Top Scotland Outdoor Activities

Skip the self-drive hassle and discover the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye over five days on a tour from Edinburgh. Immerse yourself in the region's natural beauty, and all the history and legends that have been passed down through the centuries. Venture through mighty Glen Coe, explore ancient castles, and discover the enchanting Isle of Skye.

Immerse yourself in Scottish nature and culture—and make exploring beyond Edinburgh city limits easy—on this three-in-one, full-day tour. Begin at a top-rated distillery, where you can upgrade to join a tour and enjoy a dram or two. Next, discover Loch Lomond: the jewel of Trossachs National Park. Finally, venture to the storied Stirling Castle (entry own expense) to hear the story of the real "Braveheart," before returning to Edinburgh.

Exploring Scotland beyond Edinburgh can feel daunting—with so much to see, where do you start? This full-day tour takes away the guesswork with a comprehensive itinerary and multiple stops. Leave the logistics to someone else as you visit the historic Stirling Castle (own expense), taste Scottish whisky at the Glengoyne Distillery, and travel through the picturesque Highlands to explore Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Treat yourself to a day of whisky appreciation on a full-day tasting trip from Edinburgh. Wind through the Scottish Lowlands to a historic whisky-producing region, and visit Glengoyne Distillery and Deanston Distillery for informative tasting sessions and tours. Discover the centuries-old tradition of Scottish whisky production, view warehouses stocked with aged casks and marvel at the quiet beauty of Loch Lomond.

Lace up your running shoes and explore Edinburgh on foot. This private running tour takes you are the Scottish capital at your own pace and ensures that you see all of the most important city landmarks before tackling the challenging climb up Arthur's Seat for a panoramic view of the city skyline.

If you are relatively new to the sport of canyoning, this half-day excursion from Aberfeldy will have you feeling confident in no time. Head to nearby Keltneyburn with your guide and, under their close supervision, try gorge walking, jumping off rocky cliffs, scrambling along rivers, and sliding down river chutes, and swimming in naturally beautiful surroundings—as much or as little as you want. Includes wet suits and all safety equipment.

Journey after dark to a hidden glen (valley) in the forest near Glasgow and discover a unique place you'd never find on your own. The small-group tour takes you to a place with a dark past that looks straight out of a story book. You'll hear how legend has it that the devil favored this place and feel how it takes on a unique character at night.

Whether you want the challenge of a mountain bike or the ease of an e-bike, choose your weapon and set off on an action-packed tour of Edinburgh and its surrounding areas. In just a few hours, see more of Edinburgh than you could alone with your guide, who takes you through Cramond village and along the Firth of Forth. Cycle over the Forth Road Bridge, and pass by a castle on your way back.

Raft the River Tummel on an exciting and action-packed whitewater tour. Work together as a team to navigate a route composed of mostly class two and three rapids. Near the end of the trip, the most challenging section appears: a two-tier, 18-foot (5.5 meter), class four rapid that drops into Loch Faskally.

Enjoy a rugged and active way to discover one of the best and most scenic canyoning spots in Scotland on this immersive, small-group tour. Your destination is Bruar Canyon, known for its dramatic scenery and varied terrain. With instruction and support from your ICOpro-certified guides—plus top-of-the-line equipment included—you can slide down water flumes, rappel off spectacular waterfalls, and otherwise put your mettle to the test.

Exploring the Scottish Highlands can be tricky without a car, but this tour makes it easy to take in the region's natural beauty, and several castles, in just one day. Learn about Scotland’s history from your guide as you take in views over Loch Awe, enjoy free time in Oban, visit the haunting valley of Glen Coe and more.

Venture to the Scottish Highlands and spend two nights on the Isle of Skye, including a steam train ride on The Jacobite of the West Highland Railway Line—aka the “Hogwarts Express” of Harry Potter fame. This hassle-free 3-day guided trip from Edinburgh takes you on a comprehensive itinerary of regional highlights such as the Old Man of Storr, Eilean Donan Castle, and the legendary Loch Ness.

Explore Loch Ness at your own pace on this independent 1-day cycle tour from Inverness. Hop on your bike in Bellfield Park and — with your map and directions to hand — head into rural Scotland toward Loch Ness. Head along winding country roads at your leisure and enjoy fine views over the countryside scenery. Spin through the peaceful village of Dores to the banks of Loch Ness, then perhaps enjoy lunch in a local café before strolling along the shoreline. Bike hire, map and directions are included on this tour.

Learn to surf amongst the best waves in the UK on the North coast of Scotland. Take advantage of experienced local instructors and high quality equipment. Cosy wetsuits are provided so you don’t need to worry about the cold. There’s really no other feeling like catching a wave and flying over the water! Perfect for kids or adults, learning to surf is for everyone.

Swap the tour bus for two wheels and get a closer look at Edinburgh. This small-group cycling tour takes you around the Scottish capital to places most tourists miss. Pedal your way from Craigmillar Castle to the charming Dean Village, the cosmopolitan Leith district, and seaside Portobello to experience Edinburgh off the tourist trail. E-bike rental is available for £25.

Skip the hassle of planning logistics independently and enhance your experience of Scotland’s spectacular Highlands on a 3-day guided trip to the Isle of Skye from Edinburgh. Immerse yourself in the windswept landscapes and local legends of the Scottish Highlands as you visit the county of Dunkeld, famed for its association with Shakespeare’s "Macbeth," and Loch Ness, home to the mythical Loch Ness monster, then discover the dramatic beauty of the Isle of Skye.

To make the most of your time in the Scottish Highlands, a tour that packs plenty into your itinerary is a must. On this small-group option from Edinburgh, check off multiple highlights in just two days—with all the logistics taken care of. Make the most of photo ops at Loch Ness and Glen Coe, delve into the history of Culloden Battlefield, take a riverside stroll at Dunkeld, and admire Glenfinnan Viaduct (seasonal), famed for its role in the "Harry Potter™" movies.

Skip the typical tourist trail and take a Scottish adventure off the beaten path. This small-group tour (maximum eight guests) from Glasgow takes you away from the crowds and deep into the forest where you'll explore Finnich Glen, carved from red sandstone and home to such atmospheric sites as the Devil's Pulpit and a steep staircase known as the Devil's Steps.

This bike tour is the perfect way to save time and check off lots of Glasgow highlights. Instead of walking around the city, speed up your sightseeing and ride between sights instead. Conveniently, a guide leads the way, so there’s no need to study a map as you pedal past Glasgow Cathedral, the Clyde Arc Bridge, and the Drygate Brewery.

Travel from Inverness to the Isle of Skye on a full-day trip through the Scottish Highlands. Pass through glens and rugged mountain scenery, with stops at Loch Ness, Broadford, and the ruins of Eilean Donan Castle, before reaching the purple heather–swathed hillsides of Skye. Then pass through the Isle of Eilean Ban on the journey back to Inverness.

Explore further afield without having to worry about hiring a car or navigating unfamiliar roads on a tour that reveals attractions that lie outside of Edinburgh’s city center. This private tour comes with the flexibility to tweak your route and itinerary to include historic castles and chapel, scenic natural landscapes, or art galleries and antique stores.

Discover hidden corners of stunning Scotland on this multi-day, in-depth guided tour through the Highlands. See the centuries-old landmarks and rugged landscapes made famous as film and TV locations, like Doune Castle and Glenfinnan Viaduct. Other highlights include lunch along the iconic Loch Ness and an overnight stay in the picturesque town of Fort William.

Explore the Isle of Skye in a totally unique way with an expert wildlife photographer as your guide. Hike through glens and forest and discover the natural habitats of some of Skye’s most elusive residents: eagles, sea otters, deer, seals and pine martens. Learn how to take professional-quality wildlife photographs with your own camera, and get close to nature with a guide who truly knows the secrets of the Island.

Skip the big bus tours and enjoy a personalized experience as you explore the Scottish Highlands in a Land Rover. This private tour is just for your group and takes you into the haunting valley of Glencoe. Between stops at the Falls of Dochart, Rannoch Moor and more, you'll learn all about the area from your guide.