The Best Things
to Do in Scotland

Why Should You Travel to Scotland?

There’s something alluring about Scotland that’s unmatched by almost any other place. Whether it’s the ancient castles or the rolling moors and misty lochs, there’s a lot to fall in love with while you’re here. And it’s no matter if you’re walking hand in hand with your love or you’re traveling solo through the rolling hills of Scotland’s countryside – there’s an air of romance that defines what it means to traverse this awe-inspiring destination. 

Edinburgh and The Royal Mile

For many, it’s Scotland’s fascinating cultural legacy that’s romantic and intriguing, the story set in the castles and clearings that are still around today. In Edinburgh, the Royal Mile is arguably the city’s most important area and connects Edinburgh Castle with Holyroodhouse Palace, the official Scottish residence of the Queen. 

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Scottish capital of Edinburgh is one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations and offers a wealth of sights to digest. Stroll down the Royal Mile past St Giles Cathedral, explore the 18th century 'New Town' with its classical Adam facades, shop on Princes Street or marvel at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where Mary Queen of Scots lived - it is still the official Scottish residence of the Queen. In summer, join the celebratory crowds at the Edinburgh Festival, and witness the unforgettable spectacle that is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

See the Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Royal Mile in Edinburgh

Despite its rather misleading name, The Royal Mile is in fact over a mile long and comprised of several different streets. Jam-packed with cobbled courtyards, secret stairways, towering tenements, and incredible cityscape views, along the Royal Mile you'll also find the Witches Well, the famous Cannonball House, Tollbooth Kirk, and The Writer's Museum dedicated to Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson - three of Scotland’s most famous writers.

Scottish Highlands, Islands, Glens & Lochs

Scotland’s majestic landscape offers a patchwork of fields, woodlands, and hills dotted with settlements and cut through by shining rivers while historic castles perch beside lochs and glens to tell stories of a time before. Every turn will leave you awe-struck as you take in bluebell woods, heather-clad heathlands, deep valleys, and mirror-like lakes. Admire the beauty of the Grampian Mountains, the North West Highlands, Skye, the Valley of Glencoe, and Loch Lomond, and keep an eye out for the study red deer, Scotland’s iconic flame-haired Highland cattle, and the notorious Nessie.

Scottish Highlands

The wild and windswept Highlands offer dramatic scenery and many baronial castles, a testament to the country’s gripping history. Wind north through sweeping glens, past vast lochs, and you will begin to understand more of the wonder about this ancient land. Take in Glencoe Valley's waterfalls and haunted past, Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, and iconic Eilean Donan Castle.

Warm your heart with a bit of Scottish whisky at a traditional distillery in the Scottish Highlands...

The Trip to Take

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are known for their scenic beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage. Described by novelist Sir Walter Scott as the ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs,’ Loch Lomond is a peaceful lake in southern Scotland. Visitors can explore the park's many lochs, mountains, forests, and historical sites.

Join the Wood family for a meal and stories at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard, located in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park....

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is a collection of beautiful islands in the Inner Hebrides known for rugged landscapes, stunning coastlines, and abundant wildlife. Visitors enjoy the many waterfalls, beaches, historical sites, and outdoor activities like hiking and wildlife watching. Sightseeing highlights include Dunvegan Castle, the ancestral home of the chiefs of the MacLeod clan for the past eight centuries.

Go over the sea to Skye and spend a rare night on the island, enjoying a hearty meal and great company....

The Trip To Take

Loch Ness

Thanks to legend, Loch Ness might be one of Scotland's most famous lochs; it's also the largest volume of fresh water in Great Britain. The loch draws in tourists from all over the world, looking to explore the natural beauty, history, and mystery of one of Scotland's most iconic destinations. The Loch Ness Monster, or "Nessie" as it is affectionately known, is a legendary creature said to inhabit the depths of Loch Ness. Sightings of Nessie date back centuries, with reports of a large, serpentine creature swimming through the loch's waters.

Travel along Loch Ness and hear tales of the famous Nessie..

Cairngorms National Park

Located in the eastern Highlands, Cairngorms National Park is the largest natural park in the UK, offering visitors stunning mountain landscapes, forests, rivers, and lochs. It's an excellent destination for outdoor activities such as hiking and wildlife watching.

Spend the night and enjoy a cozy dinner right in Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands...

The Trip To Take

Valley of Glencoe

Perhaps Scotland’s most famous glen, the volcanic valley of Glencoe offers striking waterfalls, craggy trails, and imposing peaks. This glen, with its giant peak known as the “Great Shepherd of Etive," looks picturesque and formidable no matter the weather. Visitors can explore the many historical landmarks and natural and cultural attractions.

Join a ranger in the Valley of Glencoe to learn about protecting this rare ecosystem and the vital work of reintroducing lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna...

The Trip To Take

Orkney Islands, Scotland

Go off the beaten path to the most northern point of the British mainland, John O’Groats. Board the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands. Across the windswept islands lie relics spanning human history, from pagan stone circles to reminders of wartime tragedy. The countryside is breathtakingly majestic, and the tranquility supports a quieter pace of life. The hardy locals say they live ‘below the wind and above the water.’ Make sure to visit the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the mysterious Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall, and the small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II.

See the prehistoric free-standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar and visit Skara Brae to hear the stories of the Neolithic village...

The Trip To Take

Famous Castles to See in Scotland

In the Highlands, you'll find the iconic and water-surrounded Eilean Donan Castle. Even the bloody history of Glamis Castle offers tales of romance. Visitors can delve straight into Scotland’s fascinating history at any one of the many castles in this gorgeous country. 

Edinburgh Castle in Scotland

Sitting atop an extinct volcano and once surrounded by a loch, it’s no surprise this spot has been fortified for most of its human history. Now a Scottish icon, this tall, dark stone castle houses the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the giant Mons Meg, and the National War Museum.

Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland

There’s nothing more romantic than the dramatic landscapes that accompany a drive along the northwest coast of the Scottish Highlands. Perhaps one of the most iconic sights of the area is the small tidal island of Eilean Donan, home to the stunning 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle, charmingly positioned atop. Situated where three sea lochs meet, the island is surrounded by reflections of the majestic hills and faraway snow-capped mountains – it is little wonder that the castle is a quintessential stop in the Scottish Highlands.

Glamis Castle in Scotland

Follow in the footsteps of Mary, Queen of Scots, James V, Bonnie Dundee, and the ill-fated Janet Douglas at Glamis Castle, the ancestral seat to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since 1372. Visit the chapel, crypt, the royal apartments, and Duncan’s Hall to get a real taste of history. Even Shakespeare has a part to play as Glamis Castle was also the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth!

Stirling Castle in Scotland

As one of the largest and historically important castles in Scotland, Stirling Castle was considered the “key to Scotland” sitting atop 250ft high Castle Hill, at the meeting point between the Lowlands and the Highlands. The castle was once home to generations of Steward kings and queens, including Mary Queen of Scots. 

Go on an Outlander Tour of Scotland

An Outlander Tour of Scotland is a very popular itinerary for fans and follows the time-traveling adventures of Claire Randall in 18th-century Scotland. Tours take visitors to various locations across Scotland featured in the series, allowing them to immerse themselves in the world of Outlander. Even if you're not a die-hard fan of the series and are simply interested in Scottish history and culture, an Outlander Tour is a great way to explore some of Scotland's most beautiful and fascinating locations.

Highland Trail Inspired by Outlander

Lovers of the television series based on the Outlander novels by Diana Gabaldon will flip for this Outlander-inspired expedition through the landscapes of Scotland. Follow in the footsteps of Jamie Fraser and his beloved Sassenach, Claire Randall, to embark on an adventure full of lochs, glens, battlefields, and tales of Redcoats and rugged Highlanders. (With so many Outlander moments, this journey will have Gabaldon fans keeping an eye out for stone circles, hoping for a bit of magic.)

The Trip To Take

What's Included in an Outland Tour of Scotland?

Stroll through Claire’s herb garden and Geillis Duncan’s home in the 16th-century town center. Be captivated by stops at Mrs. Baird’s B&B (the Covenanter Hotel in real life) and the Highland Folk Museum. Feel the drama of the battlefield of Culloden – on the windswept moors on which Claire and Jamie were forced to part ways.

Visit the 15th-century walls of Blackness Castle on the shores of the Firth of Forth, the backdrop for the infamous Fort William prison. Cross the Firth to the fictional village of Cranesmuir to hear the tales of witchcraft and spells.

Continue to adventure through the Outlander universe and travel south to soak up the seafaring heritage of Ullapool, a fishing town on Loch Broom and home to Thomas Telford’s famous herring port. Traverse the rugged countryside and venture to the islands to stay the night on the picturesque Isle of Skye. While staying on the island, a rare treat, learn about Bonnie Prince Charlie’s daring escape “over the sea to Skye,” aided by the Jacobite heroine Flora MacDonald.