The 7 Most Beautiful Towns in Scotland

Kirkcudbright is nestled in the Dumfries & Galloway region and is the only town on the Solway coast with a working harbor. Architecturally, it features a blend of medieval, Georgian, and Victorian buildings—all set against the backdrop of rural, coastal scenery. Kirkcudbright is known as the Artists’ Town because it attracted so many Scottish artists in the late 19th century. Visitors can now see some of the artwork that was created during (and following) that period at Kirkcudbright Galleries, which opened to the public in June 2018. Kirkcudbright is on the South West Coastal 300, a circular 300-mile driving route showcasing some of the best southern Scotland scenery.

Whether you’re drawn to this town because of a deep-seated affinity for Ashton Kutcher in That 70s Show or fandom of Sir Walter Scott, the town of Kelso will satisfy both niches. Sir Walter Scott touted Kelso, which sits at the intersection of the Tweed and Teviot rivers, as “the most beautiful” town in Scotland. Visit the ruins of Kelso Abbey, a structure that dates back to the 12th century but was largely destroyed during the Reformation.

Arbroath is a seaside town northeast of Dundee, with sandy beaches and sandstone cliffs that make for dramatic coastal views. They’re famous for their Arbroath Smokie, which is haddock smoked over wood fires—if you’re a smoked fish fan, it’s a must-have. Apart from the coastline and the smoked fish, visit the red sandstone ruins of Arbroath Abbey, a historically significant sight for everyone in Scotland because it saw the declaration of Scottish independence under The Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. Arbroath could see an uptick in tourism this year because 2020 marks the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath.

Often referred to as the gateway to the Isles, Oban is a western Scotland coastal town known as Scotland’s seafood capital. The name Oban derives from Gaelic meaning “little bay.” In town, while poking around the shops and galleries, stop into Oban Distillery, and take the seafront walk to the ruined Dunollie Castle. To sample some of the best local fish and seafood, visit Oban Bay Fish Bar & Restaurant (which is on Scotland’s Seafood Trail) and Oban Seafood Hut, dubbed “The Green Shack.”

Melrose sits next to the Eildon Hills in the Scottish Borders. The town is known for the Melrose Abbey, a popular ruin to visit with intricately decorated masonry—look out for sculptures of hobgoblins and a pig playing the bagpipes. Rugby Sevens started in Melrose, and they still host the oldest Rugby Sevens tournament in the world, which started in 1883. They also have a rich equestrian tradition, a fixture in Scottish Borders culture, and host Common Riding each year, as they have since the 13th century. Finally, when traveling in the Scottish Borders, about three miles west of Melrose, you can visit Sir Walter Scott’s stately home, Abbotsford.

In the Annandale Valley of Dumfries & Galloway is Scotland’s dark sky town: Moffat. Moffat has gone to great lengths to protect its status as a star-gazing destination, adopting special street lighting to keep light pollution to a minimum to preserve the wonders of the night sky. It’s considered a spa town, historically, because it was traditionally a town where people would come to bathe in the sulphur-heavy water pumped from Moffat well. For great views of the rolling Scottish hills, walk the local section of the Southern Upland Way, a 214-mile coast-to-coast trail.

Dunkeld and Birnam is one of the best preserved historic towns in Scotland. The brightly colored “little houses” on Dunkeld and Birnam, built in the 1700s, have been beautifully restored and Dunkeld Cathedral is in remarkable condition. The 18th-century architecture set against the Perthshire scenery makes this town feel distinctly Scottish. In the center of town, you’ll find an impressive selection of independent shops and galleries that showcase the dynamic art scene here. Visitors can also get a taste of the Perthshire forest—a worthwhile excursion in any season, especially fall—walking The Hermitage.