Things to do in  Scotland

Scotland's second largest island, covering an area more than twice that of Singapore, the Isle of Skye is a pocket of wilderness linked to the coast of the West Highlands by the Skye Bridge. With its dramatic sea cliffs, windswept valleys, theatrical rock formations, and glittering pools, waterfalls, and lochs, the island is a treat for nature lovers and film-makers alike.

Bordered by steep, waterfall-threaded mountains, dramatic Glencoe (Glen Coe) is the stuff of Scottish postcards. Though it has historical significance—it was the site of the 1692 Glencoe Massacre of the MacDonald Clan—and its very own ski resort, Glencoe Mountain Resort, the valley’s main draw is its spectacular scenery and world-class hiking trails.

Edinburgh Castle—with its fortress walls, cobbled promenades, and winding stone steps—has loomed over Scotland’s capital city for more than 1,000 years. Steeped in history, the former royal palace is now a museum, featuring detailed exhibits; period artifacts, such as the Scottish Crown Jewels (aka the Honours of Scotland); and dark dungeons that illuminate the castle’s storied past.

A village on the shores of Loch Ness, Fort Augustus is a popular destination in the Scottish Highlands. Once a garrison in the 18th century, the scenic village today attracts cyclists, hikers, and travelers in search of the Loch Ness monster. It’s also a gateway to the Great Glen Way, a 73-mile trail that runs from Inverness to Fort William.

Visitors flock to Loch Ness hoping to catch a glimpse of its most elusive inhabitant: the Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie. But this lake in the Scottish Highlands is worth the trip even if you don't believe the rumors. Surrounded by magnificent scenery, it's a popular boating and sightseeing spot—and so deep that it’s Great Britain’s largest freshwater lake by volume.

Perched above the city of Stirling on a chunk of volcanic rock, this mighty Scottish fortress has seen it all, from attacks by Robert the Bruce to the coronation of the infant Mary Queen of Scots. In addition to the impeccably recreated royal palace interiors and the sheer amount of history held within its robust walls, the castle also offers superb views over Stirling and Scotland’s green hills and valleys.

A vast landscape of hills and mountains, lush valleys, mist-shrouded lochs, and shady woodland trails, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park makes an easy rural retreat from Scotland’s biggest city. Located just north of Glasgow, the park also serves as the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.

Perched on its very own islet, surrounded by rugged hills and reflective sea lochs, Eilean Donan Castle is among Scotland’s most photographed sights and one of the Scottish Highlands’ most visited attractions. The castle you see today, featuring a bridge linking it to the mainland, is the fourth incarnation of a fortress dating back to the 13th century. It is a popular destination for weddings and tours alike.

Stretching over 1,500 square miles, Cairngorms National Park is a popular destination for mountain bikers, nature lovers, sea kayakers, and hikers. The park has been named one of the world’s Last Great Places by National Geographic and is the perfect place to enjoy Scotland’s renowned wild landscapes of granite mountains and deep lochs.

The atmospheric Royal Mile thoroughfare cuts through the historic heart of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, extending for just over 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Partially-pedestrianized, the street is lined with historic stone buildings selling tartan, whisky, and Scottish souvenirs. In between the former tenements and taverns are narrow alleyways known locally as closes.

Set on the shore of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle (Caisteal na Sròine) attracts many visitors that come here in hopes of glimpsing Nessie, the loch’s fabled aquatic monster. The ruined medieval fortress, which was destroyed in 1762 to prevent it from becoming a Jacobite stronghold, now houses a visitor center that exhibits objects found amid the ruins.

The Culloden Battlefield was the site of one of the last battles to be fought on British soil. On April 16, 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army of 5,000 Jacobite Highlanders faced off against the Duke of Cumberland and 9,000 Hanoverian government troops. Though the Jacobites fought valiantly, they were ultimately defeated, resulting in the elimination of the Scottish clan system and the suppression of Highland culture. Today, the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre retells the events of that fateful day through interactive exhibits that put travelers in the thick of the action.

Chugging past the misty lochs and sweeping glens of the Scottish Highlands, the Jacobite Steam Train offers one of Britain’s greatest railway journeys, taking passengers on a nostalgic train ride between Fort William in Scotland’s West Highlands and Mallaig on the west coast. The 84-mile (135-kilometer) round-trip route passes Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, and the Glenfinnan viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter movies where the train stood in for the fictional Hogwarts Express.

A favorite filming location for movie and TV productions, medieval Doune Castle has appeared inMonty Python and the Holy Grail,Game of Thrones, andOutlander. Built for the Duke of Albany in the 14th century, the castle—now semi-ruined—has welcomed such illustrious guests as Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charles.

Quiraing is a hiking trail on the Isle of Skye in northern Scotland. It's a 4-mile (7-kilometer) loop that passes through some spectacular Scottish landscapes. The trail is part of the Trotternish Ridge, which was formed by a landslide that created cliffs, plateaus, and rock pinnacles. You can soak up coastal views and see many unique land formations in the area.