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Places to Visit in Scotland in December

Edinburgh is one of the best places to see in Scotland in December due to its beautiful skyline, vibrant characters, and cobbled streets. The capital city is enveloped with parks, streets, water streams, squares, closes, and fireworks.

The pubs in Edinburgh serve some of the delicious hamburgers, fries, chips, and fish. The beauty of the hills in this small town of Edinburgh is unimaginable. People from all over the world visit this place to witness the landscapes, the neoclassical castles, and the monumental buildings.

Location: Scotland, United Kingdom

Activities: Shopping, Sightseeing, Night-outs, Markets, Museums, Castles and Monuments, Walking, Galleries, Sports.

Located at the mouth of the Ness River, Inverness is a spectacular city in the Scottish Highlands. The place is well-known for its natural beauty and the beautiful combination of ancient charm and contemporary glamour.

If you are making a list of the best places to visit in Scotland at Christmas, Inverness should be on the top. Tourists from around the world gather around this place to admire the picturesque scenery and rugged landscapes.

Location: Near River Ness, Scotland, United Kingdom

Activities: City center exploration, Show at Eden Court Theater, Loch Ness Discovery, Inverness Castle, Shopping at Victorian Market, and much more.

One of the other beautiful places to visit in Scotland in December is Glasgow, set up on the banks of the River Clyde. This port city is prominent for its ancient architecture. People who are fond of Victorian art and music must visit this place.

The city organizes ballet dances, musical concerts, and operas. If you are a shopping freak, then you have come to the right place as you will find some of the best stock of Italian denim in Glasgow.

Location: Glasgow City Council Area, Scotland, United Kingdom

Activities: Escape Reality, Hollywood Bowl Glasgow Springfield Quay, Glasgow Spy Mission Treasure Trail, Glasgow Riverside Museum, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Huntfun Glasgow, Cineworld Glasgow - Renfrew Street, and much more.

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles of Scotland that attracts a myriad of travelers throughout the year. This place should be on the top of your list of places to see in Scotland in December. Ben Nevis was once an active volcano that exploded inwards several years ago.

You can find the remains of the explosion still present at the mountain’s summit. You can also have a glance at the other peaks near this tallest mountain like Morven at Caithness, Torridon hills, and Ben Lomond.  

Location: Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom

Activities: Walking & Hiking, Cycling, Skiing & Snowboarding, Sightseeing.

Resting place of some of the iconic landscapes, the Isle of Skye is considered to be among the best places to visit in Scotland at Christmas. The off-the-beaten hiking trails at the Isle of Skye make you believe that you are on top of the world. Several real-life movies have also been shot at this place, including the Star Wars movie.

The place also presents The Fairy Pools, where you can swim and relax with your fellow travelers. If you want to witness what a film set looks like in real, you should head to Portree, home to the spectacular and beautiful Portree Harbour.

Location: Scotland, United Kingdom

Activities: Boat Trips, Bus Tours, Outdoor Activities, Sports & Leisure.

The nature lovers hunting for beautiful places to see in Scotland in December should find solace in Cairngorms National Park. It is a massive national park in the United Kingdom. You will discover some of the rarest and threatened species of the world in this park, like arctic reindeers and forest-dwelling wildcats.

The park has friendly villages, lochs, beautiful rivers, humongous mountains, forest paths, wildlife hotspots, and distilleries. You can opt to stay in the national park in the gorgeous self-catering cottages, BNBs, hotels, and log cabins.

Location: Grantown on Spey PH26 3HG, United Kingdom

Activities: Snowsports, Dark Skies Park, Water Activities, Wildlife Sighting, Sightseeing.

Overflowing with history and wildlife, Loch Leven is the largest natural shallow water body in the United Kingdom. The place is one of the fascinating places to visit in Scotland in December as an infinite number of wildfowl from distinct countries use it for stopovers.

Not only do the birds make this a magnificent place but also the luxurious blend of willow, wet grasslands, reed beds, and raised bog. The most commonly seen animals around the reserve are kingfishers and otters. If you are lucky, you can also catch a glimpse of the elusive white-tailed sea eagle.

Location: Scotland, United Kingdom

Activities: Cycling, The Scottish Gliding Center, Over Dalkeith Stables, The Green Hotel Curling Rink, Loch Leven Fisheries, Mordor Hunting Limited, Kinross-shire Cricket Club, Pegasus Microlights, Loch Leven Heritage Trail.

Settled on the rocky promontory on the north shore of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle furnishes a taste of wild natural beauty, including 1000 years of history. Here, you will experience a peek into medieval life and get a chance to enjoy gorgeous views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the castle in Inverness. The residents and historic replicas showcase a remarkable collection of artifacts that narrates the true story of the Urquhart Castle.

Location: Drumnadrochit, Inverness IV63 6XJ, United Kingdom 

Activities: Village Green, Loch Ness Center & Exhibition, Highland Taste, Loch Ness Gallery, Nesseiland, St Ninians Church.

If you are tired of strolling to distinct places in Scotland, you can head to the Glencoe Mountain Resort. It is one of the best places to see in Scotland in December as it was the first commercial Scottish Ski Area with the construction of the first overhead ski lift.

The resort offers the visitors to enjoy several outdoor activities like a treasure hunt, tubing, chairlift rides, and much more during the winters. You will wake up to the spectacular views of the Buachaille Etive Mor and Rannoch Moor. 

Location: Glencoe PH49 4HZ, United Kingdom

Activities: Mountain Biking, Tubing, Hill Walking, Treasure Hunt, Snowboarding, Skiing, Sledging, Chairlift Rides. 

Another one of the best places to visit in Scotland in December is the administrative center of the Kinross council area and the oldest city in North UK, Perthshire. People from around the corners of the world travel to this place because of its breathtaking landscapes and magnificent scenic vistas.

The city is interwoven with gorgeous architecture that portrays an intriguing royal history. It is a complete package of fundamental exhibitions, sporting events, foodie festivals, music, and theatre.

Location: Scotland, United Kingdom

Activities: Walking, Horse Riding, Archery, Safaris, Fishing, Geocaching, Eye Spy Wildlife Watching, Cycle Hire, Water Sports, Bungee Jumping.

The John Muir Way is the cause of the death of John Muir, one of the most influential figures in the conservation movement. The purpose of its construction is to offer a remarkable coast to coast route across the assorted landscapes of the rich heritage of central Scotland.

If you are looking for places to see in Scotland in December, you should pay a visit to John Muir Way. People from all walks of life are drawn to the deep philosophy and legacy of the leader getting close to nature. Therefore, it is the most easily accessible and attractive place in Scotland.

Location: Southern Scotland, United Kingdom

Activities: Hiking, Cycling.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the place for party freaks. It is one of those places to see in Scotland in December where the world joins together to celebrate the Scottish New Year. People enjoy several different customs at this place like First-Footing in which people visit the places of their friends and relatives and exchange gifts of whiskey and lumps of coal.

The festival covers four days of massive concerts, fireworks, and processions. It is one of the most renowned celebrations in the entire world. You can even become a part of this celebration if you are planning to visit Scotland in December.

Location: Scotland, United Kingdom

Mains of Taymouth is another one of the best places to visit in Scotland in December that aims to offer the rewarding and luxurious experience of Perthshire. The place seeks to blend contemporary standards and modern comforts seamlessly with conventional values.

The Mains of Taymouth provides an outstanding selection of luxurious self-catering cottages, houses, and lodges while soaking in the atmosphere of a country retreat. Thus, it is the best place to stay after a whole day of exploring the beauty of Scotland.

Location: Kenmore, Aberfeldy PH15 2HN, United Kingdom

Activities: Loch Tay Boat Centre, Scottish Quads, Highland Safaris, Free Spirits, Loch Tay Safaris, Bespoke Beauty, Karelia House.

Nestled right in the center of the city, Calton Hill is one of the fundamental hills of Edinburgh. The place holds an unfinished Athenian acropolis that pokes above the skyline. People wandering for solace and tranquility should rest at this place as they would find the serenity that they want.

The history of the hill dates back to the time of Napoleon’s defeat in the Battle of Waterloo. Hence, it is one of the best places to see in Scotland in December for historical buffs. You will also find some of the unseen places from the top of the cliff. 

Location: Scotland, United Kingdom

Activities: Trekking, Hiking, Walking, Cycling.