24 Memorable Things To Do In Scotland This Year

Scotland boasts of castles that come in many forms and have a lot more to tell of the past. One of the most well-known is Stirling Castle.

It enjoys a commanding position on a hill and has witnessed many historical ceremonies including the crowning of Mary Queen of Scots. Another priceless jewel is the Eilean Donan Castle. This castle is situated at the confluence of three lochs.

The Urquhart Castle with its remains tells a story of wars and history legends such as the Loch Ness Monster. Glamis Castle appears as if it is an invention of a fairy tale and was, in fact, the residence of the Queen's family.

This is one of the top things to do in Scotland if you are in Edinburgh and you are fond of Whiskies. The tour describes the origins of Whisky production, its main ingredients, and the distinctive features of the different qualities of the ones produced in Scotland.

After the description, you can taste one type of whisky (for the silver tour) or more (for other types of tours). At the end of the tour, you will admire one of the biggest whisky collections in the world (property of Diageo).

Children are also welcome and even get a sample of the second national drink, Irn-Bru.

The train journey is fantastic and exhibits some of the natural flashing of the Scottish Highlands. Also called the Hogwarts Express, this steam train is used between Fort William and Mallaig.

It provides the most spectacular train journey. The train operates daily during the summer time providing passengers with stunning views of lochs and mountains, as well as the glorious Glenfinnan Viaduct, the one featured in the Harry Potter movies.

The journey ensures one of the most captivating things to visit in Scotland. Check their schedules and book a ticket from the Jacobite Train website.

Hebrides are an enchanted archipelago situated on the coast of Scotland's western part. They are divided into two parts, the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides.

Each island has its charm. For those who like peaceful holidays, there are beautiful white sand beaches and transparent sea water in the Outer Hebrides.

You get to see beauties like the lochs the mountains and some funny-looking animals. The place has links with archeological places such as the Callanish Stones on the island of Lewis.

Scottish Tablet was first manufactured in the early 18th century. This sweet is not like fudge; it has a unique, crumbly texture that tends to dissolve in the mouth.

What could be more delightful than a caramel made from sugar, butter, and anything you add to the condensed milk? When it comes to celebration, for instance, weddings or New Year's people take Scottish Tablet with a lot of immerse.

It is an emblem of Scottish enmity and the spirit of the host.

The Highland Games are a much-enjoyed and fascinating element of Scottish culture and traditions. They take place everywhere throughout the country, most often between May and September.

Here you get to observe great athletes perform in other cultural games such as the caber toss in which athletes flip a long log. Another type is the hammer throw.

Here they swing a heavy ball around and then throw it to the far end. You may also witness a tug-o-war and this is always very entertaining to watch.

Dean Village is a historic Edinburgh neighborhood on the water of Leith that once served as a working mill. The area is gorgeous and picturesque.

The stone buildings are stately and beautifully maintained. Be prepared to take dozens of photographs. You can opt for a self-guided tour using a map.

This makes exploring the area both easy and enjoyable. Each turn reveals delightful views that feel straight out of a storybook.

You might fall in love with Edinburgh while strolling on this street. It has lots of shops, restaurants, cafes, souvenir stores, and more.

Unlike other streets, this area will amaze you with its beauty and the serene peace in the ambiance that you will feel while walking towards Edinburgh Castle.

The experience gets better with buskers playing folk instruments and the bagpipers. It is a whole different vibe and one of the top free things to do in Scotland.

This museum offers an engaging and highly interactive experience that gathers visitors of all ages. There is a diverse array of exhibits from natural history and art to Scottish heritage and more.

Moreover, many people who have visited this museum state that it is a fantastic place to spend time with a toddler. The engaging exhibits keep them entertained and curious.

The hands-on displays are also perfect for the little ones. Everyone can enjoy the facility for free. Become a member of the National Museum of Scotland and unlock numerous advantages.

This is an audio tour. You can either download the app on your phone or get a handset. It provides a thorough explanation of all the different parts of the boat, history, and the royal family.

The ticket price is also reasonable considering the information you gain and the well-maintained condition of the ship. The tour is very accessible as all the stairs and elevators are external to the ship.

Prebook your ticket in advance from the Royal Yacht Britannia website, as this is one of the top Scotland things to see.

These world-famous Fairy pools do not disappoint. It is a series of crystal-clear waterfalls and pools, surrounded by stunning mountain views.

If you can, make sure to walk to the top of the maintained path to see the postcard view of a pool with multiple waterfalls and the Cuillin Hills behind it.

The trails along the falls are stunning with ice-covered mountains that add to the already beautiful atmosphere. It takes about 40 minutes to an hour to walk up and back.

From November 15 to January 4, the city center of Edinburgh becomes a winter wonderland. The East Princess Street Garden includes more than 70 stalls from the Christmas market.

Here they sell everything from homemade toys to sweets. You might also want to experience the giant LNER Big Wheel which provides an amazing lookout over the city.

Get thrilled on Star Flyer as well as take a stroll at the Christmas Tree Maze at St Andrew Square. This is one of the essential things to do in Scotland with kids.

This one is among the peaceful Scotland places of interest located on the west coast in the highlands and is ideal for auto touring. When on the A82 drive you will be able to enjoy some of the views like mountains and vast green lands.

The village lies at the base of the much-famed Pap of Glencoe, a mountain with a cap that resembles a hat of a giant. Here you can go for a walk and have a nice time strolling the cobbled stone streets.

Also, see the Glencoe Folk Museum or just have a nice meal in any cafe or inn. Make sure you visit Glencoe Lochan before leaving the area.

Haggis contains sheep's heart, liver, and lungs, boiled and minced with oatmeal, spices, and onion. This mixture is usually cooked in the stomach of the sheep which gives this food a special taste.

It is usually eaten with mashed potatoes or neeps also known as mashed turnip. It is widely available in most of the pubs, and restaurants.

Some of the particular restaurants are Royal McGregor located in Edinburgh together with Ubiquitous Chip situated in Glasgow.

Glasgow is one of Scotland's most exciting cities with activities that can be of interest to all people. There are the landscapes of Glasgow Cathedral, and the city has amazing Gothic architecture.

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum really shouldn't be missed, packed with art and history. And for those who always want to get a taste of the countryside, there is the Glasglow Botanic Garden.

If you are into music then you should visit a live music venue. There are always friendly people and active streets in the city, so Glasgow deserves to be visited.

Loch Ness Scotland is a fairy tale place in Scotland. Most of you know it for its depths and for the Loch Ness Monster which, is called Nessie.

One can even take a boat ride to view the best of it. Do not miss Urquhart Castle; it’s possible to pretend knights and battles are still going on.

For those, who like active types of recreation, there are guiding paths for hiking or biking around the loch. 

These actual horse-head sculptures are 30 meters high and are situated in Helix Park near Falkirk and Grangemouth. They pay homage to horse history in Scotland especially the sturdy Clydesdales used traditionally for work in the region.

The Kelpies appear to be good-looking structures; they also have the bonus of illuminating during the night. You may simply take a stroll around the park, or sit down to eat lunch/snacks.

You may also take an organized tour conducted around the park to provide information about the aesthetic sculptures. They are thus must-sees in Scotland. 

Culloden Moor is famous for the battle fought on April 16th, 1746, near Inverness. It was the final fight that took place in the territory of Britain and it was truly short.

It was not more than 40 minutes. Here the Jacobite army led Bby onnie Prince Charlie was in confrontation with the British troops. Sadly, many lives were lost.

If you want to learn more, there is also the Culloden Visitor Centre packed with both exhibits and artifacts from both sides of the battle.

This spectacular light show can usually be seen from October to March when it is still night. This beautiful view can be seen in the regions such as the Scottish Highlands or Aberdeenshire.

There is minimal light pollution hence the best place to view these areas. Another wonderful place is the Cairngorms National Park where one can easily locate the areas with good exposure to the sky at higher altitudes.

There is also Galloway Forest Park, and it is an International Dark Sky Park.

This great place is situated at the end of the Royal Mile closer to Edinburgh Castle. It is the oldest attraction site in the city and it has been entertaining visitors right from 1835.

Upon entering, guests can experience 5 floors that have over 100 hands-on exhibits. Here you can joke in front of funny mirrors, cross yourself with a dizzying tunnel, and get lost in the glass of a magic mirror maze.

Book your tickets from the Camera Obscura website.

Are you in search of some unique accommodations in Scotland? Come stay at Gleneagles Hotel! This is an amazing hotel which is situated in the countryside of Auchterarder.

It is an attractive building and its environment feels like you stepped into a fairy tale. It is one of the oldest and is famous for its large number of golf courses and an excellent spa.

It also has recreational opportunities such as tennis, and horse riding, and is home to falconry displays.

Cairngorms National Park is ideal for skiing in this region. Skiing is possible during the period from December to April and you will have enough time to go skiing.

In Cairngorm Mountain, there are more than 30 kilometers of skiing slopes of all types for novices and professionals. To get to the top, there are 13 lifts to take you there and additionally, you can hire all your equipment onsite.

For tourists visiting this place, this is one of the places to visit in Scotland during winter.

This course is famous as the home of golf and has been hosting golfers since 1552. The old course has many landmarks including the Swilcan bridge and demanding Road Hole Green.

Its fairways are broad and unlike other courses, its greens are split and present a hearty entertaining course for all golfing enthusiasts.

Moreover, it is a public golf which means that everyone can come here and attempt their fortune.

Scotland has many cozy bookshops that will complete your vacation most outstandingly. There is a bookstore that is well-known enough, it's called Leakey's Bookshop in Inverness. Located in an ancient church, the place retains comfort equipped with a wood-burning fire.

One of the most popular places in Scotland is Scotland's National Book Town, The Book Shop in Wigtown. It is a paradise with over one hundred thousand fat books.

Topping and Company Edinburgh is a place not to be missed. This wonderful store makes you pick a book and lounge around while sipping free tea within the store.