If you're a Harry Potter fan then this is definitely the place for you! Be sure to visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct either in the morning or afternoon to see the Jacobite steam train (aka Hogwarts Express) pass over. Check out the train times online in advance to be sure not to miss it.

This stunning mountain range is located on the northern coast of the Isle of Skye. It's a fairly easy 45 minute walk along the lower ridge path, from the car park to below the 'Needle'. If you're feeling more adventurous then I'd recommend climbing up to beyond the Needle for stunning views. If you have more time to spare then continue on the walk which takes you up onto the ridge and loops back round to the car park ‑ you'd need to allow around 4‑5 hours to do the full loop.

Head to Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire for complete fairy-tale vibes... In fact, this beautiful pink castle is rumoured to be the inspiration for Walt Disney's Cinderella castle!

Access of the castle is by guided tours only. And no artificial light has been installed on the upper floors, so you can view all the original artefacts just by natural light! The grounds are open daily all year round, and there are a couple of woodland walks accessible from the castle as well.

Check out our guide to visiting the Pink Castle of Scotland - Craigievar Castle:

Another one of my hiking favourites ‑ the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye!
Alike the Quiraing this is a popular place, so head here early in the morning to guarantee getting a parking space. It's about a 1 hour steep walk up to the needles. If you carry onto the right then there's also a good point for views back down and across to the Needles.

Enjoy this stunning waterfall from both below as well as above from Loch na Gainmhich. If you're driving the North Coast (NC) 500 route around Scotland then you'll pass by this place. There's a place to pull in and park by the bottom of the stream from the waterfall. It's then about a 15 minute walk into the cliff side to reach the bottom of the waterfall.

On the East Coast of Scotland, just south of Aberdeen, sits Dunnottar Castle. This medieval cliff top fortress is like something out of Game of Thrones! If you're looking for a cheap place to visit, it has a free car park and you can also walk along the coastal path for free. There's a paid admission to enter into the castle ruins.

Check out my full guide to visiting Dunnottar Castle:

Located in the Moffat Hills, about 1 hours drive south from Edinburgh, is the Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve. Its home to a stunning 60metre waterfall which runs down the hillside from Loch Skeen. It's about a 45 minute hike up to the loch from the car park at the bottom of the valley.

Another great place to spot on the NC500, and just a 5 minute drive from the Wailing Widow Falls, is the Kylesku Bridge! The views over the loch to the mountains has definite Norwegian fjord vibes.

The Balmoral Cairns is a series of 11 mounds of stones, located on the Balmoral Estate in the Cairngorms National Park. They were built by the Royal Family as memorials, with this pyramid being the largest. It's a short but steep walk up through woodlands to Prince Albert's Cairn.

Note: The full Balmoral Cairns walk is closed throughout August and September, but the walk just to Albert's pyramid is still open.

Check out my guide to visiting the Balmoral Cairns and Prince Albert's Cairn: