Scotland is best known for its breathtaking valleys, mountain wildernesses, deep and natural lakes. The friendliness of its natives and the richness of their culture are equally impeccable. In a nutshell, the northernmost country in the United Kingdom is a haven of fun outdoor activities for both the locals and tourists. It is a small country with a population of about 6 million people but with millions of adventure opportunities. In this post, we have explored what the country has to offer and highlighted the 5 fun things that you cannot resist doing while in Scotland.
1. Tour the Scottish Atlantic Coast using The Jacobite
The Jacobite is a steam train that has been playing the Scottish Atlantic Coast scenic route for the last 23 years. If you are visiting Fort William, you can board the train at around 10.15 am and enjoy a 2-hour journey to Mallaig. Within those two hours, you will be treated to the most mind-blowing railway journeys of your life. From navigating around Loch Morar- the deepest freshwater lake in Scotland, to passing over Loch Shiel on The Glenfinnan Viaduct Bridge, to getting a glimpse of “the safe place” Arisaig village, you will enjoy every little detail of the journey. The Glenfinnan Viaduct is very popular among movie enthusiasts because it is featured in the movie Harry Potter.
Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to interact with the locals at Mallaig, enjoy their foods, and learn more about their culture before traveling back to Fort William at around 2.25 pm.
2. Take a tour to the Isle of Skye
Trust that you will fall in love with this stunning scenery off the Scottish Coast. From here, you will get the clearest view of the Scottish Highlands, experience breathtaking waterfall experiences firsthand, and see the country’s mind-blowing cliffs from a touching distance. The Glenfinnan Viaduct is also clearly visible from the aisle. This geographic marvel is connected to the mainland by the Skye Bridge.
Besides being geographically incredible, this isle is home to the 500 years old Eilean Donan Castle, hairy “coos” cows, the Port Righ, as well as the world’s most epic whiskey tasting events.
3. Walk along the West Highland Way
This footpath stretches for about 154 kilometers from Milngavie to Ben Nevis Mountains in Fort William. The West Highland Way is one of the UK longest trails in which you can walk, ride a horse, or ride an electric bike for the entire stretch of the mountain, although horse riding and biking aren’t as convenient as walking. The journey starts from the lowlands and gets steeper as you approach the peak, making it a 5 to 8 days hike depending on your fitness levels. You will have a chance to see friendly wildlife including red deers and feral goats. It is the ideal place to get inspired, so if you are a music producer for instance, take your music-making software on your laptop and let nature get the best of you.
4. Visit Fingal’s Cave
This sea cave is yet another Scottish geographical wonder. It is located at the heart of Staffa-one of the smallest islands in Scotland. It was founded in the 18th century and has since attracted millions of tourists. You will get to the cave’s entrance by boat, from where you will enter the cave by foot. The rocks therein are slippery but there are basalt columns on the sides to aid your navigation.
5. Swimming and Canyoneering
Scotland has the best lakes and rivers for unbeatable swimming, snorkeling, boat-riding, and canyoneering experiences. To the west coast of Oban, you will have a once in a lifetime chance of swimming with the harmless basking sharks. If you can’t stand their massive size, you can watch them bask on the shores from a distance or take a closer look at them from a boat. The coastline also boasts of other fish species including minke whales, grey seals, and bottlenose dolphins.
Along the west-coast rivers are the fantastic canyoneering sites. Some of the prominent canyoneering activities that you can try include swimming and scrambling under the powerful waterfalls, slipping and sliding, abseiling, and cliff jumping. All these activities are safe, fun, and do not overstretch your budget.
There are many fun activities in Scotland, too many to fit in a single post. The five activities that we have highlighted are good for a start as you familiarize with the Western Europe country. We cannot, however, conclude this post without recommending the Three Peaks Challenge for you. This is an incredible opportunity for you to climb the highest peaks in England, Scotland, and Wales and see how high you can make within 24 hours.
Post written by Lisa Mottins