6 Epic UNESCO Sites in Scotland

World Heritage Sites in Scotland are locations that have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Programme. This guide lists the epic UNESCO Sites in Scotland.

Scotland has 6 world heritage sites. As well as three creative cities, two biospheres and two Geoparks.

To gain UNESCO World Heritage Site status a place needs to prove its ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ which is important all over the world to present and future generations.

A site does this by proving cultural or historical importance. The sites are protected by several international treaties and are judged as crucial to the collective interests of humanity. 

UNESCO is an organisation based in France which seeks to build peace. As well as, collaboration in education, sciences and culture all around the world.

It promotes people to become global citizens, by providing education free of hate and tolerance. UNESCO has preservation sites in over 150 countries worldwide, including Scotland. 

Antonine Wall

Locations: Watling Lodge, Callender House, Kinneil Estate

Antonine Wall runs across central Scotland between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde. Altogether it is believed that the wall spanned 39 miles.

Also, the wall marks a defensive line marks where the most northerly frontier of the Roman Empire existed nearly 2,000 years ago. The wall was made of turf, it was 20 feet high and made with 19 forts.

Roman Soldiers built the Antonine Wall for Emperor Antonius Pius around 142 AD. The wall took 12 years to complete.

By 160 AD the wall was overrun and abandoned, then occupied again for a brief period after 197 AD. A unique group of distance slabs commemorates the efforts of the Roman Soldier. 

The Antonine Wall was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It is part of a trans-national World Heritage Site.

Extensions to a wider series of sites in Austria, Germany, and Slovakia, make up the “Frontiers of the Roman Empire”. 

The wall crosses five of the modern local authorities. These local authorities are East Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.

However, most of the turf has been destroyed or weathered away over time. The last surviving ditch can be found at the Watling Lodge in Falkirk.

Also, you can view parts of the wall at Callender House and Kinneil Estate on the Forth Valley Tourist Route.

Heart of Neolithic Orkney 

Locations: Skara Brae Prehistoric Village, Ring of Brodgar

One of the epic UNESCO sites in Scotland is located on the Isle of Orkney. On the island of Orkney, you will find the richest surviving Neolithic landscapes in Western Europe.

Orkney lies about 15 km north of the mainland of Scotland. The island is rich in Nordic culture due to invasions from the Vikings.

In 1999, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney gained its UNESCO World Heritage status. The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is made up of four sites including Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Stones of Skennes and the Ring of Brodgar, with many other sites being excavated.

The monuments include two ceremonial stone circles, a large chambered tomb and a settlement. Skara Brae is the most famous site in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

Also, Skara Brae is often referred to as “the Scottish Pompeii”. Moreover, Skara Brae is Europe’s most complete Neolithic village and is older than Stonehedge in England and the Great Pyramids in Egypt.

It is believed that prehistoric people built the structures around 5,000 years ago. Their impressive domestic and ritual monuments are masterpieces of Neolithic design and construction.

Also, the spectacular sights give us an idea of the society, skills and spiritual beliefs of the people who built them. 

New Lanark 

One of the nearest UNESCO sites in Scotland to Glasgow is New Lanark. New Lanark is located on the edge of the River Clyde on the Clyde Valley Tourist Route, approximately 25 miles south of Glasgow.

The site is a restored 18th-century cotton mill village. The village got awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2001.

In 1974, the New Lanark Conservation Trust began restorations of the village.

Back in the 18th century, the site was known for being the biggest cotton mill in Scotland. Also, it has one of the largest factory sites in the world. 

Social Pioneer Robert Owen and his father-in-law David Dale constructed the village as a part of an experiment in utopian socialism. Owen aimed to take a more humane approach to industry, architecture and planning.

As a result, he was acclaimed for his enlightened management of the mill. The conditions for workers and their families improved massively.

Owen proved that you could create wealth without sacrificing people’s well-being. The cotton mill was powered by water wheels and operated from 1786 to 1968.

Nowadays, the New Lanark Mill offers an incredible representation of over 200 years of fascinating social history.

The historical buildings and surrounding natural landscape have become a popular landmark with over 300,000 visitors each year. 

From New Lanark, you can follow nature trails along the River Clyde. Along this route, you can walk along boardwalks, and view the spectacular Falls of Clyde.

Also, you can cross over bridges, admire smaller waterfalls and search for castle ruins hidden in the woodland. 

New and Old Towns of Edinburgh

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh have achieved UNESCO World Heritage status. The two halves of the city centre of Edinburgh were added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1995.

The city centre of Edinburgh is an excellent place to spend the day soaking up the unique Scottish culture. There is a distinct quality and contrast of architecture and streetscape between the Medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town.

Narrow winding cobbled passageways are features of the Old Town. While the New Town is more predominantly neoclassic and has examples of the best Georgian town planning in the United Kingdom. 

Old Town

A few important landmarks featured in the Old Town are the medieval Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Victoria Street.

You can immerse in the history by visiting one of the longest-standing buildings – Gladstone’s Land. Edinburgh Castle is one of the best castles on the east cost of Scotland.

The house boasts an original painted ceiling and well decoration dating from the 1620s. Other significant buildings in the Old Town include the Scottish Parliament Building, the Old College of the University of Edinburgh and St. Giles Cathedral. 

New Town

Locations: New Town, Old Town

To the north, you can view the neo-classical part of the town which was constructed between 1767 and 1890. The New Town architectural design is made of elegance and beauty.

Popular places include Princes Street, George Square, Charlotte Square and St Andrews Square. In Charlotte Square, The Georgian House was designed by the most celebrated Scottish architect of his day, Robert Adam.

Inside you can get an idea of what life was like in the 18th century. Also, you can go for a stroll in Princes Street Gardens.

In the Princes Gardens, you can admire the Scott Monument, a memorial for the beloved Scottish writer, Sir Walter Scott. Moreover, you can view public museums including the National Portrait Gallery. 

St Kilda

Location: St Kilda World Heritage Site

Now to the most remote UNESCO sites in Scotland. St Kilda is a group of isolated islands which is located 100 miles off the west coast of Scotland.

St Kilda lies about 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Scottish Outer Hebrides. This site is extremely important as it is the UK’s only dual World Heritage Site.

It was first recognised as a ‘natural’ site in 1986 as St Kilda is a secluded, outlying archipelago on Hebridean Island.

In 2004, the site was extended to include a large amount of surrounding marine features. Also, in 2005, it was designated for cultural heritage.

St Kilda has often been nicknamed the ‘islands on the edge of the world’. The stormy seas battering off the ragged cliff edges make the islands difficult to access even by boat.

Also, the islands of Hirta, Dun, Soay and Boreray are home to awe-inspiring volcanic landscapes. 

Nowadays, the islands are home to the largest colony of seabirds in Europe, with over one million noisy seabirds. Evocative cultural remains chart some 4,000 years of human habitation despite the extreme conditions and remoteness. 

Human history is inspiring. The islanders exploited dense colonies of seabirds for food, feathers and soil, and farmed on small plots of land.

Many of the Hebridean-style huts and cottages are still standing today. Sadly, there was a mass evacuation of the remaining 35 islanders in 1930.

Their way of life became too unsustainable to carry on. 

St Kilda is now an inhabited island. You can take a three hours boat ride from the Isle of Harris to get to St Kilda.

From the Scottish mainland, an 18-hour boat trip will get you there.

The Forth Bridge

Location: Forth Rail Bridge

Finally, we have one of the most important and most recognised landmarks in Scotland. The Forth Rail Bridge is a 2.5 km-long, 110-metre-high cantilever bridge.

The bridge connects Edinburgh and the Lothians to Fife and the Highlands in the north. The Forth Rail bridge is a masterpiece as a design of scale and depth has never been conquered by humans.

In the history of bridge construction and rail travel, it is a significant and inspiring milestone. The bridge was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1980 and in 2015, the bridge gained its World Heritage Site Status. 

Sir John Fowler and Benjamin Baker built the bridge between 1883 and 1890. The bridge attracts visitors from all around the world and is considered Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder. 

UNESCO Biosphere – Wester Ross

There is one biosphere UNESCO sites in Scotland. Formerly known as Beinn Eighe, Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve is located northwest of Scotland.

Most of Wester Ross is influenced by open heathland, bare rock, scree and wet grassland. There is a range of woodland including birch, holly, ivy, rowan, oak and juniper.

Loch Maree is a stunning location to relax and it is surrounded by isolated mountains including Ben Mor Coigach, An Teallach, Siloch and Beinn Eighe.

The Biosphere Reserve is home to approximately 8,000 people. Only 10% of the population speak Scottish Gaelic which is known as an endangered language.

The area attracts 450,000 visitors each year and is well known for its attractive natural landscape, contemporary culture and rich cultural heritage.

UNESCO Creative City – Glasgow City of Music 

There are three Creative City UNESCO sites in Scotland. Glasgow is Scotland’s main and largest city with a population of 500,000.

It was designated as a City of Music in 2008 as it has been recognised as a vibrant city which is known for being a major international musical centre.

The legendary music stretched across the whole spectrum from contemporary and classical, to Celtic and Country. 

Glasgow is now one of the 19 cities of music in Europe. Once, recognition was achieved, an immediate goal was established.

Glasgow’s performers, music organisations, festivals, promotors, schools and colleges are working together to encourage collaborations. Check out the Glasgow Art Trail.

UNESCO Creative City – Dundee City of Design 

Dundee is the fourth largest city in Scotland with a population of 147,000 people. It was designated as a City of Design in 2014.

The city has been recognised by UNESCO for its diverse contributions to fields including medical research, comics, video games and V&A Museum. 

Dundee has two world-class universities, the University of Dundee boasts of the top art schools in the UK, Duncan of Jordanstone School of Art and Design.

Also, Abertay university is world-leading in digital design and is known for the creation of Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings.

In addition, comic book graphic design is popular in Dundee with characters such as Oor Wullie, Dennis the Menace and Desperate Dan.

UNESCO Creative – City Edinburgh – City of Literature

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland with a population of 500,000 people. It was designated as the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004.

Edinburgh is the birthplace of world-famous writers, poets and playwrights. The names of famous people include Arthur Conan Doyle, Walter Scott and JK Rowling. 

Also, the Edinburgh International Book Festival is hosted every year in August.

In 1725, the world’s first circulating library opened in Edinburgh and there are many free libraries in the city. Moreover, there are over 50 bookshops in Edinburgh. 

UNESCO Global Geopark – Shetland 

There are two Global Geopark UNESCO sites in Scotland. In 2015, Shetland was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Shetland UNESCO Global Geopark celebrates over 100 islands, 15 of which are inhabited. The geopark has more geologically diversity than any other similar-sized geoparks in Europe.

Where else can you walk on the ancient geological crust, explore an extinct volcano and stroll across shifting sands all day?

UNESCO Global Geopark – North West Highlands

The North West Highlands gained UNESCO Global Geopark status in 2015. Stretching over 2,000 square kilometres in the far corner of mainland Scotland.

The North West Highlands Geopark is a spectacular example of different rock geologies.

The area has many historical sites, ranging from Iron Age defensive towers, and remains of Norse settlements. Also, there are castles and houses related to the Lordship of the isles. 

UNESCO Biosphere – Dumfries and Ayrshire 

This area is a complete mix of moorlands, mires, woodlands, river valleys and shorelines. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is largely rural with a population of 94,000 people.

During the 20th century, there was a steady decline in the area’s traditional industries.

These industries include livestock farming, textiles, mining and energy generation. New projects are underway to boost sustainability in the area.

How many UNESCO sites are there in Scotland?

There are six UNESCO sites in Scotland. The world heritage sites are located all over the country from the capital city in Edinburgh to the Isle of St Kilda.

St Kilda is over 242 miles away from Edinburgh. Also, Scotland has three UNESCO creative cities, two UNESCO biospheres and two Global Geoparks.

Are there any UNESCO sites in Scotland?

Yes, Scotland has six UNESCO sites. These are the Forth Rail Bridge, the New and Old Towns Of Edinburgh, the Antonine Wall and New Lanark.

Also, there are two sites on the islands – the Heart of Neolithic Orkney and St Kilda. Four sites are located in mainland Scotland, and the other two are on the Scottish Isles. 

Final Note

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites are spectacular locations which are great for photographers, nature enthusiasts or history buffs.

Scotland has so much variety from ancient architecture to Roman history and wonderful engineering. Also, you will have the opportunity to connect with the outdoors on one of Scotland’s islands or in the rugged Highlands.