12 Scottish Harbours & Seaside Towns You Must Visit

Tobermory, the capital of Mull, is one of the prettiest ports in Scotland, thanks to its colourful houses and a sheltered bay where rumour has it a Spanish Armada ship sank in 1588 carrying gold bullion. In the mood for seafood? Café Fish, The Mishnish Hotel and the Fisherman’s Pier Fish & Chip Van all cater for hungry travellers. 

St Andrews is of course famous as the Home of Golf, but many people also visit this historic town to go walking by the sea. You might recognise the West Sands beach from the movie Chariots of Fire, one of cinema’s most iconic opening sequences. It is a great place to go exploring, and there are also a choice of adventure sports available here from surfing to land-yachting. Try fish and chips at Tailend Restaurant, grilled cheese at The Cheesy Toast Shack or ice cream at Janetta’s.

The East Lothian town of North Berwick is full of character and the busy harbour is one of the focal points. Once home to an outdoor swimming pool, the harbour area is now the location of the Scottish Seabird Centre, where families can stop and learn about the Scottish coast before a walk along the beach. In the summer months visitors will love eating fresh seafood at The Lobster Shack or Signals Bistro. 

If you’re a fan of the Marvel Avenger films, you might recognise this pretty harbour town. St Abbs doubled up as ‘New Asgard’ in the popular film franchise. Photographers will love the cliffs and old fisherman’s cottages in St Abbs and the nearby St Abb’s Head Nature Reserve is a great place to go walking. Local restaurants where you can try the catch of the day include Ebb Carr’s and The Old School Cafe. 

The East Neuk town of Crail is a pretty patchwork of cobbled streets and fishing cottages, centred around an attractive harbour. In the summertime, it is a great place to walk around and explore, stopping to watch the fishing boats and enjoy an ice cream. Like other towns along the Fife coast, it is easy to access the Fife Coastal Path from Crail which stretches for over 100 miles around the area. Crail Fish Bar & Café and Reilly Shellfish Hut are brilliant places to stop for a bite to eat. 

Pennan is a tiny fishing hamlet consisting of little more than a single row of whitewashed stone cottages tucked between a cliff and the sea. The village leapt into the limelight when the British movie Local Hero was filmed here in 1982. The town has an attractive harbour which is a great place to spot wildlife – including dolphins! Stop for a bite to eat at the Pennan Inn or Coastal Cuppie. 

Skye is a place of dramatic landscapes and the natural harbour at Portree is no exception. Fringed by high ground and cliffs, the harbour is used by fishing boats as well as pleasure craft. The town itself is Skye’s cultural hub and has many accommodation options as well as foodie highlights. These include Sea Breezes, The Lower Deck Seafood Restaurant, Cuchullin Restaurant and The Harbour Fish & Chip Shop. 

A famous golfing town, Troon will host the 152nd Open Championship in 2024. Golf aside, Troon is a charming west coast seaside town and a great destination for a day out at the beach or a relaxed seaside holiday. Overlooking the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig, the bustling harbour is home to Ayrshire's fish market, which supplies freshly-caught fish and seafood to local restaurants like Scott’s Bar & Restaurant and MacCallum’s Oyster Bar. 

Stromness has been a haven with mariners for centuries, being the last port of call before many a transatlantic voyage. Now it is the arrival point in Orkney for ferries from mainland Scotland. Explore the quaint alleyways and absorb the atmosphere here, before venturing on to Orkney’s famous neolithic sites. Enjoy something to eat at The Ferry Inn or The Hamnavoe Restaurant. 

Portmahomack’s idyllic location on the Easter Ross peninsula makes it popular with leisure crafts and the village is a peaceful place to visit. A broad sandy beach runs west from the historic fishing village and there is a quiet harbour on the north side where boats can be anchored. While here you could walk out along the coast to the Tarbat Ness Lighthouse, the tallest on the Scottish mainland. Try eating at The Oystercatcher or enjoy a light bite at Carnegie Hall café. 

The seaside resort of Helensburgh is a gateway to many outdoor activities including the Argyll Kayak Trail and Wild about Argyll Cycling Trail. You can also access walking trails here including the John Muir Way and the Three Lochs Way. If travelling by car, make sure you explore the Clyde Sea Lochs Trail, taking you into the heart of coastal communities to the south west of Loch Lomond. The town is easy to get to from Glasgow and restaurants like Sugar Boat and Riverhill Café will tickle your tastebuds. 

Durness is the most north westerly village in the British mainland and it boasts spectacular scenery with a rocky coastline, pristine beaches and turquoise waters. Nearby Smoo Cave is a must visit, a dramatic hole in a sheer limestone cliff. With vast open spaces on its doorstep, Durness is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle! Stop for a bite to eat at Sango Sands Oasis Restaurant & Bar. 

The only town on the island of Cumbrae, just off the coast of Ayrshire, Millport is home to Britain’s smallest cathedral: The Cathedral of the Isles. The local museum is worth a visit too, especially if you enjoy thrilling tales about 18th century smugglers. You’ll find a good photo spot at Crocodile Rock – a rock painted to look like a crocodile! Enjoy fish and chips on your trip to Cumbrae at the Crocodile Chippy or Deep Sea Fish & Chip Shop.

This charming East Neuk fishing village has a beautiful harbour which comes alive each morning as the fishing boats return with their catch. The picturesque houses along the Pittenweem seafront are built in traditional Fife style with crow-step gables and red slate roofs. Enjoy fish and chips at the Pittenweem Fish and Chip Bar and maybe an ice cream at Nicholson’s Ice Cream Shop.

Nicknamed the ‘seafood capital’, a trip to Oban means a taste of the sea. This west coast town is  surrounded by miles of dramatic shores and gorgeous countryside. Oban harbour is a busy working port and provides a vital lifeline to the Scottish islands nearby. When it’s time for something to eat, there are plenty of places to choose from including Oban Seafood Hut, Ee-Usk, The Fisherman’s Kitchen and Tralee Bay Fish & Chips.

The sheltered bay at Plockton overlooks Loch Carron, a beautiful Highland spot! Backed by a wild landscape of heather and pine, the waterfront around Plockton is usually full of yachts and fishing boats.  Enjoy a relaxing walk by the water’s edge or take a trip out on the water. Afterwards try locally caught seafood at a local restaurant. You have a few to choose from including The Harbour Fish Bar, Kishorn Seafood Bar, Plockton Inn and Plockton Shores Restaurant.

Ullapool is a top outdoor destination with all kinds of things to do on its doorstep. From the wonderful wildlife of Inverpolly National Nature Reserve to the Instagrammable peak of Stac Pollaidh, you won’t be short of things to see. With a long history of fishing, Ullapool Harbour is also a gateway to the islands with regular sailings to Stornoway.  As you might expect there are lots of places to try local seafood such as the Seafood Shack, The Seaforth Bar and Restaurant and The Arch Inn Restaurant.

With its unusual pebble beaches and yacht marina, Largs is a traditional holiday resort with strong links to the sea. Just a mile offshore, you’ll find the Isle of Cumbrae. A regular ferry service takes visitors to the island and the famous Waverley Paddle Steamer makes trips from Largs during the summer months. Looking for a bite to eat? Scotts Bar & Restaurant, Morris’s Seafood Café and The Fish Works all serve fresh seafood.

Aberdour is home to two beautiful beaches, a harbour, castle, golf course and a choice of traditional pubs and shops. Silver Sands beach overlooks the Firth of Forth towards Edinburgh & The Lothians and is said to be one of the finest in Scotland. Whether you love watersports or just a good old walk by the seaside, Aberdour has plenty to offer. Try the local catch at Room With A View or the Forth View Hotel.

The Isle of Islay is famous for whisky, but the island is also home to some charming little harbour villages. Portnahaven is one such village, built around a sheltered harbour where grey seals love to sunbathe. As the sun is setting over this beautiful island retreat, try some local fare in An Tigh Seinnse, the local pub. The name means ‘The House of Singing.’

Idyllic on a summer’s day and filled with things to do, Stonehaven is an Aberdeenshire gem. The sheltered harbour is always busy with boats and along the quayside you can visit the Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum. Two miles south you’ll find Dunnottar Castle, one of Scotland’s most iconic buildings. Each year the town plays host to a Hogmanay fireball ceremony which is a sight to behold. Foodie options include The Tolbooth Seafood Restaurant, The Bay Fish & Chips and The Creel Inn.

Dunbar is on the North Sea coast of East Lothian, about 30 miles east of Edinburgh. The town is renowned for its high sunshine record, rugged coastline and attractive countryside, including John Muir Country Park which supports a wide range of habitats, birds and plants. The town is steeped in history and was one of the most important Scottish Fortresses in the middle ages. Nowadays you can try cable wakeboarding at Foxlake Adventures – a fun day out for the family. Grab a bite to eat at The Creel, The Rocks or Umberto’s.

Located south of St Andrews, Anstruther is the largest in a string of pretty, old-fashioned fishing villages along the Fife Coast. Look out for puffins, seals and other wildlife on a boat trip to the Isle of May, which run from May through to September. And of course, try locally caught seafood in one of the towns award-winning eateries: The Waterfront, The Cellar, The Rockies Restaurant or The Anstruther Fish Bar.

Nairn is a relaxing and friendly seaside resort in the Scottish Highlands, with three beautiful beaches, stunning scenery and two championship golf courses. Located on the Moray Firth, Nairn is a popular family holiday destination and an ideal base for walking, cycling, touring the Highlands and golfing. The Classroom Bistro, Sun Dancer Bar and Restaurant, and Bandstand Bar & Restaurant are just some of the options you have for food on your trip.