Beautiful Villages in Scotland: A guide for homebuyers
There is a plethora of beautiful villages in Scotland that offer unparalleled natural beauty and hold great appeal for homebuyers.
Across Scotland’s remarkably diverse landscape, there are charming villages that offer an idyllic way of life.
From the rugged beauty of the Highlands to the tidy stone cottages of the southern counties, these rural areas provide buyers unique opportunities to own a piece of Scottish history amidst communities that embody the country’s renowned warmth.
Here, we take a look at just some of the beautiful villages in Scotland.
Plockton
With its palm trees and lush gardens lining Loch Carron, Plockton’s mild climate belies its Highland location. This tranquil village offers a variety of homes from quaint terraced cottages on backstreets to Victorian waterfront villas.
Plockton Primary School is well regarded in the village and there are waterfront playgrounds and nearby seal watching to entertain. The National Trust protected Duich Woods provides green walking trails just outside town.
Inverness is only an hour’s drive east and a rail link lies just 13 miles away for urban excursions. Plockton epitomises storybook Scottish coastal beauty. Homebuyers desiring rugged vistas along with a nurturing community need look no further.
Culross
The next of our beautiful villages in Scotland is Culross. Nestled on the shores of the Firth of Forth just 30 minutes from Edinburgh, Culross exudes old-world Scottish charm.
This pretty village with Its winding lanes and meticulously maintained 16th-17th century cottages transports you back in time, while the addition of a newly built marina, charming places to eat like Bessie’s Cafe, and local shops provide contemporary comforts.
Property styles range from quaint whitewashed terraced cottages to more spacious detached homes featuring gorgeous hillside views.
With Culross Primary School and public transport links, amenities tick all the boxes for families, while nearby golf courses and idyllic woodland trails offer recreation galore.
The dramatic hillsides sweeping down to the sea create a picture postcard scene of tranquillity. Yet residents aren’t isolated — larger towns and cities are readily accessible via rail and motorway. Culturally rich while close to urban conveniences, Culross nets the best of both worlds.
St Abbs
Perched on cliffs above the North Sea, the fishing village of St Abbs offers homebuyers stellar coastal views along with a tight-knit community. Clustered behind the harbour, stone and slate cottages give way to more modern homes on the outskirts.
With well-regarded schools and secondary options, just a short bus ride away in Berwick-upon-Tweed. For cosmopolitan offerings, Edinburgh sits an hour south by rail. Nature lovers can relish in two National Nature Reserves with spectacular seabird colonies and wildlife.
The newly opened St Abbs Market Café and renovated Visitor Centre turn this once sleepy village into a budding local food destination.
Homebuyers seeking clean air, ocean vistas, and hillside rambles need look no further than this secluded coastal hamlet.
The village is conveniently connected to urban amenities via quick transportation links, ideal for homebuyers wanting to live in one of the beautiful villages in Scotland whilst still enjoying all the offerings of a modern city.
Aberlady
Situated on the picturesque Aberlady Bay just 20 miles east of Edinburgh, the conserved village of Aberlady offers prospective homeowners a tranquil coastal escape with easy access to cosmopolitan amenities.
Behind the well-kept traditional frontage of High Street, smart cottages mingle with more contemporary builds, ranging from cosy two-bedroom starters to spacious five-bedroom detached family properties.
Families are well-catered to with schools like Aberlady Primary School and nature reserves like Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve on the village’s doorstep offering youngsters outdoor education opportunities.
The newly refurbished railway station connects Aberlady to Edinburgh in just half an hour, making a convenient commute or leisurely day trip. With local shops, acclaimed pubs, such as the Old Aberlady Inn, and pristine golf courses satisfying virtually every need, Aberlady promotes an excellent quality of life in a breathtaking seaside setting.
Killin
Another of the beautiful villages in Scotland is Killin. With peaks towering overhead and the River Dochart rushing below, Killin’s awe-inspiring landscape casts a powerful spell.
Behind candy-coloured shop fronts on the sleepy high street, traditional stone cottages mingle with grand 19th-century villas and sleek contemporary builds.
Those loving outdoor activities relish the endless adventure playground right outside their front doors; kayaking in the lochs, hiking the glens, and enjoying the cycling trails.
Between the dramatic Highland splendour and the neighbourly warmth that stops time, Killin weaves its magic. Whether seeking sanctuary, adventure, or something in between, this Perthshire jewel entices homebuyers by being uniquely and utterly Killin.
Ballater
Ensconced in the heart of Scotland’s stunning Deeside, Ballater’s awe-inspiring Highland scenery belies this charming Victorian town’s handy proximity to Aberdeen and earns its place in place on our beautiful villages in Scotland list.
Situated on the River Dee, Ballater’s sandstone cottages and grander estates cater to varied budgets. Options span from quaint, terraced Dee side cottages to grandeur rivalling nearby Balmoral Castle, with handsome Victorian villas dotted throughout.
As far as activities go, there are plenty of outdoor pursuits like horseback riding, fishing, skiing, and bushcraft. For cosmopolitan conveniences, Royal Deeside Railway’s vintage steam trains connect Ballater to Aberdeen in just over an hour.
With Cairngorms National Park at its doorstep and castles galore, Ballater lays claim to Scottish country living at its finest — made even finer by easy access to city life.
Comrie
Sitting on the banks of the River Earn, Comrie village offers a pastoral Central Belt setting without forgoing modern conveniences. Homebuyers will discover an array of options in this peaceful Perthshire hub from traditional stone cottages to secluded country houses set on acres of land.
The village high street provides shops and eateries to meet your daily needs, while transport links grant easy access to Perth and Glasgow for more extensive offerings just a short train ride away.
Families settle comfortably here thanks to highly rated primary and secondary school options coupled with outdoor pursuits like golf, fishing, rambling, and even Strathearn’s own ski slope.
Known for its melodic dialect, farmers’ markets, and Hogmanay flambeaux procession, Comrie’s charms have long drawn visitors from afar. Yet, it remains a tightly knit community — a perfect fit for homebuyers seeking the perks of village living with the connectivity of urban Scotland.
Ullapool
Ullapool is a picturesque village cradled by the rugged grandeur of the North-West Highlands which ranked first in a 2024 ‘Most Beautiful Villages in the UK‘ poll. Perched on the edge of Loch Broom, Ullapool’s natural harbour teems with fishing and leisure boats, underscoring its maritime heritage.
Residents relish views of emerald hills and crystalline waters. Traditional stone houses line the peaceful streets, with an array of more modern homes nestled into the landscape, offering serene loch views.
Education is well-catered for with Ullapool Primary School and Ullapool High School, making it ideal for families. There is a wealth of local amenities, including quaint cafés and unique local shops.
Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to the surrounding wilderness, perfect for hiking, sailing, and wildlife watching. Though Ullapool has a secluded feel, it maintains excellent connections to Inverness and beyond.
Fort Augustus
Where the waters of Loch Ness meet the Caledonian Canal, Fort Augustus stands over possibly Scotland’s most fabled body of water. Beyond its historic swing bridges and rocky outcroppings is a smart selection of properties from snug cottage flats to splendid lochside villas fitted with the latest contemporary comforts.
Outdoorsy types can explore the lake’s hidden depths with ample boating and fishing on offer, while vibrant Inverness is just 40 minutes north for more cosmopolitan pursuits.
Considering Scotland’s longest loch as their backyard playground, families appreciate the cream of Highland life in Fort Augustus.
Yet the village balances convenience as well, with quick connections by rail, road, and water route granting easy escape to urban attractions. For homebuyers seeking convenient Highland tranquillity set against bewitching Loch Ness views, Fort Augustus makes for a formidable refuge.
Elgol
Tucked amid the dramatic slopes of the Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye, the tiny coastal village of Elgol encapsulates rugged Scottish beauty. Behind the lone pier and pocket-sized beach, quaint cottages and crofts line the single-track lane while more modern homes pepper the hillsides — ranging from snug studio flats to spacious detached homes dripping in Highland charm.
This remote outpost is one of the beautiful villages in Scotland. It lures adventure-seekers and nature lovers with its postcard-worthy vistas, hillwalking trails to Quiraing’s otherworldly rock formations, and wildlife boat tours to spot minke whales and basking sharks.
Despite the isolation, Broadford’s shops and services are just 16 miles east and the new Skye Rapid Transit system offers connections to the urban amenities of Inverness.
With highly regarded Portree High School just 13 miles away, families also thrive in this idyllic island setting. Whether a second home hideaway or tranquil forever home, Elgol gifts residents Skye’s legendary beauty at their doorsteps.
Cruden Bay
The coastal village of Cruden Bay is neatly nestled amidst sweeping sand dunes and rolling fields and provides a peaceful yet well-connected Aberdeenshire locale.
Whitewashed cottages, historic kilns, and grand villas overlook the village’s crescent-shaped golden beach and crashing North Sea waves. Cruden is home to the highly regarded Cruden Bay Primary School and a nearby nature reserve offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor pursuits.
Golf enthusiasts can tee off at the challenging Cruden Bay Golf Club, regularly ranked as one of Scotland’s finest championship links courses.
With the buzzing harbour town of Peterhead just minutes south and Aberdeen under a 40-mile drive, livelier amenities remain within close reach as well. For homebuyers seeking refuge in a picturesque seaside village abundant in nature, nostalgia, and coastal splendour, Cruden Bay promises ample Scottish comfort.
Oldmeldrum
Last but not least on our beautiful villages in Scotland list is Oldmeldrum. Sitting pretty between Aberdeen and Royal Castle Country, the charming town of Oldmeldrum blends rich history with contemporary conveniences.
Known for its meticulously preserved mediaeval square dotted with vibrant galleries, boutiques, and eateries alongside 17th-century buildings, Oldmeldrum’s storied past remains alive and well.
Behind the atmospheric high street, smart townhouses rub shoulders with stone cottages and modern family homes on tree-lined streets. With highly rated schools, walking trails along the Gaden Burn, and a health centre, families happily put down roots in Oldmeldrum.
Yet Oldmeldrum also connects residents to larger opportunities: Aberdeen’s options sit just 19 miles east while Inverurie’s shops and transport links are even closer.
Homebuyers desiring the cultural wealth of history together with 21st-century amenities in a scenic setting find Oldmeldrum fits the bill perfectly.
Beautiful villages in Scotland
From the rugged beauty of the Highlands to the tidy stone cottages of the lowlands, Scotland features charming villages with rich history and modern convenience.
For those seeking an idyllic escape from urban chaos, these locales offer community spirit and a wealth of opportunity to craft your own Scottish story.
To discuss your move to one of the beautiful villages in Scotland, contact Garrington for expert advice without obligation.
