Scottish towns named among the most welcoming in annual travel award

Two Scottish towns have been named among the most welcoming in the UK in a yearly review by the travel site Booking.com.

The two locations were named in this year's Booking.com Traveller Review Awards which recognises travel providers from 220 countries and territories for their commitment to providing excellent service and hospitality.

The two towns featured as the most welcoming in the UK for 2023 were located in Orkney and Perthshire.

SVP and chief marketing officer for Booking.com, Arjan Dijk, said that the award is based on how helpful and nice locals are to Booking.com customers when on their stay.

He said: "These awards are our way of thanking them for their dedication to making everyone feel welcome and to going out of their way to create incredible experiences for our customers.

Google Maps - Two Scottish towns were named among the UK's most welcoming (Image: Google Maps)

"Whether it’s a friendly greeting from a taxi driver at the airport, sharing some local driving tips at the car rental counter or a thoughtful note waiting in the room, our passionate partners help make every trip more special.”

Kirkwall and Pitlochry score highly

The two Scottish towns named among the most welcoming in the UK were Kirkwall, the largest settlement in Orkney, and Pitlochry in Perthshire.

These locations are perfect travel locations with reviewers on Google praising sites like Saint Magnus Cathedral in Orkney, and the Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochry, as must-see destinations while on a trip to these towns.

One reviewer said of Saint Magnus Cathedral: "Stunning Medieval cathedral with an absolutely superb foundation story. Could have spent all afternoon just soaking up the atmosphere. Well worth a visit."

Another praised Blair Athol Distillery for its "excellent staff" and "great products."

A number of other locations were featured across the UK, with towns in areas like Northern Ireland and the north east of England featuring in the UK's top 10.

The UK's 10 most welcoming towns according to Booking.com 

Here are the friendliest UK towns according to Booking.com: 

1. Kirkwall, Scotland 
2. Newcastle, County Down
3. Newry, County Down 
4. Enniskillen, County Fermanagh
5. Pitlochry, Perthshire
6. Ballycastle, County Antrim 
7. Glastonbury, Somerset
8. Stamford, Lincolnshire 
9. Frome, Somerset
10. Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire

This list forms part of Booking.com's 11th annual Traveller Review Awards.