When it comes to finding the best things to do in Scotland, you’re spoilt for choice. The country is rich in history, culture and cuisine, and has something for every traveler – whether you want to amble through cobbled city streets of Edinburgh, witness breathtaking views from its rugged islands, or hop between whisky distilleries in the Highlands.
What is the number one attraction in Scotland?
According to 2023 numbers, the top attraction in Scotland is Edinburgh Castle. However, the top free Scottish attraction is just down the hill at the National Museum of Scotland, where you can wander through its historic halls and admire its many exhibitions covering the natural world, world cultures, art and design, science and technology and Scottish history, all in one place.
How many days is enough for Scotland?
It’s really up to you! For city breaks a long weekend is usually enough, though if you want to explore the Highlands and Islands, you’ll need longer to travel deeper into the country. Our Country Roads of Scotland guided tour spans 9 days, spanning Edinburgh, Orkney, and finishing in Glasgow. Why not see which of our best things to do in Scotland makes it onto your list, and plan your itinerary from there?
Our top 25 best things to do in Scotland
1. Stretch yours legs along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
Wander down the wide, cobbled streets of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Edinburgh officially became the capital of Scotland in 1437 under the rules of King Robert the Bruce, and this street became known as The Royal Mile because it became a processional route between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. Don’t forget to make time to stop by this area’s many pubs, restaurants and cafes to sample some local delicacies, whether that’s haggis washed down with a pint at pub, or more refined dining.
2. Take in the views from Edinburgh Castle
Walk in the footsteps of royalty as you approach Edinburgh Castle, one of the oldest fortified places in Europe re-discovered in 1912 during excavations. Climb Castle Hill and admire views of both Edinburgh Old and New Towns from the top – you can freely walk around the castle esplanade, but you’ll need a ticket to enter the walled precincts.
3. Have your camera ready for Eilean Donan Castle
Not only an iconic part of Scottish history but also a regular on the big (and small) screen, Eilean Donan Castle was first built in the 13th century. The castle is found on its own little island, overlooking the Isle of Skye, at the point where three great sea-lochs meet. Since the 1940s Eilean Donan Castle has starred in a few big blockbusters, including Highlander (1986).
4. Scale the iconic Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis (known in Gaelic as Beinn Nibheis) is the largest mountain in the British Isles, climbed by over 150,000 people every year. Begin the hike at the historic town of Fort William, known as the gateway to Ben Nevis, and climb to the peak, clocking in at 1,345 meteres (over 4,400 feet). Be warned, this isn’t for the faint-hearted – the average time to climb the summit and back in around 7-8 hours, but on a clear day, the views are unbeatable.
5. Skip over to the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye offers some of Scotland’s most awe-inspiring scenery. The soaring peaks of the Cuillin Hills, the dramatic geology of the Old Man of Storr and The Quiraing , an extraordinary assembly of pinnacles, rock towers and secret places. It’s so far north, during the summer it can get nearly 18 hours of daylight, making for some spectacular sunsets – you’ll just have to wait until around 10:30pm.
6. Fall in love with Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is where the Lowlands and the Highlands meet. The park also happens to be on a fault time, making for some incredible mountainous landscapes as well as lochs, rivers, forests and woodland. Pack your hiking boots for this one!
7. Take a hike in Cairngorms National Park
Witness even more incredible natural diversity in the Cairngorms National Park, home to a quarter of Scotland’s native forest. This vast park sits high above sea level, and is the largest, most northerly National Park in the UK with the highest range of mountains, also home to a quarter of the rare and endangered species in the UK. Make sure to visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre to catch sight of Britain’s only free-ranging reindeer herd.
8. Sip a dram at a whisky distillery
Boasting over 150 whisky distilleries across the country, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to trying a taste of the ‘water of life’, from the sweet Speyside whiskies to the smoky delights from Islay. You’ll have the chance to visit the coastal Old Pulteney Distillery on day 4 of our Country Roads of Scotland guided tour, with the unique opportunity to share a wee dram with the master distiller.
9. Pack a picnic for the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens
You’ll find over 70 acres of plants and wildlife just one mile north of Edinburgh’s city center in the Royal Botanic Gardens, home to over 10,000 plant species. Here you can visit landscapes from the Indonesian mountains, Australian forests, Arabian deserts and the Amazon rainforest, all in the heart of Scotland.
10. Explore historic St. Andrews
Not only is St. Andrews home to one of Europe’s most historic universities, founded in the early 1400s with alumni such as the Prince and Princess of Wales, but there are so many other great things to see in the town. Visit the beach where the famous scene from ‘Chariots of Fire’ was filmed, and see the very golf course where the sport was created. You’ll visit St Andrews on Day 3 of our Country Roads of Scotland guided tour.
11. Play golf at The Old Course St. Andrews
Speaking of golf, why not give it a go while you’re in the home of the sport? The Old Course St Andrews is the oldest and one of the most iconic golf courses in the world, with 600 years of golfing history. But the good news is it remains public, so anyone can grab a club and play – you just need to enter a ballot 48 hours in advance of play, and make sure you have a minimum of two and a maximum of four players.
12. Go monster-spotting on Loch Ness
Famous for its mythical monster, Loch Ness is one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks. This large, freshwater loch is the second deepest loch in Scotland, reaching 230 meters at its deepest point. This isn’t one to take a dip in as its waters remain a chilling 5°C (41°F) year round. We’d recommend staying on the shore and watching out for Nessie – with over 1,000 sightings since the 1930s, who knows if you’ll be the next one to spot her? You’ll visit Loch Ness on day 4 of our Country Roads of Scotland guided tour.
13. Feel the ancient spirituality of the Orkney Islands
Experience the magic of the Orkney Islands, with breathtaking views and ancient relics. Visit the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the old Norse Town of Kirkwall, and the mysterious archaeological treasure, the Ring of Brodgar. From slightly more recent history, you’ll also find a small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II. You’ll visit the Orkney Island on day 5 of our Country Roads of Scotland guided tour.
14. Spot a hairy Highland cow
When in the Scottish Highlands, you’ll have to spot a Highland cow. These fluffy, hardy cows capture the hearts of many travelers. One of the best spots for a catching a sight of free-roaming Highland cows is Bealach na Bà, a minor coastal road – just make sure to drive carefully!
15. Glimpse traditional Highland life at the Highland Folk Museum
Britain’s first open-air museum, the Highland Folk Museum spotlights life in the Scottish Highlands from the 1700s to the 1950s. As it’s weather dependent, it’s open from April through October, when you can visit the museum’s 35 historical buildings. There are also live actors demonstrating how people worked, lived, and spent their free time during that era.
16. Take a walk in the Valley of Glencoe
When it comes to rugged, wild landscapes, the Valley of Glencoe delivers in spades. Formed by an ice age glacier, the valley’s fragile biodiversity including rare alpine flowers, mosses, mountain hares, red deer and birdlife such as golden eagles On our Country Roads of Scotland guided tour, you’ll join a Glencoe ranger for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to learn about the protection of this rare ecosystem, and the important work reintroducing lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna.
17. Spend a day sightseeing in Glasgow
Glasgow is a city filled with great restaurants, galleries, vintage shops, and incredible architecture. As Scotland’s largest city, you won’t be short of things to see in Glasglow – highlights include Ashton Lane, a quaint cobbled street with pubs and restaurants; a stroll in Kelvingrove, the most scenic park in the city; admire the Gothic architecture of Glasgow Cathedral; and visit the Clydeside museums, sitting on opposite banks of the River Clyde.
18. Discover the sport of munro bagging
The list of outdoor activities in Scotland goes on, and this time you can get stuck into the sport of munro bagging. A munro is a Scottish mountain with an elevation of more than 3,000 feet (914 meters), and you can ‘bag’ a munro by reaching the summit. It’s named after Sir Hugh Munro (1856–1919), who compiled a list of the 283 highest mountains in Scotland, first published in the Scottish Mountaineering Club’s journal in 1891. You become a ‘Compleator’ if you bag them all, and today the official list of Munros contains 282 peaks.
19. Celebrate Scottish culture at the Highland Games
Regularly attended by the Royal Family, the Highland Games have been part of the fabric of Scottish culture and tradition for hundreds of years. The Games are generally one-day events that take place across the country, beginning in May, peaking in July and August with over 30 events each month, and tailing off towards the end of September. Get involved in sports like tug of war, the hammer throw, and the caber toss, as well as dancing, music, parades, and food. Explore the calendar here.
20. Take a ride on the “Harry Potter train”
You can actually ride the iconic Hogwarts Express train from the Harry Potter films! Known as the Jacobite Steam train in the muggle world, it rides across the arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct as part of its 84-mile trip, which starts in Fort William and ends in Mallaig. You can also visit the viaduct on foot and spot the train go by.
21. Take a seat at Edinburgh Fringe
If it’s arts and culture you’re after, then clear your diary for the Edinburgh Fringe., which takes place for three weeks each August. Scotland’s capital becomes an explosion of creativity, filled with artists and performers across hundreds of stages all over the city. Venues range from existing theatres and concert halls to spaces like bars, parks, and even buses and shipping containers. Many events are free, and the festival draws in both famous faces and unknown artists, with performances including theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children’s shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, and exhibitions.
22. Drive some (or all) of the North Coast 500
See almost all of Scotland’s incredible coastline as you drive the North Coast 500. Spanning across 516 miles, the route takes between 5 to 8 days to complete, with accommodation options along the way as well as camping spots. the NC500 starts in Inverness, heading west before going to some of the most northerly points in Scotland – you’ll even pass by John o’ Groats before heading south again.
23. Take a good book to the Paps of Jura
Author George Orwell (real name of Eric Blair) lived on the island of Jura for three years, which he described as an “un-get-at-able place”. It was this remote landscape which unlocked the creativity to write his most famous (and final) novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four. Jura’s isolation is still what draws visitors to the island, though it’s slightly more “get-at-able” now with a ferry running from Kennacraig. Fewer than 200 people live on Jura, who are outnumbered by the island’s 5,000 or so deer. The Paps of Jura are three mountains on the western side of the island of Jura, which are well worth the hike for the views from the top.
24. More whisky? Visit Islay
While Islay is a Scottish island known mostly for its smoky whisky, there’s so much more to this magical place. Aside from distillery visits (there are nine active distilleries on this small island), travelers can get stuck into walks, beaches, boat trips, and wildlife spotting. If whisky is your thing, then try to bag a spot at the island’s annual whisky festival, Fèis Ìle (also known as the Islay Festival), which takes place in the last week of May in a ten day event that defines the whisky calendar.
Tick off the best things to do in Scotland on an Insight Vacations Scotland guided tour.
