The four Scottish places crowned top summer holiday hotspots by Tripadvisor

Spring colours on Loch Lomond, Balmaha, Scotland, May, 2009
Balmaha has been named as one of the "fastest growing" holiday destinations in the UK ahead of summer -Credit:Dennis Barnes / Getty Images


Three towns and a village in Scotland have been named among the top trending holiday destinations in the UK ahead of summer.

On Tuesday, travel website Tripadvisor released its summer Seasonal Travel Index. The quarterly index reveals the UK public's travel plans for the season ahead, based on search data and surveys.

Four out of the 10 "fastest growing destinations" in the nation are found in Scotland according to Tripadvisor. These are Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, Crieff in Perth and Kinross, Aviemore in the Highlands, and Balmaha by Loch Lomond.

The highest-placing of these, coming in at number four on the list, is Tobermory. Situated in the Inner Hebrides, the idyllic coastal town is best known for the colourful buildings along its seafront that played a major role in the iconic 2000s CBeebies television series Balamory.

Tobermory is also renowned for its breathtaking sea views and thriving culinary scene, with restaurants such as The Galleon and Macgochans serving up mouthwatering freshly caught seafood. The picturesque town is also home to the historic Tobermory Distillery that dates back to the 18th century, where both tours and tasting experiences are available.

Following behind at number five on Tripadvisor's list is Crieff, a historic market town in the heart of stunning Perthshire. Some of the must-visit attractions in Crieff include The Glenturret Distillery — Scotland's oldest working whisky distillery — and the scenic Drummond Gardens.

Tobermory
Tobermory is instantly recognisable by its vibrant waterfront -Credit:Southern Lightscapes-Australia / Getty Images

As reported by the Daily Record, Crieff was also named Scotland's "best-kept foodie spot" by travel experts in April. Among the food highlights of the town are The Glenturret Lalique, which holds two Michelin stars, and Italian wine café Delivino.

Elsewhere, Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park places at number seven on Tripadvisor's list. Given its unique location within one of Scotland's two national parks, Aviemore's spectacular scenery is its main draw — with a wealth of peaceful lochs, ancient woodlands, and picturesque mountain trails on its doorstep.

Finally, Balmaha on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond comes in at number 10. With plenty of tranquil walking trails and easy access to water sports on the iconic loch, it is a popular spot amongst active Scots looking to immerse themselves in the country's natural beauty.

Meanwhile, the Seasonal Travel Index also revealed the top 10 most "popular" destinations in the UK. Edinburgh and Glasgow place at numbers two and seven respectively, while London tops the list.

The top 10 fastest growing holiday destinations in the UK

  1. Le Mont Felard, Jersey

  2. Saltash, Cornwall

  3. Portmeirion, North Wales

  4. Tobermory, Isle of Mull

  5. Crieff, Perth & Kinross

  6. Porthallow, Cornwall

  7. Aviemore, Highlands

  8. Pickering, North Yorkshire

  9. Swanage, Dorset

  10. Balmaha, Loch Lomond

The top most popular holiday destinations in the UK

  1. London

  2. Edinburgh

  3. Blackpool

  4. Liverpool

  5. Manchester

  6. York

  7. Glasgow

  8. Bournemouth

  9. Belfast

  10. Brighton

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to the Scotland Now newsletter here.