August breaks in Scotland

Experience traditional Highland spirit, uncover historic royal connections and immerse yourself in scenic surroundings in Ballater, the heart of Royal Deeside. 

Discover Scottish traditions in Ballater

Join the Ballater Highland Games (12 August 2027) to experience classic Highland competitions. Admire the strength from the participants as they toss giant cabers in the air or show your support at the tug-o-war competitions. From pipe band parades and Highland dancing to food stalls and craft fairs, this annual event has a family-friendly vibe. 

The fun continues with the Ballater Victoria Week, which typically takes place in the second week of August, and celebrates the village’s historic connection with Queen Victoria. Follow the scarecrow trail, pick a favourite at the duck race, enjoy discos and ceilidhs, and join locals and visitors at picnics and sporting events. 

Enjoy the charming village of Ballater 

Visit the Ballater Highland Games 

Enjoy the events at Ballater Victoria Week

Explore Ballater and its royal connections

Ballater and the surrounding Royal Deeside area have shared close links with the British Royal Family since 1852, when Prince Albert bought nearby Balmoral Castle for Queen Victoria. Step inside the beautifully restored Old Royal Station, where generations of royal visitors arrived in Royal Deeside. Admire the period features and polished woodwork and imagine the bustle as trains pulled into the platform. 

Your royal visit continues at Balmoral Castle, where gravel paths wind their way through the perfectly maintained gardens and expansive estate. Afterwards, join a guided tour and tasting at Royal Lochnagar Distillery, where you can savour a dram with flavours of fruit and gentle spice. 

Explore Royal Deeside 

Visit Balmoral Castle

Outdoor adventures and scenic sights

The area around Ballater is perfect for outdoor adventures. Cast a line into the River Dee, famous for salmon and trout fishing, or lace up your walking boots and follow the path around Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate. See the reflections of the surrounding mountains in the shimmering water and keep an eye out for red deer on the hillsides. Or walk the waymarked trails of the Cambus o’May suspension bridge circuit, where you can enjoy dragonflies dancing over the water or take in views of the snow-capped mountains in winter. 

Walk the Loch Muick Circuit 

Head to Cambus o'May Forest 

From riverside walks in Inverness to a day out by the sea in Nairn and the still dark waters of Loch Ness – experience a taste of the Highlands.  

Inverness, a Highland city with a beat

Inverness combines urban comforts with Highland scenery and traditions. For an introduction to the region, visit the Inverness Castle Experience where immersive exhibitions bring to life the voices, stories and experiences of the people who call the Highlands home. Browse the historic Victorian Market and grab a bite to eat at the food stalls, visit the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery for more history or try locally crafted beer and whisky at Uile-bheist Distillery & Brewery. Afterwards, go for a leisurely walk to the Ness Islands, where treelined footpaths and the rushing waters of the River Ness offer a peaceful escape from the bustling city centre.  

See the Inverness Castle Experience 

Spend a day by the sea in Nairn

East of Inverness, Nairn is a seaside town on the Moray Firth with three beaches and two championship golf courses. Look out for bottlenose dolphins playing offshore, dip your feet in the sea or build sandcastles with the family, before heading to the promenade for a well-deserved ice cream. Nearby, walk the winding paths in Culbin Forest to the Viewpoint Tower for a squirrel’s eye view over the Moray Firth.  

This region is also home to historic Cawdor Castle & Gardens, where you can discover ornate rooms with tapestries and family treasures. Afterwards, head to Fort George to uncover the military history of this part of the Highlands. 

August is a lively time to visit Nairn. Browse the traditional farming displays and crafts at the Nairn Show (dates TBC), soak up the traditional Highland atmosphere at the Nairn Highland Games (14 August 2027) or stop by the Nairn Book and Arts Festival (28 August – 5 September 2027), where stories, poetry and performances take centre stage. 

Discover Nairn

Outdoor adventures around Loch Ness

No trip north is complete without a visit to the iconic Loch Ness. Head out on a boat tour to look for Nessie or simply enjoy the reflections of tree covered hills in the loch’s expansive waters. Wander the medieval ruins of Urquhart Castle, which has stood watch over Loch Ness for centuries. Breathe in the fresh Highland air as you walk or cycle sections of the Loch Ness 360 ° Trail, linking the Great Glen Way with quiet forest paths and lochside routes, and visit the tumbling Falls of Foyers.  

For a taste of Highland culture, travel to the area during the Glenurquhart Games, held on the fourth Saturday in August. Watch Highland dancers leap across the stage performing Highland flings or sword dances and join the crowd in cheering on competitors in traditional events. 

Step inside the historic ruins of Urquhart Castle 

Bute, Islay, and Jura are three islands off Scotland’s west coast. They may be small in size, but each offers a rare mix of whisky, festivals, historic sites and unforgettable landscapes.

Feel the summer vibes on Bute

Summer is in full swing on the Isle of Bute in August, shortlisted for the first UK Town of Culture title by the UK Government. Just a short ferry ride across the Firth of Clyde, feel the summer vibes in Rothesay – a beautiful seaside resort where the streets are lined with palm trees. Delve into island history at the medieval Rothesay Castle and Bute Museum before admiring the lavish interiors of the neo-Gothic Mount Stuart House. Wander along the distinctive red sand at Scalpsie Bay, listen to the call of seabirds during coastal walks around Ettrick Bay, or along sections of the West Island Way. 

Don’t miss Bute Noir, a crime-writing and thriller festival, where you can experience exhibitions, theatre and live music in venues throughout the island. 

Visit the Isle of Bute 

Enjoy a crime story at Bute Noir

Discover the peaty side of Islay

Home to some of Scotland’s famous distilleries, the island of Islay invites you to slow down and savour the journey as much as the dram. Walk or cycle the south coast whisky trail from Port Ellen, linking Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig, where smoky aromas and peaty flavours drift from the stillhouses. Stop for tasting experiences and sensory tours at Caol Ila, Bowmore and Bunnahabhain to learn more about the stories behind the spirit. 

Beyond its distilleries, Islay is made for exploring. Feel the soft white sand at Machir Bay, follow coastal paths with views across the Atlantic, and discover the island’s rich heritage at Finlaggan. Or visit the Islay Book Festival, pick up a new read and find a quiet spot overlooking the sea, with the sound of waves as a gentle backdrop. 

Experience island life on the Isle of Islay 

Explore the wild beauty of Jura

A short ferry ride from Islay, Jura is an island shaped by remote landscapes and it is here that George Orwell wrote 1984. Climb the challenging routes of the Paps of Jura for views across the surrounding islands, watch red deer roam freely on the hillsides or unwind on the shell-sand shores of Corran Sands. Head out onto a boat tour to the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, the third largest in the world, and watch the currents swirl and churn through the narrow strait. Complete your trip with a visit to Jura Distillery and sample its smooth, lightly peated single malt whisky.  

Explore the Isle of Jura