From finding a secret beach to teeing off on a legendary golf course: what Scotland offers tourists

Although Scotland is small (30,000 square miles), the countless castles, islands, and lochs make it difficult to choose where and how to spend your time.

National Geographic asked local experts to help narrow down the choices, from celebrity chefs' favorite restaurants to championship golf courses.

Sip on sweet whisky in the heart of Scotland's distillery district

With more than 50 distilleries, Speyside is Scotland's most prolific whisky-producing region. "Most of the Speyside distilleries are known for producing mild and sweet whiskies with flavors like vanilla, honey, dried fruit – even Christmas cake," says David Craig, founder of Spirit of the Spey, which offers canoe tours of the distilleries.

Craig suggests visiting the Balvenie distillery in Dufftown, which has a malt house and cooperage; Speyburn in Rothes for its "perfectly preserved" traditional drum maltings; and the "picturesque" Speyside Distillery, located in a converted water mill in Kingussie.

Take a picture of a majestic deer on the Scottish ridge

The dramatic landscapes of Scotland attract photographers. "I'd recommend a lightweight mirrorless camera for all the walking and hiking you'll be doing, with rain gear, a 24-70mm, 70-200mm, or even something longer, as the deer are often far away," says geographer Robert Ormerod.

Immerse yourself in the best of Scotland's local scene

"Although we often complain about our weather in Scotland, our rainy climate is ideal for growing," says renowned chef Nick Nairn, who runs several restaurants across the country.

Today, there is more variety in Scottish restaurants than ever, and chefs are championing homegrown ingredients.

Go off-grid and stay offline

Despite the small size of Scotland, it's surprisingly easy to escape the modern world. Local travel writer Harris Clarke recommends the Knoydart Peninsula, which has no roads in or out and is accessible only by ferry or three-day hike. "Ladhar Beinn [on Knoydart] is one of Scotland's most dramatic munros [Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet high], dominating the skyline like a peak in a Tolkien adventure," he says.

Find secret beaches on the wild west coast

Famous for wind, waves, and whales, Scotland's west coast is unrivaled in drama. One of the most attractive areas is the beach-surrounded Ardnamurchan Peninsula, the westernmost point of the mainland. Jessica Thompson, co-owner of the Mingary Castle Hotel and Restaurant on Ardnamurchan, cites Sanna Bay as her first choice. "It showcases the best of Scotland's coastline with beautiful white shell sand and clear turquoise sea. It offers amazing views of the small islands of Ram, Eigg, Muck, and Canna and many visitors have seen whales and dolphins."

Explore design history in a UNESCO Creative City

Despite a population of only 148,000, Dundee is a UNESCO City of Design and home to Scotland's only dedicated design museum: V&A Dundee, designed by Kengo Kuma. Jewelry designer Genna Delaney draws inspiration from the city's diverse architecture, including its historic jute mills, and rocky coastline. "Dundee has a thriving creative community; DCA [Dundee Contemporary Arts] and the V&A do a lot of events to bring creative people together," she says.

Get to know the endemic animals

Scotland has "an amazing array of species," says conservationist Tom Bowser, founder of the revived Argaty Red Kites estate in Perthshire. He suggests visiting the Isle of Mull to see otters, harriers, dolphins, and the majestic white-tailed eagle, one of Scotland's two endemic eagle species. "Tour companies like Nature Scotland and Mull Charters offer great opportunities to see these birds," says Bowser.

Play a championship course in the birthplace of golf

Playing the last few holes of the old St. Andrews course is "almost a spiritual experience," says David Jones, who runs the golf course review site UK Golf Guy.

Discover the next music superstar at a famous Glasgow venue

Witnessing a concert in Glasgow, the UNESCO City of Music, is so special that it almost doesn't matter who you see. "There's just no better crowd than the Glasgow crowd," says Iain Diamond, director of Crowdsurf Network Services, an event management company.

As TravelWise reported, many tourists can find some of the most popular vacation spots in the north of Scotland. Here you can admire the highlands and islands that are visited by a huge number of tourists every year.