11 incredible things you should do in Scotland

Time to start planning the ultimate Scottish retreat...
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Alice Howarth30 November 2017

Scotland may be small but it’s a country that offers a huge wealth of different experiences for any discerning traveller.

Whether you want to hike mountains that rival those of Norway and New Zealand, visit the ancient capital that’s known as the Athens of the North or find yourself castaway on a remote island in the Atlantic ocean - it’s all possible.

Below, we’ve listed 11 Scottish activities that should be top of anyone’s travel list. Which will you do?

1. Stay in an ancient castle

Inverlochy Castle

Getting the chance to rest your head in a castle isn’t a novelty in Scotland - there are tonnes of former Royal digs all over the country that welcome guests. From Orkney down to the Borders, you can find castles that range from charming B&Bs to 5* honeymoon-appropriate mega pads.

Inverlochy Castle is a luxe escape nestled in the foothills of Ben Nevis. Known to be a particularly scenic area of the country, in 1873, when talking about the property, Queen Victoria actually said she had “never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot”.

Ayrshire’s Glenapp Hotel is another 5* castle worth mentioning but if you want something a little more budget-friendly, Argyll’s Barcaldine B&B, a 17th-century castle-turned-guest-house, is an excellent option that won’t completely break the bank.

2. Go to the biggest arts and cultural festival in the world

Edinburgh Festival
VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

The legendary Edinburgh Fringe takes place throughout the month of August every year and has been running since 1947. Around 300 venues are taken over in the city and stages are filled with some of the biggest names in comedy, music, theatre and arts.

Top tips?

1. If you don’t pre-book your tickets online (highly advised) and the show you want to see is sold out, don’t panic. Visit the box office 30 minutes before the show is due to start. If there are any returned tickets or no-shows, almost all of the venues will resell them to you.

2. Try and go later in the month, that’s when people have sussed out what’s really worth seeing. You’ll hear recommendations from people in the pubs, on the street, on the bus - listen.

3. Always take an umbrella.

3. Find yourself castaway on a remote Hebridean Island

The Hebrides
VisitScotland/Paul Tomkins

If you’re after rugged romance, it really doesn't get much better than the Hebridean Islands. There are, however, over 100 islands in the Outer Hebrides and 36 inhabited islands in the Inner Hebrides so it is worth spending time researching which ones to go to well in advance.

What you can bet on though is that almost all of them will offer you untouched golden sands, fresh seafood straight from a fisherman's boat, live folk music at a village pub, flora and fauna for days and a continuous feeling of being away from “it”.

4. Discover a deserted beach

Oldshoremore
Alamy

Scotland’s highlands and islands really do hold some of Britain's most spectacular beaches. Some even look like they could be in the Caribbean if the sun came out.

Sandwood on the north-west coast is the chosen beach of the Royal family but just around the bay lies Oldshoremore - an overlooked stretch of pristine white sand that is nothing short of breathtaking.

Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides has become known around the world for its miles and miles of unspoiled beaches. It was actually once voted the best island in Europe by TripAdvisor. For those that don’t want to venture anywhere quite as remote though, there are plenty of near-city sands all over the country.

Tyninghame beach in East Lothian - just 35 minutes drive from Edinburgh’s city centre - is beautifully wild. Lunan Bay, not far from Dundee, is made up of towering sand dunes and is overlooked by a crumbling 12th century castle. It also offers excellent surf conditions (just make sure you wear a wetsuit).

5. Eat internationally-acclaimed Scottish cuisine

The Three Chimneys
The Three Chimneys

Skye’s The Three Chimneys was awarded a Michelin star in 2014 but later lost it when their award-winning chef left. Scott Davies, the restaurant’s new head chef may just be the man to get it back however.

The restaurant, which was founded in 1984, has just been awarded the title of Best Restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide and with good reason.

A predominantly Scottish menu, 90 per cent of the ingredients originates from Skye with the chef foraging the island himself.

Foodies make the pilgrimage over the Scottish sea just to taste the likes of Dunvegan Langoustines and Crabs with Skye Black Pickled Fennel and Soay Lamb Ravioli with sweetbreads and chanterelles. Book well in advance to save disappointment.

6. Climb a Munro

Peaks of the Black Cuillin
VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

If you're into hiking, you’re in the right country. Scotland is home to an impressive 282 munros.

Ben Lomond is Scotland’s most southerly munro and is excellent for accessibility and views (you can see the entirety of Loch Lomond from the top).

Over in the Northeast, located on the grounds of Balmoral, Lochnagar is arguably one of the most celebrated munros in the country but, if you’re after a real challenge, climb the 12 airy peaks of the Black Cuillin on Skye or walk the UK mainland's narrowest ridge walk - the Aonach Eagach - in Glencoe.

You never know, you may get hooked and become an official “munro bagger” - a.k.a. someone who walks all 282. To date, 6,000 munroists have completed the challenge.

7. Visit mainland Britain’s most remote pub

Alamy

The Old Forge in the village of Inverie prides itself on being mainland Britain’s most remote pub and quite right too. With no roads going in or out, if you want to enjoy a cold pint, you’ll have to walk 18 miles over several munros or cross seven miles of the sea. The good news is, in recent years they've expanded and guests can now stay the night. Phew.

8. Go whale and dolphin watching

Orcas
Skeeze/Pixabay

Forget trekking to Canada or South Africa to see dolphins and whales, you just have to hop over to Scotland. There are plenty of places where you can spot bottlenose dolphins, whales and of course seals. The northern side of the Moray Firth is said to be the best place in Britain to see these types of dolphins - who just happen to be the largest of their species in the world. Torridon or the waters of Orkney during the summer is where you might see the UK’s only resident pod of orcas (a.k.a. killer whales) and, between April and September, Minke Whales are often spotted off the Isle of Mull.

9. Travel by train through the Highlands

Jacobite Steam Train over Glenfinnan Viaduct
Jack Anstey/Unspalsh

Of course you could walk the West Highland Way if you’re into the great outdoors but for those less active, another memorable way to see some of the world’s most beautiful scenery is by travelling through it on a train. Whether you ride the achingly romantic Jacobite Steam Train over Glenfinnan Viaduct (a.k.a. the Harry Potter bridge) or travel first class from Glasgow on a more modern Scotrail version - this will be a trip to beat.

10. Taste single malt in a vaulted barrel room

Skeeze/Pixabay

Scotland is split into five whisky-producing regions: Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. Based on where it’s produced, the process and finished product will all differ.

This means two thing: when in Scotland, drink lots of different types of whisky to get a feel for the difference yourself but also take the opportunity to learn about the ancient spirit from the masters themselves. All over the mainland and some of the islands, you’ll have the opportunity to visit working distilleries, enjoy tastings and learn what the “angel share” actually means.

11. Visit the UK’s only natural and cultural World Heritage Site

St Kilda's (National Trust for Scotland)
National Trust of Scotland

Even those who don’t like birdwatching would probably be convinced after visiting St Kilda’s. As the UK’s most remote outpost, the archipelago’s wildlife is extraordinary.

Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 41 miles west of Benbecula in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, the island is North-West Europe’s most important seabird area and home to over 1 million of them.

Due to its remoteness, all of its former residents were evacuated in 1930 so there aren’t hotels or lodges to stay on St Kilda’s (although you can camp). The way to visit is on a daytime boat trip operating from the likes of Skye, Berneray or Harris.

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