Scotland is easily one of the prettiest places in Europe and it has plenty to see and do. You have famous sites allegedly housing mythical monsters, as well as gorgeous glens, ancient castles and inviting cities. I love this country and want to share with you my Scotland bucket list to inspire your next trip.
Whatever you fancy doing, I am sure there’ll be plenty of options to make your visit to the north memorable.
My Scotland Bucket List | Your Quick Inspiration
Try a deep fried mars bar
To kick us off, let’s go for arguably the most famous modern food item in Scotland. The deep-fried Mars bar has become legendary in the UK and is a must-try for any foodie visiting Scotland. Certainly not the healthiest option, but definitely tasty.
Hunt Nessie on Loch Ness ☑️
Nessie has legendary status across the entire world. For years, tales of a mythical, dinosaur-like monster lurking the depths of Loch Ness has drawn in tourists from all over the world. We loved our time exploring the Loch (no luck with Nessie, though!) and even stopped at Urquhart Castle. If you want more details, check out my post about our day trip to Loch Ness.
Hike up Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh
If you are in Edinburgh and fancy a challenge, why not hike up Arthur’s Seat? This extinct volcano gives some incredible views from the summit and is not too difficult a climb.
Buy something from the Barras market
In Glasgow you will find the famous Barras Market. You’ll be able to find almost everything and anything here, including clothing, jewellery and little trinkets. It is perhaps the ultimate place to pick up a unique souvenir from Glasgow.
Visit Glen Coe ☑️
We loved our time exploring Glen Coe. It is just a short drive away from Fort William and offers some of the best scenery in the UK. If that wasn’t enough, you can also find a good selection of walks here (various levels of intensity) and a great visitor centre. If you want to explore the famous glens, start here.
Visit Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is unmissable when you are in the Scottish capital. It certainly looks impressive from afar, but the magic really comes to life when you enter it. If you are lucky enough to be here in August, look at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This is an incredible evening of military dance and music, all against the impressive backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
See a Highland cow ☑️
If you are in Scotland, you have to see a Highland cow. You can find them anywhere in the Highlands to be honest and shouldn’t have a tough time finding one of these adorable animals.
Join in a traditional Scottish Ceilidh
For those of you wanting to get to know the real Scotland, see whether you can join a traditional Scottish Ceilidh. For anyone who doesn’t know, this is a traditional gathering filled with dance and music. It honestly is the perfect way to dive into and understand Scottish culture.
See a show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
August in Edinburgh brings with it the legendary Fringe Festival. Whilst it is arguably best associated with comedy, the Festival brings with it all of the arts you can imagine. The world’s largest arts festival brings everything from comedy to live music, and even features experimental performances from new artists.
Take a journey on the Waverley
The Waverley is the world’s largest seagoing paddle steamer and offers a truly unforgettable experience. It is perhaps the most Scottish way to see the country’s breathtaking scenery and is certainly one of the most unique experiences on this Scotland bucket list.
Visit Kelvin Grove Art Gallery and Museum
Even if you are not into art, make sure you visit the Kelvin Grove Art Gallery and Museum. They have an unrivalled collection of Scottish arts, history and cultural exhibit. It is a real hidden gem of the city.
Travel on the Royal Scotsman
If you asked me what the best method of transport is for seeing Scotland, I’d say train. If you asked me what the best train option is, I’d then say the Royal Scotsman! This is a luxuriously legendary steam train which glides you through some of the most iconic Scottish scenery.
Visit a Whisky Distillery
Scotland’s national drink is whisky and – as you’d expect – there are some excellent distilleries dotted across the country. You can learn about the traditional process and, of course, taste some of the finest whisky in the world.
Eat Haggis
On the topic of national staples, no visit to Scotland is complete without trying the national dish; Haggis. Whilst it may seem somewhat unappealing at first, I promise you this hearty dish is really flavourful and surprisingly delicious.
See Ospreys at Loch Garten
As somebody who is married to a Biologist, I know just how exciting (and essential) seeing Ospreys in Scotland can be. One of the best places is the nature reserve surrounding Loch Garten, famous for breeding pairs which visit.
Explore Glasgow’s Royal Botanic Garden
Who doesn’t enjoy a visit to a botanical garden? The Royal Botanic Garden in Glasgow is certainly one of the best in the UK and has an enviable plant collection set against beautiful glasshouses. It is the perfect place to relax and to escape the busy city centre.
Go ghost hunting in the Edinburgh Vaults
If you are into the paranormal, why not check out Edinburgh Vaults and search for ghosts? These are said to be some of the most haunted places in Scotland and, upon visiting, it isn’t hard to see why. Definitely not one for the faint of heart, but is perfect for any thrill-seekers.
Chase down Harry Potter in Edinburgh
Edinburgh famously inspired parts of Harry Potter. I would start off in Victoria Street, which allegedly was the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the books. You can also see the Elephant House café and the Greyfriar’s Cemetery (where you’ll find many of the character names!).
Ride the Jacobite steam train from Fort William
On the topic of Harry Potter, relive the journey to Hogwarts and cross the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct on the Jacobite Steam Train. This was the location used to film the train scene in the Chamber of Secrets. I can promise you that crossing the viaduct is as magical as you would expect.
Enjoy High Tea at the Balmoral Hotel
For those in search of the high life, check out the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh. Here you can enjoy high tea, including scones and sweet treats.
See the beaches of the Outer Hebrides
In my opinion, some of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland are those of the Outer Hebrides. On a sunny day, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a more tropical destination. They are also totally isolated and home to plenty of wildlife, making them perfect for nature lovers.
Discover Fingal’s cave on Staffa
Fingal’s Cave is found on the uninhabited island of Staffa. The cave is famous for the hexagonal basalt columns which have formed, leading to it having unique acoustics which have inspired famous composers such as Mendelssohn.
See the fairy pools at Skye
The Isle of Skye should be on my Scotland Bucket list by themselves, but one of my favourite places here are the magical fairy pools. They are super clear and are surrounded by an incredible mountain scenery. Perfect for a great photo opportunity.
Drive the North Coast 500
A road trip in Scotland is a great alternative to train travel, and there is no better road trip than the North Coast 500. This fabled route takes you through remote villages and untouched Scottish scenery. It is the perfect way to experience the wild beauty of the country.
Visit the Castle of Mey
The Castle of Mey is Scotland’s most northerly castle. It is perched right over the North Sea and, as a former royal residence, it has plenty of tales to tell of the royal history of Scotland.
See the iconic Eileen Donan castle
Another castle to see is the Eilean Donan castle, easily one of the most photographed castles in the world. It lies on a small island where three lochs (Loch Long, Loch Alsh and Loch Duich) meet. If you are into photography, this is an ideal spot for you.
See Ben Nevis
Perhaps the main reason for visiting Fort William, seeing Ben Nevis is a must-do when in Scotland. It is famously the tallest mountain in the UK and is a great hike for those seeking a challenge. If you are interested in this climb, why not check out my 48 hours in Fort William guide.
Say Hi to reindeers at the Cairngorms National Park
Did you know that you can see reindeers in the UK? If this sounds exciting to you, head over to the Cairngorms National Park where you can find a herd of free-roaming reindeer.
Visit Shetland, the Most Northerly Piece of British Land
For nature lovers, the Shetland Islands are a perfect retreat. They are the most northerly part of the UK and are home to an abundance of wildlife. The scenery is pretty great too and you’ll feel well and truly off the beaten track.
See the Kelpies
The Kelpies are two gigantic horse-head sculptures found near to Falkirk. They stand a whopping 30m high and represent the industrial heritage of Scotland.
Wander Through Culloden Battlefield ☑️
Culloden was the last battle fought on British soil between Royalist and Jacobite forces, the latter under the command of the fabled Bonnie Prince Charlie. The battlefields are available to visit from Inverness and are definitely well-worth visiting. If you are into history – or Outlander – this one is for you; check out my post on visiting the Culloden battlefield.
Visit Dunrobin Castle ☑️
Dunrobin Castle looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale. It overlooks the North Sea and has some stunning gardens to explore. The design is also inspired by Germanic castles, something which you can really see when you visit. If you would like more information, check out my post on a day trip to Dunrobin Castle.
Take a road trip up to John O’Groats ☑️
When we last visited Scotland in 2024, one of our favourite things was our day trip up to John O’Groats from Inverness. It was the perfect way to see the Highlands and, of course, tick off the most northerly part of mainland Britain off of my Scotland bucket list.
Final Thoughts | My Scotland Bucket List
I hope that you found my Scotland bucket list helpful in planning your next trip. There is so much to see in this part of Britain, certainly enough for multiple trips. I hope that you feel inspired to visit and, if so, check out my post on 2 weeks in Scotland to help you structure your adventure.
