The 10 stunning Scots beauty spots people most want to visit in 2023

FULL of atmospheric lochs and majestic mountains, Scotland is famed for the beauty of its rugged landscapes – making this country a natural hit with holidaymakers.

With stunning locations up and down the country, from east to west and north to south, it’s easy to see why folk flock to our shores and why many of us chose to holiday at home.

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Holiday rental giant HomeToGo have seen bookings for breaks in Scotland shoot up this year and have done some digging to find out which of our many amazing destinations are proving the most popular.

They’ve pinpointed which of Scotland’s picture-perfect villages seem set for the spotlight in 2023, registering the most significant year-on-year increases in interest among travellers for stays in the year ahead.

Here are the ten Scottish beauty spots making their mark on travel plans for lochside stays and countryside escapes this year:

1 LAMLASH
In at the top is lovely Lamlash on the isle of Arran’s east coast. It’s an idyll for outdoor and nature lovers.

Sea kayaking alongside dolphins and porpoises is available with experienced local guides, plus wildlife watching sessions to spot eagles, seals, otters and more.

Visitors can take summer day trips over to the mystical Holy Isle, with ferries running from the village’s Old Pier.

2 LUSS
A charming conservation village on Loch Lomond’s western shore, Luss is characterised by breathtaking mountain views and rows of quaint flower-covered cottages.

There are walks for adventurers of all abilities on offer, from the family friendly Loch Lomond Faerie Trail and the easygoing Luss Heritage Walk, to routes for more advanced hikers heading into the nearby Luss Hills.

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3 MORAR
You’d be forgiven if you thought you’d been magically transported to the Caribbean when you arrive in Morar.

This stretch of Scottish coastline is hailed as one of the country’s most stunning, thanks to its exquisitely white sand, which gives the name to the magnificent White Sands of Morar.

This destination is surrounded by scenes of awe-inspiring, rugged natural beauty, including Loch Morar, the UK’s deepest lake, said by some to be home to its own lake monster, ‘Morag’. It also offers amazing views across to the Isles of Rum and Eigg.

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4 PITTENWEEM
Having ranked as 2022’s top trending Scottish beauty spot, Pittenweem has secured a place on the leaderboard for a second year in a row .

And with its colourful cottages, cosy cafes, and historic sites, it’s easy to see why. Visitors looking to enjoy this Fife village’s artsy atmosphere should visit between August 5-12 when the Pittenweem Arts Festival will take place.

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5 GLENCOE
Atmospheric, stunning, ghostly, other-wordly, beautiful Glencoe comes in at number five on the list.

The road through the deep valley is often described as one of the prettiest in the world and the towering the mountains challenge and welcome hikers and climbers.

Glencoe village is picturesquely located between the banks of Loch Leven and the mouth of the famous glen, making it the perfect base for exploring the area of Lochaber, known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

Drive through filming locations from James Bond’s Skyfall to Harry Potter and in winter ski at the Glencoe Mountain Resort.

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6 FORT AUGUTUS
Situated on the most southern tip of Loch Ness on the Great Glen Way, this historic and scenic hamlet has long been a popular tourist destination.

Lying on the impressive 60 mile long Caledonian Canal, halfway between Inverness and Fort William, Fort Augustus offers spectacular views down Loch Ness and is a paradise for keen walkers and cyclists with many beautiful walks around the area, the most popular being the Great Glen Way.

Visit the Clansmen Centre, where appropriately attired guides demonstrate 17th century clan weaponry and don’t forget to go monster hunting on Loch Ness or from nearby Urquhart Castle, a classic romantic ruin jutting out into the loch.

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7 CELLARDYKE
Often overshadowed by its near neighbour Anstruther, Cellardyke is a hidden treasure in the East Neuk of Fife. Its quieter with narrow cobbled streets leading to the harbour where you can spot dolphins, seals and puffins.

The harbour is one of the best preserved and most attractive old fishing ports in Scotland. Like many harbours in Scotland, the fishing fleet that once occupied the harbour has been largely replaced by pleasure craft.

It’s perfectly positioned to explore the whole East Neuk, including St Andrews, Pittenweem and Crail.

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8 BALLATER
Famous for being the village closest to the Royal’s highland home of Balmoral, the Victorian village of Ballater is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.

Located on Royal Deeside, there’s hiking, walking trails, fishing, shooting, golf and even skiing at nearby Glenshee. The village has a great range of accommodation, cosy cafes, quality restaurants and shopping, with many stores holding Royal Warrants.

As well as Balmoral, other castles close by include Braemar Castle, Crathes Castle and Craigievar Castle.

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9 CULLEN
The seaside town on the North Sea coast in Moray is a popular bolt hole for Scots in the summer months as the Royal Burgh enjoys a unique micro-climate caused by its position between the Deveron and Spey rivers and its shelter by the Grampian hills.

Situated at the eastern end of Cullen Bay, the attractive seaside village of Cullen is most famous for its soup – Cullen Skink, a traditional Scottish delicacy of a creamy potato and smoked haddock soup, using fish fresh from the North Sea by which Cullen rests.

It’s ideally situated for walking and playing golf. There’s also a long stretch of sandy beach with excellent coastal walks to Sunnyside Beach as well as the ruins of Findlater Castle. The beautiful waters surrounding the village make an excellent spot for swimming.

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10 LOCHINVER
The small fishing port on the west coast of Scotland offers incredible mountains views, white sandy beaches, unique wildlife and legendary tasty pies.

Sitting on a sheltered bay north of Ullapool in the wilds of the Highlands and right on the North Coast 500 iconic route, the town makes a great base for slowing down and enjoying the hidden gems and spectacular scenery of the north west Highlands Geopark.

Hillwalkers can scale one of Scotland’s most iconic mountains, Suilven. If you prefer a more gentle stroll, follow the River Inver and Glen Canisp for amazing mountain views or take a quiet walk to the beautiful Culag Woods.

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For more on the top ten see here

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