Kayakers on Camusdarach Beach near Arisaig, Highlands

Year of Coasts & Waters 2020

Splash into Scotland in 2020 as we celebrate our remarkable coasts and waters. Water is the life-blood of our green and pleasant country, it's what makes the landscape so special and loved.

Explore some of our magnificent coastline by kayak or yacht, enjoy some delicious seafood and a wee dram from our seas and streams, uncover the secrets of a coastal fortress, or relax with a spot of fishing in our lochs and rivers. Plan your trip now and come and join our 2020 Year of Coasts & Waters celebrations.

Coasts & Waters Events

Alongside our wealth of wonderful attractions, scenery and wildlife, Scotland hosts an exciting array of events that put our coasts and waters in the spotlight.

In 2020, annual gems such as the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy and Crail Food Festival will be joined by The Fife Regatta, an expanded Clydebuilt Festival, and Edinburgh International Film Festival will present Scotland's Shores, featuring classic film screenings and a special outdoor coastal experience.

The RSPB will celebrate Aberdeen's status as one of the few cities in Europe where dolphins can regularly be seen from the shore at DolphinFest 2020. Scotland's Boat Show and Kip Marina will make a splash with a brand new special event 'River of Light' and The National Theatre of Scotland will deliver, Ferry Tales, an exciting new production, celebrating Scotland's surrounding waters and the journeys over them made by thousands of residents and tourists.

Our Inspiring Coasts & Waters

Dive into Scotland's Coasts & Waters1:53

Water is the life-blood that keeps our valleys green and our rivers flowing. Most of our much-loved natural attractions and landscape have been sculpted by the force of waves and water and are a real sight to see up close. So what are you waiting for? Taste the salty spray in the wind, feel the crisp sea air on your face, watch the shimmering reflections of a still Scottish loch, or wander peacefully along a tumbling river. Join us in 2020 as we celebrate our Year of Coasts & Waters.

Still from online film - Scallop — Isle of Skye Scallop Diver – Ben’s Story1:31

Watch as Ben dives beneath the crystal-clear waters of Skye to catch shellfish by hand, an environmentally sustainable form of fishing that yields only the most succulent scallops. Scotland. A spirit of its own: https://goo.gl/0IYStn Ben grew up watching his dad going diving and has always been fascinated by the sea and the vast expanse of life hidden beneath the water’s surface. However, when he left Skye at 18 to go to university, he had no intentions of returning home. It wasn’t until one day when he was driving home with his dad, over the hills and past stunning lochs, that Ben realised there was no place he would rather be. Hear from Ben why nothing compares to going out into the wild to dive, fish and explore in Scotland. He works alongside his dad to place small scallops in the shallows, which are harvested by hand once fully grown. As far as he’s aware, they are the only people in the world who use this method of fishing. For Ben, this is home and he can’t imagine doing anything else. Find out more about the Isle of Skye here: https://goo.gl/62Uq07 Music composed by Giles Lamb and performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. #ScotSpirit

Experience Sailing in Scotland1:46

When it comes to sailing holidays, Scotland has an unforgettable voyage for every sailor. Cast your mind to swirling blue seas, far-flung islands and nautical adventures aplenty. From the rugged shores of Skye and the untamed charms of Jura on the west coast to the glorious wildlife of the Moray Firth on the east coast, sailing in Scotland is one of the best ways to discover our varied coastline and islands. You may find yourself relaxing on a scenic cruise along the Crinan Canal, passing an iconic modern marvel at the Falkirk Wheel, or relishing the tranquil beauty of Loch Lomond. And, there are some wonderful places to drop anchor. Oban is a gateway to several island adventures and it offers some delicious dining options, or stop off at Tarbert whilst sailing through Loch Fyne and enjoy this picturesque harbour town. Several pristine beaches await too, including the seafaring haven of North Berwick and the blissfully chilled out coastal retreat of Crail in Fife. With all these choices, a Scottish sailing trip should be next on your list! Find out more: Skye: https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/isle-skye/ Crinan Canal: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/crinan-p235241 Falkirk Wheel: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/the-falkirk-wheel-p248061 Tarbert: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/tarbert-p235341 Loch Lomond: https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/loch-lomond/ Oban: https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/oban/ North Berwick: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/north-berwick-p240511 Crail: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/crail-p239091 Sailing in Scotland: https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/active/sailing/ Subscribe: https://goo.gl/v8Rfpp Visit our website: https://www.visitscotland.com/ Like our Facebook page: https://goo.gl/28ZRdn Follow us on Instagram: https://goo.gl/OPzBb6 Say hello on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VisitScotland

Share your coasts and waters experiences

Where will your journey take you?

Lochan Urr in Glen Etive with the Buachaille Etive Beag and Buachaille Etive Mor in the background

Lochan Urr, Glen Etive

Glen Etive is one of Scotland's most striking glens. Take the single-track road off the A82 in Glen Coe, which follows the River Etive, a popular waterway with paddlers. You'll find lovely Lochan Urr about halfway down the glen and the views of Glen Coe's mountains from here are stunning. You might also recognise Loch Etive from the movie Skyfall.

Read MoreRead Less

Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire

Just a stone's throw from pretty Stonehaven harbour, Dunnottar Castle perched impressively above the North Sea is one of Scotland's most distinctive castles. This coastal fortress holds many historic secrets, has welcomed royalty and nobles and once withstood a Cromwellian seige for eight months.

Read MoreRead Less

A delicious plate of Scottish seafood from Ee-Usk seafood restaurant, Oban

Stunning Scottish Seafood

Did you know that over two-thirds of the world's langoustines are landed here in Scotland? The clear, clean seas, lochs and rivers around and across Scotland are brimming with delicous fish and seafood and there are lots of tempting traditional and contemporary fish dishes to tantalise those tastebuds.

Read MoreRead Less

Ben A'an, The Trossachs

Standing just 454 metres tall, Ben A'an is not a high mountain, which makes it all the more accessible, but what it might lack in stature, it more than makes up for in views! It's a great first hillwalk for younger legs and the views over Loch Katrine and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park are spectacular.

Read MoreRead Less

Yachts moored in the shadow of historic Dunstaffnage Castle, near Oban

Sailing in Scotland

See Scotland from a different perspective - from the deck of a yacht. Exploring some of our vast coastline and myriad islands by boat is an incredible experience that will stay with you for years, whether you charter a skippered vessel or captain your own. Discover Dunstaffnage Castle with a stop off at Dunstaffnage Marina, near Oban for instance.

Read MoreRead Less

The Kelpies, Falkirk

A trip to Scotland during our Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 would not be complete without spending some time around our fabulous canals. Journey from the west coast to the east coast along the mighty Caledonian Canal, or head for Falkirk and admire the impressive Kelpies at The Helix or the remarkable Falkirk Wheel.

Read MoreRead Less

Year of Coasts & Waters 2020

Coasts & Waters Events

Our Inspiring Coasts & Waters

Dive into Scotland's Coasts & Waters1:53

Isle of Skye Scallop Diver – Ben’s Story1:31

Experience Sailing in Scotland1:46

Share your coasts and waters experiences