Loch Lomond kayaking. Many lochs offer watery activity options ranging from kayaks to sailing dinghies and rowing boats. More information below.
Scotland Activities
Hiking in Scotland is the number one activity with spectacular views and little reminder of the horrors of modern civilisation. These young hikers are on the West Highland Way.
Biking is another terrific way to tour Scotland, though choose your route with care unless you have legs of steel and fancy endless hill-climbing.
St Andrews Royal and Ancient Golf course, with the clubhouse in the background. More information below.
Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain and a magnet for both climbers and trekkers who like a steep challenge.
Winter in the Scottish Highlands is frequently an all white business, and whether it's skiing in Aviemore, snow-shoeing or cool hiking, the hills are magnificently redecorated in white cloaks.
Golf has been played at St Andrews, Scotland, for 600 years, evolving from a track through the heather in 1400 AD to seven public courses now - the largest golfing complex in Europe. All 18 hole courses can be booked in advance if you want a serious golfing vacation.
The accepted history is that golf originated in Scotland in the 12th century, with shepherds banging stones into rabbit holes around St. Andrews.
The first permanent golf course originated there, as did the first written rules, the first 18-hole course, the first golf club memberships and the first golfing tournament - between different Scottish cities. Booking St Andrews Links.
However, the first game of golf recorded was played on the Bruntsfield Links, in the centre of Edinburgh, in 1456. Tourists can play there easily today, it's a very small and informal course surrounded by Victorian buildings housing flats (apartments) and B &Bs. Just show up at the little green hut, rent your clubs and try not to hit the ball through a window or car windscreen. The main hazard on the course is dogs running off with the ball!
Walking/Hiking holidays in Scotland are a lot easier if you let a specialist choose a correctly graded (from gentle to strenuous) itinerary, organise local accommodation and eating on the way, provide an entertaining and informative guide and look after your safety. Group sizes will usually be from 5 to 8 walkers and main luggage will be transferred by organisers from place to place. Scotland Tourism Walking.
Biking in Scotland may be the road version, mountain biking or motorcycling. Between the unpowered bikes road riding is probably the easiest to accomplish without a guide as roads are not difficult to find, though a good route, some mates and someone to carry all the baggage definitely helps the feelgood factor.
Mountain biking really needs local knowledge to get access to the best off-road tracks, provide good kit, nutty companions and find suitable lodging, so a tour package is really essential for this activity.
Good quality motorcycle rentals and tour packages are also readily available for a easy holiday, generally from 3 days to 8 days.
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles at 1,344 metres (4,409 ft). It's in the west of Scotland near the town of Fort William. Locally known as The Ben it gets 100,000 ascents a year (trekking climbs, not rope climbs), most of which use the well-built Pony Track from Glen Nevis on the south side of the mountain.
Rock climbers and mountaineers enjoy the 700-metre (2,300 ft) cliffs of the north side which offer climbs of varied difficulties.
Kayaking in Scotland may involve either loch paddling, river-running, white-water, open canoeing, surf kayaking or sea kayaking, though the first and last options are the most common.
Obviously the lochs are the calmer choice and offer superb views but more professional paddlers often prefer to cruise along the Scottish coastline.
The west coast is more sheltered and diverse, with endless cliffs, castles and coves while the east coast provides a little more in the way of wildlife with plentiful birds, and frequent sightings of seals, dolphins and even whales (especially around the Moray Firth).
Specialists organise kayak vacations ranging from beginner training exercises (in lovely surroundings) to serious long-distance tours. Scottish Canoe Association
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