40 Amazing Pictures of Scotland (inspiring landscapes!)

The Scotland landscapes are absolutely stunning!
This destination offers lochs, mountains, castles, abbeys, volcanic formations… 
Just have a look at those 40 Scotland Pictures and be ready to pack your bag! Scottish photos WANDERLUST ALERT.

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Scotland:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Scotland: DiscoverCars

The unmissable boat tour: Seal spotting on Loch Linnhe from Fort William

My favorite excursion from Edinburgh: Glenfinnan and Glencoe

My favorite places to stay:

• Edinburgh: see best rated hotels – e.g. Balmoral Hotel
• Glencoe: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Glencoe House Hotel
• Portree: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Cuillin Hills Hotel
• Inverness: see best rated hotels – e.g. Kingsmills Hotel

About the following Scotland Pictures

It was very difficult to reduce this selection to only 40 pictures of Scotland. It is such a beautiful place with landscapes including:

• Lakes known as Lochs
• Beaches
• Castles
• Abbeys
• Mountains
• ….

Most beautiful landscapes of Scotland

My choice is:

• Glencoe, the whole valley is impressive and varied.
• Loch Leven (near Glencoe) – perfect for sunrises and sunsets
• Glen Shiel, on the way to the Isle of Skye
• Caerlaverock Castle, a unique shape and landscape
• All views of Edinburgh

I know… the Isle of Skye  is not on my list. It’s beautiful, but I must admit that objectively, it doesn’t fit in my top 5 of the most beautiful landscapes in Scotland.

Lots of pictures below.

All the locations below, along with many other beautiful places, are included in my eBook to help you easily plan your road trip around Scotland:

Plan your dream trip in Scotland thanks to my guide

• 15 maps to easily plan your itinerary
• 170+ pre-selected locations
• GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
• Tips to make the most of your time
• 170+ original photos to help you choose

Discover it!

1 – Most photographed Mountain – Buachaille Etive Mor

Buachaille Etive Mor in the Glen Coe area is the most photographed mountain in Scotland. When you are in front of it, it is not difficult to understand why. It has something magnetic and you keep looking at it.

Get your Puzzle Landscape of Scotland – Glencoe

2 – Glasgow University

Glasgow is a town with many architectural facets. One of the most impressive building you should visit is the Glasgow University. Who would not love to study in such an inspiring place?

3 – Glencoe Lochan

A lochan is a very small loch. Near the town of Glencoe, a small walk takes you around the beautiful Glencoe Lochan. Hopefully you will be lucky as well and see it with reflections.

4 – Loch Leven – Typical Scotland landscape

I am going to share several pictures of Loch Leven from various angles as it is very photogenic. This was taken in the South Shore as the end of the afternoon. So peaceful!

5 – St Mungo’s Cathedral

Several cathedrals are worth being visited on a Scotland Road Trip. St Mungo’s in Glasgow is definitively the best ones (to my opinion). Definitively an interesting atmosphere plus artefacts, explanations and a surprising underground level.

6 – Loch Awe

Most people focus on the lochs in the Trossachs National Park. But drive west in the Argyll region and you will find enchanting places like this one on Loch Awe.

This is one of my favorite Scotland Pictures as it shows the atmosphere of the Scottish lochs.

7 – Inveraray Castle – typical Scotland image

Inveraray Castle is definitively what we call a fairy-tale castle, even if the walls are green, which is very surprising. Located in the Argyll region, it has beautiful park and gardens and a huge collection of weapons. It is a very photogenic building, in my opinion.

8 – The 3 sisters

The drive on A82 through Glen Coe is one of the best road trips to take in Scotland. You will want to stop to take many pictures of the beauty of Scotland. One of the main attractions is the viewpoint towards the 3 sisters:

9 – Assynt-Coigach Reserve

Sometimes you drive towards a specific destination and discover amazing landscapes along the way. This Scotland picture was taken while driving towards Loch Assynt.

10 – Caerlaverock Castle

So many castles in Scotland! One of the most unique is Caerlaverock.  Located near the border with England is has a triangular shape.

Need to rent a car in Scotland?

My tips:

• Compare prices on my favorite platform:  Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
• Prefer a compact car for the single-lane roads
• Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

See available cars

11 – The Queen’s View – representative picture of Scotland

The Queen’s View is considered one of the best views in Scotland. It sure is not disappointing. It displays the length of Loch Tummel, Northeast of the Trossachs.

If you can’t travel yet, you can enjoy it at home with this jigsaw puzzle:

Get this Scotland Jigsaw Puzzle – Landscape Loch Tummel

12 – The Ring of Brodgar

Scotland is also home to archeological wonders, listed on the Unesco World Heritage. One of those places is the Ring of Brodgar in the islands of Orkney. You can take some iconic photos of Scotland here.

13 – Loch Leven again – typical Scotland Highlands photo

As I said before, I am back wihth another pictures of the Stunning Loch Leven in Glencoe. This Scotland photo was captured from the North Shore in the morning.
The mountains of Glencoe are majestic reflecting on water.

Get this Scotland Jigsaw Puzzle – Loch Leven 2, Glencoe

14 – Loch Chon

The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is home to many lochs. Loch Chon is a little off the main road and very peaceful.

15 – Sinclair Girnigoe Castle

This castle is in ruin, but its location is just amazing. The Sinclair Girnigoe Castle has been built right on and inside the cliff. Not sure how long it will remain until erosion takes it away.

16 – Edinburgh Princes Street

Walking at sunset in Edinburgh… no wonder the whole town is on the Unesco World Heritage List.

17 – Scottish Highland Cattle – fun Scotland photo to take

A typical picture of Scotland… the Scottish Highland Cattle. You just want to get close and shuffle their hair 🙂

18 – Fairy Glen

Fairy Glen is a lesser-known location on the famous Isle of Skye. It is like a Scotland in Miniature. And it really feels like fairies are going to appear from behind the hills. It is great place to walk around and take some great pictures of the Isle of Skye.

19 – Edinburgh Castle – impressive Scotland image

No need to introduce, the place is quite famous. This photo of the Edinburgh Castle was taken from Princes Street Garden.

20 – Near Loch Coruisk

Some are of the Skye Island are only accessible by boat or hiking. Loch Coruisk is such a place. You can take a boat from Elgol. This is the view towards the pier.

Let’s take a break from the pictures to watch my little video about the beautiful Scotland landscapes:

21 – Loch Rannoch

Some lochs are wide and not surrounded by high summits making them less photogenic. But when the clouds explode you get one of your best photo moments in Scotland.

22 – Dunrobin Castle

There are so many castles in Scotland it is difficult to decide which one to show. Dunrobin Castle is one of the most photogenic from any angle. Especially from the lower gardens.

23 – Loch Shiel

Loch Shiel on the Road to the isles is so beautiful that it has its own visitor center and a special track to get higher and have fantastic views.

24 – Old Man of Storr

The Old man of Storr is one of the most photographed landmarks in Scotland. I have several pictures with a blue sky. But this one with the clouds represents better this location on the Isle of Skye.

25 – Stirling Castle

Stirling castle is a medieval city on top of a hill. Make sure to stop once you leave the main road for such fantastic views.

26 – Loch Maree

Loch Maree is one of the most beautiful lochs in Scotland, although a lot less touristic than many. Located North West of Scotland, its whole length is surrounded by high summits.

27 – Viewpoint of Rest and Be Thankful

At the edge of the Argyll forest, there is a viewpoint called ‘Rest and Be Thankful’. Quite fitting, don’t you think?

28 – Scottish Sheep

So cute!

29 – Loch Tay

At the end of Loch Tay, in the town of Kenmore a small harbor and sometimes incredible light!

Get this Scotland Jigsaw Puzzle – Loch Tay Clouds

Where to stay in Scotland?

My favorites:

• Edinburgh to explore the fascinating city – see best-rated accommodations
• Portree to explore the isle of Skye – see best rated accommodations
• Glencoe to take time in the magnificent valley – see best rated accommodations
• Ullapool for the West coast on the North 500 – see best rated accommodations
• Thurso for the North coast + ferry – see best rated accommodations
• Kirkwall to explore the Orkneys – see best rated accommodations
• Inverness for the Speyside whiskies – see best rated accommodations

See our article on where to stay

30 – Meeting of the 3 Waters

While driving on A82 through Glen Coe, stop near a small bridge to admire the waterfall where 3 waters meet. Not impressive but very poetic.

Get this Scotland Jigsaw Puzzle – waterfall Glencoe

31 – Scott’s view

The writer Walter Scott loves the region of the Borders. This was one of his favorite views.

32 – Glen Shiel

When driving towards the Isle of Skye, you go through Glen Shiel, a narrow and magnificent valley. No problem staying awake!

33 – Jedburgh Abbey

Jedburgh is not the most intriguing Abbey in Scotland but definitively the most photogenic with all its arches. You can even get to the first level at one end and take even more beautiful Scotland photos.

34 – Loch Etive

Back in Glencoe again, you can take a side road through Glen Etive. The road takes you all the way to Loch Etive a wild and peaceful location.

Get this Scotland Jigsaw Puzzle – Loch Etive, Glencoe

35 – Eilean Donan Castle

No need to introduce Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most famous in Scotland. Most people photograph it from the bridge, but drive a little further and you can capture it with the mountains behind.

36 – Wester Ross

A drive through Wester Ross is colorful!

37 – Majestic Glencoe – The Photo of Scotland

The munros are summits over 3000ft (914m). A lot of them can be found in Glencoe.

Get this Puzzle Landscape of Scotland – Glencoe Valley 2

38 – Loch Leven, another one!

Told you! Here is another Scotland photos of Loch Leven. This one was taken from the end of the loch in the morning. Simply stunning!

Get this Scotland Jigsaw Puzzle – Loch Leven, Glencoe

39 – Calton Hill Edinburgh

Spending one night in Edinburgh? At sunset, head up to Calton Hill for some of the best views in the city.

40 – Dramatic Skies

Always be ready to capture incredible pictures of Scotland – Stunning clouds and light can appear at every turn.

Want to see more of the best Scotland has to offer?

• Best things to do in Scotland – read article
• Best Scotland destinations – where to go? – read article
• Best Scottish Castles – read article
• Most beautiful lochs in Scotland – read article
• Most scenic drives in Scotland – read article
• The magnificent Isle of Skye – read my best-of guide
• The magnificent Wester Ross region – read article
• The Borders Abbeys including Melrose Abbey and the photogenic Jedburgh Abbey

Planning a trip to Scotland? 

Check out my travel guides to help you plan:

Plan your dream trip to Scotland with my guides!

• 15 easy-to-plan maps
• 170+ pre-selected locations
• GPS coordinates 
• Useful planning tips
• 170+ large photos 

Discover it

• 8 easy-to-plan maps
• 60+ pre-selected locations
• Useful planning tips
• 115+ large photos 
• GPS coordinates 

Discover it

And keep track of your own trip!

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