Central Scotland

Central Scotland presents you with many of Scotland’s most iconic features neatly parcelled up in one easily-accessed region. This is a delightfully mixed landscape of Highlands, Lowlands and coast; some beautiful historic cities, towns and villages; and a wide range of fascinating and enjoyable things to see and do.

Central Scotland landscape

The northern part of this region comprises the Southern Highlands, an area of heather and forest-clad hills, cultivated valleys and substantial rivers and lochs that stretches west from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs through Perthshire to the Angus hills and glens of the east. In addition to enjoying a wide range of scenic car tours you can walk, hill walk, cycle, horse ride, fish, shoot, kayak, white-water raft, mountain bike and ski, or you can relax while visiting pretty villages, castles, historic houses, gardens and distilleries. The choice is yours.

Along its southern margin the Highlands gives way abruptly to the Lowlands, an area of rich, rolling farmland and small woods, interspersed with isolated hills and dotted with numerous pretty market towns and villages. With the Firth of Clyde in the west and the Firths of Tay and Forth in the east, the sea is never far away. Indeed this part of Scotland is only around 25 miles wide at its narrowest. Lining these coasts are strings of ancient, picturesque and fascinating fishing villages, many with boats still operating.    

Each of the region’s four cities - Perth; Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow – is unique, having its own peculiar history, appearance and range of attractions and things to do.

Attractions in Central Scotland

In addition to visiting the cities, towns and villages you can explore the coastline and countryside, visiting the many attractions and enjoying the cultural events that take place throughout the area. You can also enjoy some wonderful beach and inland walks, boat trips to off-shore islands, sailing and other water sports, horse riding and, of course, golf, either on the great links courses of the east coast or on the parkland courses of the interior.