The 5 Best Scotland Travel Books to Inspire Your Next Trip
A bit like having a proper map, a travel guidebook has all the adventure feels. Yes, you can look things up online – but nothing beats flicking through the pages of a travel book, imagining your next trip coming to life. There are some incredible Scotland guidebooks out there, with beautiful imagery and helpful tips to inspire your next adventure.
So here are the 5 best Scotland travel books I’ve found so far, centred around road trips, breathtaking scenery, photography, and hidden gems.
The 5 best Scotland travel books
1. Scotland by Haarkon Adventures
Carefully chosen destinations, unique places, and beautiful imagery from travelling photographers India Hobson and Magnus Edmondson, aka Haarkon Adventures. This book is very much focussed on the road less travelled, the spirit of exploration, and the beauty of wild places.
The book is split by geographical area, taking the reader on a visual journey from vibrant Edinburgh all the way to the remote Highlands and Isle of Skye. This book shows Scotland through adventurous eyes, describing epic landscapes and beautiful places. You’ll also find unique stays, places where nature rules, and secret beaches in this wonderfully written book.
Buy Scotland Haarkon Adventures
2. Wild Guide Scotland by Kimberley Grant
This book is perfect for finding outdoorsy adventures, from over 800 wild swim spots to hikes, hidden beaches, walks, and truly wild places to stay. Helpfully Wild Guide Scotland is split into geographical areas, which means you can jump straight to your chosen destination for ideas, or thumb through for travel inspiration.
Each destination is highlighted with beautiful photography, area descriptions, useful maps, and suggestions of the perfect wild weekend. You’ll also find recommendations for ancient ruins, waterfalls, distilleries, inns, artisan shops, and the best local places to eat - all wrapped up in a compact book that fits easily into a backpack.
3. Photographing Scotland by Dougie Cunningham
This Scotland travel book is a must for aspiring or keen photographers who want the perfect place to shoot - and the perfect time to be there. Never miss golden hour again with recommendations of Scotland’s most photogenic locations.
Split into areas for easy reading, you’ll find each area guide has the best viewpoints and a list of sites to shoot. Alongside descriptions of truly wild places that will take your breath away are notes on the best time of day (and year) to visit and helpful notes like where to park. Outdoor lovers will especially love this book for its suggestions of wild beaches and remote walks.
4. Take the Slow Road: Scotland by Martin Dorey
A beautifully written book with dozens of Scotland’s best road trip routes, from Shetland to the Scottish Borders. Rather than a traditional guidebook, Take the Slow Road is written very much from Martin’s personal point of view, with stories from his travel experiences around Scotland. It’s a funny and warm read from someone who obviously loves to travel, alongside practical travel tips and suggestions of where to stay and visit.
If you’re new to campervans (or thinking about hiring one), let me tell you, Martin’s advice is incredibly helpful. Though travellers using other modes of transport shouldn’t put you off by the VW on the cover – because this book is all about the coolest places to stay, what to see, what to do, and ultimately enjoying the journey.
Buy Take the Slow Road Scotland
5. Scotland Island Bagging by Helen & Paul Webster
When this book from the creators of website Walkhighlands (aka the hiking bible) came out, I couldn’t wait to buy it. Visually stunning, this is the travel book you need for exploring Scotland’s magical islands. Some of the islands featured are well-known destinations, like Skye and Arran. Whilst others are isolated, hidden gems prime for exploring under your own steam.
Organised by geography, each island destination comes with suggestions of where to hike, walk, eat, and visit. As well as how to get there and ferry operators, there are helpful maps and insider tips from the outdoor-loving writers. Remember too to tick-off your island once explored; be warned though, it’s as addictive as Munro-bagging!
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip, or just a little escapism, I hope these Scotland travel books will help you plan an epic adventure. Whilst these are my favourites, I’m always looking for books that spark my wanderlust – let me know the books you love the most in the comments below!
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