With breathtaking landscapes and towering cliff-top castles, Scotland offers visitors a chance to explore unique attractions rich in history. While it often conjures up images of traditional bagpipes, kilted Highlanders, and a ferocious Loch Ness Monster, Scotland is so much more than that. From its ancient architecture to the emerald countryside, Scotland is filled to the brim with charm and beauty. Whether you’re a history buff interested in touring battlefields, a nature lover, or an outdoor adventurer, this country offers something for just about everyone, including these amazing things to see and do. Whether you’re, following the footsteps of famous kings and queens, or tasting authentic Scottish whisky, discover the top things to do in Scotland. Scotland is a land of unspoiled and unrivaled landscapes with soaring mountains, glistening lochs and magnificent castles
Take a Step Back in Time in Edinburgh Castle View Dazzling Crown Jewels at Edinburgh Castle
What Is It? Dominating the city’s skyline, the Edinburgh Castle is the top tourist attraction in Edinburgh.
Why Do It? Located in the heart of the beautiful city of Edinburgh, the castle sits atop an extinct volcano, dominating the skyline and is one of the most popular attractions in all of Scotland. The 11th-century castle has witnessed everything from royal ceremonies, lavish feasts and the birth of a king to savage battles, ruthless politics and the deaths of queens. Here you’ll be able to explore magnificent palace rooms and view incredible items like the dazzling crown jewels and “Mons Meg,” a medieval siege gun, the Stone of Destiny and the One O’Clock Gun. The castle’s St. Margaret Chapel dates back to the 12th century, and with evidence of a royal stronghold since the Middle Ages, visitors can also explore the Great Hall erected in 1510, the Half Moon Battery built in the 16th century, and the Scottish National War Memorial from the First World War.
Good to Know: This world-famous Scottish icon has played a pivotal role in the country’s history. Steeped in history, many are awe-struck by the oldest crown jewels in the United Kingdom and the coronation seat of ancient kings, the Stone of Destiny. The view alone from this magnificent castle is worth the trip.
Get a Bird's Eye View at Arthur's Seat
What Is It? Adding a dramatic flair to Edinburgh’s already stunning skyline, Arthur’s Seat is a former volcano and now the main peak of the group of mountains that form Holyrood Park.
Why Do It? Situated about 1 mile east of the Edinburgh Castle, the surrounding area boasts 650 acres of wild parkland with an easy ascent for hikers of any skill level. A rewarding hike, the “seat” at the top of Arthur’s Seat provides visitors with breathtaking panoramic views of the city below.
Good to Know: Dating back to 600 AD, its name is said to be derived from the tales of King Arthur and Camelot.
Spot the Mysterious Loch Ness Monster
What Is It? One cannot visit Scotland without hunting the elusive but legendary Loch Ness monster, the mythical creature that, according to legend, has made Scotland it’s home for countless centuries. This is your chance to look for the infamous creature in the waters of the lake yourself. Scotland’s largest lake, Loch Ness is over 20 miles long and 700 feet wide. You can join a canoe tour and paddle around the lake, or just head to Urquhart Castle to explore the ruins while enjoying a spectacular view of the lake and keeping an eye out for the “monster.”
Why Do It? Everyone should visit Loch Ness at least once in their lifetime. If you’re not able to spot the famous Loch Ness monster, you’re in luck because the surrounding area is worth a visit. You can climb the Grant Tower which watches over the loch, peer into a miserable prison cell that reportedly once held Gaelic bard Domhnall Donn, and imagine the splendid banquets that were held back in the day inside the Great Hall.
Good to Know: From the much-photographed 12th century Urquhart Castle to the charming town of Fort Augustus, visitors can easily access a handful of historical attractions and stunning natural landscapes from the nearby city Inverness.
Appreciate Art at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
What Is It? Home to art memorabilia, a Tyrannosaurus Rex collection, and coffins from Arthur’s seat, it comes as no surprise that the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of the most visited attractions in Glasgow.
Why Do It? Visitors will find 8,000 works of major international collections from ancient world cultures, with 22 themed galleries and a comprehensive view of European and Scottish art spread across three floors.
Good to Know: The museum’s collections cover a broad range of areas like natural history, arms and armor, and the most famous painting on display being Salvador Dali’s “Christ of St. John of the Cross.”
Play a Round at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
What Is It? Dating back to the 15th century, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club is the world’s oldest golf course and often referred to as the “Home of Golf.”
Why Do It? Now called R&A, it is a premier destination for sports lovers, as St Andrews boasts 7 public courses nestled amongst dramatic coastal cliffs and sandy soil that are consistently ranked some of the best in the world.
Good to Know: Regularly playing host to the British Open, visitors are able to play on the famous Old Course and come face to face with the sports 600-year history.
Sample Scotland's Legendary Whisky
What Is It? A quintessential Scottish experience, tasting authentic whisky is the highlight of many Scottish vacation itineraries. Whisky has been around almost as long as Scotland itself, with the Scottish making and drinking fermented beverages here for thousands of years.
Why Do It? Just to have the chance to relax with a wee dram of this internationally renowned elixir in its homeland is quite special, and thankfully, there are more opportunities for whisky tours and tastings than you could possibly experience, allowing you to completely immerse yourself in this legendary libation. Most distilleries around the country host visitor centers that provide behind-the-scenes tours, allowing one to enjoy the sights, sounds and unmistakable aromas of a traditional Scottish distillery.
Good to Know: Located just 30 minutes outside of Glasgow overlooking a picturesque waterfall and glen, the Glengoyne Distillery is a tranquil escape from the city. Producing Highland single malt whisky since it was founded in 1833, the distillery now provides visitors guided tours and tastings of the slowest distilled malt whisky. From a Chocolate Matching tour to a Master Blender Session and a private dining room, the Glengoyne Distillery is sure to fulfill all your whisky needs. The Isle of Skye is home to the Talisker distillery, nestled on the remote west coast along the shores of Loch Harport. Its location allows the sea air to impart conspicuous elements to the whisky, known for its peaty element. Visitors can take a tour and enjoy a tasting as well a roundtable discussion over drams of these fantastic out-of-this-world spirits.
Explore Historical Grounds at Stirling Castle
What Is It? One of Scotland’s grandest and most important castles, Stirling is considered to be one of the most well-preserved Renaissance buildings in the United Kingdom. Conveniently located between Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Stirling Castle is a masterpiece in a country that is filled with castles.
Why Do It? It was the favored residence of many of the country’s kings and queens and considered the arts center of the country in the 16th century. By taking a tour, you’ll see the Great Hall, a magnificent banquet hall considered the largest of its kind ever built in Scotland, completed for James IV in 1503 – it was heated by five large fireplaces and was used for dances, feasts and pageants. The Royal Palace recalls the years when it was the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, while the Stirling Heads Gallery contains one of Scotland’s greatest art treasures, the Stirling Heads, 16th-century oak medallions that are carved with images of kings, queens, nobles, Roman emperors and characters from Classical mythology as well as the bible.
Good to Know: Once rumored to be the home of King Arthur and his knights, Stirling majestically looms 250 feet over a collection of volcanic crag and steep cliffs on Castle Hill. The architecturally significant castle has been through it all. From the Battle of Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce took the castle from the English to several Scottish Kings and Queens being crowned here, visitors to the Stirling Castle will find displays and exhibits detailing it’s long history in addition to a lovely garden and plenty of wildlife roaming the area.
Enjoy Natural Beauty at the Isle of Skye
What Is It? The Isle of Skye, an island in the Inner Hebrides connected by bridge to the mainland, boasts some of Scotland’s most alluring landscapes. The largest and most popular of Scotland’s inner Isles, Skye is an enchanting area of Scotland with vivid blue lochs and seas mixed with lush green landscapes.
Why Do It? Ideal for nature lovers, the landscape is painted with oak forests filled with an abundance of wildlife and magnificent waterfalls situated amongst quaint villages and colorful farms. Home to what’s known as the “Fairy Pools,” this series of pools and waterfalls located at the foot of the Black Cuillins near Glenbrittle, Remember to keep a close eye out for the fairies that are said to live among the lush glen and twisted trees.
Good to Know: Nordic for “cloud island” and a reference to its misty Cuillin Hills, visitors will find jagged mountains, towering sea cliffs, and attractive glens scattered around the Isle of Skye. Still feeling energetic? Continue to Coire na Creiche, taking the five-mile circular walk that will bring you into the magnificent Cuillin Mountains where you’ll enjoy more breathtaking scenery.
Hop Aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia
What Is It? Home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family for more than 40 years, the Royal Yacht Britannia has sailed over 1 million miles around the globe.
Why Do It? One of the most famous ships in the world, Britannia was the only ship whose Captain was an Admiral.
Good to Know: Now parked in Edinburgh, visitors can hop aboard this floating Royal residence and explore the 5 main decks where state visits, official receptions, Royal honeymoons, and family holidays took place with informative handset audio tours.
Visit One of the World's Most Stunning Beaches
What Is It? Luskentyre Beach is consistently named one of the best beaches in Europe and in the world.
Why Do It? This stunning stretch of pristine white sand sits at the edge of turquoise waters and looks as if it’s a part of a tropical paradise, but it can be found on the west coast of the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
Good to Know: Deer frequent the surrounding countryside and wild ponies can sometimes be seen grazing along the sand, while eagles soar above in the skies and all sorts of marine life pass through the waters, including seals, otters and dolphins.
Capture Scotland's Most Photographed Castle
What Is It? Eilean Donan Castle, located along the main route to the Isle of Skye in the western highlands, is strategically set upon a tiny island where three sea-lochs meet and are surrounded by forested mountains.
Why Do It? The 13th-century castle was built for Alexander II to fend off Viking attacks, and since then, it’s become one of Scotland’s most iconic and most photographed castles. Built and rebuilt as the feudal history of the country unfolded throughout the centuries, it was partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising in 1719 and lay in ruins for nearly 200 years until it was purchased by Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap in 1911, who restored it to its former glory.
Good to Know: It’s open to the public for tours, and nearly every crook and cranny can be explored.
See the Old Man of Hoy Before It Disappears
What Is It? Situated just off Scotland’s north coast, the Orkney Islands offer miles and miles of rugged, wild coastline that’s packed with wildlife, including seal and puffin colonies, dolphins and giant Arctic seabirds.
Why Do It? But what many come to see is its famous landmark, the Old Man of Hoy, a sea stack that rises nearly 450 feet out of the sea, carved from layer upon layer of Old Red Sandstone. You’ll need to see it sooner rather than later, as waves have been eroding its base and are expected to continue until the entire pillar collapses.
Good to Know: You can get there with a moderately difficult three-hour round-trip walk from Rackwick, following the clearly marked coastal path, and returning via the same route. The Old Man can also be viewed from the daily Scrabster-Stromness ferry route.
Visit Britain's Most Remote Spot
What Is It? The tiny St Kilda archipelago sits on the edge of the continental shelf, as the most remote region of the British Isles, lying roughly 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides.
Why Do It? Here, towering sea cliffs stretch into the gannet-filled skies, while the remains of the only village, set upon the main island of Hirta, serve as a poignant reminder of a community that once etched out it’s living by growing oats and harvest fulmars. The last 36 residents evacuated in 1930 afterlife become too rough out on these remote islands, but today, as many as 35 live here in the summer, a mix of staff from owners National Trust for Scotland, Ministry of Defence workers, volunteers and scientists. With its sheer cliffs and monster tooth-like sea stacks, the group of islands have been described as a “lost world,” and would have made the ideal backdrop to Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park.”
Good to Know: To get here, you’ll need to either visit as part of a cruise itinerary or take a day trip from the Isle of Skye, Harris or North Uist.
Cruise Loch Lomond
What Is It? Just a short drive northwest from Glasgow, Loch Lomond is the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain by surface area, and its waters are filled with trout, salmon and whitefish.
Why Do It? A popular destination for anglers, as well as boaters, water skiers and swimmers, one of the best ways to experience it is by cruise. Cruise Loch Lomond offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the tranquility of its “bonnie banks” from the comfort of one of its vessels, departing from various locations and embarking on different sailing routes, allowing one to explore some of the lake’s most inaccessible hidden gems.
Good to Know: Departures from the picturesque village of Luss focus on the highlights in the southern region, including the romantic early 19th-century Balloch Castle, while Tarbet on the western shore offers the perfect base for exploring the fjord-like northern landscape.
Swim with the Seals
What Is It? You’ve heard of swimming with dolphins, and you may have even experienced it, but have you ever swam with seals?
Why Do It? Tours offer time to swim with the seals in the clear waters of a sheltered bay. The large colony includes harbor, grey and common seals, and there are almost always 10 to 20 seals that will greet you at the boat, saying “hello,” before you jump in to join them. In addition to the seals, you can see other marine life such as a variety of crabs, colorful anemones and nudibranchs.
Good to Know: Between the amazing creatures and the incredible clarity of the water that’s only about 10 feet deep, this is truly an experience you’ll never forget.
Stay in Your Own Lighthouse
What Is It? Rua Reidh Lighthouse near Gairloch offers the chance to stay in a real, working lighthouse in a jaw-dropping location.
Why Do It? Situated at the end of a 12-mile single-track road used as an ambling highway for deer and sheep, at the entrance to Loch Ewe, it enjoys one of the most dramatic settings on Scotland’s north-west coast. Perched upon black rocks that are splashed by the sea, the lighthouse is fully automated and its former keepers’ quarters were transformed into en-suite bedrooms, bunkrooms and a cozy living room with a wood-burning stove.
Good to Know: Whales, otters, sea eagles and dolphins can often be spotted from the lighthouse wall.
Try Scottish Dog Sledding
What Is It? Surprisingly, dog sledding is a year-round activity in Scotland.
Why Do It? While winter is definitely the best time for a more authentic experience, when there’s no snow on the ground, sleds with wheels are used. The team of racing sled dogs pulls you and a musher around the Cairngorm forest trails. The Cairngorm Sleddog Centre is the only daily working sled dog center in the UK and just one of five in all of Europe.
Good to Know: You’ll get to meet the team, have lots of hands-on time with the dogs, and enjoy the stunning mountain views and wildlife found throughout the region. The company offers a variety of tours as well as dog sledding courses and camps.
Climb the Highest Peak in Britain
What Is It? Ben Nevis is the highest summit in the British Isles.
Why Do It? It’s tucked deep within the Scottish Highlands, dramatically soaring for more than 4,400 feet over neighboring Fort William. Heading to the top of its peak brings awe-inspiring views that stretch for over 100 miles from the Grampian Mountains toward Glencoe and the Atlantic coast. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Northern Ireland.
Good to Know: If you’re an experienced hiker, don’t take the Tourist Path to climb it – instead, follow the breathtaking Carn Mór Dearg Arête, considered to be one of the finest ridges in the country, sweeping in a perfect arc towards the North Face of the mountain. After making your descent back down the main route, you can enjoy a pint of refreshing ale at the Ben Nevis Inn, located at its base.
Ride the Rails on the Jacobite Steam Train
What Is It? The Jacobite Steam Train is an unforgettable journey via steam train.
Why Do It? It begins at the foot of Ben Nevis in Fort William and crosses the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct which was seen in the Harry Potter films and overlooks Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument, stopping to allow passengers time to take in the view. It passes the silver sands of Morar, used in the films “Highlander” and “Local Hero,” and ultimately arrives in the fishing port of Mallaig.
Good to Know: It stops en route at the picturesque village of Glenfinnan, where a great monument commemorates Bonnie Prince Charlie’s uprising in a setting of incomparable scenic beauty.
Hop Aboard a Vintage Steam Boat
What Is It? The Vic 32 is a beautiful vintage steamship, built in 1943, described by her owners as a “fiery, smoky, living museum.”
Why Do It? You can enjoy a “Puffer Supper” aboard the ship while it’s docked at Plantation Quay, charter a day trip, or take a week-long cruise, departing from Ardrishaig, heading up Loch Fyne and anchoring at Crarae Gardens, where you can walk among the azaleas and rhododendrons before moving on to admire Lachlan Castle and the picturesque fishing village of Tarbert.
Good to Know: Visit the Island of Aran, anchoring in the bay near a seal colony, and stop at the Island of Great Cumbrae, famous for its chocolate shop.
Climb to the Old Man of Storr
What Is It? The Storr, also on the Isle of Skye, is a rocky ridge with its eastern face a labyrinth of craggy spires and pinnacles created by a massive ancient landslide.
Why Do It? The “Old Man,” is the tallest and most distinctive of those spires and can be seen for miles around. One of Scotland’s most photographed spots, it can be found in the area known as Trotternish, and its summit is fairly easily reached with a walk up a well-maintained path.
Good to Know: It’s one of the most popular hikes on the isle, and offers stunning views across Rona and Raasay to the Scottish mainland along the way and the rock formations around the sanctuary, including the nearly 165-foot Old Man.
Bike the Outer Hebrides
What Is It? The Outer Hebrides are absolutely magical. Here, you’ll feel as if you’re in a whole new world, far, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, politics, and all of those day-to-day stresses.
Why Do It? You’ll discover a different pace of life while exploring unspoiled coasts, a fascinating history and unique island cultures that include fabulous traditional folk music that can be heard in the pubs and famous Harris tweed that’s weaved by local crafters, not to mention the amazing local delicacies, like fresh scallops, lobster, crab and lamb.
Good to Know: Bicycle tours guide cyclists across the nine islands, including Harris, Lewis and North Uist. Or, you could just bring your bike and explore the islands on your own, stopping to enjoy a nice, long stroll on the pristine white sands and gazing at the sea vistas of brilliant blue water as far as the eye can see.
