Famous for friendly folks, tasty whiskeys, highlands, bagpipes, and live music, Scotland is definitely one of the greatest destinations on Earth. Located in the United Kingdom, it covers the northern portion of Great Britain island. The name of this country is derived from “Scoti,” which is a Latin term for the ethnolinguistic Irish native group called Gaels. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland; it is a popular tourist spot and one of the largest financial centers in the world. If you have never been here before, check out these 10 bucket-list experiences you must have in Scotland, the UK.
1. Channel your inner Potterhead in a magical Ediburgh tour (from USD 18.0)
Book this Edinburgh’s original Harry Potter tour for an enchanting experience of Hogwarts’ world. For 90 minutes, you will get to explore Greyfriars Kirkyard, a historic place where J.K. Rowling derived the names of the said novel’s characters. This interactive tour will also take you to the places where Rowling wrote the novel. You can also participate in a house points competition or learn some interesting Harry Potter trivia from the expert tour guides. The tour ends at Diagon Alley which is often referred to as Victoria Street by muggles.
Edinburgh's Original Harry Potter Tour
Duration: 1.5 hours
2. Taste exquisite salmon dishes at a local smokehouse (from USD 54.0)
Your trip would not be complete without experiencing the taste of Scotland. Tour Isle of Skye, a smokehouse that allows tourists to relish yummy salmon recipes and differentiate the taste between wild salmon versus farmed salmon. You will also get to learn how the local alder wood is prepared to create smoke for hot smoked salmon. Tourists can also smell the secret spices to cure the salmon. The tour is good for 2 hours and can accommodate up to 10 tourists at a time.
Isle of Skye Smokehouse Tour & Tasting
Duration: 2 hours
3. Go sightseeing from the summit of an extinct volcano (from USD 22.0)
Make sure to grab a liter or two of drinking water because Arthur’s Seat tour involves walking through a scenic park and climbing to reach the summit of the said extinct volcano. It’s all worth it once you’re at the summit because from there, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the city. During the tour, you will also learn the interesting history of Edinburgh through the help of a knowledgeable local guide. To keep you safe from the risks of COVID-19, this two-and-a-half-hour tour is only good for small groups with social distancing.
Remarkable Sights From Arthur's Seat
Duration: 2.5 hours
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4. Groove to the beats of Belize drums (from USD 42.0)
Enjoy Caribbean-inspired drumming in a Victorian home or garden in this one-hour Airbnb experience. Here, you will get to experience playing the beats of Belize using drums and maracas. You will also get a closer look at the history of Garifuna culture, a UNESCO-recognized Afro-Caribbean culture intertwined with the UK. The host will also sing a traditional Garifuna song while you’re playing the drums. Form a group of four and have fun in this unique and musically inclined experience.
Drum to the Garifuna Beats of Belize
Duration: 1 hour
5. Savor Scotland's finest whiskeys in a local bar (from USD 17.0)
Don’t conclude your entire Scotland getaway without trying its great-tasting whiskeys. This tour begins by meeting the hosts at the iconic Royal Mile, and then going on a short walk to The Waverley, Edinburgh’s prominent whiskey bar. Within two hours, you can taste some Single Malt Scotch Whiskeys from the leading whiskey-producing regions of Scotland. The hosts will also discuss the history of why whiskey is the spirit of Scotland’s rich culture.
Whisky and Folklore
Duration: 2 hours
6. Feel like a paleontologist in central Edinburgh (from USD 12.0)
Discover some fossilized critters, fish, or ammonoids in this two-hour tour on the streets of Central Edinburgh. Not only that, you will get to appreciate the historic landscape of the said city. You will also be in awe upon learning a lot about the history of life on Earth recorded in the rocks. The host has a Ph.D. in paleobiology so your mind will definitely be fed with some mind-boggling info about fossils.
Pavement Palaeontology
Duration: 2 hours
7. Enjoy walking with an alpaca (from USD 25.0)
This experience begins by meeting the host who will take you to the alpaca pen. At the pen, she will discuss how she takes care of the alpacas. Then, she will assign one of her three alpacas to walk around some fields with you. Since the host only allows one alpaca per guest, the tour can accommodate only three tourists at a time. During the walk, you will witness the captivating beauty of Scottish sceneries. The three alpacas are adorable, so don’t forget to take pictures with them.
Alpaca Trekking & Scottish Scenery
Duration: 1 hour
8. Witness how local watches are built (from USD 208.0)
Learn more about the history of local watch manufacturing and get into personalized watch building in this one-hour experience for four. The host owns Kartel Scotland, a watch manufacturing company. He will commence the tour by taking you to the company’s worksite in St. Andrews. This unique experience lets you craft your own personalized watch with the help of the master watchmaker named Dale. During the experience, you can also order a cup of coffee, tea, whiskey, or local wine along with some local fruits.
St Andrews Watch Building Experience
Duration: 1 hour
9. Indulge in an afternoon tea at a popular author's childhood home (from USD 34.0)
If you’re a fan of “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” or “Treasure Island,” why not explore the author’s childhood home? Book this one-of-a-kind experience and it will take you to the historic Stevenson House, the childhood home of Robert Louis Stevenson, author of the said novels. For two hours, you will learn more about how life was during the time of Scotland’s most-read author. You will also get to taste homebaked cakes paired with tea or coffee during the entire experience.
Drink tea in a famous author's home
Duration: 2 hours
10. Walk on the world's most popular body of water (from USD 21.0)
Book this Airbnb experience and enjoy walking at the trails, holiday boat sailing, or witnessing the wildlife scene in Loch Ness. You will definitely love the waters in Loch Ness as they appear like silk from afar. On the other hand, the entire tour package is for one-and-a-half hours. You will meet with the skilled local tour guide at Kilmore Road, Drumnadrochit. On the way to the destination, you will pass by Urquhart Bay Woodland where the historic Urquhart Castle is located.
A Walk and a Dram down to Loch Ness
Duration: 1.5 hours
What a great time to be alive when in Scotland
Scotland, UK, is filled with unique bucket-list experiences you must try while you are able to travel. Once you arrive here, you might feel you don’t want to go back home for days or weeks. Don’t forget to carefully plan your Scotland travel during these trying times and bring lots of disinfectants and face masks. We hope you have a safe and memorable trip here soon!
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