9 Reasons to Take a Short Break in Scotland this March

If you’re thinking of a city break in March then why not head to Glasgow? March is a busy month in the city with a couple of festivals to attend. First off, there’s the Glasgow International Comedy Festival from 12 - 30 March 2025 which sees top class comedy stars from around the UK and beyond descend upon the city for a month of laughs. If you’re a film fanatic, the Glasgow Film Festival will be running from the 26 Feb - 9 March 2025 and will see an eclectic mix of films as well as previews, premieres and guest appearances.

On 8 March the world celebrates International Women’s Day – and Scotland will be raising a toast to women everywhere. Of course, this country is no stranger to strong women and you could even plan a holiday around one of our great ladies. What about the charismatic Mary Queen of Scots? Find out more about one of Scotland's most famous women, discover the historic locations associated with Mary, as well as locations that were used in the blockbuster movie about her life starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie.

There are plenty of Famous Scottish Women that have left their mark across various professions in Scottish history, from medicine and education, to engineering and contributing to the war efforts.

As the summer season is still a few months away, you may find that prices are cheaper on your holiday – so make this your chance to stay somewhere unique. If you like castles – perhaps you have an ancestral connection to one – why not make one your base? Or if that sounds a little grand, you could book a few nights in a traditional inn with a roaring fire and a few choice ales on tap.

Get your marching boots on – it’s time to get out and go for a walk. March is a lovely time to be out in the countryside or take a walk through one of Scotland’s cities, as you’ll get the chance to see the transition from winter to spring. The combination of fresh air and fantastic scenery is sure-fire winner.

Perhaps you prefer cycling to walking. If so, you could take a trip to the Isle of Arran this March – which is very accessible from the central belt. Catch the ferry from Ardrossan (which is 40 minutes from Glasgow by train) and you’ll be across the water in under an hour. Your reward will be miles of quiet roads, stunning sea views and some great places to stop off for lunch.

One of the more unusual ways to get out and explore Scotland is to go foraging for food. Wild food was once a staple part of our diets, and for some it still is, but for many they might not know where to start.

A great resource is the Woodland Trust’s website, which provides guides to foraging. March offers some wonderful pickings, including wild garlic, hairy bittercress, chickweed and meadowsweet. Yum!

What better time to get out and explore Scotland’s coastline. Take a walk by a beautiful loch or a boat trip around the islands, or you could even try some watersports. There are a host of high-quality outdoor activity centres in Scotland, offering a range of different watersports options for beginners, as well as those looking for a tougher challenge.

Castle-hunters rejoice! Many Scottish castles open their doors towards the end of March to welcome visitors again after the winter. Scotland has hundreds of castles, each with its own unique personality – from famous fortresses to mysterious ruins. Who knows – you might even find yourself staying overnight in a castle!

Fife offers visitors some of the best food and drink in Scotland and a new event in March looks to celebrate this. In March, Fife Food & Drink week will showcase the area's wonderful food and drink businesses with all kinds of tasty events. Look forward to special menus, markets, and talks and tastings at venues across the Kingdom. 

More information will be available nearer the time in 2025.

1 - 31 March

Taking the capital by storm this March is Eat Out Edinburgh. Foodie enthusiasts are in for a treat with this month-long celebration of delicious food & drink, with city centre bars and restaurants joining in the fun. 

Check back for more updates, information, set menus, special offers and events in mid-February.