Scotland is home to many stunning castles and ruins that boast fascinating histories revered the world over. From sites in Ayrshire to Aviemore, people flock from everywhere to take in the views and get a feel for a time gone by.
These locations are also prime spots to take in the sunrise or sunset. If you are a hiker, you may be used to taking off at all hours of the day or night to catch the sun going down on Scotland’s popular outdoor spots.
Recently, Auto Trader, the UK’s largest automotive marketplace, analysed over 50 popular viewpoints across the UK and Ireland to reveal the best sunset spots.
Looking at social media posts, Google searches, weather conditions and online reviews, the top 10 places in the UK to drink in the sunset were compiled, and one place in Scotland ranked highly.
Dunnottar Castle, situated around two miles south of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, was named the eighth best place to watch the sunset in the UK and Ireland.
“Dunnottar Castle is one of Scotland’s national treasures,” an Auto Trader spokesperson said. “The impressive cliff-top ruin is famous for its geology, history and dramatic location, making it a great place to watch the sunset.”
Dunnottar Castle in Scotland played a key role in the country’s history before it began to fall into ruin in the 1720s after the owner became involved in the Jacobite rebellion
Charles II visited Dunnottar in July 1650, and his presence prompted Oliver Cromwell to invade the country. This is when the Scottish Crown Jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland, were stored at the Castle for safekeeping.
Elsewhere, Durdle Door was named the best place to watch the sunset in the UK. It is one of Dorset’s most photographed spots, known for its natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast.
It also ranked as the sunniest spot in the top 10 with over 1,904 annual hours of sunshine and just 117 days of rain.
Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Auto Trader, said: “The UK and Ireland boast beautiful scenery, making sunset hikes increasingly popular.
“This growing trend on social media has led to a significant surge of interest in visiting these locations.
“For drivers who want to visit sunset hiking spots, having the right vehicle can make all the difference. Whether it’s extra boot space for camping and hiking gear, off-road capabilities for rural routes, or advanced technology like navigation and entertainment systems, the latest models offer a range of features to enhance your adventures.
“With leasing, you can get your hands on cars with the latest tech and features that can help enhance your hiking experience.
“Leasing also gives you the flexibility to apply and switch to a new leased vehicle that suits your current lifestyle after every few years.”
The top 10 sunset spots in the UK
|
# |
Viewpoint |
TikTok Posts |
Instagram Posts |
Monthly Google Searches |
Annual Sunshine Hours |
Annual Rainy Days |
Online review Score |
Index Score (/300) |
|
1 |
Durdle Door, Dorset |
22,600 |
327,000 |
102,000 |
1,904 |
117 |
4.7 |
273 |
|
2 |
Stonehenge, Wiltshire |
33,600 |
959,000 |
145,000 |
1,699 |
127 |
4.5 |
251 |
|
3 |
Beachy Head, East Sussex |
2,094 |
122,000 |
12,000 |
1,892 |
116 |
4.7 |
227 |
|
4 |
Cheddar Gorge, Somerset |
5,608 |
104,000 |
59,000 |
1,539 |
130 |
4.6 |
219 |
|
5 |
Dartmoor, Devon |
43,700 |
993,000 |
17,000 |
1,605 |
153 |
4.4 |
218 |
|
6 |
Malvern Hills, Worcestershire |
4,191 |
203,000 |
15,000 |
1,583 |
119 |
4.5 |
212 |
|
7 |
Pen y Fan, Brecon Beacon |
10,200 |
192,000 |
38,000 |
1,422 |
185 |
4.8 |
207 |
|
8 |
Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire |
2,351 |
67,900 |
22,000 |
1,447 |
132 |
4.9 |
205 |
|
9 |
Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim |
8,437 |
363,000 |
35,000 |
1,441 |
181 |
4.7 |
204 |
|
10 |
Corfe Castle, Dorset |
2,078 |
102,000 |
32,000 |
1,806 |
124 |
4.5 |
204 |