There’s bound to be an epidemic of fear of missing out (FOMO) spreading across the country this summer, as Twitter and Instagram feeds become swamped with pictures of friends and family enjoying themselves on their summer holidays.
For those who are looking for somewhere different to explore, rather than sailing around St Tropez or getting away to the Galapagos, they need look no further. VisitScotland has revealed a list of the top places closer to home where you too can give your friends holiday envy, without even leaving the country, in a newly commissioned list of ‘Top 10 Scottish staycation spots to rival Instagram’s hotspots’.
Whether you’re interested in a walking holiday that trumps the Peruvian Andes, a beach to beat a sandy Greek Island coast, or some ‘scandi style architecture’ to admire, Scotland really does have something for everyone on Britain’s doorstep, but not many Brits have discovered them yet.
The list consists of 10 different locations right across Scotland – from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway – that bear an uncanny resemblance to iconic international destinations. For travellers visiting any of these locations, their followers will be desperate to know which exotic spot they’re in and travellers can be all the more smug when it’s revealed it’s only a train ride away.
Scottish location |
Abroad location |
Glen Coe, Highlands | Rainbow Mountain, Peru |
Iona, Inner Hebrides | Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece |
Seilebost, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides | Chaweng, Koh Samui, Thailand |
The Shore in Leith, Edinburgh | Copenhagen, Denmark |
Northern Lights, Shetland | Northern Lights in Arctic Norway |
The SECC, Glasgow | Sydney Opera House, Australia |
Ramsay Gardens, Edinburgh | Vienna Old Town, Austria |
Logan Botanic Garden, Dumfries & Galloway | Mandore Gardens, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India |
The Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye | Kirkjufellsfoss, Iceland |
Smoo Cave, Durness | Blue Cave, Croatia |