Tobermory on the Isle of Mull has been named the best Scottish town for a weekend escape by travel guide Discover Britain. The experts described the coastal settlement as looking "straight out of a storybook" and praised its seafood, wildlife spotting opportunities, and more.
On Wednesday, August 12, Discover Britain shared a list of the "nine tiny Scottish towns that look straight out of a storybook perfect for a weekend escape". The guide rounded up the most scenic settlements in the country for those looking to escape the summer crowds.
Tobermory's colourful harbour and attractions
Topping the experts' list is Tobermory, which is the Inner Hebridean island's main town and capital. Home to a population of just over 1,000 people, Tobermory is a popular holiday destination thanks to its spectacular coastal views, food and drink, and unique attractions.
Tobermory is best known for its colourful harbour-front, one of Scotland's most recognisable sights. The row of brightly painted buildings gained worldwide fame thanks to the beloved children's television programme Balamory, filmed in Tobermory.
The town is home to various must-visit attractions, including the Tobermory Distillery and The Mull Museum. The former offers distillery production tours and whisky tastings, while the latter is the place to learn more about the island's history and heritage.
Wildlife, seafood, and a perfect base
Discover Britain described Tobermory as a "perfect base" to explore Mull and surrounding islands like Ulva and Iona. The experts also praised the town as a top spot for wildlife watching, particularly for seals and dolphins. Its seafood was also spotlighted, with the MacDonald Arms Hotel highlighted as one of the best food destinations in town.
Discover Britain wrote: "Now Tobermory isn’t exactly a secret, it’s colourful harbour-front having been made famous by the BBC’s children’s series Balamory, which has recently been rebooted and filmed on location, but it is a perfect base for exploring the Isle of Mull and surrounding, much smaller neighbouring islands where it isn’t so easy to stay, like the beautiful Isle of Ulva, the sacred Isle of Iona and the legendary Fingal’s Cave, once home to a giant, so they say."
"It’s also a wonderful place for wildlife spotting, and one of the best places to spot seals and dolphins in all of Scotland. The MacDonald Arms Hotel is right on the seafront and offers a relaxing place to stay, delicious fresh seafood and is conveniently located for exploring the island and hopping on and off ferries."
Second place and the full list
Following behind in second place is Plockton in Wester Ross. Often referred to as the 'jewel of the Highlands', the village is nestled along a secluded bay and offers views out over Loch Carron.
The experts said: "Plockton is perfect for those looking to unwind by a loch with wonderful Highland views, or take part in some Scottish-style water sports like kayaking or paddleboarding on Loch Carron. You can also hop aboard Calum’s Seal Trips for guaranteed seal sightings and finish the evening with a crisp glass of wine and a plate of fresh langoustines at the Plockton Hotel’s pub."
The full list of the nine tiny Scottish towns that look straight out of a storybook perfect for a weekend escape can be found on the Discover Britain website.
