Best time to visit
64 things to do in Scotland
Winter Mountaineering and Ice Climbing
Scotland provides excellent conditions for winter mountaineering and ice climbing for both beginners and experienced climbers
Salmon and Sea Trout
Fishing for Scottish salmon and trout is not as easy as it might seem, you can learn the art during informative fishing lessons
Boxing Day
The occasion has nothing to do with fists and punching, but rather boxes full of gifts
Diving
The west coast boasts the most spectacular diving sites but the east coast won't disappoint either
Osprey Watching
Once ospreys seemed to have left Scotland forever, but a pair of the fish-eating birds returned to the Highlands and restored its population
Cruising on a Vintage Steam Boat
Even if you do not fancy visiting museums, you will definitely enjoy a sail on the Vic 32 proclaimed a "smokey living museum"
Cruise to Staffa
The trip to Staffa amazes with wildlife encounters, puffin colonies, and the geometric shapes of Fingal's Cave
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
It is a great Scotch fun to intoxicate oneself to traditional Celtic singing, dancing, and storytelling
Ben Nevis
True hikers will not respect themselves having visited Scotland without ascending its highest summit
Autumnal Castles
Scottish castles nested atop extinct volcanoes or on the loch islands and cliff edges are beautifully surrounded by fall colours
Celtic Connections
Musicians from Celtic countries and further lands annually reunite in Glasgow in the celebration of folk music
Cranberries
These berries delight visitors of Scotland in late autumn and early winter
Seal Pups
The world's largest grey seal population and their cute pups inhabit the shores of the Scottish Orkney Islands
Scotland's Most Remote Pub
The waterway to the Old Forge Pub overlooks Europe's Last Wilderness, and the very pub pleases with strong ale, langoustines, and live music
Barnacle Geese
These tri-coloured birds are numerous in Scotland—they bark as if they were dogs and are believed to have originated from mollusks in Scottish folklore
Haddock
Cold-smoked, hot-smoked, dried, canned, frozen, served with chips, drowned in milk, or in a Scottish soup—so many ways to eat Haddock
Berry Season
Scotland abounds in strawberries, blackberries, currants, and other juicy sweets
Birdwatching
Thousands of skuas, auks, dotterels, ptarmigans, and eagles highlight Scottish birdwatching season
Heather
Purple heather blooms on ornate open Scottish fields, heathlands, wetlands, and forests
Autumn Foliage in Scotland
Though Scots Pine is definitely the king of the Highlands, in autumn it lets other trees outshine it with beautiful colors
Surfing
It is not true that the treacherous Scottish waves leave no opportunities for inexperienced surfers—there are options for everyone
Burns Night Celebrations
Scotsmen respect their national poet and commemorate his legacy by cooking his favorite meal on his birthday
Common Ridings on the Scottish Borders
Though today there is no need to protect the Scottish borders, the Scots still celebrate their centuries-old traditions and history
Burning of the Clavie
This Pagan feast may be erased from Gregorian calendar, but not from people's minds
Stand Up Paddleboarding
"Row, row, row the board, gently down the stream"–yes, the board, no misspelling here. This sport combines surfing with kayaking
Cowal Highland Gathering
At Highland dances, Scottish boys and girls perform in national costumes dancing to the traditional sounds of the hornpipe
Coasteering
The brave and curious will enjoy exploring the nearly inaccessible craggy coastlines of western and eastern Scotland
Seafood
Lobster, mussels, clams, and other Scottish seafood is made into delicious seasonal salads, stews, and specialties
Hunting Season
The season starts with grouse, snipe, and ptarmigan then proceeds with other wildfowl and finishes with deer
Golf
Golf courses of Scotland will impress you with breathtaking scenery—especially the course on the River Clyde encased by the Ayrshire hills
Dog Sledding
The beautiful Scottish winter is experienced to its fullest sledding across the Cairgorm mountains with lovely huskies
Fairy Pools of the Isle of Skye
Emerald-coloured pools possess magic powers that make you dive into the water, no matter how chilly it is
Oysters
Once the very Roman emperor deemed Scottish oysters as the best shellfish in the world
Lamb Meat
Scottish lamb is the sweetest and the leanest in the world owing to the excellent Highland pastures
The Ba' Game
When charged up Uppies and Doonies fight for the leather trophy ball, the townspeople protect their dwellings with wooden barricades
Up Helly Aa
To mark the end of the Yule season, thousands of Vikings traditionally burn the galley with thousands of torches
Haggis
Sheep's insides are sewn into its stomach, boiled, and served with "tatties and neeps" and a glass of Scotch Whisley for Burns Supper
Red Deer Rutting
The loud clash of red deer signals that rutting season is on–time to watch the stags' fight
Apple Season
Traditional apple scones, pies and scrumbles are the highlights of this delicious season
Canoeing, Kayaking and Sea Kayaking
Scottish white water rivers and lochs offer some of the best canoeing and kayaking trails in the world
Snowdrops
Delicate snowdrops rising up from the snow are able to console and inspire even the saddest souls
Skiing and Snowboarding
A great choice for winter holidays—Scottish ski resorts are a more affordable alternative to the Alps
Hillwalking or Munro Bagging
To become a "completer" you have to bag not less than 284 Munros
Lunan Bay Bathing Season
Every princess would have enjoyed a swim on an appealing pink beach overlooked by a castle
The Jacobite Steam Train
Did you know that the route of the Hogwarts Express passes through the Scottish Highlands?
Dolphin and Whale Watching in Scotland
Minkes, humpbacks, fins, orcas, and playful bottlenose dolphins will amuse you during the seasonal cruises
Kitesurfing & Windsurfing
One of the best destination in Europe for surfing of all kinds
Christmas Markets in Scotland
Scotland loves Christmas! It hosts some of the best Christmas Markets in the UK
New Year's Eve in Scotland
New Year's Eve in Scotland is celebrated loudly and passionately, making it a perfect destination for this holiday season
St. Patrick's Day
An excellent excuse to go pub crawling in one of the largest Scottish cities
Strathaven Balloon Festival
Enjoy a free weekend of fun at Scotland's only festival of ballooning
Glasgow Christmas Markets
Experience the best-in-class Christmas shopping in the city of Glasgow
Guisachan Gathering (Golden Retriever Festival)
The cutest dog show in the ancestral home of golden retrievers
Callander Jazz and Blues Festival
The largest rural jazz and blues festival in Perthshire