Tomintoul, village in Moray, Scotland, UK
Tomintoul is a small village in Moray sitting at around 354 meters elevation, making it the highest village in the Highlands. It spreads along a straight main street lined with stone buildings that lead to a central square, creating a simple and tidy layout.
The village was founded in the late 1700s by Alexander Gordon, the 4th Duke of Gordon, to boost local industry and security in the region. Queen Victoria visited in 1853 and, despite her unfavorable comments about its appearance then, her visit helped open the door to later tourism and development.
The name Tomintoul comes from Gaelic meaning 'hill of fire'. The village streets show how locals and visitors naturally mix together, with stone-built homes lining wide roads that reflect the rhythm of Highland community life.
The best time to visit is May through September when weather is more stable and most shops and lodging are fully open. In winter, the A939 road connecting the village can close due to snow, so check weather conditions and local road reports before traveling.
The village sits within the Cairngorms Dark Sky Park, making it an exceptional spot for stargazing where night sky events are unusually clear and bright. This natural darkness lets visitors see stars and planets in ways not possible in most other places.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
