Find out what responsible travel means to Scotland and how you can plan and enjoy a responsible trip.
Sustainable tourism is holidaying in an eco, green and environmentally friendly way.
Responsible tourism is considering the wider impact your trip could have on the country you're visiting, and the world.
Your choice to travel responsibly can help:
Consider visiting during less popular times of year and discover places off the beaten track.
Scotland is home to many iconic and famous landmarks and locations, which are really popular. If you want to visit them, consider travelling in quieter months in spring, autumn and winter. The weather is more changeable, but we still get plenty of sunshine and there are lots of outdoor activities that benefit from wind, rain or snow!
If you are travelling during summer, why not consider visiting some lesser-known places this time? We've got plenty of ideas for places off the beaten track which will still give you an amazing experience.
There are many benefits to staying longer - you can take your time, savour the experiences, and be more flexible with your plans. You can choose to come back again on a quieter day or have that extra travel time to go further.
Scotland's public transport options are great for travelling sustainably around the country. There are electric cars, frequent train services, buses, coaches and a wide network of cycle and footpaths.
Find out about eco-friendly businesses in Scotland. We've got some great examples of how businesses are sustainable, and all you need to know about the Green Tourism business scheme.
You should always be respectful of the landscapes and communities you visit. We ask everyone to tread lightly and consider how their behaviour impacts each other and Scotland.
Explore Scotland's outdoor land responsibly by following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Scotland's scenery can be stunning but also wild and rural. Be prepared with the correct clothing and equipment.
Filmed across the Cateran Ecomuseum, watch how the destination champions car-free holidays by using low-carbon ways to travel.
If you want to make a bigger contribution, you can choose to dedicate your holiday to looking after Scotland and learning more about responsibility.
Try a conservation or volunteering holiday where you can learn all about Scotland's landscapes, what you can do to help restore and protect them, and give back to communities in the process, all through eco-friendly tourism activities.
Explore the wonderful landscape of the Inner Forth area by bus. The seasonal transport will be piloted for over two years and will run on Sundays between 21 April until the end of October in 2024 and again in 2025. It's also free of charge!