Unique Things To Do In Scotland
Scotland is an incredible place to visit, with breathtaking scenery, magical castles, tasty food and architecture full of character. It’s no wonder it’s on so many people’s travel wish list! But there is more to this beautiful country than you might expect, in fact there are some things you can ONLY do in Scotland! In this post, we’re going to share with you the top unique things to do in Scotland.
Unique Things To Do In Scotland
Land on a beach runway
See the Harry Potter bridge
Husky sledding
Visit a real 17th Century underground city
Go inside a natural sea cave
Land on a beach runway
Traigh Mhor, Isle of Barra
No seriously, if you fly to the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides you will land on the beach! Traigh Mhor, meaning ‘big beach’, is a beautiful white sand beach that lies between the villages of Ardmhor and Eoligarry.
The beach is completely submerged at high tide but between the tides, and when there are no scheduled flights, the beach is open to the public. Its a wonderful place to take a stroll, search for cockles or capture some stunning photography.
This beach runway is the only one in the world used for scheduled services, which definitely makes it one of the most unique things to do in Scotland.
See the Harry Potter bridge
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Did you know you can go and see the actual railway bridge that featured in the 2nd and 3rd Harry Potter films? The Victorian bridge, called the Glenfinnan Viaduct, is the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland and you can see it in all its beauty from the viewpoint.
Head up the hill from the Glenfinnan visitor centre car park to catch breathtaking views down to Loch Sheil and across to the viaduct. It’s the perfect viewpoint to see the viaduct and even catch the Jacobite steam train in action as it passes across, every day, in spring and autumn.
There is a new path from the visitor centre too, where you can take a 20 minute walk and get up close to this mighty structure and really appreciate how tall the bridge is.
Or for an immersive day out, ride across the viaduct by catching the Jacobite steam train itself from Fort William to Glenfinnan, as you take in the views from one of the most picturesque train rides in the country. From Glenfinnan station, there is a 1.5 mile walk, on a well built path, that takes you through the landscape, past the viaduct and on to the Glenfinnan monument.
Go Husky Sledding
You don’t have to go to the far reaches of the arctic to experience the thrill of a husky ride, there are places in Scotland that offer just that. The beautiful landscape of the Scottish highlands is home to a few companies that offer this unique experience and it can be enjoyed whether there is snow or not.
All of them are fully trained and will teach you about their beautiful Huskies before you get togged up and hit the trail. This activity can be enjoyed by couples and families alike and offers a totally unique experience when in Scotland.
Visit a real 17th Century underground city
The real Mary King’s close in Edinburgh
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 one of the most unique things to do in Scotland.
Go inside a natural sea cave
Fingal’s Cave
The spectacular Fingal’s cave is a natural sea cave, situated just off of the uninhabited island of Staffa, in the Inner Hebrides. Its striking appearance is due to the basalt columns its made of, created 60 million years ago when a lava flow cooled, causing the molten rock to shrink and create the ‘gaps’, resulting in columns.
Despite the remote location and dramatic structure, there is actually a natural walkway that means at low tide, you can walk right inside the cave! For many years, this natural wonder has been a source of inspiration for people, including famous artists and botanists, and many have made a pilgrimage to this must visit place in Scotland.
Tour operators run trips to this beautiful island and to Fingal’s Cave plus some offer wild swimming and snorkelling experiences too. Combine it with trips to nearby Mull and Iona and be inspired by the rugged beauty of the Inner Hebrides.
Have you experienced any of these activities in Scotland? Or do you have a totally unique thing to do in Scotland to share with others? Let us know your ideas and suggestions in the comment section below.
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