Scotland's Bucket List Ideas

Our iconic Highland cows are hardy, docile, hairy and lovable so it’s no wonder so many people want to meet them!

They originate from the Scottish Highlands but you’ll find them right across Scotland, including:

• Macallan Distillery in Aberdeenshire – which has its own herd.
• Muiravonside Country Park in Falkirk – there is a wide range of animals at the farm, including Highland cattle.
• Kitchen Coos and Ewes near Newton Stewart – meet the Highland cows (and sheep) on a buggy tour of the farm.

The beautiful waters of Loch Ness are well worth a visit – travel amongst the charming villages and admire the beautiful rolling countryside. It’s easy to head out on the Loch Ness water by booking a boat trip to see if you can spot the great Loch Ness Monster.

You might not be lucky enough to see Nessie, but there’s plenty you can spot in the surrounding countryside – look out for red squirrels, roe deer, dragonflies, and ospreys.

Want to tick more lochs off your list? Check out:

• Loch Maree – the south shore of this loch is Beinn Eighe, the UK’s oldest National Nature Reserve.
• Loch Muick – lies within the Balmoral Estate beside King Charles’ much-loved mountain, Lochnagar.
• Loch Tay – home to the recently reopened Scottish Crannog Centre, which celebrates the Iron Age settlement.

Scotland is home to some of the world’s most iconic railway journeys. Picture sitting back in comfort, soaking up the stunning views of the mountains, the sun glistening on a loch, passing by a charming town with welcoming locals.

Train journeys around Scotland include:

• West Highland Line – known to millions for taking Harry Potter to Hogwarts. Pass over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct and see Loch Shiel, Loch Eilt and Ben Nevis.
• Borders Railway – this line is 30 miles long (49 km) and passes over and through 140 bridges and tunnels, including the majestic Newbattle (sometimes called Lothianbridge) Viaduct in Newtongrange and the beautiful Redbridge Viaduct near Tweedbank.
• Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway – this heritage railway offers the chance to board a vintage steam or diesel-hauled engine along the Forth Estuary, through woodlands, past waterfalls and over the Avon Viaduct.

Spend a week following one of our long-distance walking routes.

You have to bag a Munro (climb a hill over 3,000 ft) while in Scotland, but for the true bucket list experience, pick a long-distance walking route to follow.

• Speyside Way - walk from the beautiful Moray coast in the Cairngorms National Park.
• West Island Way - take the weekend on Bute to explore beaches, moorland and forest.
• Southern Upland Way – pack your biggest bag, and tackle Scotland’s longest, which runs from the west of Dumfries & Galloway to the east of the Scottish Borders for 212 miles.

A Highland games is a great way to learn about Scotland – how we’re competitive but welcoming, creative yet historic, and mostly a whole lot of fun! Head along to watch the caber toss, tug o’ war and hammer throw, marvel at the music and Highland dancing, and visit the food and craft stalls.

It’s a great way to spend a day outdoors and to mix with all the locals. There are some great events to choose from:

• Braemar Gathering - regularly attended by the reigning monarch when visiting nearby Balmoral Castle.
• Cowal Highland Gathering -which is renowned for the quality of its Highland dancing.
• Inveraray Highland Games - takes place in the ground of the castle and begins with a parade.

The North Coast 500 has won numerous awards and graced the magazine pages as one of the most epic driving routes. If you’ve got this on your bucket list, then make sure to leave enough time to really appreciate the scenery, to stop off in the Highland communities, and to take the less travelled roads off the main circuit.

Fancy something a bit different? Why not try the South West Coastal 300? Miles of beautiful coastline along quiet country roads, coastal towns to explore, and incredible scenic spots just off-route within the Galloway Forest Park.

Scotland has a whole range of driving routes from short 38 miles through the Clyde Valley to the 158 miles around the North and West Highlands.

But you don’t need four wheels to tackle these – many of the routes can be cycled as well, including the North Coast 500.

Up Helly Aa is a fire festival, inspired by Shetland’s Viking past. The archipelago’s communities come together for a night of guising (dressing up), carry burning torches through the streets and dance the night away to traditional Shetland music.

The main Lerwick festival is now quite well-known, but there are a series of community-led festivals held between January and March.

While you’re in Shetland, don’t miss the chance to kayak along the shoreline, watch for wildlife from otters to orcas, and visit incredible historic sites like Jarlshof.

Combine the luxury of a gorgeous bedroom with incredible Scottish scenery. There are some fabulous hotels now in Scotland, from the new W Hotel in the centre of Edinburgh with views across the city, to the stunning modern rooms of Uig Sands looking out across the beaches and coastline.

Book a stay in the House of Gods, with maximalist rooms and “unapologetic extravagance”. Or go classic with golf course and sea views in a Sutherland-inspired room at Dornoch Station.

Don’t want to break the bank? There are plenty of spots for a scenic view – why not check out Johnnie Walker Experience for views of Edinburgh?

Head out on the water and explore miles of secluded beaches, cliffs, caves, and hidden coves by kayaking along Scotland's unique coastline. Or take it inland and try sailing, river kayaking, or canoeing on many scenic lochs and rivers. If you really want to get your adrenaline pumping, why not try white water rafting in our waterfalls and gorges, or what about coasteering along our rocky shoreline?

Why not head to Orkney where you can scuba dive to the depths of Scapa Flow where you can uncover historic shipwrecks of submarines and war vessels dating all the way back to World War I. In St Andrews, try out land yachting on West Sands Beach - this unique activity combines the grace of sailing with the adrenaline buzz of motor racing!

Elsewhere, the Isle of Tiree is renowned as the perfect spot for surfing the waves. The island is a pretty windy place during a few months in the year, but this makes it a mecca for windsurfers, particularly each October when the island hosts the Tiree Wave Classic - the most prestigious and longest standing windsurfing event in the UK.

If you're not a fan of water but are looking for an adventurous thing to do, why not take to the sky and soak in the incredible panoramic views of Perthshire's lush landscape from a hot air balloon? Just a 1h 30m drive north from Edinburgh, head to Crieff where you can take off from amongst the areas' scenic surroundings and float through the air, spotting many landmarks and locations en route. Elsewhere in Perthshire, Webster Adventures also offers a thrilling experience in Scotland's skies.

If you'd rather stay on two feet, why not conquer a Munro? Munros are uniquely Scottish mountains that tower over an incredible 3,000ft. (914.4m) high and all boast magnificent views on the ascent. There are 282 peaks to choose, each making their home in a beautiful corner of Scotland. After all, a Scotland themed bucket list wouldn't be complete without bagging a Munro! So, take your pick and get climbing!

Scotland, the Home of Golf, boasts over 550 bucket list-worthy courses for you to play on, including links courses, heathland courses, parkland courses and more. Head to St Andrews where you can tee off on one of 10 world-famous golf courses in the region, including the Old Course, New Course and The Castle Course. Also in St Andrews, head to the British Golf Museum where you can uncover over 500 years of golfing history through displays and interactive galleries full of fascinating facts, stories and more. Why not get involved in a prestigious golfing event? There's nothing quite like seeing some of the world's top golfers battle it out for the trophy on a famous Scottish course.

Nothing quite beats a trip away with your other half, and where else can you enjoy lots of unique and memorable experiences that you can tick off your romantic bucket list, or even add to it, than Scotland? If you fancy a relaxing weekend away for two, you're in the right place. Scotland has many cosy cabins and lodges that are complete with your own private hot tub often nestled away from the bustle of city life. Or if you fancy a spa retreat set amongst Scotland's lush landscapes, then look no further. Head to places such as Stobo Castle in the Scottish Borders, Atholl Palace in Pitlochry or The Ugadale Hotel in Argyll, to name a few.

Have you ever seen the Aurora Borealis with your own eyes? Did you know that there are locations in Scotland that are popular for sightings of the Northern Lights? The north of Scotland lies on the same latitude as Stavanger in Norway, which means you're in with a good chance of spotting this mesmerising display.

Can you think of anything more romantic than stargazing? Scotland has many Dark Sky Discovery Spots dotted across the country that have been identified as key locations to see galaxies, stars, and constellations against the midnight sky. Don't miss the chance to tick this off your couples' bucket list.

Why not get further off the radar with some back-to-nature escapes where you can disconnect from the world and enjoy some quality time together? Scotland is home to many treehouses, wigwams, eco-pods, yurts and more that are equipped with many facilities, so you don't have to miss out on that luxury element. Or why not enjoy some quality time with your other half with a relaxing hot tub holiday?

Scotland is a great destination to tick off some family bucket list ideas. If you're a fan of Harry Potter, head to Edinburgh where you can follow in the footsteps of J.K Rowling as she brought the infamous book series to life. You can also explore Greyfriars Cemetery and Victoria Street within the city to find other places of inspiration, or why not venture on the Harry Potter Walking Tour of Edinburgh? Or head further afield to hop onboard the Jacobite Steam Train* in Fort William and enjoy the journey Harry and his friends took on their way to Hogwarts.

* Please note that the Jacobite Steam Train is running with reduced capacity for the 2024 season. Please check directly for the latest availability.

Not everything has to be remote and out in the countryside. Head to Edinburgh where you can scale the famous Arthur's Seat and soak up the fantastic panoramic views from the top. No travel bucket list would be complete without a trip to the capital. Arthur's Seat is an iconic part of Edinburgh's skyline and is actually an extinct volcano which sits 251m above sea level. The surrounding Holyrood Park is home to a diverse range of flora and geology, making the area a site of Special Scientific Interest.

Or for something a bit calmer, but equally as exciting, why not head to the Moray Firth to see if you can spot the resident pod of dolphins playing in the water? Other great places to spot these graceful creatures are Chanonry Point, Fort George, Kessock Bridge and Merkinch Local Nature. Or why not head to the Scottish Dolphin Centre to get involved in a range of thrilling events and find out how you can get involved to make a difference for the local wildlife?

In Scotland there are hundreds of locations, secluded spots, relaxing retreats and more where you can escape and get back in touch with yourself. Clear your mind with a peaceful stroll along one of the Outer Hebridean serene white sand beaches. Luskentyre Sands, Seilebost Beach and Horgabost Beach all boast pristine blue waters and sandy shores, and have often been mistaken for Caribbean beaches!
Go for a lochside, woodland or valley stroll and breathe in the fresh air. Take in the almost silent atmosphere and marvel at the magnificent scenery around you - towering mountains, glittering lochs, and vast landscapes.

Scotland has everything you need for the perfect road trip - incredible scenery, meandering roads, stunning landscapes everywhere you turn, and hundreds of fascinating attractions and landmarks to explore along the way too. There are 17 unique touring routes across Scotland, all boasting exceptional features, sights to see, and places to stop off and uncover en route - so what are you waiting for - start planning your Scottish bucket list destinations.
Have you ever thought of venturing on a tour? They are a great way to experience what Scotland has to offer - whether you're interested in whisky, castles, ghosts, history, islands and more, there is plenty to explore and enjoy.