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The word ‘Scotland’ probably makes you conjure an image of men in skirts, whisky and the Loch Ness monster, but let me start by telling you there is so much more to my home country than just the typical stereotypes.
From the cobbled streets of Edinburgh to the rugged mountaintops of the Highlands, Scotland really does have something for everyone. For nature lovers it’s a dream-like country with jaw-dropping landscapes, over 700 islands, thundering waterfalls and epic hiking trails. For a more relaxing holiday there are plenty of glistening sandy beaches with turquoise waters and historical sites like castles and museums to keep you entertained as well.
Tourism has really started to kick off in recent years thanks to the famous North Coast 500 driving route, but Scotland still remains relatively off the grid in the global travel community. There’s no denying that it’s quite an expensive destination to explore on a small budget, but I promise it can be done and that’s what I’m here for!
This post will show you exactly what you can do in Scotland without spending much (or any!) money, including some of the best and most underrated destinations, tips and general information and Google Maps links to each one. This list could obviously be much longer as there is simply so much to see and do in Scotland, so think of these as just a mere taste of the things on offer!
The best part? Every single thing here is totally free!
- Capital: Edinburgh
- Language: English
- Population: 5.4 million
- Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP) – £1 = $1.20 USD
- Popular for: Nessie, highland cows, castles, whisky, mountains
Where is it
Scotland is part of the United Kingdom and is located north of England.
Check it out on the interactive map below.
When to visit
The most popular time to visit Scotland is in the summer (June to August) but I’d suggest the best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons of September to October or April to May because everything will be quieter, you’ll avoid all the summer tour buses and accommodation will usually be slightly cheaper too.
The weather in Scotland is notoriously unpredictable, but in winter (November – February) you can pretty much guarantee it’ll be wet and cold most days.
How to get here
- Flight: The main way to get to Scotland is to fly into any of the international airports at Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen. If you’re coming from outside of Europe you could fly to London and catch a short flight to Scotland from there.
- Bus & train: The UK is very well connected and bus and train services are available nationwide. You can even take a train all the way from London to Aberdeen with LNER. Check out Flexbus or Omio for schedules throughout Europe.
- Ferry: From continental Europe you can take a car ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle and then drive north to the Scotland.
How to get around
- Hire a vehicle. Any visit to Scotland is undoubtedly going to be a road trip, so hire a car or campervan and explore at your own speed! Use RentalCars.com to find the best hire car deals.
- Campervans are a very popular way of getting around the country and, best of all, you can park and camp anywhere in Scotland legally as long as there aren’t “no overnight stay” signs or it’s on private land. With that, you’ll have a vehicle and accommodation all in one!
- Buses and trains have lots of links, but most of these are on the east coast.
- Another way to to get around is to hitchhike. It’s very common here, especially on the west coast where getting from A to B is a bit more challenging through public transport. People are friendly and happy to help!
- Tours are another great way to travel. It’ll cost a bit more than the other options, but you’ll have the added bonus of a local guide and driver. Day or multi-day tours are available on GetYourGuide and Viator as well as many local companies.
What to eat & drink
Scotland is home to a very international cuisine with influences from all over the world. Whether you like Indian, Chinese, Italian or Mexican food – it’s all here.
That said, there are some traditional meals and drinks you need to try when you’re here that are typically Scottish.
Here are my top recommendations:
- Tap water: I might be biased… but it’s the best in the world
- Whisky: Seems obvious, but you can’t simply come to Scotland and not try some Scottish whisky!
- Irn bru: Scotland is the only country on Earth where another soft drink outsells Coca Cola products, and it’s name is Irn Bru!
- To eat: Haggis & black pudding, tattie scones, fish and chips, deep fried Mars bars
How long to stay
This largely depends on what you want to do. I’ve lived in Scotland all my life and there are still hundreds, if not thousands, of things I haven’t discovered yet.
To see the main highlights I’d recommend at least 2 weeks.
Use Hostelworld or Booking.com to the best deals on places to stay across Scotland
49 Epic Free Things To Do in Scotland
1. Drink tap water
Okay, so it isn’t an actual place, but the first gem of Scotland that you must know about before coming is the tap water. I might be slightly biased as a proud Scot, but the tap water here is by far the best in the world.
Help save the planet by buying and refilling a reusable water bottle for your Scotland trip so you never need to buy single-use plastics.
2. Kilchurn Castle
Kilchurn Castle is an incredibly beautiful castle on Loch Awe, near Oban.
The main reason why I love this castle so much is for its epic location as you’ll hopefully have the snowy mountains as a stunning backdrop and the calm shores of Loch Awe between the castle and best viewpoint.
Park up opposite the castle across the water and on a calm day you’ll be met by some amazing, glassy reflections. If you visit early enough and get lucky, you may even see an epic cloud inversion that engulfs the area in a hazy fog at dawn.
3. Circus Lane
Circus Lane is a picturesque little cobbled street in Edinburgh that has become quite famous in recent years thanks to Instagram.
The short lane is decorated with hanging flower baskets and is the perfect place to take a picturesque detour while wandering around the capital.
Find Circus Lane on Google Maps here.
While you’re in Edinburgh, why not check out one of these experiences?
4. Steall Falls
Steall Falls is a magical waterfall located just 12km Fort William in Glen Nevis.
It’s the 2nd highest waterfall in Britain with a single drop of 120 metres, but for having such a title it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. For any movie buffs, it was also in the Harry Potter films a few times in some Quidditch scenes.
From the car park it’s a 2km walk through a stunning valley where you’ll pass many smaller falls and viewpoints along the way.
5. Keiss Castle
In the far north of Scotland, in Caithness, the remains of Keiss Castle delicately balance on a cliff edge making a sweet location for photographers.
Overlooking Sinclair Bay, this is easily one of my favourite castles in Scotland, although calling it a castle is pushing it after you see the state it’s in these days. You can reach the picturesque ruin after a short walk along the beach from Keiss.
The setting is really unique and is not too far from the famous town of John O’ Groats so if you’re in the area it should definitely make it onto your itinerary.
6. Duncansby Stacks
The Duncansby Stacks are just off the shore of Duncansby Head on the most northeastern point of mainland Britain.
The towering sea stacks are like 60m high sandstone pyramids and are believed to have stood in this position for the last 6000 years.
After parking at Duncansby Lighthouse the best viewpoint is around 500m through some fields, but beware that if its been raining it can be very boggy.
Keep an eye out for puffins and seals!
7. Bow Fiddle Rock
Bow Fiddle is a stunning 500 million year old natural quartzite sea arch and a must-visit natural formation when exploring northeast Scotland.
Take a scenic 3km walk along the beach and cliffs from Cullen to Bow Fiddle or simply park at the Portnockie car park and head directly to the cliffs from there.
8. Plodda Falls
Taking the number one spot as my personal favourite waterfall in Scotland is Plodda Falls.
The waterfall boasts an epic 46m drop that’s surrounded by Douglas fir trees, making this location super dramatic. That said, not very many people venture here and if I’m honest, it took me until I was 27 to even know about its existence!
Near Loch Ness and 5km from the small village of Tomich, it’s just a short walk through the woods from the car park to the viewpoint. You can also walk down to the foot of the falls for a different perspective.
9. Ardnamurchan Lighthouse
At the most westerly point of mainland Britain, in Lochaber, lies Ardnamurchan Lighthouse.
The road here is notoriously long and slow, but once you’ve eventually arrived it’s a great place to spend some time.
While you’re in the area, why not check out nearby Sanna Beach on a summer’s afternoon or just admire the views to the Hebrides from the rocks.
10. Achmelvich Bay
With beautiful turquoise waters and an array of water sports in the summer, this white sand beach could easily fool you as being somewhere tropical (except for the temperate of the water!).
Achmelvich Bay is on the famous North Coast 500 route, 40 miles north of Ullapool and is one of Scotland’s most treasured beaches.
Take a walk around the headlands to discover Hermit’s Castle and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and minke whales that sometimes come in to the bay to say hello!
11. Fairy Lochs Trail, Badachro
The 6km trail for the Fairy Lochs walk starts at the Sheildaig Lodge Hotel near Badachro in Wester Ross here.
I absolutely love this walk which ascends 230m past some stunning lochs and beautiful scenery. At its highest point you reach the memorial for the wreckage of a WWII plane that crashed on its way home from the war, with parts of the plane visible in what is referred to as the main loch on the walk.
Check out the walking route here.
12. Bag a munro
Read about routes before you start on the Walk Highlands website.
13. Castle Stalker
Near Port Appin on the west coast of Scotland, 25km from Oban, is a medieval castle that sits on it’s own little tidal islet in Loch Laich.
Parking is admittedly quite limited for Castle Stalker, but you can park at either The View cafe or the Old Inn by the road and walk down from there.
To get the most amazing angles of the Castle Stalker get down to the shoreline at high tide on a calm day and check out the stunning reflections. For the absolute best view you’ll really want to have a drone though… but that’s kind of cheating! At low tide you can see the tracks which used to carry supplies to and from the island which provides even more character to the area.
Movie fans may recognise this remarkable castle from Monty Python and the Holy Grail too!
14. Triple Buttress of Coire Mhic Fhearchair
Beinn Eighe is one of Scotland’s most well known Munros, but what’s hidden from the road and main tourist maps is the scene around the back.
The walk starts here in Torridon and follows a fairly straightforward but long 7km trail through a typically Scottish landscape. When you reach the beautiful lochan, as long as you get lucky with the weather, you’ll see the mighty Triple Buttress reflecting off the water at the rear of Beinn Eighe.
15. Sandwood Bay
In the far northwest of Scotland lies Sandwood Bay, one of Great Britain’s most stunning beaches.
The remote 1-mile strip of sand is located near the NC500 route and is a 4 mile walk from the car park located here. Sandwood Bay is beautifully secluded and Am Buachaille, the dramatic sea stack at one end of the beach, adds to the vibe perfectly.
16 Arthur's Seat
Well, situated in the heart of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat is a very prominent figure in the city and is actually a dormant volcano that last erupted some 340 million years ago.
These days it is a popular hiking destination in the city and rewards walkers with the best view in town.
Don’t be tricked into thinking this is just a quick walk in the park though, as the hike takes around 2 hours and can be quite strenuous for the less-fit. In total you’ll rise 250m.
17. Camusdarach Beach
Camusdarach is one of those Scottish beaches that makes you want to pinch yourself to make sure you’re still in Scotland after seeing the mesmerising colour of the water.
Just south of Mallaig on the Road to the Isles, Camusdarach is a special place and definitely worth a visit. Pack a picnic and admire the brilliant views over to the Isles of Eigg and Rum and their rugged mountain peaks.
18. Wailing Widow Falls
You’d be amazed how many road trippers miss out Wailing Widow Falls (Allt Chranaidh Waterfall) in the Sutherland region while doing their NC500 road trip.
The reason is understandable as this is a proper hidden gem and if you didn’t know where it was, you’d drive right past.
19. Balmoral Pyramid
In the Balmoral estate in Deeside is Scotland’s answer to the Pyramids of Giza… kind of.
In Scotland we refer to these structures as cairns, and the biggest and best one is called Prince Albert’s cairn which you can find along the 10km woodland trail through the estate.
20. Sinclair Girnigoe Castle
The second of the epic castles not to miss in Caithness is Sinclair Girnigoe, which is 3 miles from Wick.
There are actually two castles here; Girnigoe and Sinclair. Castle Girnigoe was built in the 15th century while Castle Sinclair was built in the 17th century.
The dramatic cliff faces overlook Sinclair Bay, the castle won’t take longer than an hour to explore. but there are lots of nooks and crannies to discover as well as a path that opens up to a wee shingle beach.
Make sure to explore the mind-blowing rock stacks to the right of the castle, all available nooks and crannies, and the small beach below.
21. Hike the Quiraing
Sure, take photos of the spectacular vista from the cliffs near the car park, but I cannot recommend enough that you walk the trail too.
The 2km trail provides major Lord of the Rings vibes and takes you right up to The Needle – the pinnacle that everyone else is taking photos of from the car park. Trust me, you won’t regret spending an hour or so to hike there and back!
There’s a small scramble on some loose scree at the end so I’d recommend wearing protective footwear, but overall it’s a fairly straightforward hike and one of the highlights of a trip to Skye. I can’t believe it took me until February 2022 to do the hike for myself!
22. Castle Tioram
Castle Tioram is a medieval castle that sits on a tidal island on Loch Moidart, not far from the famous Road to the Isles on Scotland’s west coast.
At low tide a lovely beach appears and you can walk out to the castle to explore the small tidal island.
23. Mellon Udrigle beach
Not far from the beaten track but perfectly secluded near the small town of Laide lies a stunning little beach.
Offering fantastic views of Gruinard Bay and home to some beautiful turquoise waters, Mellon Udrigle is a worthy addition to a NC500 itinerary. There’s also a short walking loop around the headland that’s certainly worth a lap – just make sure you bring your hiking boots if it’s been raining!
24. Fairy Glen
Near the small fishing town of Uig on the Isle of Skye is another of Scotland’s lesser known destinations.
The bizarre landscape of the Fairy Glen has an otherworldly vibe to it, where stone spirals and small cone-shaped hills dominate the area. It’s like stepping onto a movie set!
Note that the stone spiral phenomenon is actually frowned upon by the locals who often remove them to keep the area in its natural form. If you don’t see them when you visit please don’t try to recreate the stone circle photos you’ve seen – always leave it as you found it!
25. Loch Muick
Located near Braemar on the Balmoral Estate, Loch Muick is a beautiful and popular destination in central Scotland.
There’s a 12.5km walking circuit that’s super easy and exceptionally pretty which will take you around the perimeter of the loch in about 3-3.5 hours. Keep an eye out for deer and other wildlife along the way!
26. Loch Lee
A 3.6km track from the car park follows one side of Loch Lee and provides a beautiful scene for a walk. It’s definitely worth the extra 15 minutes to admire the hidden waterfall at the end too!
Pack a picnic to recharge by the waterfall before heading back the same way, or alternatively continue uphill to complete the full 16km loop for amazing panoramic views over the area.
Read more about the route here.
27. Bealach na Ba
The Bealach na Ba, meaning “pass of the cattle”, is a scenic, winding single track road and mountain pass on the Applecross peninsula in Wester Ross. The pass starts at sea level and reaches mountain peaks, rising to a height of 630m in just 10km.
For any cycling enthusiasts out there, this section of road has earned itself a reputation as one of the best climbs in Britain.
With a sheer drop on one side and just a thin barrier protecting you from it, this is not a journey for the faint-hearted.
On that note, inexperienced drivers should steer clear (pardon the pun) because the road can cause a lot of problems. There will be times when you have to reverse as it’s a single-track road and I’ve heard many stories of tourists buckling under the pressure. As much as it is exciting, challenging and breathtaking, it’s also quite dangerous.
It’s notoriously foggy the higher you climb, but if you’re lucky you’ll get some amazing views from the summit’s viewpoint.
28. Findlater Castle
Near to the previously mentioned Bow Fiddle Rock, Findlater Castle is a super unique structure built into the side of the cliff at Sandend. You won’t find anything like this in the rest of the country!
Situated 50ft above sea level and totally free to enter, you can enter lots of small rooms inside the historic structure and explore the many nooks and crannies within.
Although it’s quite small, you’ll be surprised how much space there is inside as you crawl from room to room. Make sure you *safely* peer out of some gaps to check out the sheer drop down to the sea.
29. Talisker Bay
The Isle of Skye is world famous, but one of the less popular things to do here make the trip to Talisker Bay on the east coast of the island.
Here there’s a cool black sand beach, waterfall and a mighty sea stack. A special Scottish experience not to be missed.
There’s an easy 1.5km farm track from the parking area to the beach, but note that parking for Talisker Bay is extremely limited and there is no formal car park yet. On a summers day you may struggle to find space and have to settle for a grassy verge, but I’ve never seen it that busy.
30. Glen Clova
Most people know about the famous Glen Coe, but few visitors have heard of Clova.
Glen means ‘narrow valley’ in Scotland, and Glen Clova is exactly that. Popular for hill walking and admiring an array of flora and fauna, Glen Clova is a beautiful region of the country.
31. Old Man of Storr
An iconic rock formation in the Trotternish region of Skye, The Storr is truly one of Scotland’s most famous travel destinations. If you only see one thing on the Isle of Skye, make it The Old Man of Storr!
This may be one of the busiest places on Skye, if not in all of Scotland, but the fantastic viewpoints and towering rock features are just staggering.
Standing amongst the rock formations will make you feel tiny. You don’t expect the rocks to be that big, but they are… just look at the photo below for scale compared to a human!
Once you’ve reached the base of the Storr, there’s a fantastic viewpoint overlooking the formation to the right which I highly recommend as this is the best photo spot.
Even though the Storr looks as if it’s within touching distance from the large car park at the bottom, the path is deceivingly long and the uphill hike to the pinnacle takes around 40 minutes with an elevation gain of around 350 metres.
32. Dunnet Head & Dunnet Bay
A common misconception is that John O’ Groats is the most northerly point of the UK, with many people cycling the famous route from Land’s End in England (UK’s most southerly point) to John O’ Groats.
In actual fact, Dunnet Head is 2.35 miles further north than John O Groats… so who’s gonna be the one to tell all those cyclists they didn’t actually do it?
Visit the the lighthouse at Dunnet Head and while you’re in the area it would be a shame to miss out a stop at Dunnet Bay, a lovely white sand beach.
For amazing tours of the Caithness area check out my auntie’s local tour company at Above and Beyond Tours.
33. Ardvreck Castle
Another marvelously unique ruin to add to your list is the 15th century Ardvreck Castle.
Situated on the NC500, Ardvreck Castle is in a truly gorgeous location on a small headland jutting out into Loch Assynt. The dramatic mountainous landscape mixed with the little island that the castle sits on makes the area extremely picturesque.
Be sure to wander around the area to discover older ruins and foundations from larger structures that used to be here too.
34. Loch Brandy
A simple hike with a huge reward.
A well maintained but steep 2.8km trail leaves the iconic Glen Clova Hotel and takes you up to Loch Brandy in around an hour. Once you reach the loch, continue up the left and head around the upper rim circuit for a truly stunning view of the area if you’re feeling up to it.
Allow around 4 hours for the entire loop including stops.
35. Eilean Donan Castle
This isn’t actually a medieval castle as it was only built in the 1920’s to replace some previous ruins, but the castle’s style could easily fool you.
Back in the day it would have been a very strong tactical position to own as it controls the entrances to three lochs. Nowadays it’s a popular tourist attraction and you may recognise it from the 1999 James Bond film “The World Is Not Enough” as the Scottish headquarters of MI6.
Any trip to Skye should include a quick detour to this picturesque castle, especially if you can catch it at high tide on a calm day for some cracking reflections!
36. Slaggan Bay
After walking along a flat and easy 5km farm track past a small loch and the ruins of Slaggan, the secret beach of Slaggan Bay is well off the beaten path.
Parking is available just 50 metres past the gate and once you get there you’ll likely have to share the long, gorgeous strip of sand with no one.
Pack a picnic and enjoy it!
37. New Slains Castle
New Slains Castle is a cliffside ruin in Aberdeenshire that overlooks the North Sea, not to be confused with the nearby Old Slains Castle.
The massive 16th structure is 1km from Cruden Bay and has loads of nooks and crannies to explore, and feel free to climb the stairs of the largest tower inside and check out the view from the turret too.
38. Red Point Beach
Ten miles south of Gairloch in the Wester Ross region of Scotland is Red Point beach.
There are two beaches at Red Point, but this one is the best. Walk the picturesque 5km coastal loop from the car park which takes you to both beaches in a circuit, or head directly to the better beach in around 15 minutes.
View the route on Walk Highlands here.
39. Dunnottar Castle
Dunnottar Castle is a hugely popular medieval fortress in northeast Scotland, and for good reason!
Its picturesque location is just 2 miles from my hometown Stonehaven and has attracted the film crews of Hollywood on multiple occasions. Remember ‘Victor Frankenstein’ with Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy? That’s here!
The castle is one of the most popular attractions in the area and sits majestically on top a 160ft rock, surrounded by the North Sea. With the high cliffs providing a fantastic natural defense, you can see how important Dunnottar Castle’s position would have been back in the day.
While you’re in the area, I highly recommend strolling along the cliffs to the War Memorial for a nice stretch of the legs.
It’s free to admire from the cliffs, but entrance to the well-maintained castle costs about £10.
Find accommodation near Stonehaven.
40. St Kilda
St Kilda is a small, isolated and incredibly beautiful archipelago situated about 50 miles from the Isle of Harris on Scotland’s west coast.
The island is one of only 39 dual UNESCO world heritage sites in the world, meaning it has both natural and cultural significance. With towering cliffs that are home to over 1 million birds including the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic puffins, it really is a bird watcher and photographer’s dream. I don’t know about you, but I’d say that’s quite a lot of birds for an island that’s only 8.54 km²!
They think people lived on St Kilda around 4,000 years ago, and the ruins of their Hebridean blackhouses are there to see. Take a tour from Skye or Harris and be prepared for a bumpy ride!
41. Neist Point Lighthouse
Neist Point Lighthouse is probably the most famous lighthouse in the country and a real highlight when making a trip to the Isle of Skye.
Perched on the cliffs on the east of the island, you can capture some awesome photos here through little physical effort.
From the car park head along the cliffs to find a good spot, but remember to be cautious as there aren’t any fences and the winds are always really strong. It’s a long way to fall!
There’s also a path leading to the lighthouse which is around 2km and will take 45 minutes one-way. Coming back will take a bit longer as there’s a steep hill on the final push.
42. Callanish Stones
Baring a striking resemblance to England’s famous Stonehenge, the Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides date back some 5,000 years, actually pre-dating Stonehenge.
The type of rock the stones are formed from is Lewisian Gneiss, the existence of which dates back a mind-boggling 3 billion years. That’s a pretty hard number to fathom!
Located 12 miles from Stornoway, the stones are a must-see attraction in the Outer Hebrides.
43. Cove Battery & Firemore Beach
Back in WWII the artillery bunkers and observation posts in Cove, Wester Ross, were used to protect Loch Ewe from enemy ships. These days you can explore the small cliff-side structures in around 15 minutes which is a cool thing to do if you’re in the area.
To make it even better, on the road between Poolewe and Cove I highly recommend stopping to take a walk on the scenic Firemore Beach as well.
44. Kylesku Bridge
Another picturesque stop on the NC500 is the impressive Kylesku Bridge in Sutherland.
The beautiful curvy bridge looks amazing from above with the mountainous backdrop. This is undoubtedly one of Scotland’s most jaw-dropping bridges and there’s a good-sized car park there for viewing.
45. Secret Coral Beach, Skye
Near the small community of Claigan on the Isle of Skye is an isolated beach made almost entirely of coral and white sand – pretty cool, right?
One of the island’s lesser-known locations, the Coral Beach is the perfect place to visit in the summer for a swim in the turquoise waters and to relax. It’s only a short and easy 2km walk from the car park and at low tide you can walk out to a small island here too.
As you can tell from the photos below, it’s not quite as serene in the winter!
46. Glenfinnan Viaduct
Instantly recognisable as the bridge that the Hogwarts Express crosses in a few Harry Potter movies, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is a massively popular and picturesque bridge beside Loch Shiel in the West Highlands.
To watch the famous Jacobite Steam Train (Harry Potter train) cross the 21-arch structure, you’ll want to find a place on the hillside with everyone else at either 10:30am or 3pm.
Everytime I’ve visited I’ve missed it 😢
47. Fingal's Cave, Staffa
Staffa is a small, uninhabited island with just 82 acres of land but one big surprise.
It is one of Scotland’s least visited islands as there isn’t really anything else there, but Staffa is also famous for the large basalt hexagonal columns at Fingal’s Cave.
Boat trips are available from the Isle of Mull to view the impressive formations at Fingal’s Cave up close, so although the cave itself is free, you’ll have to pay for a tour.
48. Glen Etive
Glen Etive is home to one of Scotland’s most beautiful roads which can be found by turning off the road in Glen Coe here at the foot of Buachaille Etive Mor, one of Scotland’s most photographed mountains.
The beautiful glen is home 12 miles of spectacular landscapes and an array of wildlife along the River Etive. The road is single track so it can be quite a stop-start journey at times, but there are plenty of passing places to soak up the scenery from.
Make sure you pack your camera for the drive and check out the famous filming locations from movies like James Bond’s Skyfall and Braveheart along the way!
49. National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland is a wonderful free museum in Edinburgh that showcases the art and culture of the country as well as the diversity of the natural world and some of our history through interesting artefacts.
You could easily spend hours wandering around the exhibits in this huge building!
The museum is located here.
Packing essentials for Scotland
- Mosquito spray: Midges, pronounced ‘mid-jeez’, will drive you insane in the summer if you’re near water. They’re like a tiny Scottish fly/mosquito but Smidge works well against them.
- Rain jacket: Having a decent waterproof jacket or poncho is vital because you never know when the next downpour is going to hit.
- Hiking boots: For wet, boggy and rocky walking trails it’s important to have sturdy hiking boots to protect your ankles. Make sure they’re waterproof!
- Travel towel: Having a compact travel towel is essential for rainy days and beach days. They’re fast drying and don’t take up much space in your bag.
- Water bottle: Tap water in Scotland is the best in the world… not that I’m biased or anything! Buy a reusable water bottle and save the planet by filling it up at taps rather than using plastic bottles.
Best tours in Scotland
Thank you for reading this travel guide – I hope you found it helpful! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible 
Happy travelling!
HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Accommodation: Booking.com, Hostelworld
Tours: GetYourGuide, Viator, Klook, TripAdvisor
Transport: 12Go, Omio, Trip.com, Rome2Rio
WHO IN THE WORLD IS JAMES?
Click below to learn more about my story, including 5 random facts about me, some travel FAQ’s and my entire travel history.
