Isle of Harris is one of the best places to visit, says Skyscanner

The list was put together by travel writer Jemma Porter, who says while everyone knows Edinburgh, Skye and Loch Ness are some of the best places to visit in Scotland, she wanted to take the opportunity to highlight a few gems.

From beaches that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean, to recently revived cities brimming with culture, Jemma highlights six destinations thet should feature on a tourist’s hit list.

Describing the Isle of Harris, she says: “White sands and turquoise waters might not be what you expect from the Scottish coast, but that’s exactly what you get on the beaches of Harris.

“But while the west coast beaches of Luskentyre, Horgabost and Seilebost look utterly tropical, it’s a different story on the east.

“This is a land of rugged rocks and mountains, scattered with purple heather and deep blue lochs.

“It’s worth hiring a car just to drive around and take in the scenery – as well as the infamously tricky Golden Road from The Bays to Tarbert.”

Jemma’s review then talks about the delights of Tarbert, describing it as the place to go if you are in the mood for souvenir shopping.

She adds: “This is where the official Harris Tweed shop is, and you’ll find lots of beautiful pieces made from the fabric that the island is famous for. Or, for a taste of the islands, snap up a bottle of gin from the recently opened Isle of Harris distillery. The spirit is infused with local botanicals like sugar kelp, while the distillery’s first whisky is still in barrels waiting to age.

“Tarbert is also where the main ferry terminal is so you can quickly pop back to the mainland, over to Lewis or go puffin spotting in the Shiant islands.”

Also included in the list of the six best places to visit are Stirling, Ullapool, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, St Abbs in Berwickshire and Dundee.