Explore Scotland
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Take the ferry to the outer islands
Whether you’re an archaeologist or not, you’re sure to be interested by Orkney’s Stone Age Village in Skara Brae and Shetland’s Jarlshof that was occupied from the Stone Age until the 17th century.
Don’t miss out on Maes Howe in Orkney either; a 5,000 year old Neolithic chambered tomb that has been around even longer than the Pyramids of Egypt, it’s a sight to behold!
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Search For Nessie
In the Highlands you can climb Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak, draw inspiration from Glencoe and catch a glimpse of glens, bens and lochs. You can even experience the mystery of Loch Ness and decide for yourself what’s lurking down there.
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Kiss The Skye
The Isle of Skye is a breathtaking landscape that is completely unique. From the lunar scenery of the Quiraing in the north, to the Aros Skye Heritage Centre outside Portree that’s won awards and will educate you about the history and wildlife of the island, there are plenty of things to do in Skye.
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Take The Hogwarts Express
Made famous by the incredibly popular Harry Potter blockbuster films, you can take the Hogwarts Express yourself and take in stunning views of the Loch Shiel and the arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct from your window.
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Make a Pilgrimage
Part of the spiritual character of Scotland, the island of Iona is steeped in history. It’s where St Columba brought Christianity to Scotland in 563AD, while the abbey is the burial ground of many Scottish kings and chiefs, including Duncan who features in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
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See The Granite City
Aberdeen is a unique city, from the sparkly granite that gives it distinctive air to the thriving cultural life that can be found at the Lemon Tree and many other arts and music venues. The northern city also gives you an opportunity to gaze out across the North Sea when you’re not enjoying a spot of shopping or some food and drink in Aberdeen’s pubs and restaurants.
Just over a dozen miles north of the city you’ll find the Sands of Forvie, a national nature reserve where you can take a stroll along the coastal dunes and look out for beautiful birdlife.
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Visit Scotland’s Favourite Whisky Town
There’s nothing quite like sipping a wee dram after a day of Scottish exploration, and Speyside’s Dufftown is the perfect place to do just that as it’s Scotland’s whisky capital and is home to Glenfiddich, Balvennie and many more distilleries.
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See Big Tree Country
Known as Big Tree Country, in Perthshire you’ll see record-breaking trees, the world’s largest hedge and plenty of other specimens that soar into the sky at Diana's Grove near Blair Castle.
The churchyard at Fortingall Church is home to the Fortingall Yew, a remnant of a tree thought to be more than 3,000 years old, making it the oldest living organism anywhere in Europe.
If you find yourself in Perthshire in the fall, you can experience the Enchanted Forest at Faskally Wood and be treated to a magical light show you can watch as the autumn leaves fall around you.
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Climb Calton Hill
Edinburgh is built over seven hills that are much easier to climb than the mountains of the Highlands but still give walkers a stunning view. At Calton Hill you can peer down the length of Princes Street, while at the ancient volcano known as Arthur’s Seat you can look over the Pentland Hills
There is much more history than just the castle at the summit too, with the Queen’s official residence nearby. The Palace of Holyroodhouse was where Mary Queen of Scots spent much of her infamous reign.
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Follow the Da Vinci Code
Rosslyn Chapel, which is outside of Edinburgh, featured in Dan Brown’s much-acclaimed novel the Da Vinci Code. The chapel is decorated with the intriguing 15th century carvings of the Scottish Knights Templar.
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Take in some Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh is one of Glasgow’s favourite sons and if you want to find out more about him you can embark on the Mackintosh Trial that takes in twelve locations across the city where some of the architect’s stunning works can be found.
Beautiful examples of Scottish Art Nouveau can be seen at the white bedroom at Hill House in Helensburgh and at the Glasgow School of Art, which is home to wrought iron roses.
While Glasgow is full to bursting with art, Scotland’s second city is also home to plenty of green spaces. The ‘Dear Green Place’ is home to six parks including the city’s most historic park, Glasgow Green, the Botanic Gardens and Kelvingrove Park that houses the Kelvingrove Museum and Glasgow University.
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Literary exploration
The spirit of Robert Burns can be found in the historical seat of literary Scotland, Ayrshire. There you can take a tour of his birthplace, the Burns Cottage in Alloway, join the Burns Howff Club on a walking tour of his hometown Dumfries and sit in his favourite seat at his local pub.
You can also be inspired by Sir Walter Scott and visit the local literary legend’s Scottish Baronial home, Abbotsford House, which he built near Melrose in the Scottish Borders in the 1820s.
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