Royal Deeside, a scenic region in Aberdeenshire, has been crowned the most beautiful place in Scotland by The Sunday Times. The newspaper praised the area for its numerous castles, stately homes, and charming villages and towns.
Top Ranking in Scotland's Most Beautiful Places List
On Tuesday, July 7, The Sunday Times released a list of 17 of the most picturesque locations across Scotland, encompassing both cities and rural destinations. Royal Deeside secured the top spot, followed by the island of Iona in the Inner Hebrides in second place.
Royal Deeside comprises the area around the River Dee, with a large section overlapping the Cairngorms National Park. It includes popular settlements such as Banchory, Braemar, and Ballater, all renowned for their magnificent scenery and breathtaking walking trails.
Historic Castles and Royal Connections
The region is home to hundreds of historic castles dating back centuries, including Iron Age hillforts, ancient ruins, and fortresses. Notably, Balmoral Castle, the royal family's holiday home since 1852, is located in Royal Deeside.
The Sunday Times wrote: "Royal Deeside runs for some 40 miles along the languorous River Dee, stitching together the three Bs—Braemar, Ballater and Banchory—with another, Balmoral, en route. It’s an abundant land, dotted with castles and stately homes—260 in Aberdeenshire alone—many of which are elegant hotels."
The newspaper added: "These oases of refinement come at a density you’d never get on the west coast, reflecting the fact that from Queen Victoria onwards, the royal family has holidayed in Balmoral Castle every year."
Second Place: Iona
Iona, a tiny island off the southwest coast of Mull, came second on the list. Home to around 170 permanent residents, Iona is one of Europe's oldest religious centres and is considered the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. Iona Abbey was founded by St Columba in 563. The Sunday Times also highlighted the White Strand of the Monks, a beauty spot where Viking raiders massacred resident monks.
The newspaper noted: "There is a deeply spiritual aura to this little green chip of land that lies off the southwestern corner of the island of Mull. Iona has been a place of pilgrimage ever since St Columba arrived in AD563 and today pilgrims step off the ferry and weave their way to Iona Abbey."
Knoydart Peninsula Featured
The remote Knoydart peninsula in the Scottish Highlands also made the list. Nestled between Loch Nevis and Loch Hourn, it covers approximately 55,000 acres. The Sunday Times highlighted The Old Forge pub, the most remote pub on mainland Britain, accessible only by boat or a 30-mile hike through the Highlands.
For the full list of the 17 most beautiful places in Scotland, visit The Sunday Times website.
