Stac Pollaidh in the North West Highlands Geopark
© Kim Walton

Scotland's UNESCO Trail

UNESCO recognises and conserves the world’s most special places, and Scotland is home to 16 of these stunning sites, many of which are firsts. Considering the size of Scotland, that is quite impressive! It is a proud testament to the richness and scope of Scotland’s awe-inspiring nature, its ancient and compelling history, the vibrancy of its culture, and its proud scientific and technological legacy. We have seven World Heritage Sites, two Biosphere Reserves, three Global Geoparks, and four Creative Cities.

Who and what is UNESCO?

Forth Bridge viewed from North Queensferry

UNESCO stands for ‘United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’ – a special part of the United Nations (UN) founded in 1945. Its mission is to promote peace, sustainable development, and human rights, by encouraging collaboration and discussion between nations.

UNESCO focuses on education, the environment, social inequality, communication, and the exchange of knowledge. One way it resolves some of these problems by identifying the world’s most special places.

Scotland is home to 16 UNESCO designations, brought together through Scotland’s UNESCO Trail – the first national trail of its kind in the world. These include:

7 World Heritage Sites
2 Biosphere Reserves
3 Global Geoparks
4 Creative Cities

By raising awareness of these sites, UNESCO can encourage investment and create jobs, spur technological innovation and scientific progress, and enhance the world’s cultural and environmental diversity.

Explore Scotland’s UNESCO destinations

The first country in the world to bring together 16 UNESCO sites into one trail. Are you ready to discover the wonders within?

Glen Elg in the Wester Ross Biosphere
© VisitScotland / Airborne Lens

UNESCO Biospheres

Explore a range of ecosystems that are home to a diverse array of native flora and fauna, alongside communities that live sustainably and work to conserve their natural environment. In Galloway and Southern Ayrshire, Scotland’s first UNESCO Biosphere and now almost twice its original size, you can discover how people preserve ancient ways of life, adapt to new environmental challenges, and celebrate their unique cultural heritage.

UNESCO Creative City

Launched in 2004, UNESCO’s ‘Creative Cities’ showcase and bring light to cities who have had creativity play a major role in their growth. From music, literature, design, and craft, Scotland’s cities are not short on attractions and locations that boast their character and unique offerings. There are currently 350 cities around the world and Scotland is home to four.

The cliffs of Eshaness, Shetland
© VisitScotland / Stuart Brunton

UNESCO Global Geopark

A UNESCO Global Geopark is an area of outstanding geological and scientific importance. These special places are protected and monitored to help us better understand the geophysical and climate forces that shape our planet. With the Isle of Arran recently awarded UNESCO status in 2025, Scotland now has three Global Geoparks. Each of these ancient landscapes gives a chance to learn more about geology, sustainability, and conservation.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

A world heritage site can be anything, from an incredible landscape to a city with a rich history and vibrant culture. It can be a magnificent monument, an archaeological discovery, or a piece of ground-breaking technology.

Antonine Wall: Frontiers of the Roman Empire

Explore the Antonine Wall, once the Roman Empire’s most northerly frontier.

The Flow Country World Heritage Site

Step into 4,000 sq. km of rugged beauty in the North Highlands for an unforgettable experience.

Heart of Neolithic Orkney

Around 5,000 years ago, the prehistoric people of Orkney began building monuments and landmarks out of stone.

New Lanark World Heritage Site

New Lanark was a site ahead of its time, most famous for social reforms for its workers.

Old & New Towns of Edinburgh

One of the most architecturally significant cities in the world, thanks to the dramatic contrast of its Old and New Towns, a recognised UNESCO site.

St Kilda World Heritage Site

St Kilda is composed of five unique islands, Hirta, Dùn, Soay, Boreray and Levenish, alongside a number of towering sea stacks and islets.

The Forth Bridge World Heritage Site

Recognised for its innovative design and technology all over the world, the Forth Bridge is an impressive feat in engineering.

See your snaps of Scotland's UNESCO Trail

Cookies are needed to see social media images from this place. Alternatively, you can head to our Instagram account to see more great images of Scotland.

You can also access this content on our instagram page.

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see social media images for this place. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Find experiences

Search a wide range of accommodation, events, food & drink options and things to do from indoor and outdoor attractions to activities, tours and more.

I'm looking for

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see this product search form. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Other things you might like

Places to go

Join our newsletter clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter

Scotland's UNESCO Trail

Who and what is UNESCO?