If you’re heading to Scotland it can be tempting to visit Edinburgh and just that. However there is so much more to see! Here is why you should visit more than just Edinburgh on a trip to Scotland…
Planning a trip to Scotland? This is a fantastic country and somewhere that everyone should visit at least once, but often people restrict their trip to simply visiting the capital city of Edinburgh. While Edinburgh certainly has a lot to offer and no trip to Scotland is complete without a visit to the capital, you will find that there is much more to see and do in Scotland than just this.
Glasgow
Glasgow is, of course, another popular city to visit in Scotland and somewhere with plenty to see and do (and very different to Edinburgh). There are many highlights here, but the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum is a breathtaking sight to behold with striking Spanish baroque architecture from red sandstone – there is also some incredible art on show here. Another highlight worth checking out in Glasgow is the Botanical Gardens which can be a nice escape from the busy city. Here you will find all kinds of exotic plant life contained within incredible architecture. There are also lots of places for relaxing and refreshments too. It is also easy to travel between Glasgow and Edinburgh so you can tick off both on your trip as you simply need to catch a train travelling from Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street.
Livingston
Livingston is an often overlooked town in Scotland which is a shame but also makes it somewhat of a hidden gem and a place to have an authentic Scottish experience. One notable highlight is the Almond Valley Heritage Centre which is a family-friendly museum nestled within a beautiful riverside site. Here you will find farm animals, green spaces for relaxing, play areas, activity spaces and museum displays – with so much on offer, it is very easy to spend the entire day here.
Falkirk
Located in the Central Lowlands, Falkirk is a charming town in the heart of Scotland between Edinburgh, Glasgow and Scotland so it is easy to plan into your itinerary. One of the major highlights here is the astonishing 30-metre high horse-head sculptures known as The Kelpies (shape-shifting water spirits) near River Carron in the impressive Helix parkland project. The Falkirk Wheel Tour is another highlight which involves using the only rotating boat lift in the world which transfers boats from the Forth and Clyde Canal to the Union Canal before enjoying a peaceful journey along the aqueduct and back.
These are just a few of the highlights to see in Scotland outside of Edinburgh but there are many, many more to consider. Scotland is a fantastic part of the world with a huge amount to see and do throughout so while you certainly should visit the capital you should also venture elsewhere to experience everything that Scotland has to offer visitors.