Ah, Scotland. What a place. From remote island communities to vast mountain ranges to a castle perched on a volcano, there are few countries with such a diverse array of beautiful, wild landscapes.
It might not surprise you, then, that there are 13 Scottish sites so spectacular, they are deemed areas of cultural importance by UNESCO.
Visit Scotland has just released a trail map of these 13 locations to encourage more people to visit those parts of the country. Stretching from the Shetlands down to the lowlands in the south, they can all be reached via car or public transport. They are split into four different categories: biospheres, geoparks, world heritage sites and creative cities.
Scotland’s biospheres are Wester Ross in the north-west Highlands, home to a variety of rare and unspoiled habitats, and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere in the south-east.
There are 169 areas worldwide that are considered geospheres. In Scotland, you’ve got the North West Highlands Geopark and Geopark Shetland. The former is a stunning landscape that features structures that have survived since the Iron Age, while the latter, which is only accessible by plane or ferry, holds some of the most important examples of prehistoric architecture in northern Europe.
The six world heritage sites in Scotland include Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns and the mill village of New Lanark, which was brought to life by philanthropist and social reformer Robert Owen. For more than two centuries, it served as a blueprint for the ideal working and living environment for industrial labourers and their families. There’s also the magnificent Antonine Wall, built in 142 AD and considered one of the most ambitious constructions of the ancient world.
If you’re worn out by all the wild winds and stormy seas, you could hit up Scotland’s three cities of culture. Edinburgh is a UNESCO city of literature, while Glasgow is highlighted for its music and Dundee for its contribution to design.
You can find out more about Scotland’s UNESCO trail here.
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