THREE destinations in Scotland have been named as some of the best places to visit in the UK.
Glasgow, Edinburgh and Orkney made the list by Time Out as some of the top villages, towns or cities in the UK for a day trip or longer visit next year – with two cracking the top 10.
Time Out - the global media and hospitality brand which helps people explore the best of each city - curated the Best Places in the UK to Visit in 2023 list which features Glasgow at number six, Edinburgh at number nine and Orkney at number 12.
Time Out’s team of UK experts selected all of the locations on the list based on specific events happening next year as well as their "individuality and community feel".
Glasgow
Glasgow Film Festival in March is highlighted as a key reason to visit the city in 2023 alongside its vegan food scene, independent shops and nightlife.
The website lauded Scotland's largest city as a "mecca of electronic dance music".
Time Out noted venues such as Barrowlands Ballroom, SWG3, Sub Club and La Cheetah as particular favourites.
Among the top vegan eateries it listed Mono, Sylvan and The Glad Cafe.
Meanwhile, the newly refurbished Burrell Collection and Pollok Country Park were put among the top cultural treasuries.
And for a bit of everything, from fine dining to boutique shopping, great pubs and basement gigs, all in one short stretch, visitors are encouraged to hit Great Western Road in the West End, named the coolest street in the UK by Time Out this year.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh, which was named Time Out’s Best City in the World 2022, came in at number nine on the list of Best Places in the UK to Visit in 2023.
The Scottish capital is singled out for its overall beauty, trendy independent shops in suburbs like Stockbridge and new hotel openings.
Time Out’s experts encourage people to try its lesser-known events than the Fringe such as the city’s late July Jazz and Blues Festival.
Among its top attractions are Arthur’s Seat, where visitors can take in spectacular views of the city’s skyline and the sea over to Fife.
As well as that, travellers can try great coffee from shop Artisan Roast, a tasty sandwich from Leith's Alby’s or seafood at Fishers.
For nightlife, the outlet highly recommends pub and venue Sneaky Pete's.
Orkney
2023 is seen as a big year for Orkney due to the twice-weekly flights starting in April from London to its main town on Mainland, Kirkwall, which will make it easier to visit the archipelago.
Time Out noted the area's 5000-year-old Neolithic site, the Ness of Brodgar, which will open between July 5 and August 17.
The prehistoric village of Skara Brae is also highlighted, as is the Orkney Distillery and the lively and welcoming local music scene.
Travellers are told not to miss the world-famous Ring of Brodgar standing stones and the ornate Italian Chapel.
Highlights include Archive Coffee in Kirkwall, the Orkney Distillery for their Kirkjuvagr gin tasting and the beautiful hills towards the Old Man sea stack.
Huw Oliver, Time Out’s UK editor, explained why the places on the list made the cut: “Rather than the usual hotspots, we want to highlight places, which are often ridiculously underrated or even unknown to people as travel destinations.
“In all of the places on the list, you will find interesting things to see and do and eat and drink during the day and night, a friendly welcome and a community spirit which enables you to connect with locals and really get to know a place.
“We recommend that you definitely put one or more of these destinations on your travel list for next year.
“In addition, it was also taken into consideration for the ranking whether there are also lots of new things to get excited about in the coming year in the chosen places such as new hotels, restaurants, museums or events to put on people’s calendars for 2023."
The full list of Time Out’s Best Places to Visit in the UK in 2023 is:
1. Eastbourne
2. Birmingham
3. Cardigan
4. Manchester
5. Scarborough
6. Glasgow
7. Dorset
8. London
9. Edinburgh
10. Liverpool
11. Padstow
12. Orkney
13. Margate
14. Sheffield
15. Cheshire
For an in-depth guide to the best cities in the UK to visit in 2023, head to Time Out's full guide here
