Scotland celebrates global success as two attractions rank in Tripadvisor’s world top 10
Added: 04 May 2026
Scotland’s attractions sector is celebrating a fantastic moment of global recognition, with The Royal Yacht Britannia named Tripadvisor’s No.1 Attraction in the World 2026/27 and The Real Mary King’s Close ranked No.6 worldwide.
The rankings, part of Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best awards, are based on consistently outstanding visitor reviews over a 12-month period, placing both attractions among the top 1% of experiences globally.
For The Royal Yacht Britannia, this marks a historic achievement as the first UK attraction ever to take the global top spot. Meanwhile, The Real Mary King’s Close’s ranking highlights the continued international appeal of Scotland’s unique heritage storytelling, bringing Edinburgh’s hidden past to life beneath the Royal Mile.
Paul Nixon, General Manager of The Real Mary King’s Close, said:
“So delighted to be back in the exclusive 1% club and well done to The Royal Yacht Britannia for keeping the top spot. Our team at The Real Mary King’s Close work so hard to ensure our guests have the best visit we can provide. We don’t always get it right – but we always care, deeply. Thank you to the thousands of guests who have left us feedback over the past 12 months.”
Both attractions are members of ASVA and participants in the ASVA Quality Scheme, which supports continuous improvement and recognises excellence across Scotland’s visitor attractions.
The Royal Yacht Britannia holds a 5-star grading, with independent assessment highlighting its exceptional visitor welcome, immersive interpretation, and outstanding staff engagement. The Real Mary King’s Close has also been recognised for delivering a powerful, story-led visitor experience rooted in authenticity and strong customer care.
ASVA Chief Executive Michael Golding said:
“To have not one but two Scottish attractions recognised in the world’s top 10 is something our entire sector can be incredibly proud of. It demonstrates the strength, creativity and commitment to quality that defines Scotland’s visitor attractions. ASVA’s vision is World Class Scottish Attractions, and these rankings show exactly what that looks like in practice. Both Britannia and The Real Mary King’s Close exemplify the values at the heart of our Quality Scheme – putting visitors first, investing in people, and continually striving to improve the experience.”
Michael added:
“These achievements are built on thousands of individual visitor experiences delivered day in, day out by passionate teams. It’s that consistency, care and attention to detail that turns great attractions into world-leading ones. This global recognition not only celebrates two outstanding attractions but also shines a spotlight on the wider Scottish attractions sector, reinforcing its reputation for delivering world-class visitor experiences. Congratulations to both teams on this remarkable achievement.”