Scotland is a place of natural beauty; it is where wildlife, lochs and moors await on every turn. It is the perfect place for adventures, walking, hiking, discovering and culture. It is home to both the hustle and bustle of a city and also the piece and serenity of the countryside.
So, from historic castles to breath-taking heights, Scotland offers world class wilderness thrills. As well as first-class shopping centres and superlative dining, this beautiful and interesting part of Great Britain has something for everyone. Here are some of our favourite things to do in Scotland.
Edinburgh castle
There is no shortage of things to do in Scotland’s capital and this bustling, history-steeped city is a seamless blend of old and new. One of the oldest and a must see attraction is Edinburgh Castle. It lies upon an extinct volcano and dominates the city’s skyline.
It was the home to many royal Kings and queens and it also houses the Scottish Crown Jewels, The Stone of Destiny and The Scottish National War Museum. It is a fun-filled day out and a great way to emerge yourself into the history of Scotland.
Clyde Estuary
The Clyde Estuary has many islands off the West Coast shore of Scotland holding many small towns. The good anchorages offer an attractive place to sail and the Northern Irish Sea and Sea of Moyle are approximately a day’s sail away.
You can explore the sea lochs on one of the many cruises through the Clyde Estuary with the chance of spotting porpoises or dolphins. You can rest up at one of the luxury hotels overlooking the islands that provide the best courses for golf in Scotland as well as the facilities to rejuvenate in a hotel spa.
Loch Ness
This loch is famed around the world for the elusive Loch Ness monster and it is Scotland’s largest loch. You cannot go there without trying to catch a glimpse of the Nessie! He has been roaming the waters since the 7th century and there are still sightings to this day.
The area is also home to Urquhart Castle and its stunning views. The castle housed over 500 years of medieval battle and noble reign. It was used in the War of Independence and after being blown up, the iconic ruins remain. They provide a glimpse into the lives of all those that have lived and fought there, including a gloomy prison cell that is said to have held legendary Gaelic bard Domhnall Donn.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
The Glenfinnan Viaduct carries the railway over 1000 foot span and 100 ft. above the ground. Harry Potter fans will be fascinated by the area as it is where The Chamber of Secrets and The Prisoner of Azkaban were filmed. The Hogwarts Express even travelled along the famous railway track here.
You can catch a train ride yourself and see the impressive views of the Scottish highlands, or you can choose to walk around the beautiful scenery instead. The short walks around Glenfinnan Viaduct have views of Loch Shiel and the path climbs over the viaduct and down to the station.
The Isle of Eigg
You can catch a ferry from Mallaig for a short ride to the Isle of Eigg. When the sun shines on the shell beaches here, you could almost believe you were in the Caribbean. This volcanic island off Skye holds the ‘singing sands’ and when it is low tide you can discover an amazing array of pools and geological formations on the beach front.
The shores are teeming with wildlife and it is common to spot otters on the shore and whales and dolphins in the sea. The whole island is open for walking and you can climb the volcanic plug of An Sgurr.
There are many ways to discover the beauty of this country but it is highly recommended to explore Scotland by road. If you do choose to go on a Scottish roadtrip, here’s a suggestion for six free trips you need to take in southern Scotland.
Great things to do in such an amazing country. Add to this the Kelpies, they’re beautiful at night time 🙂 x
Good list. I know Scotland because my coworker is from there. I’ve heard it is an extremely beautiful place and one should visit there once in their lifetime.
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Your photo alone makes me want to go check it out, thank you for the useful tips! Love that they’re straight to the point!
the pictures feels like it came from a fantasy world. Stunning!
Bookmarking this one for my plans next year. Lovely pictures and great suggestions, thanks for sharing !
I didn’t know Edinburgh was on an extinct volcano! I’ve visited Edinburgh twice…I just love Scotland so much!
you’re welcome!
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This is great trip planning for me, I’m going to Edinburgh in two days. I’ve been there before and done the golden mile and Edinburgh castle but these are some great new ideas for places inside and outside of the city!
I absolutely adore Scotland. I can’t wait to take my fiance here! I’m adding Isle of Eigg to my list for next time. 🙂
Scotland is such a beautiful country. I all your photos of the gorgeous scenery. I’d love to explore it by hiking one day and then, going to one of their amazing castles.
I’ve been dying to visit Scotland and reading this just makes me wanna pack my bags. Those shell beaches in The Isle of Eigg sound absolutely beautiful and I’d totally be up for a cruise through Clyde Estuary!
I was in Scotland long time back, your blog gave me a flashback of my journey. Scotland is the place where we can find breathtaking castle and royal palaces along with stunning natural beauty. You have nicely described the few outstanding castles like The Scottish National War Museum, Edinburgh Castle, West Coast shore of Scotland. I would love to visit for the second time very soon.