To celebrate Book Lovers Day today, VisitScotland has named the 10 most written about locations in Scotland, with the Highlands crowned the most featured literary hotspot.
Scotland has captivated storytellers for centuries: From the windswept moors of the Highlands to the lush landscapes of the Outer Hebrides and ancient abbeys of the Scottish Borders, every corner of Scotland has found its way into literature, resulting in thousands of books set across the whole country.
To highlight just how inspiring Scotland is, VisitScotland has analysed over 11,500 books on the Goodreads database to reveal readers’ top-rated books set in Scotland and the regions most frequently depicted in literature.
While the top regions include the Highlands, Edinburgh & The Lothians, and Glasgow & Clyde Valley, there are many hidden gems that inspire writers all across the country, including islands like St. Kilda and South Uist.
The top 10 regions where most books are set:
The analysis uncovers that The Highlands is the region where most books are set, with 2,815 books unfolding against its picturesque backdrop. Edinburgh & the Lothians emerges with 1,646 literary works situated amidst the historical allure of Scotland’s capital. Glasgow & Clyde Valley stands strong with 1,154 books showcasing the rich diversity of Scotland’s urban and rural landscapes.
| Region | Number of books set there |
| The Highlands | 2,815 |
| Edinburgh & The Lothians | 1,646 |
| Glasgow & The Clyde Valley | 1,154 |
| Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire | 801 |
| The Outer Hebrides | 770 |
| Argyll & The Isles | 553 |
| The Kingdom of Fife | 486 |
| Scottish Borders | 483 |
| Shetland | 434 |
| Angus & Dundee | 414 |
Some literary highlights from the Goodreads analysis to explore:
The Highlands :
With its endless selection of dramatic views, the Highlands provides a scenery that has long fascinated writers and readers alike. The findings indicate that the most frequently featured locations within the Highlands in literature are Skye, Inverness, and the Cairngorm Mountains. Other spots, such as Caithness and Dornoch have also served as significant sources of inspiration.
Be sure to pay a visit to Cawdor Castle near Nairn, which features in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, or the emotive battle site at Culloden, featured in countless historical novels.
According to the findings the highest-rated books by readers on Goodreads are the first two books in the Outlander series, in which Diana Gabaldon brought the Highlands to life transporting readers to 18th century Scotland. Outlander, the first book of the series, has over 1,050,054 ratings on Goodreads, making it evident that Gabaldon’s novel has struck a chord with countless readers worldwide. Following in its predecessor’s success, Dragonfly in Amber continues the epic saga with 355,378 ratings on Goodreads.
Edinburgh & The Lothians:
Edinburgh has inspired authors with its ancient architecture, duality between the Old and New Towns and the mystical narrow streets. The top locations within the region are Edinburgh itself, Midlothian and East Lothian.
Make sure to visit Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian, where Dan Brown based the finale of The Da Vinci Code. The book uses the chapel as a feature point in the quest for the location of the Holy Grail.
Among the top-rated books set in Edinburgh & The Lothians on Goodreads, two standout titles are One Day by David Nicholls with 336,555 ratings and Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh with 166,937.
One Day, now a popular Netflix series, follows Emma and Dexter over two decades, meeting annually on July 15th, starting from their graduation from the University of Edinburgh.
Set in the heart of Leith, Trainspotting offers a raw and gritty portrayal of Edinburgh, focusing on the lives of various residents of Leith.
Glasgow & Clyde Valley:
Glasgow’s bustling streets and vibrant culture are the ideal backdrop for storytelling, with its distinct neighbourhoods, unique blend of warmth and grit, and lively dialect. The locations within the region where most books are set are Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Firth of Clyde.
A must-see location for any literary enthusiast is the Glasgow Women’s Library, the only accredited museum in the UK dedicated to women’s lives, histories, and achievements.
Two of the Goodreads top-rated books set in Glasgow & Clyde Valley are Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman and Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, with an impressive 1,221,212 ratings, explores the life of Eleanor, who leads a solitary existence while navigating her daily routines in the city of Glasgow.
Shuggie Bain, with 150,742 ratings, follows the story of young Shuggie Bain and his relationship with his mother, Agnes, as they confront the harsh realities of life in working-class Glasgow in the 80s and 90s.
Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire:
It’s no surprise that authors find themselves irresistibly drawn to the beauty of this region. Its rocky coastline and sweeping sandy beaches stretch out to the North Sea, while its wild beauty holds a special place within many books. Among the locations where most books are set in the region are the University of Aberdeen, Kincardineshire and Deeside.
Explore the mystical landscapes of Cruden Bay, a coastal gem in Aberdeenshire, said to have inspired Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. Make sure to visit St Cyrus, a vast National Nature Reserve situated in The Mearns, an area popularised by Lewis Grassic Gibbon in his Sunset Song trilogy.
Some of the top-rated books on Goodreads set in Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire are The Winter Sea and The Firebird, both by Susanna Kearsley.
The Winter Sea, with 66,077 ratings, follows author Carrie McClelland as she seeks inspiration for her latest novel in the atmospheric ruins of Slains Castle, on the coast of Cruden Bay. If you’re inspired to visit, make sure you’re extra careful and stick to paths, as the castle is located close to cliff edges.
While in The Firebird, with 28,727 ratings, protagonist Nicola Marter embarks on a journey of self-discovery and intrigue when she’s presented with a small wooden carving – the Firebird. The search for the firebird takes her from Slains Castle on the coast near Aberdeen to Belgium & on to Russia.
The Outer Hebrides:
The Outer Hebrides has long been featured in Scottish literature; its untamed beauty is a perfect setting for stories of adventure and introspection. In the region, the locations with most books set against include Lewis, St. Kilda and South Uist.
Visit the Ness Harbour Breakwater and the rocky headland where The Butt of Lewis Lighthouse marks the edge of Europe.
According to the analysis, the top-rated books set in the region include the first two books in Peter May’s Lewis Trilogy.
The Blackhouse, with 39,764 ratings, follows detective Fin Macleod as he returns to the Isle of Lewis to investigate a brutal murder. Near the very north of the Isle of Lewis, at the Port of Ness Harbour, an old shed becomes the unsettling site where a bloodied corpse is discovered hanging within.
And The Lewis Man, with 26,865 ratings, sees Macleod drawn into another murder investigation on the Isle of Lewis, this time focusing on a body discovered buried in the peat bogs. Referenced in the book, a pivotal scene unfolds on Charlie’s Beach, a beautiful strip of white sand located on the Isle of Eriskay.
All of Scotland’s regions have their own literary gems, each offering unique scenic beauty and rich storytelling. Discover more of Scotland’s literary locations, based on Goodreads reader reviews below.
In Argyll & The Isles:
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped takes readers on an adventurous journey through rugged landscapes. The Kingdom of Fife, with charming villages and coastal views, is the backdrop for Evie Dunmore’s Portrait of a Scotsman.
The Scottish Borders:
Steeped in history and folklore, come alive through the medieval ballad Thomas the Rhymer. In Shetland, Ann Cleeves’ Red Bones immerses readers in a gripping mystery against the stark beauty of the islands.
Angus & Dundee’s rich cultural heritage is vividly portrayed in James Robertson’s Joseph Knight. Each region offers a wealth of literary treasures and fascinating places to explore, making them must-visit destinations for any book lover.
Marc Lambert, Chief Executive of Scottish Book Trust says: “Scotland’s wild landscapes and dramatic history have been a rich source of inspiration for writers for centuries, and readers around the world continue to be drawn to the literature of our country. There’s a long tradition within the Scots and Gaelic languages for storytelling inspired by place, and our writing talent continue to find a creative energy here.
“Every year we see for ourselves, through our New Writers Awards and Scotland’s Stories writing opportunity, that writers find the awe-inspiring scenery and bustling, vibrant cities a fantastic inspiration to create fictional worlds or to share real-life experiences, all of which contribute to the stories of a nation.”
To explore more about all the regions in Scotland and the key books set there, please visit: https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/arts-culture/scottish-literature/scotland-by-books.
Headline graphic: VisitScotland / Tessa Minshull