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Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Daily Record
Scots share their 'favourite Scottish towns' and what makes them special
People in Scotland have revealed their top places to live in the country. Scottish people have shared their "favourite Scottish towns". Settlements across the country were praised by locals for their scenery, their food and drink venues, and more. Everywhere in Scotland has its fans and defenders. From the smallest villages to the most bustling cities, every place in the country has something to offer and its locals are more than happy to promote them. One Scot has taken to social media to ask others what their top spot in the country is. Posting on Reddit, they questioned: "What's your favourite Scottish town and why?" Since being shared on Wednesday, May 21, the post has received more than 220 comments. Many Scots were keen to share their ideas for the best towns and villages in the country. One of the top comments reads: "For absolute charm, you can't go wrong with Culross or the East Neuk of Fife." Culross is a historic village and former royal burgh situated in the southwest of Fife. It is considered to be Scotland's most complete example of a 17th and 18th-century burgh. The village is known for the popular Red Lion Inn that serves up a range of real ales and a classic pub-style menu. It also features a pool table and a large TV that shows sports. Another Reddit user replied: "I love Culross, I miss the food at the Red Lion pub." Meanwhile, one Scot suggested: "Aberfeldy was a pretty wee place." A second replied: "It is, that is an awesome village." Aberfeldy is a small market town situated in Highland Perthshire that features popular attractions such as Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery and the Aberfeldy Watermill bookshop and café. It is also home to the picturesque Birks of Aberfeldy woodland walk, which was named after the Robert Burns poem of the same name. Elsewhere, another Reddit user stated that Peebles was their favourite destination in Scotland. They praised the Scottish Borders town for its "good size" and for being within commutable distance of Edinburgh. In response, someone else shared: "Lived in Peebles for two years. "Ace little town. Community was great, and access to mountain biking was good too. Just a bit too far south." Another echoed: "F****** love Peebles. Glad to see it made the list. Got married at Neidpath Castle. And fell in love with the town." Over in the Cairngorms National Park, Aviemore was another town that was named as a favourite. Aviemore is popular for its close proximity to the peaceful lochs, lush forest, dramatic mountains, and even ski runs. The Reddit user posted: "Aviemore. My husband took me there for the first time about 10 years ago and I fell in love with the place. "We've hiked the Bens (Macdui and Braeriach), we've kayaked in Loch Morlich, we've tackled the Chalamain Gap, and we've read our wedding vows to each other, out in the hills. So many great memories of that place." Also within the Cairngorms National Park, another Scot chose Tomintoul as their top settlement in Scotland. Known for being the highest village in the Highlands, located at 354 metres above sea level, Tomintoul is a top destination for outdoor pursuits such as biking and horse riding. One Scot shared: "Tomintoul, lovely wee village, with a shop, a wonderful summer games, and a view." A second agreed: "I was there once and assumed it would be like a ghost town. My friends and I wandered around on our first day and stumbled upon a big biker gathering!" A third posted: "It can vary greatly by season for sure, but I saw a load of bikers go through today. Bonnie start to summer so I'm not surprised they were out enjoying the weather."
The Guardian
20-04-2025
- The Guardian
Castles, causeways and crab sandwiches in Northumberland
1 Craster, a short drive from Alnwick, is a charming fishing village with a rugged coastline, crashing waves and bracing coastal walks. It is also a foodie delight. The Jolly Fisherman ( is ideally placed to enjoy the sea views. In its airy conservatory at the back of the pub, you can tuck into a feast of fresh fish on the daily menu, including crab, North Sea prawns, moules frites, salmon ∧ haddock fishcakes. Outside the pub, you'll notice a distinctive smoky aroma, no surprise as the shop opposite, L Robson & Sons, is home to the kipper, smoking fish on its site since 1856 and now awarded grade 11-II listed status. 2 Chances are that a stay in Northumberland will include rain, which is when Bamburgh Castle ( really comes into its own. Less overrun with tourists than Alnwick, it's also cheaper. Overlooking an epic sweep of beach and perched above the sand dunes, this 900-old castle has 14 rooms to explore, from the medieval kitchen to the Victorian Kings Hall, along with a fascinating history from its Norman origins to the current family living there. 3 Idyllically pretty Warkworth village is the perfect base for exploring the coastline, with a quaint high street, regency cottages and a castle on the hill. It's also a 15-minute walk to a stunning beach. Along this vast, sandy – and surprisingly empty – sweep of coastline you'll find neighbouring Alnmouth, another picturesque village with dunes and grassland overlooking the bay. Head for Main Street with its cosy tearooms and pubs; a local favourite is the mahogany panelled Red Lion Inn, although the fresh crab sandwiches at Bistro 23 are well worth a detour, too ( 4 For something distinctly less quaint, more mysterious and otherworldly, head to Holy Island. The drive across the causeway is reason enough to visit – the narrow strip of land, submerged by sea during high tide, is flat, desolate and eerily beautiful. There's much else besides; the 12th-century Lindisfarne priory, the epicentre of Christianity in Anglo Saxon times, and Lindisfarne castle perched on a rocky plateau. Don't miss Pilgrims Gelato, part of the Oat Kitchen on the main street ( with homemade vegan ice-cream and sorbets well worth the regular queues. 5 Hadrian's Wall stretches 73 miles coast to coast, from the River Tyne in the east to the Solway Firth in the west. Inland, Steel's Rigg near Sycamore Gap, has some of the best views along the wall, including ancient Roman ruins and a glacial lake. For a treat at the end of your walk is the Twice Brewed Inn ( – their Sycamore Gap pale ale and fishfinger sandwiches are highly recommended. 6 Stay at the Old Stables, nestled in the curve of the River Coquet and right next to Warkworth's bucolic church green. It is stylishly restored and converted with exposed brick and double-height kitchen giving it a loft-style feel. (The Old Stables (seven nights from £860, two bedrooms, sleeps four;
