I was born and raised in Scotland. Here are 8 places you should visit that tourists don't know about.
Mikhaila Friel
- I was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and have lived there for most of my life.
- Scotland is known for its famous castles, whiskey tours, and beautiful scenery.
I was born and raised in Scotland, and I know all the best travel spots that you won't find in guide books.
I was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, and have spent most of my life here. The country is well-known for its castles, whiskey tours, and natural scenery — but there are also many places that tourists may not have heard of.
From unknown beaches to country parks in Glasgow and beyond, I have plenty of recommendations for those visiting Scotland for the first time.
Port Ban in Kilberry is a holiday park with a beautiful beach that I have frequented for the past couple of years.
Port Ban Holiday Park is a camper van and camping site located on the west coast of Scotland where mostly Scottish locals vacation and visit on the weekends. I have visited the site a couple of times, as my partner and his family have a camper van there.
The site overlooks Cretshengan Bay, a public beach that has incredible views of the islands Islay and Jura, which are accessible by ferry.
It's ideal for people who enjoy outdoor activities, like swimming, canoeing, or surfing. It's also a great location for star-watching. The beach is a popular location for weddings too.
Pollok Country Park is Glasgow's largest park, but I only visited it for the first time earlier this year.
Many people visiting Glasgow opt to visit Glasgow Green or Kelvingrove Park, two public parks that are great for picnics and long strolls. But one that's sometimes overlooked is Pollok Country Park, Glasgow's largest park that has beautiful gardens, wooded areas, and Highland cows.
Even though I was born in Glasgow, I only visited this park for the first time earlier this year. I couldn't believe what I had been missing.
On the park grounds, you can also find the Burrell Collection, a free museum that displays artwork and various historical objects.
The Devil's Pulpit is a gorge in Stirlingshire where locals swim during the summertime.
The Devil's Pulpit is less than an hour's drive from Glasgow. It's most often visited by locals in the summertime, when people go swimming and take photos with their friends by the waterfalls.
Its real name is Finnich Glen, but is known among locals as the Devil's Pulpit because of folklore. According to Travel Awaits, the name was given because of a mushroom-shaped rock that rests at the bottom of the stream that's rumored to be where "evil" visited, including the devil himself. The devil is said to have preached to his followers from the submerged pulpit.
The Victorian village of Ballater in Royal Deeside is known for its connection to royalty.
I visited Ballater for the first time in September of this year to report on the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The monarch died at Balmoral Castle, the royal family's summer estate, which is a 10-minute drive from the Victorian village.
The village was quiet when I visited. It's filled with beautiful churches, bookshops, and cafes, and is set against the backdrop of the Cairngorm Mountains.
If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of visiting Buckingham Palace, I'd recommend visiting Ballater. You can also visit the grounds of the castle, which is currently offering free admission following the death of Her Majesty, according to its website.
When people think of Scotland, they are most likely to think of Edinburgh Castle in the capital — but Inveraray Castle is far more picturesque.
According to Travel + Leisure, there are more than 1,500 castles in Scotland. Edinburgh Castle is the most well-known, and it's the country's second-most visited tourist attraction, according to the tourist organization Visit Scotland.
Inveraray Castle is by far my favorite castle in Scotland. Located on the shores of Loch Fyne in Inveraray — a small town 60 miles northwest of Glasgow — it looks as if it's been plucked straight out of a fairytale.
Adult admission tickets to the castle cost £14.50, or around $18, according to its website.
Loch Fyne is a stone's throw away from Inveraray Castle.
Loch Fyne is one of more than 30,000 freshwater lochs in Scotland, according to the website Nature Scot. The loch and the surrounding area are worthy of a day trip, especially if you already have plans to visit the nearby castle.
It's the perfect place to take photos, go walking, or sit and eat fish and chips on a sunny day.
Campsie Fells in central Scotland is great for hill walking.
The Campsie Fells are a range of hills just north of Glasgow. The hills are popular for walking, and in the summer, swimming, as there are several waterfalls and rivers. It's just a short drive from where I grew up, so it was a place my family and I frequented often during my childhood.
The hills are located on a dormant volcano, according to Visit Scotland, which reports that there is geological evidence of 30 lava flows that date back to the Carboniferous period, over 300 million years ago.
The Botanic Gardens in St. Andrews is a must-visit if you are planning to visit the famous seaside town.
St. Andrews is a small town on the east coast of Fife, which is known for its prestigious university where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met in 2001. The town is also famous for golf and has beautiful beaches.
One place that many people don't consider when visiting St. Andrews is the Botanic Gardens, which are filled with greenhouses, beautiful flowers, and woodland. It was one of the places I most enjoyed visiting during my vacation to St. Andrews in the spring of 2021.
Adult tickets cost £6, or around $7.20, according to the website.
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