Hi adventurers! Welcome back to Faraway Fable. Scotland is where I found my love for the arts, finding theatre, music, and dance surrounding me in full bloom at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. From the festival to my favorite historical spots, here’s a guide to the top destinations to add to your Scotland itinerary.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
I cannot say enough about the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as it is where I first found my passion for the performing arts. Held in Edinburgh every year, typically in August, the Fringe Festival celebrates the arts in its grandest form, with artists and performers from all around the globe taking the stage for a month of festivities. The Fringe Festival is described as “one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet” … as “the world’s greatest platform for creative freedom” (Edinburgh Fringe, 2025).
My family and I went to the Fringe in August of 2009, and I remember walking through the streets of Edinburgh, a performer around every corner and a different show in every theater. Some of my favorite performers were Clanadonia, a Scottish drum and pipe band, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. If you’re a fan of music, of theatre, and all things art and pop culture, the Fringe festival is an experience you have to have at least once in your life time!
William Wallace Statue
Braveheart fans anyone? If you’ve seen the film, or know a little about Scottish history, you’ll recognize the name William Wallace as the leader of the Scottish rebellion against Edward I. An integral figure in the fight for Scottish independence, William Wallace is seen as a hero in the land of lochs and thus has a statue to honor his legacy. Located in Dryburgh, the statue stands at twenty-one feet tall, elevated on a pillar. Carved out of striking red sandstone, the statue was created by John Smith of Danick in 1814.
Loch Ness
We’ve all heard of the Loch Ness monster and its terrifying legends. Though I didn’t spot Nessie last time I visited, the loch in itself is breathtaking enough to make a visit. Situated in the Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness is the second largest loch in Scotland at about twenty-two miles long. A three and a half hour drive away from the city of Edinburgh, you’ll need to make sure you have a rental car or train ticket to get you to the loch, and though it may seem a ways out, the trip is worth it in every way. While you’re visiting, some of the top sights to see include the ruins of Urquhart Castle, the quaint postcard perfect town of Fort Augustus, and Farigaig Forest.
If you’re looking for a little added adventure, consider making the short drive to Plodda Falls, one of the hidden gems of the Scottish highlands.
Mary King’s Close
This next adventure is an important yet grim spotlight of Scotland’s history. A glimpse into the plague of 1645 and the lives of residents who worked, lived, and died beneath the city, Mary King’s Close is certainly not an attraction for the whole family but is a journey worth visiting to understand the depth of Edinburgh’s dark past of the underground town. As you visit, you journey through the streets of the Royal Mile with insight into the secrets of 17th century medicine, the story behind a mysterious room of dolls in Annie’s Room, and more about the life of some of the close’s residents.
Greyfriars Bobby Statue
On the streets of Edinburgh, there stands a statue of an adorable Skye Terrier by the name of Bobby. Legend states that Bobby was so loyal to his owner that, after his passing, he remained by his grave site every day. Even in horrid weather, even when the caretakers tried to move him from the cemetery, Bobby remained. In fact, Bobby put up so much of a fight to stay by his owner’s side that eventually a shelter was built for Bobby by the grave (Johnson, n.d.).
To witness the legend of Bobby the Skye Terrier, consider stopping by the junction of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Row in Edinburgh to visit Greyfriars Bobby’s statue.
Scottish Highlands
Though if you visit Loch Ness, you’ll have stepped into the Scottish highlands already, I had to give a shout out to the highlands all on their own. Aside from the loch, there are countless castles to visit through the highlands region including Inverness Castle, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle, and more. However, if castles aren’t your thing, don’t worry. There’s still much to do.
If you’re an adventurer who loves to immerse themselves in the outdoors, consider visiting the Isle of Skye. On the island, one of the most famous activities is visiting the Fairy Pools, stunning for their crystal clear falls painted with the backdrop of the highland mountains behind. You can also visit the Old Man of Storr, a hill famed for its sharp rock projections, and the iconic Fairy Bridge.
National Wallace Monument
The last item on the list again celebrates the Scottish revolutionary hero William Wallace. Located in Stirling, the National Wallace Monument was constructed in 1869 to honor Wallace’s triumphant win at The Battle of Stirling Bridge.
Thank you so much for reading today’s blog, I hope you enjoyed a look at some of my favorite adventures in Scotland! If you have any questions about any of the adventures mentioned today, let me know in the travel questions form. Have any recommendations on where I should travel next? Let me know in the recommend an adventure form.
