Scotland is full of great places to visit, from Edinburgh Castle to the ski resorts of the Highlands. Whether travelers are looking for peace and quiet or a hustling and bustling city, the country has something for everyone.

Outdoor Activities

Backpackers in Scotland seeking a taste of the great outdoors will find the country is home to some of the best walking and hiking trails in the UK. The Dalbeattie to Colvend Trail is particularly popular for a hiking break. The three-hour walk runs through the Dalbeattie Forest, which is home to a large population of Red Squirrels.

During the winter months, skiing is also a big draw and many Scotland hostels are bustling with travelers looking forward to hitting the slopes. Major ski centers in the country can be found at Glenshee, Glencoe, the Lecht, Nevis Range and Cairngorm.

Scotland is similarly well-known for its salmon fishing and travelers can learn how to hook one of their own with fishing lessons offered at many places such as Aviemore, Boat O Garten and Grantown.

Surfing is another great activity in Scotland, as it boasts some of the best surf spots in Europe. Good breaks can be found along the coats between Edinburgh and Eyemouth.

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Culture and Heritage

Scotland has a wealth of cultural heritage sights, including the famous Rosslyn Chapel which is located in Roslin, Midlothian. Founded in 1446, the chapel has had many famous visitors over the centuries from Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Victoria to William Wordsworth and Sir Walter Scot. It was also featured in the Dan Brown novel, The Da Vinci Code.

Another significant Scottish landmark is Edinburgh Castle, built on the site of a dormant volcano. The castle was

constructed in the 12th century by David I and was the birthplace of James VI of Scotland (and I of England). It’s easily accessible from the many Edinburgh hostels located in the Old Town, with some accommodation even boasting views of the impressive castle.

Stirling Castle, meanwhile, played a crucial role in Scotland’s history. Looming over the battlefield where William Wallace (famously played by Mel Gibson in Braveheart) defeated the English in 1297, the castle’s Great Hall is the largest banquet hall ever built in Scotland.

The Neolithic village in Skara Brae, 31km north-west of Kirkwall, is also well worth a visit. It is one of the best preserved villages of this era in Western Europe and was only discovered after a storm uncovered it in 1850.

The city of Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, the third largest in the UK and a great place to start your Scotland tours. Glasgow offers something for everyone from fun at the Glasgow Comedy festival to the sophisticated at Kings theatre Glasgow.

Luckily for Glasgow most of the main attractions are located around the subway circuit. There is always something to see within easy reach of the city centre. Because the city has many hidden secrets around every corner, not all of them are as obvious on the top of a tour bus and are best seen on foot.

The best place to start is in the heart of the city, Georges Square. This place is always a hive of activity and has different event going on through the year. During the summer it is a great place to lounge around and admire the architecture of city chambers. At Christmas time the square is completely lit up with Christmas lights and is home to it’s own miniature fairground with a small Ferris wheel and merry go round.

Throughout the year Glasgow hosts many festivals that celebrate all things arty after it was titled city of culture in the 1990’s. Every month there is something going on and is best know for it’s Glasgow comedy festival, Celtic Connections, the Merchant City festival and of course, Hogmanay. There are many other smaller festivals going on, such as an event celebrating Glasgow Subway. The city never stops!

All around the subway circuit there is something to see at almost every stop. Some of my favourites are Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis, Tenement house at Cowcaddens station, Scotland Street School Museum at Shields Road, Kelvingrove galleries at Kelvinhall subway, the Gallery of Modern Art in Merchant Square and the People’s Palace near St. Enoch are at the top of the list of places to see if you don’t go anywhere else.

Outside of the city centre circuit there are many more attractions that can be reached by bus. I find the best places tend to be in the Southside of the city but there are many more on the outskirts of the city. Some include The Burrell Collection in Shawlands, Pollok House and Country park in Pollok, The Glasgow Science Museum and Tramway gallery and gardens in Pollokshields.

There are also many parks around Glasgow most of which have Victorian glasshouses, housing aquariums and collections of exotic plants. The best parks to go are Glasgow Green, Kelvingrove Park in the west end and Queens Park in the south side.

Nights out

The city centre is mostly filled with clubs and swanky bars. Merchant city is the place if you’re looking for an expensive cocktail, where the more reasonable bars are along Bath Street and Sauchiehall Street. If you’re into your dancing the city centre has plenty of nightclubs to choose from. Most of them are along Sauchiehall Street some being Campus, Garage, The Classrooms, and the Savoy aka ‘Suave Sav’.

Personally I feel the best place to experience Glasgow is in its West End. I feel this is where the real Glasgow is, it is another world compared to anywhere else in the city. My favourite place to go is Ashton Lane. Close by to Hillhead subway lies a little cul-de-sac filled with award winning restaurants and bars. Favourites include Brel (where Billy Connolly often frequents), The Chip, The Loft, Vodka Wodka and a few others. During the summer this is home to Ashton Lane and the West End festivals and is the busiest, but best time to go.

If you’re looking for an evening of entertainment, Glasgow has many venues that offer a range of shows, gigs and concerts. There is the SECC, Braehead Arena, Carling Academy, The Arches and the Barrowlands where all types of artist perform, including many big names. If you’re looking for a show there is the Royal Concert Hall, the King’s Theatre and the Tron theatre with something different showing all the time. Glasgow also has two comedy clubs, one in the city centre called Joungleurs near Buchanan bus station and the other one in the West End called The Stand.

Scotland may be a small country, but walking the vast countryside has all the grandeur of an epic adventure. The magnificent Scottish Highlands are a walker’s dream. It’s a place that allows the soul to sing.

A weekend walking tour can include a hike through rugged terrain with comfortable accommodations and good food. These trips can vary from an easy walking tour to a strenuous hill-climbing trip. All guided tours include experienced guides.

A tour to Glencoe and Glen Nevis begins with a climb up Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK and culminates with a full ascent of Buachaille Etive Mhor, Scotland’s most photographed mountain. The glens offer dazzling scenery of the surrounding mountains. The trip includes transportation from Edinburgh and two-night’s stay at a bed and breakfast.

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For a daytrip, there’s a 10.5 kilometer hike to Ben Lomond, a mountain on the edge of Loch Lomond. The climb to the summit takes most of the day, but ends in a spectacular view looking out over the lake.

A walking tour in Scotland includes more than just mountains. The beautiful Scottish coastline offers a myriad of walking opportunities. The isles of Colonsay, Oronsay, Isly, Jura and Gigha are clustered together for coastal exploration to observe rare species of flora and fauna. The island hopping ends with a visit to Dunadd, the capital of Dalriada, the ancient kingdom of the Scots.

A visit to the Highlands and surround Isles makes for an unforgettable time. The Highlands, wrapped in mists and old legends and the surrounding lochs offer one-of-a-kind scenery. Off the Highland shores lie the Hebrides, a cluster of magical islands in the Atlantic. Two nights on the Isle of Skye and three nights on the Isle of Lewis offer visits to some of the best prehistoric sights, sandy beaches and miles of unspoiled nature. Walks will cover approximately seven miles each day.

Bird lovers will delight in a week-long walking tour of the Shetland Isles on the northerly tip of Scotland. Coastal walks along the shores of Shetland Isle, Isles of Yell and Unst are filled with historic sights and bird watching opportunities. The National Nature Reserve is home to 20,000 Gannets, 3,000 Kittiwakes, 25,000 Guillemots, 1,200 Puffins and hundreds of Razorbills, Skuas, Black Guillemots and Shags. At the end of the trip, climb up Ronas Hill, Shetland’s highest mountain. Scotland’s brooding moors, splendid coastline and hills make for an unforgettable trip.

Need Personal Travel Assistance?  Bon Voyage Travel is known for it’s excellent personal travel service.  Talk to a live person by calling 916.965.3232 and let us help you book your Scotland Tour of a lifetime!

The following contributed to this article:

Before settling down and becoming a copywriter for Hostelbookers. Paul Scottyn did a backpacking tour of Scotland, he checked out a variety of the country’s budget accommodation, including a number of most Edinburgh hostels

The author writes for Articles Abroad travel article directory where you can find information and advice about travel and submit your own travel articles and reviews.

Saraah James is an avid walker and content writer for web sites, she is current producing content for Macs Adventure an adventure walking tour operator based in Scotland.

Tags: Edinburgh Scotland, Scotland, Scotland Tours