Scotland travel guide
2 minute summary
and shortbread, the highlands, lowlands and islands are alive with
hikers, cyclists, canoeists and climbers. All immersing themselves in landscapes so wild you can almost see history in front of you, as nothing has changed in generations.
where the wild things are
about coach tours to castles

If you'd like to chat about Scotland or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Rosy & team.
What we rate & what we don't
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Underrated




Wildlife watching
If you don’t usually travel with binoculars, this is your time to invest. Not only is it teeming with wildlife but it is so accessible. Small and perfectly formed you can see a lot of habitats in a short period of time.
Land access
There is an ancient, traditional right for all people to access the countryside in Scotland, and this was enshrined in law in 2003. This gives greater recreational freedom than most other countries in Europe including England and Wales, and applies to hikers, cyclists, horseriders, low impact water users and campers.
Food
Haggis and deep fried Mars Bars have a lot to answer for, with few people associating food as a top experience in Scotland. And then you remember Aberdeen Angus Beef, Scottish mussels and oysters, Scottish salmon, the Arbroath Smokie and world class game. All exported as world class delicacies for years. It just took a while for Scots to show them off at home.
Winter
Wild and wet, it is also empty in winter and, when the snow falls, a winter wonderland. The Cairngorms National Park is the place to go in the snow, with Aviemore accessible by train so you can avoid the hassle of driving on winter roads. With downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding and winter walking, as well as magical wildlife watching opportunities even at this time of year, Scotland is snow-tastic.
Rated




Caledonian Sleeper train
The atmosphere in the famous Caledonian Sleeper train bar, at ten o’clock at night, is one of those charming travel experiences. It is full of hikers comparing routes, and whisky drinking adventurers revving up for the wilds. And when you wake up in the morning, enveloped by said wilds, you will gasp in awe.
Bagging a Munro
The Scottish name for a mountain over 3000 feet (914 m), many hillwalkers aim to climb all of them, a feat known as "Munro bagging". A walker who has climbed all Munros is entitled to be called a Munroist. See the Scottish Mountaineering Club for details
Islands
You can’t do them all in a week, but you can make a fine start. There are 790 offshore islands in the following groups: Shetland, Orkney, and the Hebrides, sub-divided into the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides.
The demon drink
Whisky goes without saying, with myriad malts to savour and salivate over. However, there is also a burgeoning brewery scene in Scotland now, with artisan ale popping up everywhere from Stornoway in the Hebrides to Speyside Craft brewery in the Moray Firth.
Overrated




Moaning about midges
There is no getting away from the fact that between May and October, especially on the west coast, there are midges. However, they are more prevalent at water’s edges, at dusk and when there is little wind, than on a mountain top in the middle of the day. So yes, they exist, but not everywhere, and there are plenty of ways to cope with them. Check out midgeforecast.co.uk for details.
Overtourism
For a country with so many celebrated wild spaces, it is a shock to see the issue of overtourism hitting some of its bonniest spots. Giant cruise ships to the Isle of Skye are causing mayhem for local people. Edinburgh is bursting and far from bonny during peak summer months and still the tourism authorities refuse to sit up and take action. Read more of our stance and tips in our overtourism guides.
Castles
and all things bonny are really so last century. There are stunning ones, but you have to pay an arm and a leg to stay in a top quality one. And although visiting them is great, it’s the small communities and backroads that hold the truly majestic Scotland.
Peak practice
the charity climb epidemic hit Ben Nevis some time ago, with thousands landing on the hills, trampling and littering, with little financial benefit for local people and huge environmental destruction. Few people realise, but this is not a National Park and so does not have the funding to fix it. Charity is good, churning up a precious landscape, not so much.
Food, shopping & people
Travel like a local with our Scotland travel guide
Eating & drinking
People & language
Away ye go - no way!
Burn - stream
Ben - mountain
Céilidh – Folk dance event (from Scottish Gaelic)
Gifts & shopping
Fast facts
Ian Hamilton, author, A Touch of Treason
How much does it cost?
£5.55 one way for foot passenger or £49.50 for a car
A brief history of Scotland
Orkney & Shetland self drive holiday, Scotland
Self-drive island-hopping through the Northern Isles
Isle of Mull and west coast of Scotland cruise
Cruise the idyllic coast around the Scottish Island of Mull
Mull wildlife holiday in Scotland
Ultimate week of wildlife spotting on the Isle of Mull
Wildlife holiday in the Isle of Mull, Scotland
Spot whales, otters and eagles on Isle of Mull, Scotland
Hebrides cruise, The Sounds of Mull, Luing, Shuna and Jura
Cruise the Sounds of the Hebrides: Mull, Luing, Jura, Shuna
Scotland island hopping holiday, car free
Explore three contrasting Scottish islands car-free
West Highland Line railway holiday in Scotland
Take the "The World's Best Rail Journey" to the Isle of Skye
Scotland by railway holiday
Experience authentic Scotland independently and car-free
St Kilda, Outer Hebrides Cruise, Scotland
Cruise to St Kilda, Monachs, Outer Hebrides and Small Isles
Lands End To John O'Groats cycling trip
Britain's classic cycling challenge
Wildlife sailing holiday in Scotland
Extraordinary wildlife above and below the waves
Skye and the Inner Hebrides cruise, Scotland
A unique cruise to the Isle of Skye and the Inner Hebrides