Scotland Travel Guide

Places to visit in Scotland

Scotland's best places to visit are concentrated enough that a single well-planned tour can take in several highlights. Here's an overview of the key destinations you'll encounter on a Newmarket Holidays escorted tour.

Top things to do in Scotland

Scotland's range of experiences is one of its great strengths. The activities below cover some of the most popular things to do in Scotland, from iconic landmarks to scenic journeys and relaxed loch cruises. Many are included within Newmarket Holidays tours; others can be enjoyed during time at leisure. Always check individual tour itineraries, as free time varies by tour.

1. Attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Overview: Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress dominating the skyline, home to Scotland's crown jewels and centuries of royal history. Pairing your visit with the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – held on the castle esplanade each August – transforms it into a truly spellbinding occasion. Military bands, display teams, and performers from around the world create a spectacular evening of music and pageantry on one of the most dramatic natural stages in the world. Find out more here.

Time needed: Two to three hours for the castle; Tattoo performances typically last 90–120 minutes.
Estimated cost: Castle tickets from approximately £19–£22; Tattoo tickets typically £30–£80 depending on seating.
Accessibility: The castle includes steep gradients and steps; partial step-free routes exist. Tattoo seating is mostly accessible – check official guidance for specific requirements.
 

2. Walk the Royal Mile

Overview: A gentle sightseeing route connecting Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, lined with historic closes, independent shops, and museums. It's one of the finest things to see in Scotland – entirely at your own pace.

Time needed: One to two hours, longer with museum stops.
Estimated cost: Free to walk; optional museum entry fees apply.
Accessibility: Mostly manageable, though cobbled in places with some slopes.

Featured on: The Royal Caledonian

3. Explore Glasgow city highlights

Overview: Glasgow blends rich industrial heritage with modern culture. Top attractions include the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow Cathedral, the Riverside Museum, and the Merchant City district. A full day here rarely feels long enough.

Time needed: A full sightseeing day, longer if visiting multiple museums or galleries.
Estimated cost: Most major museums are free or request a donation; some paid attractions are around £10–£12.
Accessibility: Major museums and galleries have ramps and lifts. Some historic sites include steps – check official guidance before visiting.
 

4. Visit Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle

Overview: Enjoy the classic Highland scenery around Loch Ness, with a boat cruise on the loch itself and the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle as a magnificent backdrop. It's one of the most famous places in Scotland, and hugely rewarding on an escorted tour.

Time needed: Half-day to full-day, typically as part of a wider tour itinerary.
Estimated cost: From approximately £15 for Urquhart Castle entry (if visiting independently).
Accessibility: Loch viewpoints are generally accessible; the castle site includes some uneven ground.

5. Journey through the Scottish Highlands by coach

Overview: The Highlands are one of Scotland's most beautiful regions, and exploring them by coach – with an expert tour manager on hand – is the most comfortable and rewarding way to do it. Expect sweeping glens, mirror-still lochs, ancient forests, and the vast open skies that make the north of Scotland so distinctive.

Time needed: One to three days across a tour itinerary.
Estimated cost: Included on escorted tours.
Accessibility: Excellent for travellers who prefer sightseeing by coach with regular comfort breaks.

Featured on: The Best of the Scottish Highlands
 

6. Take a loch cruise

Overview: A loch cruise is one of the most relaxed ways to experience Scotland's scenery. Whether you're gliding across Loch Ness with sonar equipment scanning the depths below, or enjoying Loch Lomond's wooded shores from the water, it's a peaceful and thoroughly enjoyable hour or two.

Time needed: One to two hours.
Estimated cost: Typically £15–£25 independently; included on selected tours.
Accessibility: Many cruise boats offer step-free boarding, though this varies by provider.

Featured on: Christmas in the Highlands

7. Travel on a scenic Scottish railway

Overview: One of the most memorable things to do in Scotland is to travel on its legendary railways. The West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig – crossing the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct – has been voted the world's best train journey by Wanderlust Magazine. The Strathspey Steam Railway offers a wonderful nostalgic journey through the Cairngorms, and the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line passes through some of the most remote and breathtaking scenery in Britain.

Time needed: Half-day to full-day journeys, depending on the route.
Estimated cost: Included on relevant escorted tours; check individual itineraries for details.
Accessibility: Most modern Scottish trains offer step-free access, designated wheelchair spaces, and accessible toilets. Facilities may vary on heritage services.

Signature dishes by region

Scottish cuisine reflects the country's geography: the coast and islands are rich in seafood, the Highlands lean on game and Highland beef, and the cities offer everything from traditional pub fare to ambitious contemporary cooking.

Edinburgh and the Lothians: Cullen skink, Scotch broth, and cranachan are all widely available in the city’s pubs and restaurants. Edinburgh’s dining scene has grown significantly in recent years, with high-quality bistros sitting alongside traditional taverns.

Glasgow and the West: A fish supper – fresh fish and chips from a traditional Scottish fryer – remains a Friday evening institution. Steak pie and tablet are also highlights, as is the city’s increasingly diverse restaurant scene.

The Highlands: Venison casseroles and pies are a Highland staple, alongside haggis, neeps and tatties and oatcakes served with local cheese. Many Highland hotels take pride in sourcing from nearby farms, estates, and smokehouses.

Vegetarian & plant-based dining

Vegetarian and plant-based options are widely available across Scotland, particularly in cities and larger towns. Edinburgh has a strong vegetarian and vegan dining scene, and most pubs and hotel restaurants offer at least one or two vegetarian main courses. Supermarkets and cafés throughout the country make it easy to find lighter options for lunch.

When dining out, it’s always worth asking staff about ingredients in soups, gravies, and traditional dishes, as these sometimes include meat-based stocks.

Safe street food & drinking water tips

Tap water is safe to drink across Scotland, and refilling a water bottle from the tap is entirely normal in cities and towns. Street food is most common in larger cities and at seasonal markets – food markets are a great place to sample local produce, artisan baking, and regional specialities.

If you’re visiting a whisky distillery (several appear on Newmarket Holidays tours, including Glen Ord on the Black Isle and the Strathspey region), note that measures can be generous. Pacing is encouraged.

Local dining etiquette

Service in Scotland is generally relaxed and unhurried, which suits the pace of an escorted touring holiday very well. In pubs, it’s common to order at the bar, though table service is also available in many places. Booking ahead is recommended in popular areas, particularly in summer and during Edinburgh’s festival season in August.

Tipping is optional; 10–12.5 percent is typical in restaurants when service isn’t already included. If you’re trying whisky at a distillery, the traditional approach is to taste it neat first, then add a small drop of water if you wish – a subtle ritual that purists swear makes a real difference.

The best time to visit Scotland

Scotland can be visited year-round, but the experience varies noticeably by season. The main factors to consider are daylight hours, temperature and rainfall, crowd levels, and what kind of scenery you’re hoping to encounter. Late spring and early autumn tend to offer the most balanced conditions for touring, which is why these periods remain the most popular.

Spring (March–May)

Spring brings longer days, markedly quieter attractions, and some of the freshest Highland scenery of the year. Temperatures are mild – typically 8–14°C – and the landscapes are vivid with new growth. April and May in particular are outstanding months for touring: lighter evenings, reasonable weather, and none of the summer crowds. This is one of the best times to visit Scotland for travellers who prefer a more peaceful pace.

Summer (June–August)

The warmest months, with temperatures ranging from around 15–19°C in the Highlands and occasionally warmer in the cities. Daylight is exceptional – in June, it barely gets dark in the north. July and August are the busiest months, with Edinburgh at its most lively during the festival season. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place in August. Note that midges – small biting insects – are most active in summer near lochs and in the west; a light insect repellent is sensible in those areas.

Autumn (September–November)

Early autumn is outstanding in Scotland. September offers warm, settled weather (around 12–18°C), stunning golden colours in the glens and forests, and noticeably fewer visitors than summer. It’s one of the best months to visit Scotland for castle and city breaks as well as Highland touring. October cools further but remains very atmospheric; November is quieter and cooler, with shorter days.

Winter (December–February)

Scotland’s cities are charming in winter – Edinburgh is particularly captivating in December, with its Christmas markets and festive atmosphere. The Newmarket Holidays Christmas in the Highlands tour departs on 23 December and includes a Loch Ness cruise, the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, and a traditional Highland Cèilidh on Christmas Day. Winters are cold (around 3–07°C), with shorter days and a quieter pace across the country.