Scotland Strenuous Tours & Trip Packages

Scotland Strenuous Tours & Trips

333 Scotland trips. Tours from 111 tour companies. 1,294 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

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Strenuous
Classic Walks of Scotland
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Visits

Inverness

Highlights

  • Located on the shores of Loch Linnhe, Fort William is a charming town that makes for the perfect base for your trip. Unpack once, settle in, and enjoy a warm welcome back at the end of each day.
  • Safety always comes first – let your experienced and qualified leader show you the way as you take in spectacular scenery on some of Scotland’s best walks.
  • Conquer Ben Nevis - the king of Scotland walks – with qualified mountain guides who will provide plenty of encouragement and help you scale the mountain at your own pace.
  • Trek the West Highland Way and experience the best of it – Devil’s Staircase and the final stage leading you to Fort William – and enjoy a leisurely ramble along the Great Glen Way.
  • This trip is as green as it gets. We only use public transport and our accommodation can be reached from major cities in the UK by train.

Themes

Hiking & Walking, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Hiking the Scottish Highlands: Castles, Clans and Peaks
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Blair Castle, Edinburgh, Loch Ness

Highlights

  • Explore the ancient but intact ruins of 13th-century Inverlochy Castle, a veteran of two battles that’s been transformed into an open-air museum
  • Learn the history of Scotland as you walk along the iconic and picturesque West Highland Way
  • Keep your eyes open for the fabled Loch Ness Monster as you take a cruise across this beautiful lake

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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Walking in the Lake District and Scotland
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Edinburgh

Highlights

  • Take a boat ride on the most beautiful of the Lakes — Derwentwater — before ascending the distinctive fell of Cat Bells for spectacular views.
  • Follow in the footsteps of the Romantic poets at Wordsworth's Grasmere and Dove Cottage.
  • Walk part of the upland Pennine Way National Trail, chasing the Pennine Mountain tops along the rugged backbone of England.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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The Best of Britain & Ireland
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4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bath, Britain, Cardiff, Chester, Cotswolds, Dublin, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Galway, Hadrian's Wall, Lake District, London, Oxford, Snowdonia, Stonehenge, York

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-hotel transfers -The whispers (listening devices) didn't work from the get-go, so no whispers were used during the 13 day trip. - Porters are no longer hired to bring your luggage to and from your room. (Very elderly had to handle their own luggage. Our friends had to help many of them.) -A few days into the trip one couple left. At the end of the trip we found out they had covid. Cosmos did not let us know; a few people weren't feeling well and two of our friends then tested positive. -One hotel was awful and not even up to "budget" standards -Many of the stops had castles, churches... but were not included, so be sure to count that in when pricing.  don't plan to use Cosmos ever again. Gate1 is the best in my opinion. When my husband's passport was stolen, they assigned someone to go with him to the embassy, translate, etc...It was above and beyond what we expected  "

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The British Isles in Depth
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4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bath, Belfast, Brecon Beacons, Britain, Cardiff, Cotswolds, Derry, Dingle Peninsula, Dublin, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Galway, Glasgow, Inverness, Kilkenny, Liverpool, Loch Lomond, London, Oxford, Perth, Plymouth, Snowdonia, Stonehenge, York

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-hotel transfers -The whispers (listening devices) didn't work from the get-go, so no whispers were used during the 13 day trip. - Porters are no longer hired to bring your luggage to and from your room. (Very elderly had to handle their own luggage. Our friends had to help many of them.) -A few days into the trip one couple left. At the end of the trip we found out they had covid. Cosmos did not let us know; a few people weren't feeling well and two of our friends then tested positive. -One hotel was awful and not even up to "budget" standards -Many of the stops had castles, churches... but were not included, so be sure to count that in when pricing.  don't plan to use Cosmos ever again. Gate1 is the best in my opinion. When my husband's passport was stolen, they assigned someone to go with him to the embassy, translate, etc...It was above and beyond what we expected  "

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Highlights of Ireland & Scotland
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4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Belfast, Derry, Dublin, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Galway, Glasgow, Inverness, Kilkenny, Loch Lomond, Loch Ness

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-hotel transfers -The whispers (listening devices) didn't work from the get-go, so no whispers were used during the 13 day trip. - Porters are no longer hired to bring your luggage to and from your room. (Very elderly had to handle their own luggage. Our friends had to help many of them.) -A few days into the trip one couple left. At the end of the trip we found out they had covid. Cosmos did not let us know; a few people weren't feeling well and two of our friends then tested positive. -One hotel was awful and not even up to "budget" standards -Many of the stops had castles, churches... but were not included, so be sure to count that in when pricing.  don't plan to use Cosmos ever again. Gate1 is the best in my opinion. When my husband's passport was stolen, they assigned someone to go with him to the embassy, translate, etc...It was above and beyond what we expected  "

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Grand Tour of Britain & Ireland
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4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bath, Britain, Cardiff, Chester, Cotswolds, Dingle Peninsula, Dublin, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Galway, Glasgow, Hadrian's Wall, Inverness, Lake District, Liverpool, Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, London, Perth, Plymouth, Stonehenge, York

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-hotel transfers -The whispers (listening devices) didn't work from the get-go, so no whispers were used during the 13 day trip. - Porters are no longer hired to bring your luggage to and from your room. (Very elderly had to handle their own luggage. Our friends had to help many of them.) -A few days into the trip one couple left. At the end of the trip we found out they had covid. Cosmos did not let us know; a few people weren't feeling well and two of our friends then tested positive. -One hotel was awful and not even up to "budget" standards -Many of the stops had castles, churches... but were not included, so be sure to count that in when pricing.  don't plan to use Cosmos ever again. Gate1 is the best in my opinion. When my husband's passport was stolen, they assigned someone to go with him to the embassy, translate, etc...It was above and beyond what we expected  "

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Britain Sampler
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bath, Britain, Chester, Cotswolds, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Lake District, Liverpool, London, Stonehenge, York

Highlights

  • London : Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • Stonehenge : Visit the prehistoric monument
  • Bath: Visit the Roman relics; welcome dinnerLUDLOW
  • Llangollen: Visit the picturesque village
  • Grasmere : Visit Wordsworth’s village; try original Grasmere gingerbreadGRETNA GREEN
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Just returned from Italy. Guides were very informative. Hotels went downhill with each city. Dinners which were included were absolutely horrible - vegetable lasagna in Italy really? Worst part was our guide Alessandro did not wait for us when the group met for the taxi to the airport - we were 5 minutes late. He lied about calling our room - front desk said he had not. Our friends reminded him we were missing but he left anyway - could have been a costly disaster if we didn't run to catch up. Never again!"

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Premium Scotland
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scottish Highlands

Highlights

  • Discover a hidden folly in the forest of the Scottish Highlands, overlooking a cascading waterfall. Then, visit a wildlife reserve known for its nesting ospreys.
  • Spend an afternoon in Cairngorms National Park in an outdoor folk museum scattered with traditional buildings.
  • Take a cruise on Loch Ness and look for the elusive beast as you sail on the famous, quiet waters of the still loch and marvel at the gorgeous scenery all around you.
  • Spend a day skipping stones and wandering through the quiet landscape of the islands Seil and Easdale – with tiny populations, these islands are a great setting to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
  • Spend two nights at your Feature Stay mansion house on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Set amid 40 acres of gardens and dating back to the 1400’s, this classic Scottish estate will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
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Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Scotland in a Week (Summer 2024)
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By Contiki
preferred
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their trips create life-long memories for young people setting off to discover the world.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"The Trip itself is meant to be an add on to Eternal India. The Taj Mahal is an add on so don't be surprised. Overall, the trip itself is fun when the people you go on with are fun as well! Be prepared for smog and crowds. Nepal is amazing! 100% recommend if you have been wanting to see India and Nepal rolled into ONE trip!"

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Grand Tour of Scotland, England & Wales
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4.9/5 Excellent
51 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Blair Castle, Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Loch Ness, London, Scottish Highlands, Windsor Great Park

Highlights

  • Be on the lookout for Nessy while cruising Lock Ness amongst the Scottish Highlands
  • Grab your spot of tea as we wind our way through medieval Edinburgh with a local guide
  • Scotland and whiskey. Learn all there is to know and become a famed expert at the Blair Athol distillery
  • Explore mighty Caernarfon Castle. This fortress had stood the test of time
  • Say no more – London
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"We loved this trip. Our guide was excellent. We really enjoyed all the included highlights. Our favorite was Biltmore Estate. It is a must!"

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Walking St Cuthbert's Way
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star

Highlights

  • A stunning walk along the borders of Scotland and England
  • Beginning in Melrose journeying along the Border country to finish at Lindisfarne Abbey
  • A historical and cultural journey of some 100kms, crossing the Eildon and the Cheviot Hills and ending on Holy Island
  • Experience iconic Scottish and Northumbrian scenery, picturesque villages and numerous castles and sites of religious significance along the way
  • Optional add-on in Lindisfarne at the end of the journey

Themes

Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

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Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Scotland: Land of Lore & Legend  - 2024
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
With a history that spans back to 1918, they have unparalleled expertise in the guided tour industry and can cater to all types of travelers.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness

Highlights

  • S
  • Wander the ruins of a 13th-century medieval fortress.
  • See border collies in action during a traditional sheepdog demonstration at a family-run farm.
  • Explore the cultural city of Glasgow.
  • Ferry to the Isle of Iona and visit Iona Abbey.
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Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"It was a wonderful trip and experience! We are still sorting all the pictures and memories about it, and some of them I would like to share with you - read my diary about this trip! My Diary about our trip to South Dakota shorturl.at/efoX1"

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10 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Strenuous

Scotland Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
1,294  Reviews
See all Scotland tour reviews
Excellent
371
Great
199
Average
43
Disappointing
13
Terrible
6
S

Stephen Lane

Oct 2023

Written on

Best of Britain

The optional excursions were hit or miss.

M

Michael Hansen

Sep 2023

Written on

Best of Britain

Our itinerary was very well thought out!! I don’t ...

L

Lorna Klein

Sep 2023

Written on

Best of Britain

The trip was truly the "best of Britain". Although we didn't stay in one place for very long, we visited so many different places, saw beautiful scenery, enjoyed th...

T

Trusted Customer

Sep 2023

Written on

Best of Britain

All of the hotels were nice, clean and well-appointed. You just have to adapt to differences in how lights, water, etc. work. Electricity converters for those of u...

T

Trusted Customer

Sep 2023

Written on

Best of Britain

Very busy. Wonderful sites.

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Scotland Tour Selection Trips

  • If you want to learn about whisky, do a distillery tour (Auchentoshan is highly recommended) and then get the "malt of the month" in every pub you go to. It's inexpensive and every pub will have a different one. 
  • If you want to feel like a local, spend at least 3 days in the same place, and go to the same coffee shop and pub every day. By the third day, you'll be treated as a regular. The only place this doesn't work is in downtown Edinburgh, which is a major tourist hub.
  • Pubs and drinking are seen as a nice, relaxing way to unwind and spend some time in the evening where it's nice and warm and friendly. Though the Scots do drink regularly, but it's seen as a social, regular part of everyday life. They are not really into crazy binge drinking. But whatever you choose, don't try to keep up! Remember that people can drink legally from the age of 18, so by the time they're in their mid-20s, most people are done with the crazy party life.
  • The Scottish accent is notoriously difficult to understand. But it’s ok to ask anyone you don’t understand to repeat themselves. They know their accent is strong and will slow down if you politely ask them to repeat it.
  • In terms of the weather, prepare for rain! Mist at the very least. It will be cloudy. However, if you go during the summer, you can expect the sun to be up from 4am to 11pm, so hit the outdoor seating!
  • The cardinal rule if you're visiting Scotland for the first time, is that it's NOT ENGLAND. The entire country is called the United Kingdom and Scotland is a part of it, and England is a different part.

Additional details

Tours in Scotland are offered in a wide range of budgets and styles. This is a popular destination among older travelers looking for a relaxing golf getaway, scotch tastings and walking tours through the highlands. Scotland has a warm, welcoming culture and if you like exploring an ancient culture, participating in pub conversations, and a good natured barb here and there, you’ll love being on a Scotland tour.

Is there a language barrier in Scotland?

Depending on the region of Scotland you’re traveling in, it may be extremely difficult to discern what people are saying. English is the main language, however the accent can be notoriously difficult to decipher.

This is a great reason to travel on a tour in Scotland - you and your travel companions will lean on each other to help navigate the accent, and your tour guide will be a useful safety net. Scottish people are aware that their accent can be hard to understand and are generally patient with being asked to repeat themselves.

What is the weather like in Scotland?

Scotland weather is quite variable region by region. If you’re traveling near the coast you can expect fairy cool and windy conditions almost year round. Due to being so far north, during the summertime Scotland experiences very long days, and in Scotland’s northernmost region, there are a few days out of the year with 24 hour sunlight. If you’re traveling during the winter time, expect regular snowfall and temperatures in the 40s (Fahrenheit).

Spring and autumn are highly recommended times to visit, where the weather is less extreme than during the summer and winter. You’ll see temperatures in the 50s and 60s, with intermittent sunshine, and it will be mostly dry.

As far as what to wear, given the variability and the cooler climate, layers are going to be your best friend any time of year in Scotland!

Top 5 Travel Attractions in Scotland

Recently rankeas the most beautiful country in the world, Scotland boasts some of the most breathtaking natural sights on our planet. From its peaceful lochs and glens, to the rolling highlands, to the harsh and jagged peaks in the Western Hebrides, Scotland’s dramatic and diverse landscape is sure to stun even the most seasoned outdoorsman.

Beyond its natural heritage, Scotland is also a country with a vibrant culture and a fascinating history. Home to golf, haggis, and the Loch Ness Monster, there is no shortage of sights to see and things to do in Scotland. Here is this author’s take on the top five travel attractions.

5. A WHISKY TASTING

 A trip to Scotland would not be complete without a taste of its most famous beverage: a dram of genuine, single-malt Scotch. Luckily, there are many opportunities to not only get a taste of whisky (not whiskey!), but also learn about its creation process. There are over 100 licensed distilleries in Scotland, each with their own unique history and fiercely guarded trade secrets, and the majority of them offer some sort of visitor experience. In particular, we recommend a tour at the Glenlivet - one of Scotland’s most famous distilleries that began as an illicit smuggling operation.

4. THE ROYAL RESIDENCES OF EDINBURGH

A walk through the streets of Edinburgh transports you back in time, in no small part due to the capital’s two castles. In the direct heart of the city looms Edinburgh Castle, an imposing stone fortress that sits on top of an extinct volcano. A trip to the castle will not only reward you with an incredible view of the entire city, but a chance to learn about the building’s intriguing and bloody history. The castle has been a royal residence since the 12th century, and for a small fee, you can enter and see Mary Queen of Scots’ private quarters, as well as the infamous Scottish Crown Jewels.

You must be sure to also stop by Edinburgh’s second castle: Holyrood Palace, an active royal residence. Holyrood lies at the opposite end of the Royal Mile, the historic street that connects the two castles, and when the Royal Family is not in town you can take a tour of its decadent rooms and haunted ruins of a cathedral. A detailed guided audio tour will fascinate any visitor, though history buffs will be particularly delighted. The entire castle staff is required to have a thorough understanding of English history, and visitors are encouraged to ask questions.

3. EILEAN DONAN CASTLE

This awe-inspiring structure falls on the border of the wild highlands and is often the image of the iconic Scottish castle. Only accessible by an ancient stone bridge, Eilean Donan is a built on a small island in the icy waters of a saltwater loch. The now isolated fortress was once a centerpiece in hundreds of years of clan conflict and violence, and the weight of this history runs deeply through the castle’s veins.  It is still privately owned and maintained by a member of the MaCrae clan.

2. ISLE OF SKYE

The Isle of Skye is home to some of the most spectacular natural vistas in all of Scotland. This harsh and isolated island has long been heralded as a place of magic, and is the birthplace of hundreds of myths about giants, faeries, and kelpies. A visit to Skye would not be complete without a trip to the enchanted Fairy Pools, a hike up the cliffs of Kilt Rock, and a visit to the see the mysterious stones of Storr. After a day in the outdoors, be sure to warm up with a warm cup of tea and some fish and chips in the charming town of Portree.

1. THE ROYAL MILE

The Royal Mile is a cultural hotspot in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, with no limit of things to do. The best place for shopping and dining, the Royal Mile is lined with some of the best traditional Scottish pubs and shops selling typical Scottish goods, from wool sweaters to shortbread to haggis. The cobblestone mile itself is impressive and physically unique as it has been largely unaltered since it was formalized in 1816.

One especially interesting element of the Mile is its well preserved “closes”, the narrow walking paths which used to lead to residential areas. As the busy road is popular with tourists, you can expect to encounter some authentic bagpipe playing, and the sight of several men in kilts.

Some of the unique buildings on the Royal Mile include the gorgeous Gothic St. Giles’ Cathedral, the old Scottish Parliament, and a church converted into a craft market. At night, the Royal Mile is home to some of the city’s best ghost tours, including trips underground to see full streets that were built over during the plague.

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