Snowdrops at Floors Castle, Scottish Borders
Floors Castle
March breaks in Scotland
Explore Scotland in March to visit grand castles, experience local traditions or admire the flowers announcing the arrival of spring.
Escape to Fife
Its coastal location makes Fife a great place to start enjoying the outdoors again after the darker months, but the region also offers fantastic events if you prefer to stay inside. Wander through flowering gardens, listen to artfully told stories or take deep breaths of fresh sea air along the Fife Coastal Path.
Admire spring blossoms at Cambo Gardens
Nothing lifts the spirits like beautiful snowdrops appearing in late winter and early spring, an early sign of the brighter and warmer days to come. There is no better place to enjoy the end of the Scottish Snowdrop Festival (25 January to 15 March each year) than Cambo Gardens in Fife, home of the national snowdrop collection. Follow the woodland walk along a tinkling stream and admire around 200 varieties of snowdrops carpeting the ground around the estate.
See the snowdrops at Cambo Gardens
Snowdrops at Cambo Gardens, St Andrews
Enjoy StAnza in St Andrews
Every year in March, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival StAnza puts on a fantastic programme of poetry, visual art, performance, music and more in the historic town of St Andrews. Be part of the 30th anniversary of this celebration of the power of the spoken word when it returns in March 2027. Hear stories from around the world and embrace the special energy surrounding this event for all poetry lovers.
The waterfront at St Andrews
© VisitScotland / Peter Dibdin
Follow the Fife Coastal Path
March is the ideal month to enjoy the popular Fife Coastal Path at a quieter time, with early wildflowers sprouting along the coast and the first seabirds returning. While it is possible to walk this long-distance trail all year round, March is widely considered as the start of the hiking season when conditions are more favourable. Explore the charming fishing villages of the East Neuk before they get busy with visitors later in the season and take well-earned breaks in restaurants along the way to try the freshest spring seafood, from oysters and mussels to langoustines and wild sea trout.
Find out more about the Fife Coastal Path
Lady's Tower in Ruby Bay, Elie
Explore more things to do in Fife
Fife
Fish & chips by the harbour, exquisite coastal walks and world-class golf. The joys of Fife life!
St Andrews
Watch the east coast waves lap on the shore of a town made famous for its ancient university, golden sands and world-class golf courses.
5 Spring walks to enjoy in Fife
Discover the best places to enjoy colourful spring walks in Fife.
Adventure to the Scottish Borders in spring
In March, the undulating hills, farmland, and river valleys of the Scottish Borders begin to show the first signs of new life. It’s a particularly rewarding time to experience the interesting contrast between the Borders’ peaceful countryside and their turbulent history. Wander through charming market towns or follow longer trails to see the region in all its glory.
Experience local history
The Scottish Borders have always been influenced by their location right on the border between England and Scotland and the Reivers played a key role in the region’s history. These infamous horsemen were involved in cattle theft and border skirmishes. Many powerful Reiver families resided in Hawick, where the Hawick Reivers Festival (19-21 March 2027) brings local history to life every year. Join in with the lively celebrations, watch battle reenactments and follow the stirring melodies of bagpipes through town during the atmospheric torchlight procession.
Visit the Hawick Reivers Festival
Hawick, Scottish Borders
© VisitScotland
Visit rural market towns
Historic abbeys, local museums, and characterful market towns are scattered across the Borders, making it easy to combine outdoor exploration with cultural discovery. It’s the time of year when many popular attractions reopen. Plan a trip to Abbotsford – Sir Walter Scott's former home, near the idyllic town of Melrose – or spend a day in the gardens of Floors Castle, just east of Kelso. While the castle itself only reopens on the Easter weekend, the immaculate gardens can be visited all year round. Carpeted with tiny snowdrops, they invite you to slow down as you walk through the forest or along the river, spotting squirrels or maybe even otters enjoying the first rays of spring sunshine.
Find out more about Floors Castle
Floors Castle
© Visit Kelso
Enjoy countryside walks and scenic trails
March is a lovely time to explore the Borders on foot as landscapes shift from winter to spring. Gentle riverside walks, rolling hill paths, and historic routes offer fresh air, wide views, and a slower pace. If you are looking for a challenge to welcome the spring season, choose a long-distance trail such as the Borders Abbeys Way. This route will take you through glorious Borders countryside to some of the region’s most impressive abbey ruins, including Melrose, Jedburgh, Dryburgh, and Kelso, all set amid early spring flowers and awakening wildlife.
Embark on the Borders Abbeys Way
Scott's View looking out at the snowy Eildon Hills near Melrose
Explore more things to do in the Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders
Uncover a region full of history, where stories are woven through its landscapes and people.
Melrose
Abbey ruins, riverside walks and the thrill of world-famous rugby sevens make every visit to Melrose feel like a real Scottish adventure.
What's on in the Scottish Borders
Find the latest events on the Scotland Starts Here website.
Abbotsford House
Discover the story of Scotland’s greatest writer at his romantic riverside home, filled with history, books and inspiration.
Discover castles and coastlines in Aberdeenshire
March signals the reopening of many of Aberdeenshire’s castles and historic attractions after the winter months. With one of the highest concentrations of castles in Scotland, this region is a natural choice if you want to dive deep into centuries-old tales surrounded by dramatic buildings that have their own riveting stories to tell.
Follow Scotland’s Castle Trail
Aberdeenshire lies at the heart of Scotland’s Castle Trail. Across the region, you can explore sites ranging from grand royal residences where you can picture the comfortable life of rich nobility to atmospheric ruins that will take you straight into the pages of Dracula. Castles such as Dunnottar and Crathes are among those open in spring, offering a chance to discover them at a quieter pace before the peak summer crowds arrive.
Delve into Aberdeenshire’s Castle Trail
Dunnottar Castle
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Explore Royal Deeside and historic estates
March brings a fresh splash of colour to Royal Deeside, where historic estates, gardens, and country parks begin to bloom. Expansive landscapes at Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve and Glen Tanar Estate are ideal for early-spring woodland and riverside walks to stretch your legs after the winter months. The region's profound royal associations are on display at Balmoral Estate, whose grounds and gardens remain open throughout most of March. Take your time ambling through the charming gardens and admire the seasonal displays that have been influenced by King Charles III himself.
The Linn of Dee within the Mar Lodge Estate, Braemar
Coastal drama and seabirds
Aberdeenshire’s coastline offers striking scenery year-round, but the spring light makes it easier to explore clifftop walks and coastal paths. Routes such as the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail combine sea views with dramatic geology, while quieter beaches and headlands provide space to pause and soak up the scenic splendour. Spring also sees seabirds returning to nest along Aberdeenshire’s shores. Places like Rattray Head and other coastal reserves offer opportunities to spot gannets, kittiwakes, and other seabirds against a backdrop of wide skies and North Sea views.
Follow the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail
Views from Auld Mill Bay across to Pennan Head and Troup Head.
© Discover Fraserburgh / Damian Shields
Explore more things to do in Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Spanning mountain to sea, discover a region of forest trails, historic castles, lively towns, harbour villages and outdoor adventure.
Things to see & do in Aberdeen
From its medieval university buildings and colourful gardens to excellent museums, granite cityscapes and a golden beach – explore Aberdeen.
Balmoral Castle
Set in the serene countryside of Aberdeenshire, visit Balmoral Castle which to this day remains a private home of the Royal Family.
Aberdeenshire outdoors & adventure
Get your pulse racing in Aberdeenshire’s great outdoors, from rugged coastlines and hidden coves to tranquil forests and rolling hills.