12 Best Adventure Activities & Adrenaline Sports in Scotland

The only way to make adventure activities even more memorable is to experience them in one of the most breathtaking places in the world.

Few countries rival Scotland when it comes to dramatic scenery. Our high places were made for bungee jumping, the open ocean for scuba diving and fast flowing rivers for white water rafting.

If you’re looking for adventure days and thrill-seeking activities, Scotland is the place to find them. Read on for more about 14 of the top adrenaline and adventure sports in Scotland, plus find tips on great places to try them!

  1. Bungee Jumping: A Perfect Adventure Day Killiecrankie or Glasgow

    Highland Fling Bungee Ltd.

    Bungee jumping is one of the ultimate adventure activities in Scotland and an experience you're going to remember for the rest of your life. In Scotland you can take your pick between free-falling into the lush surroundings of Highland Perthshire at Killiecrankie or leaping off Titan Crane in Glasgow (yes, a real-life, A-listed historic crane!).

    Try it: In Killiecrankie or Glasgow with Highland Fling Bungee, who run both sites.

  2. Paragliding: The Ideal Thrill-seeking Activity Biggar

    Feel the pull of the thermal currents as you glide gracefully through Scotland's open skies. When it comes to outdoor activities in Scotland, paragliding offers truly unique views of our stunning landscapes, as well as the rushing thrill of flying through the air.

    Try it: At Tinto Hill in Biggar with Cloudbusters Paragliding & Paramotoring Centre. The centre provide fun day taster sessions and BHPA Certified courses to suit all levels with experienced, friendly and instructors on hand to guide you.

  3. Motor Racing Dunfermline, Fife

    Car racing at Crimond Airfield

    When it comes to adrenaline sports in Scotland, nothing beats the high-octane thrill of motor racing. If you've always dreamt of getting behind the wheel of a racing car, a Ferrari F430, an E-Type Jaguar or an Aston Martin, this is an unmissable experience in Scotland.

    Try it: Near Dunfermline in Fife at Knockhill Racing Circuit - the only internationally graded racing circuit in Scotland. Get to grips with the impressive 1.3 mile-long track and test your driving skills on the twists, climbs and drops.

  4. Mountain Biking: Connect with Nature Scottish Borders

    Glentress Forest

    © VisitScotland / Ian Rutherford

    With landscapes this rugged and breathtaking, it's no wonder that Scotland is famed as a top mountain biking location. Get off road and feel the air whooshing past as you tackle obstacles, dips, and jumps in some of Scotland's most beautiful places. Guaranteed smiles all round!

    Try it: In the Scottish Borders at the 7stanes mountain biking centre is beautiful Glentress Forest. This 7stanes centre boasts trails to suit all levels of experience, from a family-friendly easy-graded green trail to a severe-graded black trail that includes huge climbs and hair-raising descents - you're guaranteed a thrilling adventure in Scotland.

  5. Land Yachting: A Beach Adventure Day for All Ages St Andrews, Fife

    Land yachting on West Sands beach

    Challenge your fellow land yachters to a race along the sands. Using the wind for propulsion, land yachting takes the gracefulness of sailing and combines it with the high adrenaline thrill of motor racing - an outdoor adventure in Scotland that's guaranteed to leave everyone happy and smiling.

    Try it: In St Andrews with Blown Away Experiences. The wide beach at West Sands is ideal for racing, plus Blown Away Experiences offer twin land yachts so younger kids can join the fun too (children aged 5 - 12 must ride with an adult).

  6. Snowboarding: Take to the slopes CairnGorm Mountain

    Cairngorm Mountain

    © Ed Smith

    With five ski resorts, Scotland is the best place in the UK for snowboarding. Adventure activities in Scotland don't get much better than feeling the snow glide under your feet as you zoom down the slopes of a mountain. All that chilled fresh air is bound to work up your appetite for afterwards too!

    Try it: In the Cairngorms National Park at CairnGorm Mountain - perfect for beginners and more advanced snowboarders who are looking to hone their trick skills in the terrain park and a skills park.

  7. White Water Rafting: A Signature Adrenaline Sport Perthshire

    Experience white-water rafting on the River Findhorn

    © VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

    Grab your white water rafting crew and set your course on one of Scotland's ferocious white water rivers. Steer your way through rapids and plunge down heart pumping drops for a thrilling adventure in Scotland. Top tip - river rapids are even more extreme after rainfall when water levels are higher.

    Try it: With Nae Limits in Perthshire, who have a range of white water rafting options for beginners and extreme thrill seekers alike, or with ACE Adventures who offer white water rafting trips in various locations, including on the rivers Findhorn, Tay and Tummel.

  8. Kite Surfing Isle of Tiree

    Kitesurfing at Gullane Beach

    Feel the pull of the kite above you as your kiteboard cuts through the turquoise waters below your feet. Kite surfing takes a little bit of wakeboarding, paragliding and surfing and delivers one high-adrenaline sport on top of the water.

    Try it: On the stunning Isle of Tiree with Wild Diamond Watersports. With its flat water, curving horseshoe shape and shallow gradient, beautiful Gott Bay at the east side of the island is the perfect place to learn to kite surf, as well as other activities in Scotland too.

  9. Canyoning: Find your footing and dive right in Fort William

    Canyoning at Falls of Bruar

    © Perth and Kinross Council / Fred Murray

    When it comes to outdoor adventure sports in Scotland, canyoning has to be at the top of our list. Not many people can say they've jumped off a cliff into a deep-water pool before slipping and sliding down a natural water flume - try canyoning and you can though!

    Try it: In Fort William with Vertical Descents. As the Outdoor Capital of the UK, Fort William offers some of the best outdoor experiences possible. Its towering mountains, deep glens and fast flowing waterfalls make it the perfect place to try canyoning.

  10. Scuba Diving: Get Beneath the Surface Oban

    Puffin Dive Centre, Oban

    If you thought Scotland was beautiful above the water, wait until you see what lies below the waves. Experience the thrill of weightlessly moving through the water and see creatures such as fish, crabs, and octopus in their natural environment.

    Try it: In Oban with Puffin Dive Centre, who offer guided dives for experienced divers and beginner tuition.

    Key facilities
    • Parking
    • Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
  11. Mountaineering: A peak Adventure Activity Various locations across Scotland

    Walkers on Conic Hill

    Mountaineering in Scotland is hugely rewarding, with breathtaking views, a healthy bit of exercise, and a fresh breeze in your face. There are plenty of mountains to climb in Scotland, from towering Munros, challenging Corbetts, and stunning Grahams, all with a myriad of scenery and landscapes to enjoy. If you are thinking of heading out into the mountains and rugged terrain, make sure you're prepared - Mountaineering Scotland has lots of great information; from what to wear, equipment to bring with, safety tips and more.

    Try it: Ben Ghlas and Ben Lawers near Loch Tay, An Stac in Fort William, or Culter Fell in the Scottish Borders, to name a few.

  12. High Ropes: Reach New Heights Various locations across Scotland

    TreeZone Aerial Adventure Course

    Embrace your inner Tarzan, or Jane, and test your mettle with a tree top adventure in Scotland. You can find hundreds of tree top walks and high rope courses in Scotland where you can put your balance and monkey skills to the test - it's also a great day out for the whole family to get involved in!

    Try it: at Go Ape at Glentress, Dalkeith in Edinburgh, and Aberfoyle near Aberdeen, TreeZone in Aviemore, and at the Nevis Range.

The Benefits of Adventure Activities

Getting outdoors in Scotland is a great way to explore the landscape, but it also has many physical and mental benefits too. Aside from getting some fresh air, adventure activities are a great way to challenge yourself, whether as an individual or as a team to escape the busy hustle of life.

Find a multi-activity centre

Other things you might like

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter