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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
From foodie favourites to culture hotspots – the best cities in Scotland to visit this year
Scroll down to find out the top spots in Scotland CITY LIFE From foodie favourites to culture hotspots – the best cities in Scotland to visit this year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE top five best cities to visit in Scotland this year have been revealed. A new study, commissioned by travel gurus LNER, has ranked destinations across five key categories: family-friendly, outdoor experiences, food, culture, and sustainability. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Scotland's top five cities to visit have been revealed Credit: Alamy The comprehensive report analysed 71 towns and cities across the UK, pulling data from a whole host of trusted sources including the Met Office and the MICHELIN Guide. Each city was then scored out of 100 to reveal the ultimate champions. Falkirk was hailed as the most family-friendly city. It boasts the highest number of child-friendly activities per capita, great green spaces and top family friendly hotels. There are plenty of attractions including The Kelpies, The Falkirk Wheel and Kinneil Railway. If you love the great outdoors, head to Inverness. It's packed with 173 walking trails per 100 people, boasts top-ranked nature reserves and soaks up a whopping 1,250 sunshine hours While Edinburgh was named the foodie heaven. The capital city is home to 26 MICHELIN Guide recommended restaurants and a staggering 1,882 dining options. Stirling reigns supreme for culture. Stunning Scots hotel with jaw-dropping views and spa, right in the city centre The historic city has the highest number of bookshops per person, seven museums and a buzzing art and music scene. Lastly, Aberdeen takes the crown for sustainability. The Granite City boasts Scotland's cleanest air, a fantastic range of eco-friendly hotels and loads of great vegan and thrift shopping options. David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: 'When you're choosing where to go, it's not always easy to know what a city is really best at—especially if you're trying to plan something special. "This research helps take out the guesswork and shows what different places have to offer. "We hope this guide helps people make more informed choices, whether they're planning a day trip or a longer summer break. There are so many brilliant destinations on our route, and this is just one more way to celebrate them.'
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Scotsman
Stirling: The surprising Scottish city named the best for culture with highest number of bookshops per capita
The study, by LNER, analysed the number of museums, theatres, historic sites, UNESCO listings, art and music events and bookshops Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It is home to seven museums and the iconic Wallace Monument, alongside thriving arts venues including The Albert Halls and the Tolbooth, which hosts live music, theatre, and comedy. Now Stirling has been named the best Scottish city for culture with the highest number of bookshops per head, one of the highest volumes of art and music events per capita and a string of "diverse and high-quality museums". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The study, commissioned by train company LNER, analysed 71 towns and cities across England and Scotland across five travel themes: family-friendly, sustainability, culture, outdoor experiences, and food. It praised Stirling for its 'walkable' size, as well as its 'fairytale skyline and deep historical roots'. David Flesher, commercial director at LNER, said: 'When you're choosing where to go, it's not always easy to know what a city is really best at — especially if you're trying to plan something special. This research helps take out the guesswork and shows what different places have to offer. 'We hope this guide helps people make more informed choices, whether they're planning a day trip or a longer summer break. There are so many brilliant destinations on our route, and this is just one more way to celebrate them.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish city named the best for culture. | stirling Drawing on data from sources such as the Theatres Trust, Companies House and Unesco, the study considered a wide range of factors, including the number of museums, theatres, historic sites, Unesco listings, art and music events and bookshops. All data points were then adjusted for population and weighted to produce a final ranking out of 100. Historic university city Cambridge won the culture accolade in England. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The other accolade winners Separately, Aberdeen was named the best in Scotland for sustainability, Falkirk was named most family-friendly, while Edinburgh was the best for foodies and Inverness was ranked first for the outdoors. The study said: 'From ancient landmarks to cutting-edge exhibitions, the UK is full of places that celebrate culture in all its forms. Whether you're into theatre, literature, live music, or wandering around world-class museums, the best cultural destinations offer something to spark every imagination.' It said Stirling, which is home to annual crime writing festival Bloody Scotland, was 'mighty' in terms of cultural impact. The report said: 'With its fairytale skyline and deep historical roots, Stirling is a city where Scotland's story comes vividly to life. It may be small in size, but it's mighty when it comes to cultural impact. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'With one of the highest numbers of museums, bookshops, historic sites and events per capita in Scotland, this historic city is a cultural powerhouse packed into a walkable, picturesque setting.'
Daily Record
15-06-2025
- Daily Record
Scottish town with unique attractions named country's top spot for family travel
Falkirk has been named Scotland's top family destination in a new LNER study of 71 UK towns and cities Falkirk has been named the best place to visit in Scotland for families, topping a new league table compiled by rail operator LNER. The central belt town clinched the top spot based on its unbeatable offering of kid-friendly activities, green spaces and family-focused accommodation. The research, which examined 71 towns and cities across Scotland and England, analysed destinations across five categories: family-friendliness, sustainability, culture, outdoor experiences and food. Each location was scored out of 100, with data drawn from sources such as the Office for National Statistics, Yelp, and All figures were adjusted for population and weighted to ensure a fair comparison. Falkirk outshone other Scottish destinations for families thanks to an impressive 511 kid-friendly activities, more per capita than anywhere else in the country. The town is also home to 11 public parks and themed attractions, giving it one of the highest concentrations of green space designed with families in mind. Accommodation options scored highly too, with Falkirk boasting 159 family-friendly hotels per 100,000 people, the top result in Scotland. Dining out is also made easier, with a wide selection of child-friendly restaurants available for visiting families. David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: 'When you're choosing where to go, it's not always easy to know what a city is really best at, especially if you're trying to plan something special. This research helps take out the guesswork and shows what different places have to offer. 'We hope this guide helps people make more informed choices, whether they're planning a day trip or a longer summer break. There are so many brilliant destinations on our route, and this is just one more way to celebrate them.' The study also spotlighted standout destinations in other travel categories across Scotland. Aberdeen was recognised as the country's most sustainable destination. The coastal city earned praise for its clean air, ranking lowest for air pollution, and a high number of second-hand shops per capita. It also boasts walkable streets and a compact layout ideal for low-impact tourism. Stirling, meanwhile, was hailed as Scotland's cultural gem. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Despite its small size, it punches well above its weight in cultural offerings, with a high number of museums, bookshops, historic sites and events. Nature lovers were pointed toward Inverness, which was named Scotland's best outdoor destination. Nestled between the Highlands and the famous Loch Ness, the city offers hiking, wildlife spotting, and even dolphin sightings in the nearby Moray Firth. And when it comes to food, it was no surprise that Edinburgh topped the charts. The capital was praised for its vibrant culinary scene, including the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Scotland and recognition from the Good Food Guide as the 'Most Exciting Food Destination of 2025'. Category England Winner Scotland Winner Family-Friendly York Falkirk Outdoor York Inverness Foodie Brighton Edinburgh Culture Cambridge Stirling Sustainability Aberdeen
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Quiet Scottish city named 'cultural powerhouse' - and it's a must-visit for bookworms
Stirling has been named as Scotland's best city for culture, according to new research - and it's a must-visit for bookworms and history buffs alike Stirling has been hailed as Scotland's cultural capital, according to recent research. A study commissioned by rail company LNER revealed that the city offers the most enriching cultural experiences for visitors. The research scrutinised 71 towns and cities across Scotland and England, focusing on five travel themes – family-friendly, sustainability, culture, outdoor experiences, and food. Relying on data from reputable sources such as the Theatres Trust, Companies House and UNESCO, it took into account a broad spectrum of factors - including the number of museums, theatres, historic sites, UNESCO listings, art and music events, and even bookshops. All data points were then adjusted for population size and weighted to generate a final score out of 100. One top city in England and one in Scotland were selected for each travel theme. Stirling was bestowed with the title of Scotland's 'culture capital', sharing the honour with its English counterpart, Cambridge. The findings showed that Stirling boasts the highest number of bookshops per capita in Scotland – with 16.5 per 100,000 people. It also hosts an impressive volume of art (84) and music (58) events per capita. Lastly, the city's seven diverse and high-quality museums – encompassing history and the arts, with standout venues like the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum – clinched the accolade. LNER has proclaimed Stirling as the leading cultural destination, stating: "With its fairytale skyline and deep historical roots, Stirling is a city where Scotland's story comes vividly to life." The company praised the city's size compared to its cultural influence noting: "It may be small in size, but it's mighty when it comes to cultural impact. With one of the highest numbers of museums, bookshops, historic sites and events per capita in Scotland, this historic city is a cultural powerhouse packed into a walkable, picturesque setting." LNER's Commercial Director, David Flesher, commented on the city offerings by saying: "When you're choosing where to go, it's not always easy to know what a city is really best at-especially if you're trying to plan something special. This research helps take out the guesswork and shows what different places have to offer." He further expressed his hopes that their guide would aid travellers in decision-making: "We hope this guide helps people make more informed choices, whether they're planning a day trip or a longer summer break. There are so many brilliant destinations on our route, and this is just one more way to celebrate them." Meanwhile, nearby Falkirk sealed the title of ' best destination for families', with LNER adding: "Nestled between Glasgow and Edinburgh, Falkirk is a lesser-known Scottish gem that's brimming with outdoor adventure, striking landmarks and family-friendly fun." Elsewhere in Scotland, Aberdeen secured the title of 'best destination for sustainability'. Inverness was named the 'best destination for outdoor enthusiast'. Edinburgh won the award for 'best destination for foodies'.
