Activities in Scotland
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FEATURED
5-Day Best of Scotland Experience from Edinburgh
5 days (Departs Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
by Viator
Experience the natural beauty of Scotland on a 5-day small-group tour through the Lowlands, Northern Highlands, West Coast and the magical Isle of Skye.…Not LP reviewed
from USD$645.22 - All activities
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Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small Group Day Trip from Edinburgh
11 hours 30 minutes (Departs Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
by Viator
Take the high road to the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness on a small group day trip from Edinburgh. You'll travel through beautiful Glencoe, admire the…Not LP reviewed
from USD$70.82 -
Fife Coastal Path
The tourist office has a list of local walks and also sells OS maps. The Fife Coastal Path, stretching from the Forth Road Bridge to the Tay Bridge (Dundee) – a distance of 78 miles – is a wonderful long-distance walk, but the section between St Andrews and just north of Crail is recommended for experienced walkers (particularly the section between St Andrews and Boarhills), as the path is not as clearly defined and includes tidal and rough terrain. The tourist office has a detailed map.
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St Andrews and Fife Small Group Day Trip from Edinburgh
8 hours 30 minutes (Departs Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
by Viator
Pay homage to the home of golf at St Andrews and visit the fishing villages of Fife on a small group day trip from Edinburgh. With a maximum group size of 16…Not LP reviewed
from USD$56.65 -
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Duddington Village
Nestling under the southeastern slopes of Arthur’s Seat, the picturesque village of Duddingston is one of the oldest parts of the city, dating from the 12th century, though all that remains of that era are parts of the parish church. At the western end of the village stands an 18th-century pub, the Sheep Heid, and at the eastern end is Prince Charlie’s Cottage, where the Young Pretender held a council of war before the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745.
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Davy the Ghost Tours
Davy the Ghost Tours offers 1¼-hour tours led by an ‘18th-century ghost’ in period costume. Expect tales of the city’s horrific past, including ghosts, witches, murders and hangings. Tours depart at 7pm from the blackboard outside the tourist office.
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Ghost and Gore Walking Tour of Edinburgh
80 minutes (Departs Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
by Viator
A unique and highly entertaining tour of Old Town Edinburgh. Your guide is Alexander Clapperton (deceased), who was an Edinburgh Cemetery Director during the…Not LP reviewed
from USD$13.38 -
Skye Guides
A two-day introduction-to-rock-climbing course costs around £360, and a private mountain guide can be hired for around £200 a day (both rates apply for up to two clients).
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Isle of Skye Brewery
Distinctive Hebridean Gold ale, brewed with porridge oats.
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Walking and Cycling around Arran
Drop into the tourist office near Brodick pier for plenty of walking and cycling suggestions around the island. The handy Selection of Arran Walks (around £3) is a selection of leaflets covering Arran's best-known walks. There are also plenty of maps available.
The walk up and down Goatfell takes up to eight hours return, starting in Brodick and finishing in the grounds of Brodick Castle. If the weather's fine, there are superb views to Ben Lomond and the coast of Northern Ireland. It can, however, be very cold and windy up there; take the appropriate maps (available at the tourist office near Brodick pier), waterproof gear and a compass.
Moderate walks include the trail…
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Scotland’s People Centre
This collaboration between the General Register Office, the National Archives and the Court of the Lord Lyon brings together millions of useful records in one place. The main records used in Scottish genealogical research – the Statutory Registers of births, marriages and deaths (1855 to the present), the Old Parish Registers (1533−1854) and the 10-yearly census returns from 1841 to 1901 – are held here. The registration of births, marriages and deaths became compulsory in Scotland on 1 January 1855; before that date, the ministers of the Church of Scotland kept registers of baptisms and marriages. The oldest surviving parish registers date back to 1553, but these records…
reviewed
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Old Course
Golf has been played at St Andrews since the 15th century, and by 1457 it was apparently so popular that James II had to ban it because it was interfering with his troops' archery practice. Few people realise that anyone can play the Old Course, the world's most famous golf course. Although it lies beside the exclusive, all-male Royal & Ancient Golf Club, the Old Course is a public course and is not owned by the club.
Getting a tee-off time is - literally - something of a lottery. Unless you book months in advance, the only chance you have of playing here is by entering a ballot before 14:00 on the day before you wish to play. Be warned that applications by ballot are…
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Bowman’s Tours (Stafford St)
From April to October, Bowman’s Tours offers a Three Isles day-trip (adult/child £49/24.50, 10 hours, daily) from Oban that visits Mull, Iona and Staffa. Note that the crossing to Staffa is weather dependent.
Bowman’s also runs a wildlife tour (adult/child £49/24.50) departing from Oban at 9.50am Sunday to Friday from May to July, and returning to Oban at 8pm. The trip takes in a ferry crossing to Craignure on Mull, travel by coach to Fionnphort, and a cruise around Staffa and the Treshnish Isles, plus two hours ashore on Lunga to visit a puffin colony.
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2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small Group Tour from Edinburgh
2 days (Departs Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
by Viator
Spend two days exploring Loch Ness and Inverness, past and present, on a small-group trip to the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh. As you enjoy scenic drives…Not LP reviewed
from USD$198.29 -
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Bowman’s Tours
From April to October, Bowman’s offers a Three Isles day trip (adult/child £55/27.50, 10 hours, daily) from Oban that visits Mull, Iona and Staffa. Note that the crossing to Staffa is weather dependent. Bowman’s also runs a circular coach tour around Mull (adult/child £20/10).
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Cream o' Galloway
Ideal for families, Cream o’ Galloway has taken off big time. It offers a plethora of activities and events at the home of that delicious ice cream you’ll see around the region. There are 4 miles of nature trails, an adventure playground for all ages, a 3-D maze, wildlife-watching, a farm to explore and plenty of ice cream to taste. Daily events include a farm tour and ice cream tasting, and there are regular special happenings. It’s about 4 miles from Gatehouse off the A75 – signposted all the way. You can also hire bikes from here.
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Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond Small Group Day Trip from Edinburgh
9 hours (Departs Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
by Viator
Travel to Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond in style on a small-group tour by Mercedes minivan from Edinburgh. With a maximum group size of 16 passengers, you are…Not LP reviewed
from USD$56.65 -
Edinburgh City Hop-on Hop-off Tour
1 day (Departs Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
by Viator
lt;pgt;With great views from the top of the bus, strategically placed stops and an interesting commentary, this truly is the best way to see the sights of…Not LP reviewed
from USD$20.46 -
Sir Walter Scott Steamship
There’s an excellent 20-mile circular cycle route that links up with the Sir Walter Scott Steamship along Loch Katrine. Following the southern shore of Loch Achray, you reach the pier on Loch Katrine; departures are at 10.30am daily April to October, as well as afternoon departures at 2.30pm on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The ferry should drop you at Stronachlachar (adult/child one way £6/4.50) at the western end. From Stronachlachar, follow the B829 via Loch Ard to Aberfoyle.
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Mull Wildlife Expeditions
This outfit offers full-day Land Rover tours of the island with the chance of spotting red deer, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, white-tailed sea eagles, hen harriers, otters and perhaps dolphins and porpoises. The cost includes pick-up from your accommodation or from any of the ferry terminals, a picnic lunch and use of binoculars.
The timing of this tour makes it possible as a day-trip from Oban, with pick-up and drop-off at the Craignure ferry.
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Riverside Walk
Thurso's idyllic country riverside walk starts near Waterside House; you can walk upstream, retracing your footsteps to come back (there was a bridge you could once cross to come back on the other side, but it's been washed out). It's a beautiful walk, taking about 45 minutes at a stroll, and is a very popular local pursuit in decent weather.
You can also walk all the way to Scrabster along cliffs for brilliant views (40 min) but take care when windy.
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Orchill Loch Trout Fishery
If you want to throw a line in and have a good chance of being rewarded for your efforts, drop by Orchill Loch Trout Fishery. The main loch (fly fishing) is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and there’s bait fishing too in a separate pond, particularly good for the kids. A four-hour ticket allows three fish and costs £13.50; a full day allows five fish and is only £22. Orchill is on the backroad between Gleneagles and Braco; access is off the A822 or A823.
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West Highland Lochs and Castles Small Group Day Trip from Edinburgh
10 hours (Departs Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
by Viator
Lochs and castles what could be more Scottish? Take this small-group day trip from Edinburgh to the Scottish west coast and you'll discover the real Scotland!…Not LP reviewed
from USD$62.95 -
Capercaillie Cruisers
The Millennium Link project (completed in 2002) restored the 35-mile Forth and Clyde Canal (running between Grangemouth in the east and Bowling near Dumbarton in the west) and the 31-mile Union Canal (joining central Edinburgh with Falkirk) to full working order, and linked the two by means of the mighty Falkirk Wheel. The Linlithgow Canal Centre rents out day boats on the Union Canal. Holiday narrow boats can be hired by the week from Capercaillie Cruisers.
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Moray Firth Cruises
Offers 1½-hour wildlife cruises (adult/child £14/10) to look for dolphins, seals and bird life. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but the commentaries are excellent, and on a fine day it’s good just being out on the water. Follow the signs to Shore St Quay from the far end of Chapel St or catch the free shuttle bus that leaves from the tourist office 15 minutes before sailings (which depart every 1½ hours). In July and August there are also departures at 6pm.
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Highland Lochs, Glens and Whisky Small-Group Day Trip from Edinburgh
9 hours (Departs Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
by Viator
Fancy sampling a wee dram o' whisky and exploring the rugged landscape of the Scottish Highlands? Combine the two on a small-group day trip from Edinburgh, and…Not LP reviewed
from USD$62.95