Top Activities on the Ground in Scotland

Maximize time in Glasgow with a city center walking tour with a local guide. Each tour is unique depending on the guide, but potential stops include George Square, Glasgow Cathedral, and Glasgow Green. As well as well-known sights, the itinerary also includes off-the-beaten-path attractions and hidden treasures that you’d likely miss if exploring alone.

Edinburgh is known for its dark past, and this evening walking tour is the original one to showcase the city's historically sinister and spooky side. Discover the hidden ‘wynds’ (alleys) and closes of the Old Town as you learn their mysteries and horrors; visit the ghost-ridden Greyfriars Kirkyard; and explore the city’s underground vaults to uncover their spirits and secrets. Your tour is led by a creepily costumed guide to get everyone into the spooky spirit of things.

See the best of medieval Edinburgh—without the hassle of putting together your own sightseeing itinerary—on this walking tour, which includes skip-the-line access to Edinburgh Castle. As you walk, listen as your guide shares the history of this formidable city with ancient Roman roots and UNESCO-listed historical attractions. Explore atmospheric cobbled walkways along the Royal Mile, then breeze into Edinburgh Castle to witness royal opulence.

Beat the crowds of Edinburgh's city center and discover off-the-beaten-path locations and secret spots on small-group cycling tour. Traveling on two wheels (either on a traditional or e-bike), you'll be able to access places buses cannot reach. Cycle out of the city, around Arthur's Seat, and to the (sometimes) sunny seaside all while your guide fills you in on fascinating facts about the city.

This 'Harry Potter' walking tour gets fans closer to spots in Edinburgh that inspired J.K Rowling’s famous books. Walk past key sites that inspired places such as Diagon Alley, and even see the cafes and hotels where the writer wrote her book series. Your guide knows the quickest ways to get around the city on foot to fit more into your time, as well as fun facts about Harry Potter.

Experience the Galloway countryside in a way most tourists won’t—with a guide to take you canyoning on this small-group experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an old hat at this, your guide is on hand to make sure everyone is safe and having a great time while you abseil, jump, and zipline your way around the rugged landscape and into the rocky pools below.

Experience the beauty of rural Scotland on a full-day tour of the West Highlands—with its lochs, mountains, and castles—from Edinburgh. Visit Doune Castle (all admissions own expense), admire fine views over shimmering lakes and soaring peaks, and enjoy free time and a visit to the castle in Inveraray. Then, head onward to Kilchurn Castle—one of Scotland's prettiest castles.

Join Stuart's Bicycle Tours to discover the rich history and natural beauty of St Andrews. Think St Andrews is just about golf? Discover ancient history, dramatic ruins, breathtaking panoramic views and stories spanning over 1000 years in the best way possible...by bicycle! We’ll visit the iconic landmarks like St Andrews Castle, the Cathedral ruins, The Old Course and The University but also reach places that few visitors ever do and learn about the deep and rich place St Andrews holds in Scottish history. All with an experienced, enthusiastic and local guide from right here in Fife. With standard and E-bikes available, the tour is suitable for all abilities. Perfect for history lovers, nature seekers, and anyone looking for a fun, meaningful way to explore this iconic Scottish town.

Taking part of the Brave Heart bike tour you will see majestic Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument starting at Cisco's Coffe. meeting point. The key stops include the Wallace Monument for views and history, the historic Old Town and Stirling Bridge, and a final stop at Cambuskenneth Abbey. Difficulty: Medium, with significant hills. E-bikes are highly recommended for those not accustomed to regular cycling to manage the inclines. Included: Bike, helmet, and a qualified guide. Stops and sights: Stirling Castle: A major highlight, explore the majestic castle and its grounds. Stirling Old Town and Bridge: Cycle through the historic cobbled streets and pass the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, where history was made. The Wallace Monument: Visit this iconic landmark, learn about the story of William Wallace, and enjoy panoramic views from its viewpoint. Cambuskenneth Abbey: Begin at this ancient and tranquil ruin, the resting place of King James III.

Glencoe is a truly majestic place. Mountains tower either side of you as you drive through the Glen. The Hidden Valley is a perfect hike for most ability levels. You can enjoy the atmosphere, forests and wilderness of Glen Coe in a short hike. Your friendly local guide, Trev, tell you about the Glen Coe area on this private hike. Your guide will keep you updated with the mountain forecast and can help with any questions if needed.

Experience rugged and mythical Scotland on this full-day trip from Glasgow. In a small group, explore the Scottish Highlands, Cairngorms National Park, and the famous Loch Ness with ease, as round-trip mini-coach transport is included. At Loch Ness—the fabled home of the elusive water monster, Nessie—you can benefit from the perk of having a Loch Ness cruise included.

What could be more quintessentially Scottish than lochs and castles? Travel through the photo-worthy West Highlands, visit the haunting glen of Glencoe and stop at Loch Lomond on this day trip from Glasgow by Mercedes minivan. Numbers are limited to 16 passengers to ensure a more personalized experience with an informative guide, who offers insightful commentary at Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray town, Castle Stalker and more.

Scotland's most-famous natural attractions are often crowded with tourists, but this small-group tour lets you avoid the crowds and discover a place that is well off the beaten track. From central Glasgow, you'll embark on a journey through the countryside and several quaint villages to a hidden gem of a waterfall. You'll then go on a short hike and explore the waterfall from every angle.

Limited time in port makes planning a day inland challenging, but this full-day shore excursion from Greenock Cruise Port is designed to help you see Scotland’s highlights without the hassle. Travel by comfortable, air-conditioned coach through scenic countryside, stopping at Stirling Castle to learn about its role in Scotland’s history before continuing to the traditional village of Aberfoyle in Trossachs National Park. Then, head to the shores of Loch Lomond to take in the views before returning to port.

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.

Pedal around Glasgow’s cobbled streets and hidden closes on a traditional, fully refurbished Royal Mail bicycle or electric bike. Follow your guide through some of Glasgow’s most scenic neighborhoods, and learn about the history of the area and the people who lived—and still live—here. Hear stories about the industries that built Glasgow and the rich culture of the city and see a different side to the city.

Go Glasgow sightseeing by open-top double-decker bus on a City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off tour. Discover the lively, cosmopolitan city at your own pace; listen to recorded commentary and hop off at several strategically placed stops to explore Glasgow. Bus tickets are valid for one or two consecutive calendar days.

This hike takes you out and immerses you in nature but still within close distance of the city. You get a taste of what it's like to hike in the Highlands without having to travel so far. You'll learn a bit about plants, animals, and geology, as well as some history and culture of the area. We might even see the local Highland cows! As well as learning new things, you'll get a great workout, some fresh air, and a break from the crowds in the city. I'm a fully qualified professional hiking guide and a landscape photographer leading tours and outings across Scotland. I'm outdoor first aid certified and ensure that everyone is able to do the hike safely and comfortably. I have a background in environment and sustainability, so I can also tell you about conservation and wildlife initiatives in Scotland as well as biodiversity and land management issues. I always try to reduce our impact and we follow Leave No Trace principles.

Get straight into the fast flowing waters of Laggan Canyon and enjoy the adrenaline rush of sliding through tight river channels and jumping from rocks into deep drop pools. Wearing a wetsuit and protective clothing, use the rocks to traverse the white water rapids, scrambling upstream and swimming in hidden pools and under waterfalls.

With our Edinburgh E-Bike Tour, you’ll be able to see more than any other tour of the city, in less time! The tour is designed to show you all the most iconic spots of the city. We will take you off the beaten path to explore the most picturesque and charming corners. The tour is conducted by professional mountain bike guides that have a particular and local knowledge of the hidden gems of Edinburgh. The tours can also be conducted in Italian and Spanish. The Ebikes that we use are brand new gravel category with mountain bike tyres, suspension and are very easy and comfortable to ride.

Check off all of Glasgow's highlights without feeling rushed by a fixed tour itinerary. This private walking tour takes you to the People’s Palace, GoMA, Necropolis, Glasgow Cathedral, and more. Get a taste of local life and learn about Glasgow's rich culture and history from your guide while you explore.

See the famous Hairy Cows in their natural environment in Edinburgh Join an Edinburgh-based Mountain Guide on a hike in the hills on the outskirts of the city Experience the rugged beauty of some of Scotland's mountains as we hike through some of the country's most amazing landscapes. This short hike takes us far into the hills, where we often see rare wildlife, spectacular cityscapes, and incredible mountain views. We meet at Hillend, which is about 30 minites from the city centre. Our hike then takes us up to a high viewpoint, where we can see over the city and to the sea. Getting up high allows us to find the cows more easily. We descend down the hillside where we can look for the local herd of Highland Cows grazing in their natural mountain environment. The cows live out on the hill 365 days a year and are kept as conservation grazers, helping to restore the natural ecology. We finish at Swanston Farm (lunch can bee booked) where a few more cows can be seen in a field.

Get more out of limited time in Scotland with this guided family gorge walking tour. The group size is small—limited to a maximum of 12 people—which means better access to your instructor for guidance. Also, having a guide to lead the way means no need to worry about getting lost as you scramble along rocks and jump into pools.