17 Photos That Prove Scotland Is the Most Beautiful Place on Earth

At 4,409 feet above sea level, Scotland's Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. It's a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and serious mountaineers.

There's no better view of the "bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond" than from atop the craggy peaks of Ben Lomond.

One of the most photographed natural formations in Scotland, the "Old Man of Storr" on the Isle of Skye's Trotternish Ridge is comprised of pinnacle rocks that can be viewed from miles away.

Loch Sionascaig lies at the heart of Inverpolly, a rugged landscape of hills and bogs in the Western Sutherland region of the Northwest Highlands.

Home to spectacular mountain scenery, Wester Ross is a loosely defined area in the Northwest Highlands that attracts outdoor enthusiasts.

In the words of Robert Louis Stevenson, Arthur's Seat is "a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue" in the heart of Edinburgh. Locals and tourists alike take to this dormant volcano for a fine hike and even better views of the city.

At the Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis, you can do more than just look at the prehistoric megaliths—you can actually walk among and touch them. It's like having Stonehenge all to yourself.

The unique marriage of light, mist, clouds, hills, and lochs makes Scottish sunsets among the most beautiful in the world.

The sheer cliffs, heaving hills, and wind-whipped lochs of Scotland's Hebridean Isles provide more than enough room for solitary reflection.

Located on the most westerly point of the Isle of Skye, the Neist Point Lighthouse provides a scenic backdrop for an afternoon's stroll to the edge of the world.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct can be found along the West Highland Line in Glenfinnan. Though scenic in its own right, fans of the Harry Potter films will also recognize this railway viaduct as one of the signature images of the Hogwarts Express route.

One of the most iconic castles in Europe, Scotland's Eilean Donan is recognized the world over from its appearances on postcards and in movies like Highlander.

The romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, make for quite an introduction to the misty shores of Loch Ness.

A tribute to Jacobite clansmen, the Glenfinnan Monument was erected in 1815 to honor those who died fighting for Prince Charles Edward Stuart. It stands proudly amid the Highland scenery at the head of Loch Shie.

Situated at the tip of a rocky headland, the ruined Dunnottar Castle is one of Scotland's most spectacular medieval fortresses.

A designated National Scenic Area sometimes called the "Glen of Weeping," Glencoe was the site of an infamous massacre in the late 17th century. Today it boasts numerous viewing areas and a visitor center along its main road.

The signature sound of Scotland, the bagpipe's bittersweet notes leave us feeling both joy and melancholy—two emotions that also describe the scenery, history, and character of Scotland.