The 46 best places to visit in Scotland
Scotland is a dream destination for those who love exploring historic houses, castles and gardens, with some of the finest in the UK
A visit to Scotland isn’t complete without a visit to its illustrious historic houses, castles and gardens. From Skaill House in the Orkneys to Floors Castle on the Scottish Borders, it’s worth taking account of where you can visit when making a day trip to Scotland or a longer excursion. Here, we list the best places to visit in Scotland, with links to each house and garden in their specific region. You can also view a map of all the houses and gardens on our webpage here.
The Highlands, West Highlands & Islands
Discover behind the scenes at Scottish historic houses
Historic Houses offers members behind the scenes videos of life behind the scenes at houses and gardens across the UK, including at several houses and gardens in Scotland. In the below video, we look behind the closed gates of Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull during the 2020 lockdown.
...also in the Highlands, West Highlands & Islands
Visit Scotland sustainably
We’re really keen to ensure that your trip to historic houses and gardens in Scotland doesn’t have to cost the earth, so we’ve teamed up with Good Journey to help you start planning your days out in Scotland using the cheapest, greenest means possible. Good Journey are adding new guided routes all the time, so take a look at their website for to start planning your trip to Scotland.
Grampian and Central
The fascinating stories of Scottish historic houses
There are few paintings which attract as much interest and admiration as the portrait of Lady Elizabeth Murray and Dido Elizabeth Murray, by the Scottish artist David Martin, which hangs in the Ambassador’s Room at Scone Palace. The story of Dido Belle’s life has been told many times, but who better to hear it from than William Mansfield himself?
...also in Grampian and Central
Modern art meets historic architecture at Kelburn Castle
The idea was simple and original: take the vibrant and often transient art form of Brazilian graffiti, out of its predominantly urban context and apply it to the ancient and permanent walls of a historic rural castle in Scotland.
Strathclyde and Dumfries & Galloway
Book your events tickets in Scotland
While visiting castles and gardens in Scotland is one way to make the most of your visit to the country, booking yourself onto an event run by a historic house is by far the best means of creating new memories. We have a dedicated page for exploring events at historic houses across the UK, and here you can find a pre-filtered list of events at Scottish venues.
Lothian and the Scottish Borders
..also in Lothian and the Scottish Borders
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £68 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.