Scotland: 15 must-dos for an unforgettable trip

Scotland is a country of castles and famous universities, kilts and bagpipes, and nature that will take your breath away. Go to this amazing corner of the planet and discover it from an unknown side.

But this country will truly open up for you if you devote time not only to its famous attractions, but also to places hidden from the gaze of tourists. We’ll tell you what you absolutely need to do in this country to make your trip memorable for many years.

Drink Scotch whiskey at the distillery

Whiskey has been the hallmark of Scotland for many years. There are five whiskey producing regions in the country: Speyside, Campbeltown, Islay, Lowland and Highland. Distilleries offer tours where you can see all the stages of creating the drink and taste it. The cost of an excursion lasting 45 minutes-1.5 hours for one person is $6-30.

Try national cuisine 

Scottish cuisine is a variety of flavors and locally sourced ingredients. Traditional haggis is made from lamb offal, onions, fat, spices and oatmeal. The cleansed stomach is filled with this mixture and then boiled in a rich broth. The taste of the dish will exceed all expectations. 

Another pride of Scotland's national cuisine is nipps tattis. Mashed potatoes and rutabaga are considered the best side dish for haggis. The average cost of a small portion of haggis with a side dish is $15, and a large portion is $20. 

Enjoy the sound of bagpipes

The bagpipes are another national symbol of Scotland. While a few centuries ago bagpipers played for clans and military campaigns, today street musicians give free concerts right in the city center. The bagpipers will be happy to not only play for you, but also take a photo together.

Visit Scotland's oldest university

Scottish universities are traditionally included in the ranking of the best universities in the world. The University of St. Andrews is known not only for the quality of education, but also for its architectural monuments located on the territory of the ancient city.

The main pride of the educational institution is its graduates, including Rudyard Kipling, Bertie Forbes, Prince William and Kate Middleton.

There are dormitories and guest houses on the university premises where visitors can stay. Agnes Blackadder Hall costs $80-$148 per night, David Russell Apartments costs $80-$450, and McIntosh Hall costs $71-$96.

National Gallery of Scotland

The National Gallery brought together the works of the greatest artists. Along with works by Titian, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, the gallery exhibits works by representatives of the Scottish school, who talk about the history and culture of the country through the prism of their creativity. 

Entry to the National Gallery is free for all visitors. 

Opening hours: 10:00 – 17:00.

Experience the history of Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh has more listed buildings than any other city in the world, and Edinburgh Castle is its crowning glory. It survived the wars of England and Scotland, was a prison for sailors and pilots and remained the main fortress of the city. Currently, the castle houses historical treasures, including the Stone of Destiny for the inauguration of monarchs, royal regalia and the Mons Meg cannon.

If you buy a ticket online, it costs $24, while at the castle it costs $27.

Opening hours: 9:30-18:00 (from April 1 to September 30), 9:30-17:00 (from October 1 to March 31).

Take a flight on the world's shortest flight

The Scottish company Loganair offers to buy a ticket for a flight with a route length of only 2.73 km and a duration of 1.5 minutes. This is how long it takes to travel between the islands of Westray and Papa Westray. This route is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the shortest scheduled flight in the world.

Spend a day in a city with two streets

Dunkeld is an amazing town located on the banks of the River Tay. It is here that you can admire the ruins of the ancient Dalkend Cathedral and go fishing in the park. When browsing the shops along the city's main street, look out for locally produced salmon products and the national symbol – whisky. 

If you plan to stay in the city until the evening, feel free to head to the traditional music pub Taybank. The average cost of dinner per person is $50.

Immerse yourself in football culture

Football is one of the main national sports in Scotland. The confrontation between Rangers and Celtic from Glasgow has been considered the local “clasico” of the national championship for many years. Don't miss the opportunity to be at the center of football in Scotland and be part of the sporting celebration. 

A ticket to a Celtic home game costs $37, and a Rangers game costs $37-49.

Unravel the mystery of the Loch Ness monster

Loch Ness is surrounded by legends about the mysterious inhabitant of its waters. For many years tourists have been trying to capture it in the waters of the lake. If you still fail to see the famous monster, you can stroll along picturesque waterfalls and explore the secrets of ancient castles. 

See Scotland from the silver screen

The Glencoe Valley is one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in Scotland, formed by glaciers and volcanoes. The routes that lead through the mountains and pristine nature make this place a center of attraction for tourists from all over the world.

Glencoe gained fame through filming. For example, “007: Skyfall” and ” Harry Potter ” were filmed in the valley. It was here that Harry, Hermione and Ron visited Hagrid's hut, and the route of the famous Hogwarts Express ran through the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Take a ferry to the Isle of Mull

The Isle of Mull is a journey to white sand beaches and picturesque Tobermory. Every house along the pier is painted in a bright color, and the main street of the city is famous for its shops and cafes. You can only get to the island by ferry. During the crossing you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the Sound of Sleat.

The ferry fare from Oban to Craigner roundtrip for one passenger is $9.60.

Be part of the Fringe Festival

Fringe is an unofficial part of the international arts festival, which is held in August in the capital of Scotland – Edinburgh. For three weeks, festival participants from all over the world present their show programs to the audience : cabaret, theater productions, children's performances, musicals and spoken word performances. Most shows are free, and the cost of entry to paid shows won't break your budget much.

Celebrate Samhain 

Samhain is a special holiday, the progenitor of modern Halloween, which is celebrated on the night of October 31 to November 1. The Samhain Fire Festival takes place every year in Edinburgh. The city is filled with dance, music and theatrical performances of the seasons.

The holiday traditionally takes place in the most significant locations of the Scottish capital, including the Royal Mile, Holyrood Park and the Old Town. The cost of a “voluntary” donation to attend the festival is $6.15.

Choose a traditional kilt

For the Scots, the kilt is their symbol, history and national pride. Traditionally it is made of tartan and secured with buckles and straps.

To sew a kilt, you can go to a workshop or buy a finished product. The cost of a kilt made from synthetic materials in the store is $50, from natural ones – $123-246. Sewing products in the workshop starts from $355.