Posted by Maris on 3rd Oct 2023
7 Enchanting Towns Near Edinburgh You Should Visit
Despite being a city, Edinburgh is my favorite spot on the planet. There are numerous typical little Scottish communities around Edinburgh, many of which may be reached in under an hour. It’s sometimes fun to visit a tiny town. Here are a few of my personal favorites from among all the alternatives.
1. North Berwick
Locals usually advocate North Berwick, about 25 miles east of Edinburgh, as the ideal beach vacation resort. Unfortunately, in 1995, the beachside swimming pool from the 1800s was dismantled. This small community has a lot of character, making it Scotland’s best place to live in 2021. If you make it there, I’d also recommend wild camping at nearby Yellowcraig Beach.
2. St Andrews
Another seaside community follows, although it is twice as far north. St Andrews has an almost 900-year history. The remains of the cathedral, formerly Europe’s largest edifice, are the town’s principal attraction.
The castle ruins, the golf course—possibly the oldest in the world—and Jannettas Gelateria—among Scotland’s best ice cream and gelato stores—are a few other attractions. Despite being the largest town on the list, there are just about 17,500 people living there.
3. Callander
Although Callander lacks the same history as the previous two towns, the location is great. Callander is located just before the National Park of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the commencement of the Highlands. Callander is the first stop for many tour buses heading to the Highlands.
If you go alone, you’ll have time to explore one of the many beautiful nearby walking trails, such as the one to Bracklinn Waterfall. Lake Katrine, one of my favorite Scottish lakes for strolling around, is very close by.
4. Dunkeld
Dunkeld is located around 60 miles north of Edinburgh on the River Tay. One of the tiniest communities on this list, Dunkeld has a little more than 1,000 residents who share two crossing roadways.
The well-preserved ruins of Dunkeld Cathedral, which date to the 13th century, are located here. The town is charming, with many lovely cafes, bakeries, and vintage shops that serve the constant flow of passing tourists.
5. Linlithgow
Linlithgow, in West Lothian, and the adjacent towns and farms have long been popular commuter destinations due to their excellent train connections to Edinburgh’s city core. Edinburgh Waverley is surprisingly accessible by direct rail in under 20 minutes despite its 20-mile distance from the city. The town itself retains many of its historical aspects, and it is well-known for being the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Loch and Linlithgow Palace are local favorites.
6. South Queensferry
South Queensferry is a coastal community south of the Firth of Forth located on West Lothian’s outskirts and approximately 10 miles from the heart of Edinburgh. The town has various colorful homes with views of the Forth and its three spectacular bridges, making it highly charming.
The Queensferry Museum illustrates how it used to be the primary port for boarding ferries across the Forth. The town is steeped in history as an old port still in use today. Two renowned stately homes in South Queensferry, Dalmeny, and Hopetoun House, provide wonderful days out to experience the house and grounds. The journey to the main center of Edinburgh takes about 30 minutes.
7. Culross
Finally, Culross is west of North Berwick and roughly the same distance from Edinburgh. The tiny community of Culross, which is situated on the north bank of the Firth of Forth, is home to the ruins of an 11th-century monastery but not much else of historical significance.
Instead, popular books and TV shows have helped Culross gain popularity in recent years. Culross Palace may be familiar to Outlander fans as the location of Claire’s herb garden. It’s just a plain house with a fancy name and beautiful flora in the rear.