With over 14.9 million people choosing to visit last year alone, Scotland is clearly becoming a destination of choice. Whether you want to experience its breathtaking nature or immerse yourself into its culture, there is a multitude of activities on offer to keep busy. Below, we’ve rounded up eight of our favourite things to do when we visit Scotland.
Search for the Loch Ness Monster
It’s a cliché, but you just cannot holiday in Scotland without bringing out your binoculars and searching for Nessie herself. Even if you don’t manage to catch eyes on the illusive monster, Loch Ness offers stunning views across the Scottish Highlands, as well as restaurants and shops.
Play a round of gold
Scotland offers beautiful backdrops to any budding golfer, and is the ideal location for a round, whether you are a professional or an amateur. Across Scotland, there are hundreds of golf courses and holiday packages available, like the ones from Scotia Golfing. Some of the most courses are located in St Andrews, Gleneagles, Lothian Links, Northern Lights and Old Course, which is used for The Open Championships.
Go back in time at Edinburgh castle
Dominating the city’s skyline, Edinburgh Castle is the most visited paid-for tourist attraction in Scotland, with over 1.4 million visitors in 2013 alone. Whether you want to discover the Crown Jewels or visit The Great Hall, this Castle is cram-packed with history. If you want to experience what it was like to be captured in the 1800s, then the Prisons of War exhibition is a must-see.
Go shopping in Edinburgh
Home to fashion stores from the world’s greatest designers, like Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham and Mulberry, Edinburgh is an ideal shopping destination. As well as Princes Street, which is home to big names such as Jenners and Frasers, Edinburgh offers the Stockbridge Market, The Royal Mile and a whole host of other shopping centres throughout the city centre.
Take a drink at the Old Forge in Knoydart
With a place in the Guinness World Records for being the most remote pub on mainland Britain, the Old Forge is a real treat – but you’ll have to get to it first! Offering traditional ales and homemade food hikers, this pub is a true tourist spot that cannot be missed.
Explore Fingal’s Cave
No trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to Fingal’s sea cave, which features stunning hexagonal columns and natural acoustics. Situated on the uninhabited Isle of Staffa, this cave can be reached on a small vessel from Mull, off of the West Coast, with regular daily excursions on offer.
Hike Loch Lomond
Just a short drive northwest from Glasgow, Loch Lomond offers breathtaking views and stunning hikes. As Britain’s largest lake, this loch contains many different islands, and is a popular attraction for anybody wanting to get closer to nature. As well as a variety of boating and water sports, the loch is perfect for anglers, as it is home to fish such as trout, salmon and whitefish.
Stop by Edinburgh Zoo
With over 600,000 visitors a year, Edinburgh Zoo has something for the whole family. There are a whole host of animals to see at this attraction, from penguins to pandas and from tigers to monkeys, so pack a camera and be prepared for a fantastic day out.