Slow Travel Scotland: How to See the Best of Alba

Slow Travel Scotland: How to See the Best of Alba

Photo: Daniel_Kay/Shutterstock

Scotland has no shortage of draws for travelers. More than 4 million people traveled to Scotland in 2023, and that number is only growing. Famous draws like world-class whisky and museums fill itineraries, as do castles and nature that’s being restored through an ambitious rewilding program. And while there are plenty of things to do, the best way to experience Scotland is through slow travel, which the region is actively promoting. It’s just one of the reasons Matador Network named Scotland its Sustainable Destination of the Year in 2023.

Slow travel is more than just moving slowly through a destination. It’s about taking time to find true experiences, connect with locals, and support the things that make a place so attractive in the first place. In short, it’s the antithesis of highlights seen on a hop-on, hop-off bus.

This slow travel Scotland guide will help you turn your trip into something truly unforgettable.

How to Embrace Slow Travel in Scotland

How to Go Wildlife Spotting for the Real Creatures of Loch Ness

You may not catch sight of Nessy, but there’s plenty of real wildlife to enjoy.

Visit

Why Scots Are Obsessed With Bagging Scotland’s 282 Munro Mountain Peaks

A hiking and climbing paradise.

Visit

How to See Scotland’s Most Inaccessible Islands on a Small-Ship Cruise

Going places you can’t go by large ship (or many other ways).

Visit

Africa Isn’t the Only Place to Go on a Safari. Scotland’s Wildlife Is Just as Fulfilling.

Swap your photo safari subjects from lions to stags, orcas, and other Scottish animals.

Visit

How to Embrace Scottish Wild Swimming

While rewarding, it’s not as simple as just diving in.

Visit

The Local Perspective

Scotland is not a big country. It’s nine times smaller than Texas. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in diversity. Each of its eight regions has a different culture, dialogue, and topography. In some areas, if you drive 10 miles from one town to another, locals will use different expressions for the most simple English phrases. Small villages each have their own way of doing things and traditions that have been followed for thousands of years. What you will find throughout the nation, however, is pride and a feeling of welcomeness. Walk into a bar in Glasgow or a historic pub in a rural community on the islands, and you’ll leave with stories you can dine out on for years (and likely a few new friends). That’s one of the many things I appreciate about my country.

You can drive from the southern Scottish Borders, where I spent my childhood, to the top of Scotland in about six hours. The route takes you from the Lowlands with its big skies and miles upon miles of colorful fields of crops and rolling hills, through the medieval streets of narrow wynds and closes in Edinburgh, and up to the Highlands, where the mountains will humble you and the roads are full of sheep.

If I had one tip for anyone planning a trip here, it would be to explore Scotland at a slow pace. Yes, you might not be able to cram monster hunting on Loch Ness, seeing live music in Glasgow, visiting Edinburgh Castle, hiking the West Highland Way, going on a whisky tour, and seeing orcas breaching off the Hebrides in one week, but thinking small will give you a more rewarding and authentic experience than a rushed highlight reel of a visit.

Slow travel and staying in one or two regions will allow you to truly appreciate the wee things that make this country so special. You can take time to meet locals and listen to stories, old and new. Stroll through the woodlands and forests to learn about how unique and vital the country’s ecosystem is, not only for our native wildlife but also for the Earth’s biosphere. Tour the area by bike, or visit farm shops to enjoy the bounty of Scottish fresh produce. This is how Scots want you to enjoy your time here, and then return to explore some more. — Katie Scott Aiton, Editor

Scotland is Calling

Travel by Train

 

These High-Speed Trains Will Take You From London to Edinburgh Through Britain’s Beautiful Landscapes

There are two operators running direct, high-speed trains between London and Edinburgh, and they make the journey affordable, quick, and comfortable. So, once you’ve visited all the amazing museums London has on offer, all you need to do is hop on a train and you’ll get to see the Scottish capital and its famous castle in a matter of hours.

A fast start to slow travel

This Sleeper Train Will Take You From London to the Wilds of Scotland in a Double Bed

Flying between London and Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, or Inverness can be done without connection in less than two hours. But what’s the fun in that? If you want to make the journey as beautiful and fun as the destination, ride the Caledonian Sleeper, the London to Scotland sleeper train, instead.

Get there in luxury

How to Take a Castle and Whisky Tasting Train Through the Scottish Highlands

Of the many things Scotland is known for, it’s hard to top the world-renowned whisky distilleries and castles. Getting there by train makes it all the more fun.

The nicest connections for your whisky and castle trip

 

Where to Stay in Scotland The Top Glasgow Airbnbs Across the City’s Coolest NeighborhoodsThe Top 13 Airbnbs for Exploring the Whole of ScotlandThe 8 Best Hotels in Edinburgh Close to the Must-See SightsTop Airbnbs in Edinburgh in the Old City, New City, and Circus LaneThe Best Airbnbs in the Scottish Isles for Whiskey EnthusiastsYou Can Stay at This Adorable Bookshop Airbnb in Scotland

Get Out There

The Bothies of the Scotland Highlands Are Remote Hideaways You Can Hike To

Get familiar with the bothies.

Visit

7 Rural Scottish Villages That Are Straight Out of a Storybook

Small in size, but not in storybook vibes.

Visit

Explore the World’s First UNESCO Trail for the Ultimate Trip Through Scotland

It was chosen as the first for a reason.

Visit

The 10 Most Otherworldly Hikes on Scotland’s Isle of Skye

There nowhere like the Isle of Skye.

Visit

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip Through the Scottish Highlands

The road that takes you there.

Visit

Why You Should Get Off the Motorway and Visit Scotland’s West Lothian Region

Off the beaten path.

Visit

Taste and Culture

Haggis and Other Traditional Scottish Foods to Add to Your Bucket List

Always worth a taste.

Visit

Edinburgh’s Spookiest and Seediest Places for Travelers With a Macabre Streak

A little harmless scare, with history.

Visit

The Difference Between Single Malt and Blended Scotch Whisky

Know before you go.

Visit

7 Museums and Monuments in Edinburgh for Flying Hippos, Scottish Artworks, and Panoramic Views

Get your museum fix.

Visit

You Can Visit This Centuries-Old Scottish Castle Built on Top of an Extinct Volcano

A castle unlike any other.

Visit

 

CREDITSEditorial lead

Nickolaus Hines

Contributors

Katie Scott Aiton, Richard Bruschi, Chelsea Cook, Morgane Croissant, Eben Diskin, Nickolaus Hines, Carla Smyth, Suz Tam, Tim Wenger

Distribution and outreach

Dheandra Jack, Kelsey Wilking

Special thanks

Visit Scotland