Activity holidays & breaks in Scotland

So what might you experience on an adventure holiday in Scotland? With thrilling watersports, scenic walking trails, adrenaline-pumping cycling routes and a range of extreme sports, an activity weekend will no doubt be a rewarding, Instagram-worthy feat.

An activity holiday is perfect for groups of family and friends. Make it an adventure weekend and find new ways to challenge yourself - you might even get a friendly bit of competition on the go!

Why not book a guided active break and really make the most of your time here? There are lots of activity providers who run trips where you can meet like-minded people, venture off the beaten track, discover new passions and, most importantly, explore Scotland's wild side.

You can now travel short distances of around 5 miles to enjoy the outdoors and exercise in Scotland, to use public spaces for recreational purposes such as sitting to soak up the sun (where possible!), and to meet up with one other household in small numbers. Please remember to maintain physical distancing of 2 metres at all times, both indoors and outdoors.

The following activities are also now possible following the above advice during Phase 1: cycling, fishing, horse riding, golf, walking, hiking and watersports.

Adventure & adrenaline holiday ideas

Should you be after activities with a guaranteed adrenalin rush, or challenges that will push you to your physical and mental limits, you've come to the right place - Scotland has an incredible adventure activity offering.

From Munro-bagging to bungee jumping, Scotland offers a wide range of activities. Some, such as aqualining, are pretty unique. Many activities are great value for money, so an adventure break won't necessarily break the bank!

If you're keen to try a variety of activities over a few days, base yourself in a location where there are lots of activities on your doorstep, such as Fort William and Lochaber, Highland Perthshire, Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, or Loch Lomond - all of which are easy to get to.

Family activity holiday ideas

Scotland is made for a family adventure holiday. From aerial assault courses to horse riding treks, the country has a massive range of outdoor family activities. You'll find you can entertain the kids from dawn until dusk (and even in the middle of the night - stargazing, anyone?).

With brilliant multi-activity centres, activity providers and top attractions, there are endless possibilities for days out packed with family-friendly outdoor activities. Outdoor fun needn't cost the earth - many are budget-friendly, offering discounted prices for kids or family groups.

Top adventure destinations in Scotland

Fort William & Lochaber

Ben Nevis, Lochaber 

It's no surprise that Fort William and surrounding Lochaber is known as the 'Outdoor Capital of the UK'. Home to Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain and the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, it's here you can walk, climb, bike, sail, ski, snowboard, or dive to your heart's content. Or maybe you'll try watersports, such as sea kayaking or river canyoning. Getting there is easy - it's just a 2 hour 30 minutes car journey from Glasgow, and the town is also connected to Glasgow by rail. From London, you can hop on board the Caledonian Sleeper and wake up the next morning in Fort William!

Aviemore & The Cairngorms National Park

Rothiemurchus Forest, Cairngorms National Park

Aviemore makes a fantastic base to enjoy all the wonders of the Cairngorms National Park. Ascend the CairnGorm Mountain for snowsports in winter, or for walk and views in the spring and summer months, or head to Loch Morlich for on-the-water activities and River Spey for exhilarating adventure watersports. It's easy to get here from Scotland's cities - from Inverness, it's a 45 minute drive or just 40 minutes on the train.

Highland Perthshire

River Tay, Perthshire © Timex/Andrew McCandlish

The forests, hillsides, lochs and rivers of Highland Perthshire offer a wealth of activities to try, from off road 4x4 experiences to white water rafting on the River Tay. There are great cycling routes to suit all ages and abilities, as well as opportunities for horse riding. Thrill seekers shouldn't miss the chance to try the Highland Fling Bungee Jump at Killiecrankie. With the A9 road passing right through Highland Perthshire, travelling there couldn't be simpler.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch 

Those famous bonnie, bonnie banks offer more than just stunning views - there's plenty of great activities to fill you days with. Try watersports on Loch Lomond itself, such as wakeboarding or kayaking, or climb to the peaks of Ben Arthur, known as 'The Cobbler'. In Aberfoyle, you could have a treetop adventure through the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Forest Park at Go Ape. The shores of Loch Lomond are reachable from Glasgow in under 45 minutes and 1 hour 40 minutes from Edinburgh.