Edinburgh has been named as the second best large city in the UK for tourists, while Highland town Fort William has been ranked as one of the country’s worst small locations to visit.
The Scottish Highlands are regularly included among the most beautiful places to visit in the country, which is why it may come as a surprise to learn that the “outdoor capital of the UK” is so poorly regarded by visitors.
It’s according to new research conducted by consumer magazine Which?, who surveyed almost 4,000 people to ask about their experiences visiting towns and cities in the UK across the last two years.
Each location on the list was given a score out of five based on criteria such as food and drink, accommodation, cultural sights, shopping, crowds, value for money and more.
Liverpool was named the top large city, with Edinburgh in close second, while Bath was voted as the best medium sized city, beating out the likes of Oxford and Dundee. Meanwhile, Wells was named as the best among the UK’s small towns and cities with St Andrews in third and others, including Stirling also among the best for visitors.
With most of the towns and cities included in Which’s guide already considered tourist destinations, here are the best and worst locations to visit in Scotland as decided by visitors.
5. Inverness
Another popular spot among those looking to visit Scotland, Inverness received a score of just 69% from visitors. The lack of crowds in the city was praised, while it was given three stars for its accommodation, cultural sights, parking and value for money, and just two stars for food and drink, shopping and getting around. | Anna - stock.adobe.com
6. Oban
Despite being named “the seafood capital of Scotland”, visitors only gave the town three stars for its food and drink scene, impacting its overall score of 69%. The lack of crowds and accommodation was more highly praised with four stars, while cultural sights, and value for money also received three stars, though it was given two stars for its ease of getting around, shopping and just one star for parking. | susanne2688 - stock.adobe.com
7. Perth
Ranking above both Dundee and Aberdeen despite its smaller size, visitors to Perth favoured the city with a score of 65%. Highlights include its lack of crowds, given four stars, with three stars awarded for its accommodation, cultural sights, parking and value for money, though it was given just two stars for its food and drink, shopping and ease of getting around. | Overburn - stock.adobe.com
8. Dundee
Considered a medium sized city by Which? for its population, Dundee was given 62% by visitors. The city of jute, jam and journalism was given four stars for the lack of crowds, three stars for parking, value for money, and cultural sights, but just two stars for food and drink, accommodation, shopping and getting around. | Getty Images