In a land where coastlines meet castles, Scotland is a rich and flourishing region just waiting to be explored. Scotland’s cities are lively hubs of activity brimming with a fantastic array of museums, galleries, attractions, excellent shopping and fine dining.
If, at any time, you feel the need for a bit of space, Scotland's cities have parklands and gardens galore, full of mesmeric plantlife and open spaces. And some of these cities are even close to thick woodland full of wildlife. Discovering Scotland's city breaks is the perfect way to indulge in luxuries whilst spending your time in swanky accommodation, just a short walk from the hustle and bustle.
Read on to get some insider knowledge on Scotland's eight cities or click below to find your Scottish cottage getaway straight away!
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FAQs
There are currently eight Scottish cities. From 2012 to 2022, there were only seven but in May of 2022, as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee honours, the Fife town of Dunfermline had its status upgraded. The eight cities are Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth, Stirling and Dunfermline with the first four being classed as major cities and having populations of over 100,000 people.
Of all the cities in Scotland, Glasgow is the largest both in size and population. It is home to over 600,000 people.
Stirling is the smallest city in Scotland with a population of just over 30,000. However, it is still one of the best cities in Scotland if you are after breathtaking, picturesque views.
Dundee was made Scotland’s first official city when Queen Victoria declared the Burgh of Dundee to be henceforth known as the city of Dundee. The exact date of this ascension was January 26 1889.
The northernmost city in Scotland, and therefore the UK, is Inverness. With a third of the Highland population living in or around Inverness, it is a rapidly changing and growing city; one which has ranked highly for its quality of life.
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Aberdeen
Located on Scotland’s north-east coast, Aberdeen boasts majestic landscapes with rolling hills adjoining flowing lochs and beautiful architecture speckled in-between. Aberdeen has a fascinating heritage with a distinctly modern vibe, and these striking contrasts make it a wonderful city break destination. The city is adored by the Royal family and it is a region with a strong maritime heritage which offers lively events and a selection of thrilling activities. It also has a thriving cosmopolitan culture providing a wealth of restaurants, shops, bars, and vibrant boutiques; delving into the delights on offer can make for a pleasant afternoon or evening.
Aberdeen’s dramatic coastlines have made the city renowned for its fantastic seafood produce. Of course, in a city with such access to fresh ingredients, the food scene is rich and diverse with an excellent choice of restaurants allowing you to eat straight from Scotland’s natural larder. You can fill your days in Aberdeen with so many exciting things to do: if you want to embrace the outdoor Scottish air and go for a brisk walk, you will find numerous floral gardens and scenic parks in which to take a delightful stroll, or if you are after a more brisk walk you can escape the crowds and grab some fresh air at Aberdeen’s golden beach, the perfect spot to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views.
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Stirling
Stirling is one of Scotland’s newest, but most historic cities with it once being the ancient capital of Scotland. It is located in central Scotland and is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old town. With such strong historic connections and presence, the olde-worlde charm really shines through in the architecture and culture. Many of Stirling’s areas of heritage are based in the most picturesque locations meaning you can combine your day trip with a scenic stroll. If walking is your thing then why not also take a trip to the nearby Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park?
Delve into the history of Stirling with a trip to the National Wallace Monument - this major Scottish landmark dominates the landscape and allows you to uncover the legendary story of Sir William Wallace. As with most of Scotland's cities, Stirling has a strong cosmopolitan presence and is a great city for an unforgettable day out, from pubs and restaurants to designer outlets and quirky boutiques, there are delights around every corner. The focus on quality food and produce is prominent here, so take advantage of this during your stay in the area and dine in some of the swankiest eateries in the country. With a heavy emphasis on fresh local produce, you certainly won’t be disappointed with the quality.
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Dundee
Dundee is an amazing city bursting with things to do and see. Dundee is the UK’s first city of Design – recognition for being a hub of innovation. It is known for its family-friendly attractions, great selection of shops, golf courses and surrounding Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With majestic glens and breathtaking coastlines lining the edges of the city, it makes the most fascinating place to go exploring. The city with more sunshine hours than anywhere in the UK will provide you with hours of daylight to enjoy the lush countryside and rocky beaches.
After such fun-packed busy days, you are bound to have worked up an appetite - the expanse of fresh local produce in Dundee, just like all the other corners of Scotland is extremely vast. This makes the farmers' markets and farm shops across Dundee the best to pick up some quality ingredients to try your hand at making some traditional Scottish cuisine at home. If however, you prefer to be on the other end of the serving side there are a wealth of cosmopolitan bars and eateries for you to dine in, from waterfront restaurants selling delicious seafood to traditional country pubs serving up the famous Aberdeen Angus beef. Dundee is a region bursting with arts and culture, having been included in the final four in a bid to be named the UK City of Culture 2017. Choose from art-house films, big band concerts and a variety of renowned galleries.
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Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the inspiring capital of Scotland - with it being a World Heritage Site there is a strong presence of culture and charm shining through the architecture and atmosphere whichever direction you turn. Set against the most stunning scenery, it makes for the most delightful city break destination, from peaceful countryside locations and striking coastlines to lively cobbled streets lined with swanky shops, bars, restaurants and boutiques.
Edinburgh loves to celebrate its strong cultural presence and with it being the world’s festival capital you will never be short of entertainment during your holiday in the city. It is brimming with hidden gems and places to soak up its history at one of the many iconic landmarks. There is an amazing array of shops, and what could be better than world-class shopping in beautiful surroundings? The city centre is the perfect place to start your shopping trip, you will find something to suit every taste from quirky independent retailers to designer outlets. And whilst being a cosmopolitan city, it also has plenty of diverse areas of natural beauty allowing you to escape from everyday life and relax in pretty surroundings. There are several nature reserves that provide excellent facilities for viewing the resident wildlife that makes their home here.
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Glasgow
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and is renowned for its culture, style and the friendliness of its people. It has a strong historical presence which shines through in its modern art culture, and it’s famed for its Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture, a rich legacy of the city’s 18th-20th century prosperity due to trade and shipbuilding. Today, it is home to institutions including the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland, acclaimed museums, and a thriving music scene.
The city has a long-standing reputation for its live music scene - this vibrant and energetic atmosphere buzzing throughout the city attracts high-profile exhibitions that once led to the city being crowned European City of Culture 1990. Not being shy of awards, Glasgow was also the UK’s City of Architecture and Design in 1999, which highlights just how beautiful the buildings in the city centre are, being made up of impressive Victorian structures along with the masterpieces of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The entertainment in Glasgow certainly doesn’t take away from its high streets, brimming with independent stores and designer labels, with couture cafes and bistro-style restaurants dotted in between. There is an abundance of things to see and do in the area, it will certainly spoil you for choice.
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Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands located on the banks of the River Ness and has been described as the happiest place in Scotland. Crowned by a pink crenellated castle and lavishly decorated with flowers, Inverness is a thriving city with a rich variety of places to visit and things to do both in the city and around. It has a lively character and atmosphere, and with it boasts a great selection of places to eat and drink either in the city or in the more peaceful surrounding areas. It is compact, making a city break here a delightful experience with no real need to have a form of transport with you. Wherever you choose to stay, you will always be just a short walk from the hub of historic buildings and shops waiting to be explored.
This thriving city offers so much to do to all its visitors, there are plenty of lovely riverside restaurants and bustling pavement cafes, as well as a wide range of swanky bars in the centre. A trip to the edges of the city can be combined with some sightseeing around the picturesque castle locations. Taking a trip to Inverness Castle will allow you to see for miles around, and the circular walk along the river past St Andrew’s Cathedral has the most fantastic vantage point from which to see the outstanding beauty of Scotland in its most natural form.
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Perth
Perth is a city in Perthshire, which sits north of Edinburgh and boasts a stunning position on the banks of the River Tay. It is a beautiful city giving you the opportunity to explore majestic glens, take part in a spot of golf, spend an evening enjoying a traditional Scottish meal in a first-class restaurant, glide down currents on a white-water raft, trek through ancient forests and castles, and so much more.
The picturesque cobbled streets are lined with open-air markets, antique shops, boutiques and designer outlets making it a haven for shoppers, and wherever you are, you are sure to be just around the corner from a delicious culinary experience. From gourmet chocolate shops and vintage tearooms to bars and bistros, you will find a fantastic array of places to eat in Perth. The River Tay entwining around Perth provides the most scenic views across the whole of the city, which is a world away from what you would find in cities based in other areas of the UK. The diverse landscapes are also home to some beautiful romantic castles brimming with history and character, exposing the charming culture speckled throughout the city.
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Dunfermline
Once the capital of Scotland, Dunfermline has only recently been awarded city status. Not since 2012, when Perth was upgraded to this prestigious level, has the number of cities in Scotland grown. It was in May 2022, as part of HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, when Dunfermline became Scotland’s eighth city. The former Fife town is steeped in history, with it being one of the seats of the kings of Scotland in the Middle Ages and being the final resting place of Robert the Bruce as well as 11 other Scottish kings and queens. Head to Dunfermline Palace, the 12th-century abbey where these tombs are held, to get a real sense of the royal history of the ‘auld grey toun’.
Described as an undersold gem of a city, with wonderful architecture and lots to see, Dunfermline boasts beautiful coast and countryside and even spellbinding views of the UNESCO World Heritage Forth Bridge. If you’re after entertainment, head to Carnegie Hall or the Alhambra Theatre for musical and dramatic performances. The foodie in you will want to dine out at Garvock House Hotel, a 200-year-old house overlooking the city, or maybe try 269 Vegan, an independent and ethically minded café. There are fantastic shopping opportunities with boutique and branded stores alike, and if you just want to get away from it all, you can strike out on the Red Squirrel Trail in Devilla Forest and try and spot one or two of the auburn critters.
Whilst you’re there:
- Known locally as the Glen, Pittencrieff Park is the jewel in Dunfermline’s crown: gardens, peacocks, playgrounds and more
- Travel across the Forth Bridge to Queensferry to be rewarded with spectacular views of the rail bridge and the Firth of Forth
- Take in as much royal history as you can handle at Dunfermline Abbey and Palace and Abbey Church
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Scotland’s cities on a map
Stay with us in Scotland
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