Local Experts from Scotland recommend doing everything from hiking in the Highlands to dining on traditional Scottish fare. Your list of things to do in Scotland is already quite long if you plan a trip there. The top choices are visiting the Highlands, strolling through Edinburgh’s charming streets, purchasing a few tartan accessories, and going to a whisky tasting. In that instance, you are not by yourself. According to Katy Fennema, whisky ambassador for The Fife Arms, a boutique five-star hotel in Braemar, “many visitors come to Scotland for a week for their first visit trying to see it all, and end up realizing that it’s a country of many contrasts.” “Then, at a more leisurely pace, the wise ones plan their second, third, and fourth trips.”
Whether for your first visit or one of the more leisurely follow-up trips, we asked some of the nation’s most experienced citizens, like Fennema, for their top recommendations to help plan your schedule. Discover the top things to do in Scotland by reading on.
Drive the North Coast 500
Exploring Scotland’s stunning landscapes up close can only be done by walking the entire 516 miles of the North Coast 500. Although you can use many specific itineraries as a model, you’ll generally need seven to nine days to finish the circuit.
Tour Culloden Battlefield
There are plenty of things to do and see throughout Scotland for those who are interested in Scottish history. This is a must-see in the Highlands if you want to see the location of one of Scotland’s most well-known battles, especially if you’re an Outlander fan. The battlefield, where the 1745 Jacobite Rising tragically ended, is a very moving and atmospheric place. The museum tells the true story of this event, according to Paul.
Walk the West Highland Way
One of the greatest walking routes in the UK, the 96-mile West Highland Way, will ensure you get your quota of steps in. The terrain becomes more difficult as you travel farther along the route, which is normally completed from Milngavie to Fort William in the north.
Ride the Jacobite Steam Train
The Glenfinnan Viaduct’s arches are instantly recognizable to fans of Harry Potter as a segment of the Hogwarts Express route in the films. The 84-mile round-trip Jacobite Steam Train journey begins in Fort William and ends in Mallaig. You can take the train across the viaduct in addition to walking to the famous location.
Drive to the village of Glencoe
“The first-time experience of seeing Glencoe cannot be adequately described. According to Paul, it has long been one of Scotland’s most beloved locations. Situated in the Highlands of Scotland, this location is fantastic for hiking, climbing, and discovering waterfalls. It is renowned for its breathtaking vistas and somber past; it is a location rich in myth, history, wildlife, and adventure. Firstly, massive glaciers sculpted the mountains after violent volcanic eruptions created them. Remember to check out the 300-year-old turf and creel house reconstruction, Paul adds.
Must Eat haggis, the national dish of Scotland
Haggis is made with sheep’s liver, lungs, heart, oatmeal, onion, beef or mutton suet, and spices. It is cooked in a bag, though traditionally, it is made from the animal’s stomach. But don’t let that put you off; haggis can taste almost sausage-like and peppery, depending on how it’s prepared. “Vegetarian haggis is a delicious alternative and a firm favorite in our omnivorous household, for the less adventurous and those who don’t eat meat,” says Fennema.
Day trip to Glasgow
The largest city in Scotland, Glasgow, is renowned for its varied architecture and artistic expression. However, its people are just as much a part of the experience; Fennema says, “You arrive as a stranger and leave as a friend.” Paul suggests seeing the Tenement House, a “genuine time capsule of life,” while you’re there. “Discover unique artifacts, such as a jar of 1929 plum jam and a ball of soap that has turned jet black from years of handling, as you step inside early 20th-century Glasgow life,” the author says.
Explore the Hebrides
The Hebrides, an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, are separated into the Inner and Outer Hebrides and consist of 40 islands and numerous islets. Here, the Gulf Stream is predominant, which enables South American plants to flourish and palm trees to grow in Scotland—a somewhat odd combination. Fennema says, “I challenge anyone not to fall in love with this special part of Scotland, whether the weather is tropical or not. It’s not unusual to find a white-sand beach all to yourself.”
Home of Golf
The origins of golf can be traced back 600 years to the seaside town of St. Andrews in northwest Scotland. The Old Course, aptly named the “oldest course in the world,” is one of seven public courses at St Andrews Links.
Eat Scottish tablet
“The centuries-old recipe for the traditional Scottish tablet is a must-try if you are visiting Scotland. The first tablet recipe dates back to 1700, according to historians, and it’s still a popular sweet treat, according to David Musk, head concierge at The Balmoral, one of Edinburgh’s best hotels. If you want to make it yourself, Musk suggests using this recipe; it tastes a little bit like fudge but is more brittle and grainy.
