August breaks in Scotland

Nestled in the heart of Royal Deeside, Ballater charms visitors with its traditional Highland spirit, historic royal connections, and scenic surroundings.

Discover traditional Scottish charm in Ballater

Every August, the charming village of Ballater comes alive with community spirit and Highland traditions. The iconic Ballater Highland Games (August 2027) take place at Monaltrie Park on the second Thursday in August, set amid Cairngorm hills and by the River Dee. These long-running games feature classic Highland competitions, from caber tossing and tug-o-war to pipe band parades and Highland dancing, alongside food stalls, craft fairs, and a family-friendly vibe.

Coinciding with the games, Ballater Victoria Week typically begins in the second week of August, honouring the village’s historic connection with Queen Victoria. The packed programme of fun events features a scarecrow trail, duck race, pet shows, discos, and ceilidhs, plus picnics and sporting events, drawing locals and visitors alike.

Explore Ballater and its royal connections

Ballater and the surrounding Royal Deeside area are famed for their close links with the British Royal Family, dating back to when Prince Albert bought nearby Balmoral Castle for Queen Victoria in 1852. Visit the beautifully restored Old Royal Station, once the original arrival point for many royal visitors to Royal Deeside, which is now an exhibition space displaying a replica royal carriage.

Nearby, you can explore the striking Scots‑baronial architecture and formal gardens of Balmoral Castle and its expansive estate, then visit Royal Lochnagar Distillery – just over a mile away – for a guided tour and tasting of its delicate single malt Scotch. Close by is Crathie Kirk, where the royal family traditionally worships during their summer stays when in residence at Balmoral Castle.

Outdoor adventures and scenic sights

The area around Ballater is perfect for outdoor lovers. The River Dee is famous for salmon and trout fishing, with excellent angling opportunities nearby. The hills around Ballater invite walkers of all levels. Enjoy a scenic walk around Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate – great for mountain views and wildlife spotting, including red deer and birds. For longer hikes or bike rides, the Deeside Way runs towards Aberdeen along a mostly off-road riverside route. Other popular options include the Cambus o’May suspension bridge circuit.

If you are staying in the area for several days, visit the impressive Braemar Castle’s historic rooms near the village of Braemar, explore the turreted Crathes Castle in Banchory, or charming Aboyne, known for the Aboyne Highland Games  held on the first Saturday of August and scenic outdoor activities like kayaking.

From the stunning riverside scenery and rich heritage of Inverness to coastal escapes and iconic Highland experiences at nearby Nairn and Loch Ness, get a taste of the Highlands.

Inverness, a Highland city with a beat

Inverness perfectly blends urban comforts with Highland scenery and traditions. Stroll along the River Ness to the Ness Islands and past Whin Park. Perched above the river, the recently re-invented Inverness Castle Experience offers panoramic views and a chance to dive into Highland heritage through interactive installations, immersive exhibitions, and hands-on activities.

The city’s streets bustle with cafés, galleries, and pubs where live music and local flavour thrive. Explore the historic Victorian Market, visit Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, or, for artisan tipples, tour the Uile-bheist Distillery & Brewery.

Coastal escape in the heart of Nairn

The delightful coastal town of Nairn is a local gem on the Moray coast. Enjoy sailing with Nairn Sailing Club, try golf at two championship links courses, cycle through places like Culbin Forest, and even spot bottlenose dolphins playing offshore. After a day of adventures, relax on the beautiful Nairn Beach or unwind at Sauna Ostara overlooking the sea. Nearby, historic Cawdor Castle with its ancient woodland is well worth a visit and Fort George offers sweeping sea views and fascinating military history.

August in this region is packed with local events, with the Nairn Show (2027 dates TBC) traditional farming displays and crafts, followed by the Nairn Highland Games (14 August 2027) and the Nairn Book and Arts Festival (August 2027 dates TBC).

Outdoor adventures around Loch Ness

No trip north is complete without a visit to the famous Loch Ness. Enjoy a scenic boat trip from Drumnadrochit or Fort Augustus to take in views of this iconic loch and the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle on its shore, or explore part of the Great Glen Way by bike or on foot around this stunning Highland landscape. You can also visit the spectacular Falls of Foyers nearby, explore Fort Augustus village with its Caledonian Canal locks and cafés, or follow the Loch Ness 360 ° Trail for scenic walking and cycling.

For a taste of Highland culture, Glenurquhart Highland Games held annually for the fourth Saturday in August at Loch Ness bring lively sport and local culture to life, giving every visitor a chance to stay out longer and experience the country’s natural beauty.

Bute, Islay, and Jura are three small Hebridean islands off Scotland’s west coast that punch way above their weight, not only in whisky fame but also exciting festivals, historic sites, and unforgettable landscapes.

Feel the summer vibes on Bute

Summer is in full swing on the Isle of Bute in August which is shortlisted for the first UK Town of Culture title. Just a short ferry ride across the Firth of Clyde, feel the summer vibes in Rothesay – a beautiful seaside resort where the streets are unexpectedly lined with palm trees. Visit the medieval Rothesay Castle and Bute Museum for island history, then stop at the magnificent neo-Gothic Mount Stuart House with its lavish interiors and scenic woodland trails. Wander along the distinctive red sand at Scalpsie Bay, take coastal walks around Ettrick Bay, or along sections of the West Island Way.

August also brings events like the Bute Highland Games – a classic sports day with dancing, pipe bands, clan gatherings, and heavy events, and Bute Noir – a popular arts and performance festival, with exhibitions, theatre and live music throughout the island.

Head to the Outer Hebrides where the cool sea air rolling off the Atlantic and endless expanse of luminous white-sand beach offer a tantalising haven where you can savour the endless summer days. In addition to the famous beaches, wild landscapes, and watersports of Lewis, Harris and the Uists – a clustering of six small isles named Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay – there's also the newly reopened Calanais Standing Stones Visitor Centre to experience, as well as Kisimul Castle in Barra, also reopening to visitors this summer and just a short boat trip away. 

Discover the peaty side of Islay

All whisky lovers should visit the Isle of Islay at some point in their lives, home to a remarkable number of very famous single-malt Scotch distilleries. Here, the whisky trail is as much about the journey as the dram. Slow the pace as you walk or cycle the south-coast whisky trail from Port Ellen, linking Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig – known for their bold smoky flavours – or stop for tasting experiences and sensory tours at Caol Ila, Bowmore and Bunnahabhain.

Beyond its distilleries, Islay offers stunning beaches like the white sands at Machir Bay, scenic coastal walks and rich heritage, including the ancient sites at Finlaggan. Islay Book Festival is worth a visit too, as is Islay, Jura & Colonsay Agricultural Show.

Explore the wild beauty of Jura

Jura is the wild, untamed island where George Orwell famously wrote 1984. From the dramatic peaks of the Paps of Jura, which offer challenging routes and breathtaking views, to the peaceful coastal paths of Lowlandman’s Bay, where seals often make an appearance, the island is full of stark beauty. Watch red deer roam freely across the hills or unwind on the shell-sand shores of Corran Sands, ideal for a picnic. The tranquil Crinan Canal provides superb boating opportunities, while watersports enthusiasts can enjoy a host of activities, including boat tours to the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, the third largest in the world. Don't forget to visit Jura Distillery to sample its smooth, lightly peated single malts to complete your trip. Jura can be visited on a day trip from Islay, taking a short ferry.