What to Do in Scotland

The land of ancient castles and majestic cities, natural wonders and refind beauty, old legends and unsolved mysteries, Scotland has always been and always will be an inexhaustible source of inspiration. And the diversity of this United Kingdom's region is absolutely astonishing

For example, Edinburgh is a perfect destination for those who dream of picture-like architecture, fascinating historical sights, and the unparalleled atmosphere of serenity. The city of Glasgow, on the other hand, is the city that buzzes with creative energy. Its lively streets are filled with performers and you are never far away from one or another renowned world-class art museum while you are there. You can go hiking and admire the wild beauty of Scottish nature, explore numerous old fortresses scattered around the land, and try to take a picture of the famous Loch Ness' inhabitant.

As another option, you can explore the world of the best whisky (although neighboring Ireland might want to argue with that) and treat yourself with a tour around the best Scottish distilleries. Or what about the ultimate Harry Potter vacation? Scotland is the location of the best School of Witchcraft and Wizardry after all!

But our planet is incredible and boasts so many beautiful places that although visiting Scotland time and time again seems tempting, the desire to see more marvels of the world is stronger. So what are the ultimate places to add to your Scotland travel bucket list if you want to see different sides of this glorious region in one go?

Bringing to Life the Old Legends

Of course, any Scotland tourist route has to have at least several castles. For a starter, you can keep to the most renowned (and easily accessible) ones, such as Edinburgh, Eilean Donan, and Stirling castles. Let's have a closer look at this fabulous trio. In the meanwhile, you can read more about scenic places in Scotland to make your vacations special and unforgettable.

The calling card of Edinburgh, the sumptuous castle that shares its name with the city is surely an impressive sight. Nestled on the top of an ancient volcano, the fortress dominates the city views, and it's impossible to resist the urge to come closer, to see more than just a stirring facade. And there is a lot to see as Edinburgh Castle is much more than just a pretty face. Its history is fascinating!

There are numerous rumors of the stronghold being haunted. The students from all around the country avoid the sight like a plague as the legend says that any undergraduate who passes through the gates of the castle will fail his or her final exams. It was once home to an elephant and played a major part in witch-hunting during the 16th century. And did you know that over a hundred years ago the crown jewels of Scotland mystically disappeared somewhere in the fortress? Maybe it's you who is destined to find them!

Imperial Eilean Donan is the quintessence of everything we imagine when we think of a medieval castle. The small ancient fortress inspiring the visions permeated with honor, bravery, and nobility is perched on a small island in the very heart of the famous Scottish Highlights, can it be more perfect?

But let us tell you a secret. The fortress is much younger than it seems and was built at the beginning of the 20th century (although, to be fair, it was built on the ruins of the old 11th-century fortress) in a pseudo-medieval style. But it barely changes a thing as Eilean Donan Castle is a truly beautiful fortification and one of the most photographed places in the world. Its walls had witnessed some interesting things and keep plenty of secrets, including the old legend about the old warrior who could speak to the birds.

Magnificent Stirling Castle is surely hard to miss. Set on the top of a rock face and surrounded by steep cliffs, the fortress is visible for miles! And you can rest assured that once you saw it, it will be hard to look away. The citadel looks ancient and impenetrable and boasts everything you would expect from an old fortification. Home to many royal families throughout the centuries, it prides itself on rich historical heritage heavy with wars and celebrations, losses and victories, treasons and acts of nobility. The striking interiors give you a very clear idea of what life was like for its inhabitants many years ago, so don't forget to add a guided tour of Stirling Castle to your travel plans.

If you prefer to stick to less known and crowded (but just as amazing) places or look for more authentic Scotland attractions, Edzell, Kellie, and Dunrobin castles might be just the perfect choice for you.

The most impressive features of Edzell Castle are its red sandstone walls and amazing walled garden that could have easily been a setting for Queen of Heart's garden in the spectacular "Alice in Wonderland" movie. But be careful during your visit, they say that the striking fortress is haunted by the ghost of the White Lady.

Kelly Castle dates back to the 14th century and also boasts lovely gardens, but its main pride is the awe-inspiring royal interiors of the citadel. Pay special attention to the library, its ceiling is believed to be among the oldest ornamental plaster ceiling in Scotland!

Dunrobin Castle is a very special case as it might not look like it belongs in the King Arthur Legends like the rest of the list, but it's surely a fairytale sight. Boasting round towers, turrets, and spikes, the castle has a distinctive Disney feeling about it. Apart from touring Dunrobin Castle and admiring its formal gardens, you can also enjoy fascinating falconry demonstrations, taking place on the castle lawn every day.

Are You Ready for a Hike?

The best time to visit Scotland is in late spring or early summer when the mandatory end-of-the-winter storms have calmed down, the weather is nice and welcoming, but the peak of the tourist season is still far away, so you can enjoy the natural beauty of Scotland without being accompanied by the crowds of fellow tourists.

The ruins of Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness

As you know, Scotland is famous for jaw-dropping sceneries, especially when it comes to its beautiful lochs. Of course, if you have time for one trip only, you should go to the renowned Loch Ness. You can't really say that you've been to Scotland and didn't try to catch a glimpse of Nessy.

But the lake is so much more than that the legend of a mystical beast. The views there are spectacular and there are plenty of interesting places to stop by, such as the atmospherical ruins of Urquhart Castle, the charming village of Drumnadrochit that houses the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, Fort Augustus, and the scenic waterfall at Foyers, just to name a few.

If you have enough time to prolong your tour of the Scottish Highlights, it's a great idea to add visits to the Isle of Skye and the Orkney and Shetland islands to your program. Dramatic doesn't even begin to describe the hauntingly beautiful views that await you on the Isle of Skye. There is no way to describe the awe you feel when you see its sceneries for the first time. From majestic cliffs and alluring valleys to enchanting waterfalls, the panoramas will steal your heart and provide plenty of unique photo opportunities as well as a wide range of hiking routes for people of different ability levels.

The Orkney and Shetland islands are also not short of the jaw-dropping views that will take your breath away. If you feel like dedicating several days of your Scottish adventure to hiking, it's a great place to explore. The region managed to preserve the wild spirit of Scotland, its untamed beauty, and the feeling of ultimate freedom.

But if you want to see something really special, consider taking a trip to Fingal's Cave. Nestled in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, this Scottish sight seems like it belongs in another world where magic is routine and dragons roaming across the sky are nothing out of the ordinary. You are probably wondering what can be so special about a sea cave. Well, the answer is rather simple. Its inner walls are made out of tidy pillars of basalt, boasting perfect hexagon shape. It seems unbelievable that something like that wasn't man-made and serves as a perfect illustration of the omnipotence of nature. Add the dramatic sceneries to the mix and voila. Over the centuries, this natural wonder welcomed countless famous visitors, including Queen Victoria, Jules Verne, Lord Tennyson, members of the Pink Floyd, and Felix Mendelson, who was so inspired by this untouched beauty that he wrote the begging of his famous Hebrides Overture right on spot. Later, the great composer sent the sheet music containing the beginning of the overture to his sister, accompanied by a beautiful note explaining how extraordinarily the Hebrides affected him.

Did Someone Say Something About Harry Potter?

Yes, we did! If you are a Harry Potter enthusiast, this amazing region of the UK has a lot to offer you. The bare minimum for any fan of the universe is, of course, the Jacobite steam train ride across the Glenfinnan Viaduct. And although you might not immediately recognize what hides behind these words, you definitely know what we are talking about.

Do you remember the iconic scene where the Hogwarts Express was crossing a long arched railway bridge, taking Harry, Ron, and Hermione to the best schools of witchcraft and wizardry for the first time? That's exactly what we advise to put on your tour program. Although, unfortunately, the tickets for the one and only Hogwarts Express are not available as you know, it doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a ride on a train that looks like one!

Jacobite steam train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct

Victoria Street in Edinburgh, the inspiration for Diagon Alley

It was a Jacobite steam train that was used as the Hogwarts Express in the movies, and although the star train is now a part of the "The Making of Harry Potter" museum, its siblings continue to serve the famous Fort William to Mallaig railway, following the same route as Hogwarts students do.

Most of the Harry Potter series was written while JK Rowling was living in Edinburgh, so the Scottish capital is packed with little places that inspired her along the way. Victoria Street is a real-life Diagon Alley (if you are observant, you can even find a Diagon Alley plaque there). The Greyfriars Kirkyard is a very beautiful and atmospheric cemetery, where the author of the series was spending a lot of time while writing and the place where she came up with the name of the main villain of the series.

The island of Eilean na Moine was used as a setting for Dumbledor's final resting place in the movies, and the jaw-dropping Loch Etive you might recognize from the scene of the golden trio's grand escape on a Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon.

The Unique Taste of Scotland

Whisky is one of the things that put Scotland on a map. Scottish whisky is known far and wide across the world, so not visiting one or two famous distilleries on your vacation almost seems like a crime.

The land boasts five whisky-producing regions, each offering something special, and over a hundred of working distilleries! So the choice of where to go is quite impressive and rather puzzling. If you found yourself unable to decide, we have a few suggestions on where to start.

The superstar of Scottish whisky, a single molt Glenfiddich is known and loved all around the globe, so starting from the birthplace of this legendary drink is always a good idea. You can just stop by for a thirty-minute tour with a quick tasting in the end or, if you have some time on your hands, you can book an extensive tour that takes about half a day and includes tastings of the rare casks and allows to take one bottle of the noble drink of your choice home with you.

he Highland Park distillery, located on the Orkney Islands, is also among the first choices to consider. Boasting over 200 years of history of scotch production and famous for its unique Viking-themed spirits, the distillery won countless global awards for its exquisite product. It prides itself on using 5 unique keystones of production, so you can rest assured that no other whisky tastes like Highland Park.

Another great option is the Glenlivet, founded almost 200 years ago. Highly popular in the United States, the distillery's signature drink is 12-year-old scotch boasting pleasant smoothness and fruity notes. But the distillery has a wide range of drinks, so everyone can find something to taste. The best way to explore the world of Glenlivet whisky is to take a Whisky Food Safari tour that lasts about 3 hours and features a tutored tasting paired with delicious lunch as its highlight.

The full list of what we believe are the best places to visit in Scotland is truly immense. Everything mentioned above might seem quite sufficient but it is still just a start, a promise of so much more that will be waiting for your next visit. Finding a pre-made tour program that covers a bit of everything and features everything one wants to see is pretty much impossible. The best way to ensure a memorable vacation is to build a program from scratch, the one that fits your passions and interests. And planning an adventure is always thrilling. Looking up all the places you are going to see can give the unmatchable feeling of delicious anticipation and excitement. But keep in mind that it's also very time-consuming. As we all know, victory loves preparation, and planning a perfect vacation request quite a lot of planning to be done. If you don't have a lot of time on your hands, it's much better to entrust all the arrangements to an experienced travel specialist or just use a Scotland trip planner that can save you several sleepless nights of research.

Top Places to Visit in Scotland