Last Updated on February 3, 2021 by
There’s an abundance of natural beauty to discover across the UK, and you’ll no doubt find a lot of it in Scotland. This spectacular location is full of rugged landscapes, architectural wonders, quaint villages and bustling cities – so you can guarantee you’ll find something for everyone if a staycation is on the cards this year. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite things to do if you’re planning a holiday in Scotland, from family experiences to breathtaking sights.
1 – Board the Hogwarts Express
Let’s face it; we all wanted a ticket for platform 9 ¾ when we were growing up to board the enchanting Hogwarts Express. Well, we’ve got the next best thing right here in Scotland. Hop on board the Jacobite Steam Train and enjoy an 84-mile round trip to admire breathtaking views of the scenery from your window seat. The train shuttles through places of interest including Loch Eil, Loch Morar and Mallaig, serving up some pretty special vistas along the way.
Where: Glenfinnan
2 – Northern Lights, In Scotland?
Believe it or not, you can see the Northern Lights from Northern Scotland. It’s true, we’re not joking. Experiencing the beautiful Aurora Borealis is at the top of the bucket list for a whole host of travellers, and it’s easy to see why. This natural light display often occurs in high-latitude regions, whereby magnificent green and purple colours shimmer and dance in the night sky due to disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by solar wind. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled if you’re visiting Scotland during the autumn and winter months, when the conditions are more favourable.
Where: Applecross, Lochinver, north of Ullapool
3 – A Wonder Sport
Ever heard of land yachting? You have? Then you know how cool this experience sounds and look. Land yachting is a combination of motor racing and sailing. Often the locals engage themselves in hosting race with their homies. Scotland offers many sports which boosts your adrenaline rush but land yachting tops it amongst locals and tourists due to it being eco-friendly. If you know nothing about this sport then let us tell you that you will be using your hands and feet to move on land in a three-wheeled vehicle. Got some visual clarity? No? See the picture below.
Where: St. Andrews
4 – Swim With Sharks
Don’t be scared by the title. The basking sharks are friendly creatures who feed on planktons. So you can now relish swimming with them on the west coast of Scotland. You can also enjoy going for snorkelling in the same water body and watch these 10 m long creatures from far. Every summer these sharks can be spotted in the waters, so you know when you need to head to Scotland if you don’t want to miss this. You might even be able to see minke whales, dolphins, seals and more.
Where: Firth of Clyde, off the coast of Oban and around the Isles of Coll, Tiree and Canna
5 – Go On A Microlight Adventure
If you consider yourself an adrenaline-junkie, this is the activity for you. Book a microlight experience and soak up aerial views of Scotland’s rugged landscapes from your open cockpit. You’ll soar above Loch Leven, the Lomond Hills, the Bass Rock and other awe-inspiring natural attractions – and you’ll have a front row view!
Where: Kinross, East Lothian, Cumbernauld and Strathaven
Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Scotland
We’ve uncovered some unique facts about Scotland we’d love to share with you:
- Do you know where the tallest waterfall in Britain is? In Scotland. The height of Eas a’ Chual Aluinn is 658 feet and it is thrice the height of Niagara Falls!
- Scotland is home to over 600 square miles of freshwater lakes – perfect if you like to canoe.
- Noticed a few redheads on your travels? Scotland is known for having the most redheads in the world!
- The world’s tallest hedge can be spotted here in Scotland.
- Also, one of the oldest trees in Europe can be found here – the Fortingall Yew.
- A flight from Westray to Papa Westray in Orkney takes less than a minute – perfect if you’re in a real hurry!
- There are over 790 offshore islands in Scotland, so you’ll have a fair share of locations to choose from when you decide to visit.
If you’re filling up your travel tote with all things tartan, you’re in luck as we’ve got some superb flight deals to Scotland for you to book, today. Give us a call to book your UK break. And we’ll help you tailor your itinerary to get the most out of this fantastic location.