A NEW list of “Scotland’s top tourist spots” has seen some surprising entrants from across the country.
The list, which was indirectly compiled by Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie, names both Rutherglen and Glenrothes as some of the best tourist hotspots in Scotland.
Baillie pulled the ranking together as she attacked First Minister Humza Yousaf for “gallivanting around Scotland’s top tourist spots” at the end of a week which saw him stop in on a host of Scottish towns.
Without further ado, here are some of Scotland’s best tourist spots, according to Dame Jackie Baillie:
Hamilton
This South Lanarkshire town has a lot to offer, with M&D's – Scotland's Theme Park – on its doorstep.
Hamilton is also home to Chatelherault Country Park, known for its ancient oak woodlands and the herd of rare Cadzow cattle to which it is home.
Rutherglen
While it lacks the reputation of Scotland’s more famous glens, such as Affric and Coe, Rutherglen is becoming a must-visit destination for Labour campaigners ahead of what may well be a Westminster by-election in the area.
Fernhill, the area of the town which Yousaf visited, borders Queen Mary’s Seat and Cathkin Braes, a popular park which commands excellent views out over Glasgow.
Ardler
When people think of tourism in Dundee, they might think of the waterfront and its stunning V&A museum. However, Baillie has put the city’s northern area of Ardler on the tourist map.
The area has a wealth of activities on its doorstep, including the Camperdown Wildlife Centre and the Dundee Ice Arena, where the city’s ice hockey team call home.
Glenrothes
Set in the heart of Fife, Glenrothes is one of Scotland’s post-war new towns, alongside places such as East Kilbride and Cumbernauld.
The town sits at the southern edge of the Lomond Hills Regional Park and is home to ancient stone circles as well as the older Cadham Village Conservation Area.
Larbert
Home to the Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert is a central belt town which is contiguous with the neighbouring Stenhousemuir.
The twin towns have a long history with sites in the area dating back to the Romans and their Antonine Wall. There are also excellent fishing opportunities along the River Carron.
Honourable mentions
Yousaf has also recently visited some areas more typically associated with tourists, such as Inverness, Fochabers, and Peterhead.
However, Baillie’s branding them as simply “tourist spots” has not gone down well at all.
“We're not 'tourist spots', these are places where folk live and work,” SNP MSP for the Highland and Islands Emma Roddick hit back.
“Government must work for rural and island areas, too … The First Minister absolutely needs to be here and I'm glad he has been visible in my region this week.”
And Yousaf has also hit back.
I am proud to be the First Minister for all of Scotland, which means engaging with communities across our beautiful country. I make no apologies for it. A joy meeting with brilliant community groups & attending local events in Fochabers, Inverness, Fort William, Oban & Birnam. https://t.co/EG0qJbprob pic.twitter.com/W9kMq2caFP
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) July 30, 2023
"I am proud to be the First Minister for all of Scotland, which means engaging with communities across our beautiful country. I make no apologies for it," he wrote on Twitter.
"A joy meeting with brilliant community groups and attending local events in Fochabers, Inverness, Fort William, Oban and Birnam."
