Rick Steves Best of Scotland

by Rick Steves, Cameron Hewitt (Primary Contributor)

Hit Scotland's can't-miss sights, bites, and history in two weeks or less with Rick Steves Best of Scotland ! Experience the magic of Scotland for yourself with Rick Steves Best of Scotland !

Planning a longer trip? Rick Steves Scotland is the classic, in-depth guide to spending more than two weeks exploring the country.

Genres: Travel, Scotland, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published January 30, 2024

About the author

Rick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980.
Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large.
Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups.
Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.

Reviews

[Cindy]

2020 Scotland Vacation

[Susan]

Really enjoyed this in depth review of the highlights of a visit to Scotland. Rick Steeves includes useful tips as well as excellent information about the main sites as well as less-known sites.

[Sharon]

The first time I went to Scotland, I read several guidebooks in obsessive detail.

For this return trip, I picked one that would give me easy updates to the things I'll be seeing -- and that's this book. Hitting the best of the best across each region, and sharing practical information on lodging, transit, etc., this book is well-suited to those who will be sticking pretty much to the well-trod path.

[Virginia Kackley]

Bought this hoping for something’s I wouldn’t find right away if I looked up Scotland trip itinerary there were some good things but overall felt kinda meh nothing crazy I hadn’t heard of or seen before.

[Janet]

Highlighted 3 of the places we're going on Saturday: Glasgow, Inverness, Edinburgh. (Also covers St. Andrews, Isle of Skye and Oban & the Inner Hebrides.)

[Paul]

this series keeps getting better

[Mary Colby]

Rick Steves' guides are the best! Practical information you can use and great stories and tips.

[AmyJMcF]

When it comes to detailed and experiential travel books, Rick’s books are the absolute best.