Scotland

Scotland is synonymous with wild, dramatic scenery, the ancient romance of the clan system and their castles and tartans, and we blend that together with our unrivalled local knowledge to create adventurous and inspiring travel experiences that, in some cases, will transform lives.  

Hike, bike, paddle or sail on the rewarding journeys we create through majestic landscapes, that over time, appear to have inherited the perfect proportions of mountain, forest, loch and sea. Learn new skills from local artisans and craftspeople, join in a musical ceilidh, taste the fresh cuisine in our favourite hidden foodie spots, and soak up the ancient history and legends at one of the many fairytale castles, crumbling forts, and ancient monuments.

We invite you to work with us to build purposeful and enriching travel experiences to some of the UK’s most magical regions, from remote islands to quaint villages and wild backcountry.

Whatever the motivation for travelling, Scotland provides the ideal playground for active, experiential, cultural and nature-based travel experiences.

Learn more about Scotland’s regions and the iconic locations that have made it a must-visit destination for many travellers.

Scotland hosts great mountain ranges and dramatic glens, wild coastlines and a vast network of islands, as well as sleepy village and rolling farmland dotted with sheep. Read on to see a more detailed description of the regions of Scotland.

The exact boundary of the Scottish Highlands changes depending on who you speak to but one thing everyone can agree on is the incredible diversity of landscapes, wildlife and history it contains. Occupying the northwestern upland regions of Scotland, the Highlands are home to some of the highest mountains and great open spaces in Britain.

At the heart of Scottish Highlands, the Cairngorms National Park is filled with stunning glens, forests and lochs, interlinked by forest trails that are a walker or mountain bikers dream. From the Great Glen to Speyside and Loch Ness, the central Highlands offer fantastic walking trails, stunning lakes, and plenty of Scottish whiskies. The northwest Highlands are a canvas of dramatic peaks made of Torridonian sandstone, wooded glens and intricate lochs. Recognised for their wild natural beauty, the North West Highlands are UNESCO-endorsed and enjoy European Geopark status in recognition of their outstanding geology and landscape.

The western Highlands are a huge playground of mountains, valleys and coastlines that are a walkers paradise. The turquoise waters are just right for sea kayaking, and the landscape and coastline combine to form the perfect home for Scotland’s most iconic wildlife species. Regardless of whether visitors are looking to discover the wild landscapes on foot, by bike, or paddling, the Highlands have it all.

Scotland’s coasts are home to a complex system of islands big and small. As varied as they are beautiful, the islands of Scotland are often broken down into a few groups. The Inner Hebrides, which includes the famous Isle of Skye, as well as Eigg, Rum and Mull, offer stunning landscapes and rich local communities proud of their island heritage. Looking to visit more than one island? Islay, Jura, Gigha, Mull and Iona are perfect for island hopping.

Further away from the mainland lie the Outer Hebrides and the Isles of Lewis and Harris, as well as a number of smaller less-visited islands. Here, find ancient archaeology (like the Callanish Standing Stones which actually pre-date Stonehenge), clifftop lighthouses and stunning turquoise beaches like that of Luskentyre Beach.

The Orkney Islands are also a fascinating place to visit, home to a wealth of Neolithic Era monuments, including the ancient village of Skara Brae. Want something truly unique? The far-flung St. Kilda (the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site) is an eerie, teacup-sized evacuated in 1930 due to its remote location.

True to its name, the Scottish Lowlands are flatter and more fertile than the Highlands, meaning that this region has traditionally been more populous. This is where you’ll find two of Scotland’s major cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Dotted with quaint villages, fields of sheep and stunning castles, the Lowlands and the Scottish Borders have a subtle beauty from rolling hills and lush glens to winding rivers and a beautiful coastline.

The quiet country roads, fewer visitors, little-explored corners and low hills of the Lowlands make this an ideal region in which to explore by bike. A journey through the Lowlands is also easy to combine with a trip across the border to northern England.

Biking isn’t the only activity here though – walking in the Lowlands is also great, and there is plenty of history in which to get immersed. There are a multitude of activities available, such as canoeing, fishing, boat trips, and horse riding. For visitors interested in culture, there are plenty of castles, historical monuments and even some Roman sites. And of course, nothing beats a stroll along the shining cobblestones of Edinburgh’s beautiful streets or a visit to the impressive castle above the city.