What to Do in Scotland?

During a visit to Edinburgh Castle, hiking in the Highlands, or taking a boat ride on Loch Ness, a trip to Scotland promises many adventures! If you've chosen the north of the UK for your next holiday, there are numerous places to explore... To find out what to do in Scotland, read on!

This territory marked by the mountainous reliefs of the Cairngorms and Northwest Highlands is teeming with untamed nature, immense cliffs, waterfalls, and well-preserved Scottish castles. This guide is here to present the most beautiful places to visit in Scotland along with must-see attractions!

Located in the northeast of the region, Inverness is a historic city steeped in beauty and mystery... Indeed, it has its share of secrets as it sits on the banks of the River Ness.

Inverness is known for being home to Inverness Castle as well as St. Andrew's Cathedral. Visitors can also enjoy its Victorian market hall and the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery for a historical dive

In addition to its picturesque charm, it is clear that Inverness attracts many curious tourists, who come to visit the Loch Ness monster. Worldwide famous, this legend tells of a massive monster residing in the lake's waters... Or, you can enjoy a gentle cruise on Loch Ness or take advantage of the city's location to explore the Highlands with its breathtaking landscapes and castles...

Located in the Scottish Highlands, Glen Coe Valley offers breathtaking landscapes of wild, untamed beauty framed by towering mountains with snow-capped peaks at times... This valley is a must-see for its history, geology, and natural richness. Of course, during your trip to Scotland, you must dedicate a day to exploring these magnificent landscapes

Historically, Glen Coe is often associated with one of the darkest events in the country's history, the Glencoe Massacre in 1692 during the Glorious Revolution. Members of the MacDonald clan were betrayed and murdered, ordered by the English sovereign William of Orange...

But aside from this tragic and significant event, you will be amazed by the local geology with its rugged rock formations and glacial valleys coveted by climbers and hikers. The valley is also home to unique flora and fauna, including deer, golden eagles, and rare alpine plants.

By opting for this day trip, you will discover Glencoe, Loch Ness, and the Scottish Highlands for about €72 per person. It's an excellent way to see as much as possible while saving time!

To get off the beaten path, I suggest following an excursion to Staffa Island, located southwest of Glen Coe. To get there, start by reaching the Isle of Mull, then take a ferry to Staffa. Including maritime journeys, expect an average of 4 hours of travel from Glen Coe. Staffa is also accessible by ferry from the Isle of Iona ⛴️

Staffa Island is known for its cliffs featuring large columns of basalt. A particularly impressive example of this remarkable rock formation is Fingal's Cave, on the southern tip of the island. If you're a fan of the Harry Potter saga, the cave may remind you of one of the filming locations for the sixth movie

Staffa is uninhabited and offers stunning wild landscapes, preserved from human activity. To visit, I recommend checking available day or half-day excursions, most of which cover several islands, the most popular being Mull and Iona. If you are lucky, you might even spot adorable Puffins that inhabit the shores of Staffa

What to do in Scotland? How about spending a few days on the Isle of Skye? Located in the northwest of the country, the Isle of Skye boasts breathtaking landscapes of vast green valleys, towering cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, rugged mountains, small waterfalls, and wild beaches...

The landscapes of the Isle of Skye are dominated by the Cuillin, a spectacular mountain range with Sgurr Alasdair, an extinct volcano, being the highest point at 992 meters. Among the old buildings like Dunvegan Castle, one of the oldest residences in the country, charming little villages, and historical monuments like the Sligachan Bridge, the Isle of Skye is full of treasures.

If you're looking to take a trip to the Isle of Skye, here are my recommendations:

Take a two-day excursion to the Isle of Skye from Inverness (€186/person, accommodation included), featuring a visit to Dunvegan Castle, hiking in the Quiraing mountain range, a stop at Kilt Rock, Lealt Falls, and the Old Man of Storr. Spend the night in Portree, then continue the next day with the Fairy Pools, Sligachan, and Broadford, not forgetting to end beautifully at Eilean Donan Castle.

Take a three-day getaway to the Isle of Skye from Glasgow (€261/person) or from Edinburgh (€537/person), accommodation included.

Edinburgh is a must-visit when traveling to Scotland, and for good reason, it is the capital of the country, a truly fascinating city with a vast historical and cultural heritage. Its architecture stands out with imposing medieval castles, notably the Edinburgh Castle, perched on its rock overlooking the entire capital. Entrance ticket and guided tour for €43.

Wander through the streets of the capital, admire the green corners and the facades that inspired great writers such as Sir Walter Scott and J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter saga. Spend some time in Scottish pubs to enjoy a beer or hike up Arthur's Seat to take in the view!

Depending on the time of year, you can also enjoy famous festivals and events like the International Book Festival (August), the Fringe Festival (August), as well as Hogmanay, the celebration of the Scottish New Year every December 31. In summary, Edinburgh is a city worth discovering more than once, and if you have the opportunity, don't hesitate to spend a few days enjoying its vibrant nightlife

Located west of Edinburgh and Glasgow, Trossachs National Park boasts an exceptional location in the heart of the Highlands. Centered around Loch Lomond, it includes several mountain ranges, the most famous being the Trossachs Range, and spans no less than 1,100 square kilometers.

With wild mountain landscapes, lush valleys, lakes, and forests, a beautiful hike awaits! This will be an opportunity to discover the remarkable biodiversity of the surrounding area, with iconic species such as golden eagles, red deer, and wild salmon hidden in the rivers... Of course, Loch Lomond, the largest freshwater lake in Great Britain, is the ideal spot for fishing and swimming.

Finally, make sure to visit Callander, a village located at the park's gates. It is an ideal base for those looking for a place to stay near Loch Lomond. Alternatively, the town of Stirling, located a few kilometers south of Callander, is also one of the must-see places to visit in Scotland.

For about €53, this comprehensive tour allows you to discover all the places mentioned here! Departing from Glasgow, embark on a journey to the Trossachs, Loch Lomond, and Stirling Castle. Round-trip transport included

A marvel of engineering nestled in the Scottish Highlands, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is much more than just a railway bridge... Built between 1897 and 1901, it stretches a total length of 380 meters across a deep valley and shares breathtaking views of Loch Shiel below

Beyond its architecture and exceptional location, it's worth noting that the Glenfinnan Bridge is famous worldwide for the Jacobite steam train that regularly passes over it. Besides providing an enchanting experience for its passengers, it owes its popularity to its appearance in the Harry Potter films, a major boost that contributed to its global fame with the Hogwarts Express!

When to see the Hogwarts Express at the Glenfinnan Viaduct? The Jacobite Steam Train operates daily from April to October. Typically, the train passes around 10:55 and 13:30 from Fort William to Mallaig and returns around 15:20, from Mallaig to Fort William.

Located between Perth and Inverness in the Highlands, visiting Cairngorms National Park is a must-do during a stay in Scotland. This breathtaking natural wonder spans approximately 4,500 square kilometers, making it the largest national park in the UK! Its landscapes are incredibly diverse, ranging from mountains to lush valleys, rivers, and sparkling lochs!

Of course, the Cairngorms are also home to exceptional biodiversity where you can find iconic Scottish species, most of which have already been mentioned earlier in this guide, such as golden eagles, Scottish red deer, mountain hares, and Eurasian otters, the latter found near water points.

In terms of available activities, Cairngorms Park offers a multitude of things to do such as hiking via the kilometers of trails, winter sports, climbing, mountain biking, and even kayaking!

You can't visit Scotland without seeing its most beautiful castles! These buildings that have withstood the test of time and centuries are an integral part of the Scottish landscape.

Among the most beautiful castles to see in Scotland, it's obvious that a visit to Edinburgh Castle tops the list, but here are some of the most popular ones:

These castles are just a few examples among many! However, they significantly contribute to the richness and beauty of the Scottish heritage, attracting a multitude of visitors every year!

Finally, if there's one activity you should do during your trip to Scotland, it's definitely a boat cruise on Loch Ness. This lake is world-famous for the mysterious stories of the legendary aquatic creature, the Loch Ness monster, affectionately dubbed Nessie!

With a maximum depth of 227 meters and a length of about 37 km, Loch Ness is the second-largest freshwater lake in Scotland. In fact, its great depth and dark waters have contributed to maintaining the mystery surrounding the Nessie creature... This story began in 1933 when the Daily Mail published a photo of a creature's silhouette in the lake. Since then, hundreds of reports have been recorded, ranging from sporadic sightings to more detailed encounters.

Whether it's a genuine supernatural phenomenon or simply a hoax, Loch Ness continues to attract thousands of tourists every year, all drawn by the natural beauty of the region or in hopes of catching a glimpse of this creature... During your visit, you can simply enjoy a lovely walk around the lake's perimeter or opt for a boat cruise on Loch Ness! Expect about 50 minutes and a budget of €26 per person.

From France, flying is undoubtedly the best means of transportation to reach Scotland! To get to Scotland, several international airports located in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen welcome direct flights from various French airports such as Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, and Toulouse.

As for the airlines, there are many: Ryanair, EasyJet, British Airways, Air France, and Flybe. Expect to pay around a hundred euros for a round-trip ticket from Paris, although this varies depending on the arrival destination. The same goes for flight times, which can range from 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the distance. To quickly find an interesting offer for your travel dates, I suggest using a comparison platform like Ulysse.

Depending on what you want to see and do, several options are available for your travel within Scotland. If you prefer urban tourism and are only targeting the country's main cities, you can travel by train, which is more eco-friendly and less tiring Moreover, if there isn't too much fog, you should be able to enjoy beautiful views of the country's wild landscapes during your journeys from one city to another

For excursions to the islands, such as the Isle of Skye, Staffa Island, etc., you will need to take the ferry. Don't worry, for the most touristy spots like the Isle of Mull, for instance, there are several connections per day, and prices are generally very reasonable.

Finally, if you want the freedom to move around, why not embark on a road trip in Scotland? You'll need to consider renting a car Personally, I use the platform DiscoverCars to quickly compare a wide range of offers and find a vehicle that meets my needs at the best possible price.

Without a doubt, spring is by far the season to prioritize for those wondering when to travel to Scotland. Even though the summer months offer pleasant temperatures and sunny days, you will be overwhelmed by tourist crowds and mosquitoes flying everywhere...

The same applies to autumn; it is a beautiful season for enjoying hikes in the valleys and plains, although the risk of rain is higher

Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling, and Inverness are excellent bases for setting off to conquer Scotland and visiting as many places as possible. Besides, if you are looking for accommodation where to stay in Edinburgh, I wrote an article featuring my favorite places

To save you some time in your search, here's a small selection of my favorite accommodations where to stay in Scotland:

From €117 per night, the Argyll Guest House, located a 20-minute walk from downtown Glasgow, offers comfortable, spacious, and nicely decorated rooms with an en-suite bathroom, television, and free Wi-Fi. The establishment serves a varied Scottish buffet breakfast and provides room service.

If you're wondering where to stay in Inverness during your visit to Scotland, I can recommend the guesthouse Alban and Abbey House. This 3-star establishment is slightly out of the city center, offering a quieter setting for its residents. Here, you can stay in a double or triple room for between €64 and €116 per night, depending on the season. Thus, it's perfect for those traveling on a budget. Moreover, you will be less than a 15-minute walk from the train station.

We're already nearing the end of this article! Now you know what to do in Scotland and have an idea of the best activities to do and the most beautiful sites to visit there By the way, feel free to leave a comment to share your best experience in this beautiful country!