Choose from 155 Fun Things to Do in Scotland
Bealach na Ba Pass
Practical Info
Bruichladdich Distillery
Practical Info
Edinburgh Old Town
- Edinburgh Old Town is a must-visit for all first-time visitors, especially culture lovers, sightseers, architecture aficionados, and history buffs.
- Wear comfortable shoes as most of Old Town’s streets are cobbled.
- Though steep streets, steps, and uneven surfaces are common, smooth sidewalks and curb cuts—including those on the Royal Mile—and accessible black cabs make large parts of Edinburgh Old Town navigable for wheelchair users and strollers.
Fort Augustus
Cawdor Castle
Practical Info
Culloden Battlefield
- To ensure entry, it’s best to book tickets in advance.
- The center and the battlefield are both wheelchair accessible.
- Audio guides are available, so visitors can take a self-guided tour of the outdoor battle site.
- It’s best to wear warm clothing to walk around the windswept moor where the battle took place.
Edinburgh World Heritage Trust
The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust also organizes city heritage tours and the 2-week Edinburgh Old Town Festival each June, which features dozens of tours, art shows, exhibitions and storytelling events, celebrating the rich history and heritage of the Old Town.
Culzean Castle
- Culzean Castle is a must-see for architecture fans, history buffs, and walking enthusiasts.
- Restaurants and cafés are located on-site.
- The castle is wheelchair accessible as are some parts of Culzean Country Park.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring rainproof gear so you can explore the park no matter what the weather.
Dallas Dhu Distillery
Practical Info
Arduaine Garden
Practical Info
Edinburgh Cruise Port
Wrapped around the base of the castle hill is the New Town - actually dating from the 18th century, which shows how old the Old Town must be - including botanic gardens, museums and art galleries, shopping and residential areas and the city’s main railway station, Waverley. Edinburgh is both visually spectacular and culturally dynamic, home of the annual Edinburgh Festival, where many famous entertainers make their start.
How to Get to Edinburgh
Cruise ships dock in Leith, not too far from the city center. You can catch a taxi, shuttle or local bus for a ten minute ride to the Old Town, or walk for about half an hour. In Leith is also permanently moored the now-decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia, which makes for a fascinating tour.
One Day in Edinburgh
If you only have one day in Edinburgh you must see the castle. It is not huge but it is full of low doorways into small rooms which burst with history. And the views are wonderful. From here wander down Royal Mile, which changes names along the way: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate.
Royal Mile has now become a bit of a tourist strip filled with shops selling tartan, but look beyond this to the wonderful buildings filled with history and the great small museums such as Camera Obscura and the Scottish Storytelling Centre in John Knox House (which dates from 1470).
At the bottom of the road is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the wonderful current royal palace, and nearby Arthurs Seat rises high in the parklands and is a favourite walk for locals and tourists alike. In the New Town the Scottish Portrait Gallery has recently reopened and the Scottish National Gallery has been renovated to put even more of their wide collection on display. The Royal Scottish Academy shows Scotland’s own great artists and designers.
A bit of a must-do in Scotland is to sample the local whiskies of which they are so rightly proud. And if you’re brave, taste some haggis, the national dish. If you are a golfer, head to nearby St Andrews where golf began. And if you’ve seen Edinburgh before, Glasgow is only 45 minutes away by train.
Port Information
The language is English, although it is spoken with a distinctive Scottish lilt and some puzzling Scottish turns of phrase. The currency is the British pound - if you receive any Scottish pounds they are quite legal even though they look different to the English pounds commonly used across Britain. ATMs are easy to find.
Glenlivet Distillery
Practical Info
Forth Road Bridge
Practical Info
Forth Bridge
Practical Info
Eilean Donan Castle
Originally built in the 13th century as a defense against Vikings, Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland’s best-known architectural treasures. It last played a historical role during the 18th century Jacobite uprisings, and was subsequently left in ruins until it was rediscovered and lovingly restored in the early 20th century.
The castle sits proudly on a peninsula in Loch Duich, ringed by rugged hills, and you can immediately see why this is one of the most-photographed sites in Scotland. Walk the shore of the loch to find your own vantage point and then explore the castle itself, where you can visit the banqueting hall, kitchens and bedrooms.
Practical Info
The castle is located in the village of Dornie, on the main road which leads from Loch Ness to the Isle of Skye.
Culross
Practical Info
Ardbeg Distillery
Practical Info
Glenkinchie Distillery
Practical Info
Buchanan Street
Practical Info
Edinburgh Castle
- Edinburgh Castle is a must-see for history buffs and first-time visitors to the city.
- It’s possible to spend anywhere from two hours to a full day exploring the castle.
- Visitors are subject to bag searches, and storage is not available for large personal items such as backpacks, luggage, and strollers.
- Photographs are not allowed inside the Scottish National War Memorial or the Scottish Crown Jewel exhibit.
- Parts of the castle may not be accessible to wheelchair users.