Haggis, neeps and tatties
Traditional Food & Drink
Authentic Scottish food and drink is a hearty affair which celebrates the amazing natural larder of the nation. Taste freshly caught seafood, succulent beef and game raised just a stone's throw away from your table, and, of course, haggis, neeps and tatties (that's 'turnips and potatoes' in Scots), all washed down with a nice wee dram of whisky.
Speaking of whisky. There's a reason it's our national tipple; every dram is a distillation of Scotland. From the perfectly peaty malts of Islay to the delicate drams of the Lowlands, every distillery captures the soul, history, and heart of their surrounding area.
Taste the finest authentic Scottish food and drink at Michelin-starred restaurants, farmers’ markets, historic whisky distilleries, bustling bars, lively pubs and cool cafés.
Pipe band marching at Ballater Highland Games
© VisitScotland / David N Anderson
Historical Landmarks & Events
Ruined castles, auld kirks, crumbling crofts, historic battlefields and mysterious standing stones: the history of Scotland can be found all around you. But a true journey through the Scotland of your ancestors brings together the past and present – from the bustling cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh to remote islands untouched by time.
But our history isn’t just found in soil and stone. Watch an ancient Scottish custom come to life at a traditional Highland games. Dating as far back as the 11th century, you won’t find a finer expression of national pride than at one of these riveting celebrations of Highland sportsmanship, music, culture and community.
Dores Beach, Loch Ness
Historical Landscapes and Natural Beauty
From heather-clad hills rolling over the horizon to glistening lochs with vast, ever-changing skies hanging overhead, the beauty of Scotland is unrivalled. Walk among the landscapes once inhabited by your forebears and see Scotland through their eyes. Admire the grandeur of Scotland’s landscapes, from the towering peak of Ben Nevis to the mysterious depths of Loch Ness.
Celtic Connections
© Glasgow Life / Gaelle Beri
Traditional Scottish Music
Heart-rending Gaelic ballads, toe-tapping fiddle reels, the reverberating drone of the bagpipes; Scotland's traditional music stirs the heart and soul. From ceilidhs and Highland games to packed concert halls and pub gatherings, the melodies and rhythms played and sung today are as old as Scotland itself. You’ll be ablet to hear traditional music at a huge range of festivals and gigs including the internationally renowned Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow and the fiddling extravaganza that is the Shetland Folk Festival, among many others.
Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, Isle Of Lewis
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins
HISTORIC PLACES TO STAY
Scotland’s historic characteristics trickle down into the accommodation on offer too. With centuries old cottages, traditional brochs and blackhouses, as well as castles to stay in, you can connect with the past in more ways than you think. You can also browse a range of accommodation that supports people looking to investigate their Scottish roots and ancestry, through the Ancestral Welcome Scheme.
