8 Cities in Scotland To Visit

There are eight official cities in Scotland to visit. All of the cities have their own unique character and charm, generated from their history, culture, friendly locals and location.

Scotland is a lovely country which is great for a short city break, road trip or longer stay. The most populated city is Glasgow and the Capital city of Scotland is Edinburgh which has the second largest city by population. 

The ancient cities offer a great contrast to the natural landscapes in Scotland. The cities offer award-winning attractions, exciting tours, stunning architecture and some incredible food options. 

The people who live in Scotland are very friendly and welcoming. There is always something to see or do in the cities even when it is pouring rain.

Edinburgh 

Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and the city is located on the east coast. The population of Edinburgh is estimated to be 500,000 people.

Edinburgh is best well known for its historic architecture in the Old Town as well as its culture. Interestingly, a staggering 75% of its buildings are heritage listed.

Some important landmarks are located near the Royal Mile including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, Carlton Hill and Princess Gardens. In addition, soak in the ancient architecture at Victoria Street, St Giles Cathedral and Greyfriars Kirk. 

Edinburgh is incredibly hilly and Edinburgh Castle is located on an extinct volcano. You can walk the seven hills of Edinburgh in one go or take smaller walks to get to know the city.

One of my favourite hikes in Edinburgh is walking to the summit of Arthur’s Seat for sunrise or sunset.

New Town and Old Town

Edinburgh New Town and Old Town are popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is believed that JK Rowling wrote parts of the Harry Potter series in Edinburgh.

Every August, there is the arts and culture festival – Fringe as well as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It is estimated that half a million people are drawn to Edinburgh to celebrate.

Murrayfield Stadium is a Scotland Rugby venue and it is a popular venue for concerts, hosting Harry Styles and Beyonce in 2023.

The Firth of Forth lies north of Edinburgh. Not far from the centre of Edinburgh is the Pentlands Hills Regional Park where you can find many hills to climb and nature trails to follow. 

The natural beauty can be explored in Edinburgh and in the nearby Lothians. There are many parks to enjoy as well as waterfalls and castles near the city. 

There are many good museums and art galleries to visit in Edinburgh. Also, a few of my favourite places to go to get a breath of fresh air are Dean Village, Walk of Leith, Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh Zoo, Cramond Island and the Meadows.

Glasgow

Glasgow is the main city in Scotland and is located on the west coast. The population of Glasgow is estimated to be 640,000.

Glasgow was once an important trading and shipping port on the River Clyde. Nowadays, Glasgow is a must-visit cultural destination, home to over 20 galleries.

Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music and has a thriving art and music scene. Look out for the iconic Barrowland Ballroom, easily identifiable by its neon sign and the Britannia Panopticon, the oldest music hall in the city. 

Some fo the must-visit places in Glasgow are Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Science Centre, George Square, and the People’s Palace. 

Walk the Glasgow Art Trail and view the spectacular wall murals dotted throughout the city. Also, many great shops, restaurants and cafes exist in the city centre and West End. 

Glasgow lies on the banks of the Firth of Clyde. You can follow the Clyde Walkway or the Clyde Valley Tourist Route which reaches the UNESCO World Heritage Site of New Larark, a preserved village near the Falls of Clyde.

There are many green spaces and parks in and near Glasgow. The West End of Glasgow is home to the University of Glasgow and the Kelvingrove Gardens.

Glasgow means ‘green space’ in Scottish Gaelic, there are 90-plus parks and the city is lush year-round. Glasgow is not far from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the Kilpatrick and Campsie Fells, which are all perfect for a day trip. 

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland and is located in Aberdeenshire, northeast of the country. The city is known as the ‘granite city’ as the buildings are silvery-grey and are made from granite. 

Aberdeen is a port city with a rich maritime history and the main industries now are oil and gas. 

The River Dee runs through Aberdeen and the city faces east onto the North Sea. Approximately 200,00 people live in Aberdeen. 

There is a number of historical sites in Aberdeen, some are located near the campus of the University of Aberdeen. These attractions are the Castle of Aberdeen, the Cathedral of St Machar and the Brig o’Balgownie. 

Also, it is worth visiting Duthie Park, Gordon Highlanders Museum and Aberdeen Art Gallery. Overall, the city has a sense of character and important industrial history. 

It is worth exploring the surrounding area of Aberdeenshire. There are over 200 castles in Aberdeenshire, along with tumbling waterfalls, historic fishing villages and interesting geological formations. 

There are over seventeen distilleries in the city and the area has been popular for whisky-making for hundreds of years. Some distilleries are open for tours and include a whisky tasting.

Dundee

Dundee is the fourth largest city in Scotland, located on the east coast of Scotland. The city is located on the north banks of the River Tay in the county of Angus.

The population of Dundee is approximately 150,000. The city was established during the industrial time and is famous for the ‘3 J’s’, jute, jam and journalism. 

Now times have changed and Dundee is known as the ‘City of Discovery’. This is mostly due to the University of Dundee excelling in life science research and the University of Abertay innovating video game design and animation. 

Dundee is the United Kingdom’s first UNESCO City of Design. Millions of visitors are attracted to the newly developed waterfront which includes the new V&A Museum, discovery ship, stunning riverside walking paths and Slessor Gardens. 

There are many spectacular waterfalls and historic castles in Dundee and Angus

Walking along the riverside to Broughty Ferry Castle is one of my favourite walks in Dundee. Also, the Sidlaw Hills is a small mountain range located five miles outside Dundee and it is a popular walking area. 

You can cross the Tay Road Bridge to get to the northern area of the Kingdom of Fife. From the waterfront, you can view the old stumps of the original Tay Rail Bridge which collapsed in 1879 on a stormy night.

Inverness

Inverness is Scotland’s most northern city and is known as the ‘gateway to the Highlands’.

The city is located on the River Ness near the Moray Firth and has a population of approximately 50,000.

Inverness is a popular tourist base for those who are exploring the Highlands. It is the beginning and end point for those who embark on the North Coast 500. 

The city has lots of ancient history and legends. The most famous is Loch Ness, the home of the monster called Nessie and where you can find the ruined of Urquhart Castle. 

Other famous tales include The Mermaid of Cassock and The Ghosts of Culloden. There are walking tours available which dive into these stories in great detail. 

One of the most famous attractions in Inverness is the Inverness Castle. The castle is open to the public and there are several period rooms to view as well as a viewing platform which has great views across the city.

Perth 

Perth is a small city located in Perthshire, the city is located further upstream on the River Tay. With a population of approximately 50,000, the city is the administrative centre for Perth and Kinross.

Perth is nicknamed the ‘Fair City’ and has a long history which dates back to the 12th century. There are many historical architectural buildings in Perth and the city is worth visiting for those who are interested in Scottish history.

Near Perth is Scone Palace, the ancient sea of Scotland where Scottish Kings, including Robert the Bruce and Macbeth, were crowned in the 9th and 15th centuries. 

Some of the best things to do in Perth are to visit Elcho Castle, Branklyn Garden, Perth Museum and Art Gallery and Black Watch Museum. 

There are many small parks in Perth as well as nature trails in the surrounding area. One of my favourite walks is to the small ruin at the summit of Kinnoull Hill. There are excellent views across the Tay Valley. 

Stirling

Stirling is a small city located in the central belt of Scotland between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The population of Stirling is approximately 40,000 people. 

The main prominent feature of Stirling is Stirling Castle. Also, the Wallace Monument on Abbey Craig can be seen from miles away, there are 246 steps to reach the top of the monument. 

Also, some other cool things to do in Stirling are the Old Town Jail and Holy Rude. 

You can explore the picturesque cobbled streets or learn about Scotland’s history at the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre. Stirling is home to a thriving arts and culture scene, with a great number of galleries, theatres and live music venues. 

The city is located near the Highland Fault Boundary at the foot of the Ochil Hills. Not far are the mountains in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. 

There are many lovely nature trails and country parks in the area. Also, Stirling is not far from tourist attractions in Falkirk such as the Kelpies. 

Dunfermline

Dunfermline is located in the Kingdom of Fife and it is Scotland’s newest city. It announced its new city status as part of the Queens Platinum Jubilee in May 2022. 

The population of Dunfermline is 55,000 and it has a long rich history which dates back to the 12th century. Robert the Bruce is famously buried at Dunfermline Abbey.

Head to Carnegie Hall, a musical venue named after Andrew Carnegie who was from Dunfermline. Andrew Carnegie was one of the richest men in the world.

A few of the main attractions in Dunfermline are Dunfermline Abbey, St Margaret’s Cave, Pittencrieff Park and the Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries. In addition, there is a number of events which run throughout the year including Saint Margaret’s Fair and the Festival of Music and Light. 

What are all 8 cities in Scotland?

The eight cities in Scotland are Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Perth, Stirling and Dunfermline.

What is Scotland’s smallest city?

Stirling is the smallest of the eight cities. It is located on the central belt, with a population of 37,000 people.

Final Note

Scotland is one of the world’s most popular destinations for tourists.

The most northern country of the United Kingdom has tales of Scottish kings and queens. As well as unique culture and a buzzing creative industry. 

The Highlands and rural countryside have spectacular views. However, the cities are also some of the best places to embrace the life of Scottish people.

The cities have good cafes, accommodations, restaurants, galleries, museums, theatres, music venues, hikes and historical architecture. 

This post lists the eight cities in Scotland to visit. There is a heap of larger towns and dotted across the country too, these are: