Best things to do in Scotland

Are you wondering what are the best things to do in Scotland Dropdown content you need to include in your trip? Read on to make sure you don't miss out on these big ones, taken straight from our travel guide The Rough Guide to Scotland Dropdown content.

1. Eigg Dropdown content

Perfect example of a tiny, friendly Hebridean island, Eigg offers with a golden beach to lie on, a hill to climb and stunning views across the sea to its neighbour, Rùm.

© Shutterstock

2. Celebrate Hogmanay Dropdown content

Traditional New Year celebrations Dropdown content, with whisky, dancing and fireworks staving off the midwinter chill.

© Shutterstock

3. The Cairngorm mountains

Natural splendour and terrific outdoor activities such as hiking, mountainbiking and in winter even skiing, plus the last remaining Caledonian pines - the Cairngorms Dropdown content have it all.

© Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock

4. Gearrannan, Lewis Dropdown content

Stay in the thatched blackhouse hostel in the beautifully restored former crofting village on Lewis Dropdown content.

© Shutterstock

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5. Melrose Abbey Dropdown content

Ruined Cistercian abbey Dropdown content situated in the most beguiling of Border towns.

© Richard Melichar/Shutterstock

6. Tobermory Dropdown content

The main town on the beautiful island of Mull Dropdown content, and Scotland’s most picturesque fishing port.

© James McKay/Shutterstock

7. Scottish Parliament Dropdown content

Enric Miralles’ startling, contemporary design for the Scottish Parliament Dropdown content has transformed the old Holyrood area of Edinburgh Dropdown content.

Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber © Duirinish Light/Shutterstock

8. Glen Coe

Moody, poignant and spectacular, Glen Coe Dropdown content of dramatic James Bond fame is within easy reach of Fort William Dropdown content.

© A Jellema/Shutterstock

9. Staffa and the Treshnish Isles

View the basalt columns of Staffa’s Fingal’s Cave from the sea, and then picnic beside the puffins on the Isle of Lunga.

© Aelice/Shutterstock

10. Edinburgh Festival Dropdown content

The world’s biggest festival Dropdown content of theatre and the arts transforms Edinburgh every August.

© Tana888/Shutterstock

11. Islay Dropdown content

Hebridean island Dropdown contentwith no fewer than seven whisky distilleries, and wonderfully varied birdlife that includes thousands of wintering geese.

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12. Jarlshof, Shetland Dropdown content

An exceptional archeological site on the Shetland isles Dropdown content taking in Bronze Age, Iron Age, Pictish, Viking and medieval remains.

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13. Shetland Folk Festival

Shetland is the place to experience traditional folk music, and the annual Folk Festival is the best time to do it.

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14. Scottish Pubs

Forget the great outdoors and install yourself in one of Scotland’s cosy and convivial hostelries.

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15. Glasgow School of Art Dropdown content

Finest example of the unique style of Glasgow Dropdown content architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Vintage looking The Glasgow School of Art © Claudio Divizia/Shutterstock

16. Burrel Collection, Glasgow Dropdown content

An unconventional but impressive museum at the heart of Glasgow’s Dropdown content cultural renaissance.

Burrel Collection, Glasgow © rubiphoto/Shutterstock

17. Mousa Dropdown content, Shetland

The mother of all Iron Age brochs (round towers) on an island off the coast of Shetland Dropdown content.

Mousa Broch is the finest preserved example of an Iron Age broch or round tower. It is in the small island of Mousa in Shetland, Scotland © Marcin Kadziolka/Shutterstock

18. Edinburgh Old Town Dropdown content

Lose yourself in the capital’s medieval cobbled streets and closes and enjoy the unique city vibes of Edinburgh Old Town Dropdown content.

Street view of the historic Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland - shutterstock

19. Stirling Castle, Stirling

Enjoy a commanding outlook over both Highlands and Lowlands from Stirling Castle Dropdown content, one of the grandest castles in Scotland.

© mountaintreks/Shutterstock

20. Museum of Scotland Dropdown content, Edinburgh

Learn about nature, history and discoveries in Scotland, and marvel at treasures including the ivory Lewis chessmen the striking modern National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh Dropdown content.

© Heartland Arts/Shutterstock

21. South Harris beaches

Take your pick of deserted golden sand beaches in South Harris Dropdown content, or further south in the Uists.

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22. Iona Dropdown content

The legendary home of Celtic Christian spirituality, Iona Dropdown content is an island of pilgrimage today as in antiquity.

Iona Abbey, Scotland © Heartland Arts/Shutterstock

23. Caledonian forest

Among the gnarled pines, survivors of the great ancient forests in the Scottish Highlands Dropdown content, you can encounter one of Scotland’s largest populations of the elusive red squirrel.

© Shutterstock

24. Dunnottar Castle

Memorably dramatic ruined fortress just south of Aberdeen, surrounded by giddy sea cliffs

© aiaikawa/Shutterstock

25. Calanais, Lewis Dropdown content

Prehistoric standing stones that occupy a serene setting on Lewis Dropdown content, the largest of the Western Isles.

© Shutterstock

Are you looking for even more Scotland inspiration? Check out our round up of the most remote places in Scotland Dropdown content, as well as the most beautiful places in Scotland Dropdown content as voted by our readers.

Ready to travel to Scotland Dropdown content? Find out about the best time to go Dropdown content, the best places to visit Dropdown content and top things to do in Scotland Dropdown content. For inspiration use the Scotland itineraries Dropdown content from The Rough Guide to Scotland Dropdown contentand as well as the bookable itineraries created by our local travel agents in Scotland Dropdown content. A bit more hands on, check out the map of Scotland Dropdown content, learn about getting there Dropdown content, getting around Scotland Dropdown content and where to stay Dropdown content once you are there. And don't forget to buy travel insurance Dropdown content before you go.

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Travel advice for Scotland

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