Top Things to Do in Scotland: Must-See Attractions and Activities

The sweeping landscapes have made Scotland a popular filming location. And yet, there’s so much more here than just a series of postcard views! In this article, we touch on many aspects of this multifaceted country to help you navigate through the things to do in Scotland.

Glenfinnan: A Scenic Highland Spot

Small as it is, this hamlet in Lochaber area can offer a few interesting ways to spend time:

• visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The 21-arch structure can be seen in several films of the Harry Potter series as part of the Hogwarts Express route. “The Hogwarts Express,” which in real life is just a tourist train called the Jacobite Steam-Locomotive Train, passes this place. To catch the “express,” you’ll have to go to Fort William first, as the trip starts there. In Glenfinnan, you can observe the train from a viewing point about an hour away from the station. The trail is well-marked.
•  you might also be tempted to watch the train from other places and explore the vicinity of Glenfinnan on foot. The hamlet is surrounded by scenic mountains and lies at the head of Loch Shiel, so if you’re making plans about what to do in Scotland right now, a hike in this area can be a great idea.
• visit the Glenfinnan Monument, an 18-meter-high tower. It’s dedicated to the Scottish Highlanders who took part in the Jacobite rising of 1745, which began here.
• take a look at the Glenfinnan Railway Museum in the restored station building. The exhibition is dedicated to the West Highland railway and its history. You can also eat in the Dining Car or stay overnight in the Sleeping Car.

Edinburgh: The Historic Capital

A series of festivals are held in Edinburgh between the end of July and early September. Taking part in one of them is among the top things to do in Scotland during this period. Meanwhile, you can enjoy other attractions:

• Edinburgh Castle houses the medieval bombard Mons Meg, the Honours of Scotland, and the Stone of Destiny. There’s also the Royal Palace, where the country’s kings and queens lived.
• Arthur’s Seat. A warm and dry day is perfect for climbing this ancient volcano, from which you can see the whole city. Alternatively, you may want to visit the Lauriston Castle and Gardens.
• Calton Hill is perfect for leisurely strolls and photography. The historic monuments in this area are among the best-known in Scotland tourist attractions.
• the National Museum of Scotland is an option for the period when the weather isn’t that generous. Some of the alternatives are the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Edinburgh Dungeons.

Isle of Skye: Natural Beauty Unveiled

Isle of Skye is admired for its mystical beauty and captivating history. The island is connected to the northern side of Scotland by bridge. Some of the destinations to consider:

• Old Man of Storr. You can explore these oddly shaped rock formations on foot – there are a lot of trails leading to the base of the jagged rocks, to the remnants of ancient landslides, and to vantage points farther away.
• Fairy Pools are natural rock pools fed by a series of waterfalls. The pools are created by the River Brittle going down from the Black Cuillin mountains.
• Fairy Glen. The bizarre landscape formed by a landslip is highlighted by lush green grass.
• Dunvegan Castle, the country’s oldest continuously inhabited castle.
• the walk to Neist Point is rather long, and you’ll have to go uphill, but it rewards the tourist with a magnificent summit view.

Glen Coe Valley: Majestic and Mysterious

Glen Coe is located in the north of the county of Argyll and is especially loved by walkers and climbers. Here are a couple if ideas of what to see and do in this area known as one the most beautiful places in Scotland:

• Glen Coe Valley, which is a deep U-shaped glen formed by an ice age glacier.
• Glencoe Mountain Resort, featuring amazing views of Buachaille Etive Mor, a climbing venue.
•  area along the main A82 road, an example of a classic Highland journey.
• waterfalls: the so-called Meeting of Three Waters (between Glencoe and Altnafeadh), the falls on the Three Sisters Mountains, and the Steall Falls near Fort William.
• the Aonach Eagach, a mountain ridge forming the northern edge of Glen Coe.

Visit a Haunted Castle: A Ghostly Experience

No list of what to see in Scotland could be complete without at least a couple of eerie castles. Even the most discriminating ghost would be proud to inhabit one of these:

• Tantallon Castle (East Lothian), a mid-14th-century fortress, which has been a ruin since the 17th century.
• Falkland Palace (Fife), where the Stuarts used to live.
• Skaill House (Orkney) isn’t exactly a castle, but it feels sinister enough. It overlooks the neolithic site, Skara Brae, and the Bay of Skaill.
• tourists are not allowed to enter Sanquhar Castle (Dumfries). That’s not because of its renowned ghost, but due to the risk of falling masonry.
• Duntrune Castle (Argyl) was built in the 13th century and is currently occupied. By people. So tourists only have a chance to enter holiday cottages on the estate.
• Hermitage Castle (Roxburghshire) built in the 13th century is believed to be the home to Mary Queen of Scots, among other spirits.
• Blackness Castle (Falkirk), which has been an artillery fortification and a prison.
• Inveraray Castle (Argyll), one of the earliest Gothic Revival buildings. It’s open to the public.

Whisky Distillery Tour: A Taste of Scotland

Celebrating the country’s national drink is one of the most interesting things to do Scotland can offer. Given that the number of whisky distilleries exceeds 140, you might be wondering how to navigate your way through.

The local whisky map can be broken down into five distinct regions:

• Highland is more challenging to describe because of its diversity. Being geographically the largest whisky-producing area, it has over 50 distilleries.
• Islay, where single malt Scotch whisky, the “original” whisky of Scotland, is produced. There are only about a dozen distilleries, Bowmore (1779) being the oldest and Ardbeg the most popular of them.
• Campbeltown is the smallest of the regions, but it’s renowned for its single malts. Due to the recognizable fruit and smoky undertones of these malts, connoisseurs distinguish Campbeltown as a distinct whisky-producing area.
• Lowland. Because of the light, sweet, and floral undertones, local malts are referred to as Lowland Ladies.
• Speyside. The Malt Whisky Trail takes tourists through seven active distilleries and a historical one.

Loch Ness: Home of the Legendary Monster

The loch stretches 23 miles (37 kilometers) along the length of the Great Glen in the Scottish Highlands. It has more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined and is among the top 10 places to visit in Scotland.

One of the ways to explore the area is the Loch Ness 360° Trail running around the entire perimeter of the loch. Though the trail, technically, begins in Inverness, it’s perfectly possible to join it at any other place. The route brings you through Falls of Foyers, a waterfall with a 140-ft drop, Suidhe Viewpoint 5.4 miles north of the bridge in Fort Augustus, Caledonian Canal, and Urquhart Castle.

Many local attractions have to do with the Loch Ness Monster. There are all kinds of boat trips and Nessie cruises.

Mallaig: A Picturesque Seaside Village

Founded in the 1840s, today Mallaig is an active fishing port surrounded by remarkable settings. It’s rather a port than a tourist destination, but the landscapes, the sea, and the boats give the place a unique and memorable character.

Ferries connect the village to Skye, the Small Isles, South Uist and the Knoydart peninsula. The so-called “Road to the Isles” (the A830 road) leads to Fort William. That’s why Mallaig can be described as a gateway to some of the best places to see in Scotland.

One way to explore the area is the Mallaig Circuit. Leading around the hills and village, it gives a chance to enjoy the views across Loch Nevis to Knoydart.

Ride the Jacobite Express: Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Train

Dying to see the arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct through the windows of “the Hogwarts Express”? As we’ve mentioned above, there’s a tourist train, the Jacobite Steam-Locomotive Train, which you can take to enjoy this kind of ride.

The starting point of the 84-mile trip offered by West Coast Railways is in Fort William, not far from the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis. It’s certainly worth being mentioned among the best things to see in Scotland. The train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct and sometimes pauses there, time permitting. Having passed the village of Arisaig, the Hogwarts Express eventually stops in Mallaig, where tourists have an hour and a half to walk around. After that, they are taken back on the same train.

Glen Nevis Valley: Scotland’s Highest Peak

The valley, or glen, is located in Lochaber, Highland. You can get there from Fort William, Scotland’s outdoor capital, which is at its foot. Tourists often take a round trip, during which they can observe:

• the highest mountains in Britain, Ben Nevis among them
• the three highest waterfalls in Scotland, their height ranging from 113 to 200 meters
• the River Nevis popular among canoeists
• herds of highly photogenic highland cows or occasional free-roaming sheep

There’s a touring and camping park nearby, Glen Nevis Holidays. This is also the place where the West Highland Way starts (ends), a long-distance hiking trail that leads to Glasgow and passes through some of the most interesting places to see in Scotland. Apart from Harry Potter, this area has been used as a film set for Braveheart and Rob Roy and other films.

Glasgow: A Vibrant City of Culture

The third-most-populous city in the UK deserves more than just a brief visit. Picking out only a few things might be a challenge, but here are some ideas:

• Pollok Country Park, which is Glasgow’s largest green space and is among the most beautiful places in Scotland. You can enjoy a woodland walk or take an electric shuttle bus around the area, which abounds in attractions.
• the Burrell Collection is the highlight of Pollok Country Park. The art collection comprises over nine thousand items, from late medieval artefacts to Islamic art. Rodin, Degas and Cézanne are among the artists whose works you can see there.
• Glasgow Botanic Gardens. The majority of over nine thousand plants grow in the temperate and tropical glasshouses.
• on a warm day, you may also visit the Necropolis, which is a Victorian cemetery right near the city centre. Due to its historical monuments and panoramic views, it has become one of the must see places in Scotland.
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which includes over eight thousand pieces.
• the City Centre Mural Trail. Here, you can see quite a few examples of the street art, for which Glasgow is famous.
• the Riverside Museum, a transport and technology museum on the banks of the River Clyde.

Loch Lomond & Trossachs: Scotland’s Natural Paradise

The first National Park in Scotland abounds in scenic munros, corbetts and large lochs. Tourists often explore:

• the Bird of Prey Centre, where British birds live next to rare species from various corners of the world
• Sea Life Aquarium
• TreeZone aerial adventure course, which takes place high above the ground
• Pony Trekking
• speedboat tours and full boating holidays
• Water Ski Club
• dozens of trails zigzagging the park. Ben A’an and Conic Hill are popular destinations, among other things to see in Scotland.
• West Highland Way, which passes by Loch Lomond

Scone Palace: A Royal Heritage

The family home of Earls of Mansfield and the ancient crowning place of Scottish kings, Scone Palace is located close to the Scone village. This is the place where Macbeth, Robert the Bruce, and Charles II were once crowned, which already makes it a must see in Scotland.

The palace representing Gothic Revival architecture is built of red sandstone and has a castellated roof. Although the Stone of Scone, upon which the early Kings of Scotland were crowned, is now in Edinburgh Castle, tourists can still see the place where it once stood.

Lewis & Harris Isle: Explore the Outer Hebrides

Despite the somewhat misleading name, this is a single island. It’s the largest island in Scotland and the main one in the Outer Hebrides. This place gives a chance to contemplate lunar landscapes and white beaches and immerse yourself in Gaelic culture.

Mountains break the island down into two parts. The larger part, the Isle of Lewis, is in the north. There’re lots of hills, over thirty of them above 1,000 ft (305 m). The highest one is called Clisham. By contrast, the Isle of Harris, which lies in the south, is mostly flat. Yet, there’re hilly areas in the south-east and south-west. Harris is where Loch Suaineabhat is located, the deepest lake on any offshore island in the British Isles.

Enjoy a Night at a Scottish Pub: Traditions and Tunes

Scottish pub culture has a long history. Pubs are woven into the fabric of society and are a way to learn more about the country. So, going to one is certainly among the most fun things to do in Scotland, especially on a dark winter night. Sometimes, the fear of making a newbie mistake keeps people from going to Scottish pubs. Yet, don’t forget that these places, especially the most iconic ones, are often visited by tourists, so people there are very understanding.

The list of ideas concerning what to do in Scotland may also include attending Highland Games or one of musical festivals, from Celtic Connections in Glasgow to Mull Music Festival on the Isle of Mull. If you long for something to tickle your nerves, our suggestion is an underground walking tour in Edinburgh, which will take you through the subterranean tunnels. One more option is Camera Obscura and World of Illusions in Edinburgh, offering more than a hundred illusions and multi-level attractions.

No matter how you plan your itinerary, each new place and event will take you a step closer to understanding the unique soul of the nation!