Crazy Things To Do In Scotland
When you think of places to go for an adventure, Scotland definitely comes up high on that list. The rugged landscapes, magical munros and endless Watersport opportunities are the perfect foundation for some extreme fun! In this post, we’ll go over the top crazy things to do in Scotland.
Bag a Munro
Go white water rafting
Go paragliding
Take a tour of a real 17th Century underground close
Descend 250ft down the Whaligoe Steps
Bag a Munro
If you are not aware what a Munro is, it’s a Scottish mountain with a summit of more than 3000 feet. To bag one means to successfully reach the summit, hence why it’s on our list of crazy things to do in Scotland. As you can imagine, it is a tough but incredibly rewarding hike reaching that summit and the views once you get to the top are sure to take your breath away.
There are nearly 300 Munros in Scotland so you are not short of options and amazingly, some people make it their mission to bag them all! Some of the more popular ones include Ben Hope, Ben Nevis and An Teallach but no matter which one you choose to conquer, you’re sure to enjoy the exhilarating experience.
The weather can be extremely changeable so always pack appropriately and for all weather, no matter the season you’re hiking in.
Go white water rafting
White water rafting is an exhilarating experience, but pair it with the powerful rivers and rapids of Scotland and you really crank it up a notch on the adrenaline score! There are many places you can go river rafting in Scotland, no matter your skill level. For a (slightly) calmer experience or if its your first time, the summer is ideal as the river flow will be slower and the water levels are likely to be lower. For the thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies, after the snow has melted in spring time, or after a heavy rain fall, is the best time to go. The rivers will be in full swing!
Whenever you choose to go, you will have an amazing experience, set against the breathtaking backdrop of rugged, Scottish landscape to boot.
Go paragliding
Soar above the beautiful landscapes as you glide through the air, breathing in that fresh Scottish air. Paragliding is a growing sport in Scotland with a handful of schools offering courses. You don’t need to take a full course, however, and become a trained pilot to experience the thrill of paragliding. Many of the schools will offer a tandem ride, where you are strapped to a fully qualified instructor who will take the controls. This experience is a one day event and most will cover your BHPA membership and insurance, all you need to do is enjoy the ride!
Take a tour of a real 17th Century underground close
Located in Edinburgh Old Town, beneath the Royal Mile, lies Mary Kings close. A well preserved 17th Century street, full of narrow passageways and stories to tell. People lived in close quarters here, with waste being thrown in to the streets due to a lack of a proper sewer system. As you can imagine, when the Black Death came to the country, Mary King’s close was a hot bed for the flea infested rats to spread the disease.
After the plague, people continued to live in Mary King’s close until the early 1900s, with the last person leaving in 1902. It was then sealed up and left, only being rediscovered when workmen digging the road above accidentally broke through and saw the streets below.
Today, you can take a tour of this eerie close that was frozen in time, learning about the people that lived here, the devastation of the plague, 17th Century medicine and what everyday life was like. You truly won’t find an experience like this anywhere else, this is definitely amongst the crazy things to do in Scotland.
Descend 250ft down the Whaligoe Steps
The winding, limestone staircase of the Whaligoe Steps dates back hundreds of years, to the days when this tiny harbour was one of the most important in the region. In 1786, the Scottish engineer Thomas Telford prospected the small harbour of Whaligoe as he toured the northern coastlines.
Despite his judgement of the Whaligoe cliffs as a “terrible spot” for a harbour, Captain David Brodie decided to invest in the creation of a series of steps and a mooring station at the bottom of the 250ft cliffs. After investing £8 in the creation of the 330 limestone steps of Whaligoe, the mooring eventually grew to hold 14 boats by 1814.
This harbour slowly fell into disuse over the years and was eventually abandoned later in the 19th century. From 1998, local volunteers and historians have worked on the steps and the grass at the bottom to maintain its condition for visitors to the harbour. It is thanks to these hard-working locals that visitors are able to stroll down the steps and admire the peace and tranquillity of the harbour from the bottom of the cliffs.
Have you ever done any of these activities in Scotland? Or have some suggestions of other crazy things to do in Scotland? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.
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