9 unique Scottish adventures you must experience

When winter settles over Shetland and the lights fade, there is one night that feels hotter than the warmest summer day: Up Helly Aa. Held annually on the last Tuesday of January, this spectacular fire festival is best known for its fiery torchlit procession and Viking-inspired traditions. 

Join in the crowds out in the cold and keep an eye out for the first signs of fire in the distance, marking the start of the procession. Led by the Guizer Jarl and his squad dressed in helmets, sheepskin cloaks and armour and carrying shields and axes, the march winds down the streets to the sounds of upbeat drumming and wild calls. Then, watch the replica Viking longship set on fire, creating the incredible moment everyone has been waiting for. You need be there to truly appreciate the energy of this wild Shetland tradition – an unforgettable night of Viking heritage. 

There are also smaller, local Up Helly Aa celebrations held throughout the region from January through March. 

Experience Shetland's Viking fire festival 

Scotland's wild west coast is made for sailing, and there are few things that beat a sea voyage on the deck of a classic sailing yacht.  

Set sail from Oban and watch the mainland slip away as you cruise towards Mull and the Inner Hebrides. Keep watch for seals basking on rocks, dolphins and minke whales frolicking in the water and seabirds soaring overhead. For those seeking a little more adventure, you might even snorkel alongside the local ''gentle giants'' – basking sharks – in the Firth of Clyde during the summer months, with an experienced guide. Or simply watch these magnificent creatures from the deck. 

For a longer sailing adventure, head towards the Isle of Skye through sea lochs and past secluded shores. Keep your camera close by, as there are plenty of jaw-dropping views to capture along the way. It's undoubtedly the experience of a lifetime. 

Set sail on a Scottish adventure 

Placed dramatically alongside the Forth & Clyde Canal are two enormous horse heads, which were inspired by the legendary ‘kelpies’ or water spirits said to haunt Scotland's lochs and rivers. Come face to face with Scotland's mythical giants and prepare for an adventure. The Kelpies Experience is your chance to experience one of Scotland's most recognisable landmarks from the inside out.  

Enter one of the shimmering steel sculptures and, as you tackle the thrilling, 25-metre aerial climb right up to the horse's mouth, admire world-class engineering at its best. Test your skills as you complete the specially designed ascent using a series of ladders, cable crossing, suspended platforms and nets. On your way down, you can either abseil or, if you’re a true adrenaline-seeker, take the QuickFlight rope drop – a heart-pounding descent that will give you the sensation of free-falling before you’re lowered to the ground. How’s that for a unique experience?  

Take on the Kelpies Experience

Reach new heights in Scotland by climbing a Munro – literally and figuratively. For experienced walkers, setting off early will give you the chance to watch the mountains slowly come into view while the sun rises above the horizon. From the top, take in uninterrupted views of lochs, glens and landscapes glowing in the morning light, stretching as far as the eye can see. 

Choose from hundreds of Munros across Scotland. Overlooking Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond is a great choice for families, while the pyramid-shaped peak of Schiehallion offers sweeping views of Highland Perthshire. For a bigger challenge, take on Ben Nevis near Fort Willim, or explore Cairn Gorm for stunning vistas across the Cairngorms. Whether you're going solo or with friends, take a moment to stop soak up the peaceful silence – it's a feeling you won't forget.  

NB. Whichever mountain you choose, make sure the route and conditions are suitable for your experience and ability. If you're heading out before dawn, check the weather forecast, plan your route carefully and bring suitable clothing, footwear and equipment. 

Find your perfect Munro adventure 

Found on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, treat yourself to one of the world's most surreal landings. Imagine looking out of the plane window as it lands, expecting to see a runway ahead but instead finding a wide stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters below. This is Traigh Mhòr beach, where the beach is the runway. 

It's the only beach runway in the world to be used for scheduled airline services. Here, however, the tide determines when planes can touch down. When the tide is high, the beach is completely submerged, yet it's open to the public when there are no flights due. 

Not much can rival stepping off the plane and being welcomed by the sound of waves and the feeling of sand under your feet – this is a memory that will stay with your forever.  

Experience Barra's beach runway with LoganAir 

Wrap up warm, grab a flask of hot tea and escape to Scotland's countryside after dark. Scotland is lucky to have some of the darkest skies in Europe, with vast areas of remote countryside and coastline far from the light pollution of towns and cities. When night falls, the sky puts on a show like no other. 

Head into Galloway Forest Park, the UK's first Dark Sky Park, and watch thousands of bright stars illuminate the sky above, with the Milky Way stretching overhead. Tomintoul and Glenlivet in the Cairngorms National Park are other fantastic locations to gaze at the night sky wonders, where constellations, planets and meteors can be spotted against a dramatic mountain backdrop. Or escape to the islands of Coll or Rum, where pristine dark skies and a secluded setting make stargazing feel even more peaceful and otherworldly. 

Autumn through to early spring is the ideal time for stargazing in Scotland thanks to the longer, darker nights creating the perfect conditions.  

Discover Scotland's dark skies 

Get ready for a walk with a view. Take in Scotland from a whole new perspective as you cross the Forth Road Bridge, with the waters of the Firth of Forth stretching out below you. Suspended between North and South Queensferry, it spans over 2.5 kilometres between the two towns and was the fourth-longest bridge in the world and the longest outside the United States when it opened in 1964. Today, it remains an impressive piece of Scottish engineering. 

Time your visit right and you might see boats and larger cruise ships sail across the waters below or hear a train rumble across the striking red Forth Bridge beside you – the famous railway bridge opened in 1890 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the opposite side stands the modern Queensferry Crossing, which opened in 2017.  

You can also admire the three bridges together from nearby viewpoints. Some of the bests are the Hawes Pier or Port Edgar Marina in South Queensferry, and Town Pier in North Queensferry. 

See Scotland from the Forth Road Bridge 

The natural beauty of Scotland's geoparks is sure to leave you speechless – after all, it's been three and a half billion years in the making! Cross landscapes shaped by ancient oceans, volcanic eruptions and shifting continents and glaciers. Along the way, search for fossils, breathe in the fresh air and take in scenes so extraordinary that it feels out of this world. 

Scotland's three UNESCO Global Geoparks each offer outstanding scenery. In the North West Highlands, explore Smoo Cave in Durness, wander the dunes and machair of Faraid Head, and, around Assynt and Coigach, hike through the dramatic peaks or take a boat trip to spot whales, dolphins and seabirds. On Arran, discover the island's archaeological story at Machrie Moor or explore the rugged mountain landscape around Glen Rosa. Or venture north to Shetland, where you can walk the cliffs of Eshaness, cross the natural sand tombolo at St Ninian's Isle – one of the finest in Europe – or lose yourself in the boundless landscapes of Unst. 

And while Lochaber Geopark isn't a UNESCO site, its landscapes are every bit as engaging – from the heights of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, and the volcanic crests of Glen Coe to the untamed shores of Ardnamurchan and the Isle of Eigg. 

Explore Scotland's wild geopark landscapes

Ever wondered what it's like to see the Northern Lights in the night sky? In Scotland, you might just get lucky to witness this breathtaking display. From Shetland, Orkney and Caithness in the far north to the remote Outer Hebrides in the west, there are plenty of places to experience this spellbinding natural phenomenon. And if conditions are favourable – even in Edinburgh and as far south as the Scottish Borders. 

You might spend a chilly evening waiting for the first soft glows to appear on the horizon. Then, when they appear, twisting and stretching like ribbons of colour – sometimes subtle shades of greens, other times vivid hues of pink and purple – the Aurora Borealis will leave you in awe.  

Watching the colours move and change above you is a mesmerising experience – one you'll talk about for years to come. 

Experience the Northern Lights 

This list was created by VisitScotland to showcase a range of experiences. It isn’t ranked in any specific order.