With thousands of people travelling to Scotland every year and tourism across the country beginning to rise once again and hopefully heading back to pre-pandemic levels, people will be looking for the best places to stay, visit and eat while they are here.
Thankfully, that's where the review site TripAdvisor comes in. Not just useful for finding out what people think about their visits to attractions across the country, or how they fared in restaurants, it's also very helpful for finding the best places to go while you are here as high ratings mean better service, quality of food and experience while you are there.
With that in mind, the site has put together a list of the best places to go, stay and eat while you are in Scotland this year.
A post on TripAdvisor said: "Want to trace the footsteps of royalty and clansmen at Edinburgh Castle? Discover the off-the-beaten-track beauty or chat with the locals over a whisky or three in the Highlands? Whether its ancient history, modern art or just the most mouth-watering local cuisine you’re looking for, you can experience them all in Scotland."
Read more: Angry tourist reviews label Scotland's best attractions as 'one star' and 'disappointing'
The best places to eat
Etive Restaurant, Oban
With zero poor or terrible reviews, and over 260 excellent ones (out of 301 in total), this magical restaurant in Oban must be doing something right. So much so that it's even been featured on the Michelin Guide.
Kelz175 wrote: "Have been to Etive prob 30 odd times! Me and my husband just love Etive…"
While 227GrantH added that it was a "once in a lifetime meal": "If you are looking for a fantastic dinner in Oban, there is no question that Etive Restaurant is the place you need to go. We stopped here for the first night of our honeymoon and had one of the best meals in our entire lives!"
Gidi Grill, Dundee
This popular grill restaurant in the City of Discovery was a big hit for its use of delicious sauces from all over the world cooked over a Josper charcoal grill.
D0negal1888 said: "Great atmosphere on a busy Sunday evening. We had a table of 6 my pork belly starter was amazing and my Mac and cheese was the best ever. All our group loved the food with the prawns and hake been a real winner."
Marion M added: "Excellent range of food on offer. The Ital vegetable stew was amazing... lots of varied vegetables with plantains ( there is a choice of accompaniments) great flavours! Pork belly was also great. Deserts were unusual in their flavours, Highly recommended."
The best places to go
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh
Arthur's Seat, in Edinburgh's ever-popular Holyrood Park, is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to the capital as many people visiting will be surprised to find such a stunning walk with spectacular views out over the capital.
Gina D said: "This is a moderately difficult hike but is well marked. We went a little before sunset and the view of Edinburgh was amazing! This is a must-do in Edinburgh!"
Jesse from Arizona added: "Fun hike, not too far but a very rewarding time. We had a blast without going too far out of town."
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is Scotland's most visited free attraction, with 22 themed, state-of-the-art galleries displaying an astonishing 8000 objects.
SWilson10 said: "This is a wonderful museum, beginning with the building's architecture and continuing throughout the museum. It is easy to navigate inside and like the outside, is s lovely piece of architecture.
"The exhibits are interesting and varied. Another thing we enjoyed is that it’s not too big, you can do a quick walkthrough in about 2 hours."
Ruth Hall agreed: "We loved this place. Great exhibitions and the building itself is beautiful. Easy to get to from central Glasgow as you can get the Tube."
The best places to stay
Myrtle Bank Guest House, Fort William
A hugely popular tourist destination, Fort William acts as a gateway to Ben Nevis and is surrounded by spectacular scenery such as the beautiful Loch Linnhe, and Glen Nevis where you'll find the breathtaking Steall Falls.
And if you are looking for the ideal place to stay then TripAdvisor reviewers recommend the Myrtle Bank Guest House.
Karen L wrote: "Beautifully furnished rooms and lovely breakfast. We had a room with a side door to the garden - so delightful. Dora recommended an afternoon boat trip on Loch Linne which was a highlight of our visit to Fort William. (The distance from the train is walkable but the cobbles may be a bit hard on rolling wheels)."
While Rick M added: "We had a wonderful stay at Myrtle Bank. Room was beautiful, the view was beautiful, the welcome was wonderful as was the breakfast."
The Fingal, Edinburgh
Fingal, the sister ship to the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was opened in January 2019 and can be found in the historic Port of Leith was recently voted the best hotel in Edinburgh, by TripAdvisor and it's easy to see why.
Sweder wrote that the Fingal’s crew are its Hidden Gem: "What a fabulous place! Location, situation, decor. Fingal offers the very best of all these in the area. Like all great travel experiences, though, it’s the people who make the real difference.
"From the staff member who enticed me to take breakfast albeit it 5 minutes after service, or the receptionist who helped us track down the source of the wooden fish in our room, to the crew member who made sure we visited the astonishing engine room display before we disembarked. We’re grateful to each and every one.
"The room was delightful, the food delicious. We were made to feel welcome, warm, looked after and special."
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