Looking for a staycation this October half term? Look no further than Scotland.

Here we round up the most beautiful places in Scotland, from the buzzy streets of Edinburgh to the dramatic coastline and silent countryside.

Isle of Skye 

The biggest isle in the Inner Hebrides is much celebrated for its dramatic landscape and beautiful countryside – but it's also remote enough that you can walk for miles without seeing anyone else making it home to some of the best walks in the UK. The Cuillin mountains tower over the island's lochs – drive to Loch Coruisk for some of the best views.

Shetland

Shetland is a subarctic archipelago that includes 16 inhabited islands, closer to Bergen than Inverness with just a handful of smart places to stay and tons of wildlife to spot, from orcas to otters. Explore the seaside and enjoy miles of breath taking coastline, fringed by towering clifftops, pristine beaches and crystal-clear blue shores. 

Dean Village Edinburgh 

The water of Leith flows through pretty Dean Village in Edinburgh. The Scottish capital is known for its cobbled streets, gothic architecture and of course the annual fringe festival. Dean Village was previously where milling of water mills took place, of which remains of this can still be seen by visitors. Hidden in the village, you will come across a variety of mill stones and stone plaques decorated with baked bread and pies. The Dean Bridge can also be found if you walk along the walkway following the Water of Leith.

Cairngorms

The misty mountain range of the Cairngorms in the eastern Highlands forms one of Scotland's two national parks. The area is vast about twice the size of the Lake District and the landscape is carved by mountains; five of the six highest summits in the UK can be found here. And the chilly climate means it's possible to ski in the area, too. 

North Berwick

Canty Bay is a white-sand beach near North Berwick. This arty enclave, just an hour east of Edinburgh, is an unspoiled harbour town with a low profile. The hamlet looks out to the Firth of Forth estuary, where the volcanic island Fidra is said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Now the buzzy little village is home to independent cafés and smart stores.