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Surfing At Brims Ness

  1. Home
  2. Things to do
  3. Outdoor Activities
  4. Watersports

Watersports in Scotland

We're renowned for our fresh waters and epic seascapes, so there are plenty of different watersports in Scotland to try. From serene lochs to fast moving rapids, peaceful rivers to crashing waves, it's the perfect place to try something new or hone your watersport skills. Let's dive in!

Most popular watersports in Scotland

With everything from diving in Edinburgh to wakeboarding in Loch Lomond, surfing on Tiree and sea kayaking in the Outer Hebrides, you're in for a thrilling adventure in Scotland. Explore some of our most popular watersports and enjoy a day out by the water.

Canoeing & kayaking holidays in Scotland

Scotland is a paradise for paddlers, with many types of kayaking and canoeing pursuits available.

Surfing & windsurfing in Scotland

Catch some waves in Scotland. Check out some of our best surfing spots!

Sailing in Scotland

Set sail in Scotland. Find info on boat hire, yacht charters, places to drop anchor and useful resources.

Stand-up paddleboarding in Scotland

Stand-up paddle boarding, often shortened to SUP, is one of the UK’s fastest growing watersports.

Canyoning, gorge walking & coasteering

Jump, slide and swim as you experience a canyoning, gorge walking or coasteering adventure in Scotland. Learn what's involved in all three.

White water rafting in Scotland

Prepare yourself for incredible thrills! Find out when and where to go for great rapids and book a rafting trip with an adventure company.

Scuba diving

With battle ships and magnificent marine life, the waters of Scotland feature some of the world's most exciting diving sites.

Wakeboarding

A bit like water-skiing, but on a board, riders skim across the water being towed behind a motorboat.

What's new

Discover the latest experiences, trails and watersport events taking place across Scotland.

Lost Shore Surf Resort

Come and visit Europe’s largest inland surfing destination, open now. Both novice and expert surfers will love it.

Tweed Valley Canoe Trail

Stretching 30-miles of the River Tweed, this first official canoe trail in south Scotland reaches from Stobo to Tweedbank amidst stunning scenery.

Spotlight: wild swimming in Scotland

Looking for some inspiration? Check out our recommendations for wild swimming spots in Scotland.

Stunning wild swimming locations in Scotland

Discover some of the best spots to go wild swimming in Scotland.

Stay safe in the water

Surfing lesson with George Watt Surf School at Fraserburgh Beach

© Discover Fraserburgh / Damian Shields

Read the RNLI's guidelines on water safety when taking part in water-based activities.

RNLI safety advice for watersports 

Water Safety Scotland (WSS) also provides water safety codes for various water-based activities. 

WSS safety codes for water activities

A note on scuba diving in Scotland

Scuba diving in particular is great fun, but can also be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing or don't have the right equipment. Reading the RNLI's advice on this activity and booking a course of lessons is highly recommended.

Safety advice for diving

Some businesses which offer diving trips and courses for both beginner and experienced divers include:

  • Freedom Diving based near Stirling
  • Puffin Dive Centre in Argyll

Adventurous divers can also explore the cold water reefs, wrecks and marine life with companies like:

  • Basking Shark Scotland in Argyll
  • Deep Blue Scuba in Edinburgh

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