Although it is a metropolis, Edinburgh is my favorite place on Earth. There are numerous traditional tiny Scottish villages close to Edinburgh, many of which are accessible in less than an hour. Sometimes it’s great to visit a smaller community. Here are a couple of my personal favorites out of all the options.
1. North Berwick
North Berwick, which is roughly 25 miles east of Edinburgh, is frequently recommended by locals as the ideal coastal vacation destination. Unfortunately, the beachfront swimming pool from the 1800s was finally demolished in 1995. This tiny village has a lot of charm, making it Scotland’s top location to live in 2021. If you manage to get there, I’d also suggest wild camping at Yellowcraig Beach, which is close by.
2. St Andrews
Next, but twice as far away to the north, is another seaside community. St Andrews has a history of around 900 years. The town’s main attraction is the cathedral’s remains, which were once the biggest structure in all of Europe.
The castle ruins, the golf course—possibly the oldest in the world—and Jannettas Gelateria—among the best ice cream and gelato stores in Scotland—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 doesn’t have the same heritage as the previous two, the location is ideal. Just before the National Park of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the start of the Highlands is Callander. Callander serves as the first rest point for many tour buses traveling to the Highlands.
If you go alone, you’ll have time to check out one of the many stunning surrounding walking routes, such as the one to Bracklinn Waterfall. Very nearby is Lake Katrine, one of my favorite Scottish lakes for walking around.
4. Dunkeld
On the River Tay, Dunkeld is located around 60 miles north of Edinburgh. 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 itself is really charming, with a number of lovely cafes, bakeries, and vintage shops that serve the constant flow of passing tourists.
5. Linlithgow
Due to its excellent train connections to Edinburgh’s city center, Linlithgow, located in West Lothian, and the nearby towns and farms have long been a favorite commuter location. Given its 20-mile distance from the city, Edinburgh Waverley is impressively accessible by direct rail in just 20 minutes. The town itself still maintains many of its historical elements, and it is well-known for being Mary Queen of Scots’ birthplace. Local favorites include Loch and Linlithgow Palace.
6. South Queensferry
South Queensferry is a coastal community south of the Firth of Forth that is located on the outskirts of West Lothian and approximately 10 miles from the heart of Edinburgh. The town itself has a variety of 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 itself is steeped in history as an old port that is 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, there’s Culross, which 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, well-liked books and TV shows have helped Culross become more well-known in recent years. If you watch Outlander, you might recognize Culross Palace as the location of Claire’s herb garden. It’s just a simple house with a fancy name that boasts lovely plants in the backyard.
Loch nae lake!!!