on the island without their wives.
Another unusual request during the construction was for a live body to be buried at the abbey.
A few days after the burial, Columba asked to see Oran’s face again, he was uncovered and surprisingly found alive.
Oran was muttering blasphemy so Columba saw that his death by suffocation using soil was completed.
You can visit St Oran’s Chapel for free however, the redeveloped Iona Abbey has to be booked in advance.
3. St Oran’s Chapel & Reilig Odhráin
The 12th-century St Oran’s Chapel is the oldest intact standing structure on the island. Inside you can view carved slabs.
Next to the chapel is Sraid nam Marbh or The Street of The Dead where the Reilig Odhráin graveyard is located.
It is difficult to read many of the graves but clan chiefs and kings are buried here.
Some tombstones are now located inside the abbey.
4. White Strand of the Monks Beach
There is a series of white sand beaches and dunes past Iona Abbey in the north of the island which unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit.
Traigh Bhan Nam Monach or White Strands of the Monksin the northeast is where monks who resided on Iona were massacred by Vikings.
It is also a muse for many artists.
Let us know in the comments if you make it there.
5. See the MacLeod Family Home from the Outside
Close to Iona Abbey is a house with an arched porch and well manicured garden.
At the gate of the garden you will find a plaque detailing information about the family who occupied the house;
Lorna and Reverend George MacLeod are the historic residents known for building the Iona Community.
George was a social reformer from Govan in Glasgow who moved to Iona to reconstruct the abbey with a team of ministers and tradespeople who worked and worshipped together.
Many others joined them thus creating the community that supports all people that you will find on Iona today.
6. Buy Whisky and Souvenirs at St Columba Larder
St Columba Larder is a modern store that sells Scottish crafts, art, artisan food and alcohol.
With a particular focus on island produce, you can buy St Columba whisky, gin, Isle of Mull seaweed and organic vegetables.
Hot drinks and cakes are also available to take out.
7. Quintessential St Columba Hotel Afternoon Teas
Evaluate your morning over an afternoon tea at Iona’s St Columba Hotel and restaurant.
One of the three places to eat on Iona, St Columba Hotel takes pride in its plates being packed with homegrown, organic food from their garden.
This is interesting as it is well documented that the monks who lived on Iona found cultivating food a challenge!
Vegan options are available on the daily menu.
Argyll Hotel and Martyrs Bay Restaurant are the other restaurants serving lunch and dinner. There is also a well-stocked SPAR store.
Note: Some restaurants on Scotland’s islands close between lunch and dinner.
8. Scenic Drinks in St Columbia Hotel Gardens
In front of the hotel is a stretch of land with benches perfect for afternoon pints and views over the Sound of Iona.
The Quiet Garden is free for visitors to enter if you need 10 minutes to yourself.
9. Shop at St Columba Steadings
Across the road from St Columba Hotel, you will find an attractive steading which is home to the contemporary jeweller, Aosdana Gallery and Oran Creative Crafts.
10. Observe Iona Nunnery
Close to the pier is the remains of one of the Augustinian Nunneries in Scotland.
Constructed in the 13th century, the Iona Nunnery overlooks St Ronan’s Bay and has done so for over 350 years.
The women who lived here did so for many reasons, such as they were unmarried daughters, widows, illegitimate children and estranged wives.
Seems ironic now we know that Columba didn’t allow women on Iona during his time!
Look out for a potential weathered ‘Sheela na gig‘ or ‘Sheila/Old Hag of the Breasts’ which is a carving of a woman with her legs open and an exaggerated vulva.
11. Pick Up a Coffee at Iona Craft Shop
Iona Craft Shop has unique souvenirs and toys as well as a small coffee menu for take out.
If you are looking for knitwear, this shop is a great option as it has a variety of items from slippers to blankets.
Established in 1965, this seasonal gift shop has been transformed into a craft network which nods to Iona’s cultural importance and history.
I picked up an attractive towel that says “Iona of my heart, Iona of my love” a quote by St Columba for my office.
