Scotland's top twenty experiences - as voted on Lonely Planet's Ultimate UK travel list

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has been voted the UK's top travel experience in a new list released by Lonely Planet.

The new list ranks the 500 'most memorable, beautiful, surprising and compelling' experiences to be had across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, as chosen by Lonely Planet's community of travel experts.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is followed by London’s British Museum – “the envy of the world” – at number 2 and “timeless…and unrepeatable” Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland at number 3.

Lonely Planet’s VP of Experience, Tom Hall, said: “Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist brings together the UK’s most compelling sights and experiences, ranging from world-class museums and giant cathedrals to rollicking festivals, inky lochs and tiny pubs. We’re thrilled to name the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the UK’s top experience – it’s one of the most exciting and diverse destinations on the planet.”

Lonely Planet's top 20 experiences in Scotland

The top twenty experiences on the new list are:

1. The greatest shows on earth at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe  (no1 on the UK list)

2. Step into your own movie in Glencoe (no17 on the UK list)

3. Catch your breath on Arthur's Seat (no19 on the UK list)

4. Solve the mysteries of Skara Brae (no22 on the UK list)

5. Discover Harry Potter on Edinburgh's Royal Mile (no24 on the UK list)

6. Buckle up for a storied, picturesque North Coast 500 adventure (no37 on the UK list)

7. Believe in the impossible on a hike to the Fairy Pools (no41 on the UK list)

8. Spend a night on ice in Cairngorms National Park (no 43 on the UK list)

9. Cast adrift on Loch Lomond (no53 on the UK list)

10. Island-hop Scotland's western seaboard (no58 on the UK list)

     QUICK LINK: History Scotland's ultimate Edinburgh guide

11. Stand on top of Britain on Ben Nevis (no66 on the UK list)

12. Marvel at Mackintosh's designs for Glasgow (no88 on the UK list)

13. Play with fire at Up Helly Aa on Shetland (no109 on the UK list)

14. Bask on Luskentyre's bewitching beach (no129 on the UK list)

15. Raise a world-beating dram in Speyside (no132 on the UK list)

16. Conquer the Cuillins on the Isle of Skye (no142 on the UK list)

17. Cruise by canal boat to the Kelpies (no153 on the UK list)

18. Indulge in a Burns Night haggis feast at Ghillie Dhu (no165 on the UK list)

19. Test your limits on Cape Wrath (no177 on the UK list)

20. Find yesterday and today on South Harris (no 190 on the UK list)

Image: Fringe copyright Festival Fringe Society