So, if you’ve read any of my other posts, you’ll know that I spent hours upon hours creating the most epic Scotland travel itinerary for me and my husband. TWICE. My husband is huge on NO CROWDS and I can take them or leave them. So, it was in my best interest to choose some places to visit off the beaten path so the trip could be enjoyable for the both of us! Here is a breakdown of 5 must see Scotland sights OFF THE BEATEN PATH!

1. Devil’s Pulpit

Situated between Glasgow and Glencoe, this spot was a no brainer on our way from Edinburgh to Fort William. We literally parked on the side of the road and saw a little worn trail and knew that must be the spot (there were a couple of other cars along the road that were a good indicator as well). We followed the trail and heard running water. Continuing along the trail, we came to the top of the STEEP crevasse that leads down to Devil’s Pulpit. It’s pretty much a one way path so if someone is coming up, just wait for your turn at the top.

Make sure you wear shoes with tread, as it can be muddy and the rocks can be slippery. Waterproof is even better, especially if you want to cross the water to get the best pictures. About halfway down, there are stairs, so that’s helpful. At the bottom, you will see the Devil’s Pulpit in all of its glory. It really is magnificent. It’s not a stop over, depending on how long you want to take in the scenery once you read the bottom. I’m really glad we made time for this short stop on our second trip to Scotland!

2. Fairy Pools

I will preface this by saying, if you aren’t a fan of waterfalls, you may want to skip this one. I, for one, am EXTREMELY fond of waterfalls. If I see 30 of them, I’m still excited to see 30 more. Something about the natural rush of water and how if flows over rocks is magical to me. Okay, now that I’ve prefaced with that, the Fairy Pools are a must see for all waterfall lovers. I will say that it’s not a short walk. It’s not particularly hard, just not short. There is a car park (parking lot for those who live in the USA) that you have to pay for at the kiosk. There are also bathrooms, which is a PLUS. If you haven’t been to Scotland, you always take advantage of bathrooms when you have access to one.

Back to the Fairy Pools… We went on a drizzly, windy day, so our pictures turned out a lot different than if it had been a clear day with sunshine. However, it was gorgeous, nonetheless. There were quite a few people, but because there are waterfalls all along the open path, it didn’t feel crowded. We didn’t even go up to the top of the path and I don’t even know if it ends or if it continues through the mountains. We went as far as we wanted, turned around, and walked back. It was a nice walk to get out of the car and stretch our legs as we were on a 3-hour journey from Fort William to the Isle of Skye. Again, I highly recommend this spot for the waterfall lovers!

3. The Pink House

I really wanted to see this on our first trip to Scotland, but we didn’t drive to this part of Scotland the first go around. So, when I was creating our itinerary for the second trip, I knew I had to include it. First off, it is a hike to get there. Not a rugged hike, just about a 45-minute leisurely walk. But talk about secluded. It is situated down a long path, alongside Loch Glass. We passed one couple and there were 3 people down by the water when we got there, and they left before we did so we had the place all to ourselves. I like oddities and this one fit the bill quite nicely.

To get there, you’ll need to park at a little parking area to the right. Then, continue to walk down the road you were on and come to the beautiful Eileanach Lodge. Just go through the gate and keep walking. You’ll want to take the path to the right. Eventually you’ll get to a place that has hogs penned up to the left. By this time, you should see the Pink House in the distance.

I don’t want to spoil it, but definitely get up close to notice the bottom “windows”. Honestly, I don’t even know the story behind this house. That’ll be a rabbit hole I save for another day. I just know I got some stunning and FUN photos and checked this one off my Scotland bucket list!

4. The Hermitage

Located in Dunkeld, we were recommended this scenic gem by one of the locals. Dunkeld itself is a quaint little town that shouldn’t be missed. The Hermitage includes a riverside path that leads to a waterfall through these open doors. If you love the smells of Christmas, you will absolutely fall in love with this forest walk. The smell is better than any candle or fragrance you can imagine. You instantly feel clean, refreshed, and full of nostalgia during your walk.

The waterfall at the end is loud and fantastic. We ran into a group of elderly ladies from England and took turns taking our pictures. Along the river path you will see cairns and be able to step into the river if you’d like. It was a welcome walk before we headed out on the next leg of our journey.

5. Newburgh Seal Beach

Located a short drive from Aberdeen, Seal Beach is quite the spectacle for marine animal lovers. We arrived around 8pm and parked in the paid car park. One other car was there, so we had the place to ourselves. I imagine it can get pretty crowded when the seals are sunning on the beach during the day. However, we were still able to see a large amount of seals. Instead of sunning, they were floating in the current, back and forth, popping their heads in and out and curiously checking us out. They got pretty close, which was a really neat experience. From the shore, we were able to see young seals, large male seals, and everything in between. They were very playful with each other and put on a good show.

There is an overturned wooden boat, which made for some pretty neat photos. I could have stayed there for hours just watching the seals float back and forth effortlessly. I’m glad we didn’t overlook this spot and made the drive, despite the late arrival.

There are so many other sights to see off the beaten path, but these stand out in my memory most. So, if you enjoy being outdoors with less crowds, be sure to add these into your dreamy Scotland itinerary. You won’t be disappointed!