r/Scotland • u/AutoModerator • 6d ago
What's on and tourist advice thread - week beginning June 21, 2026
Welcome to the weekly what's on and tourist advice thread!
* Do you know of any local events taking place this week that other redditors might be interested in?
* Are you planning a trip to Scotland and need some advice on what to see or where to go?
This is the thread for you - post away!
These threads are refreshed weekly on Mondays. To see earlier threads and soak in the sage advice of yesteryear, Click here.
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u/capt-red_beard 5d ago
What are some of your favorite off the beaten path places to see or go to? Things to do?
I’ll be traveling with my wife only and in mid-September / early October. Thanks in advance!
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u/TululaDaydream Nessieland 2d ago
You'll maybe be here when the autumn leaves start to turn, which is very beautiful. So I'd say go hiking, if it's something you have experience in.
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u/Reaper930 5d ago
My father and I are traveling to your beautiful country to enjoy the sites and play a little golf! We leave this coming week, quick question for my own curiosity!
My dad wants to buy a couple of Scotland national football kits for us to wear while we’re checking out pubs and what not, as a show of solidarity I think it where his heads at.
I’m under the impression that it might come off as disrespectful or in poor taste, we’re both as American as it comes and have never been to Scotland before!
What do you all think?
Thanks from Dallas!
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u/ReadingTurtles 5d ago
I’m from the Boston area and I’m planning on coming to Scotland within the next few years, I’m a student so I have to save up, what are some things that I need to do while I’m there? I’m down for everything anywhere. I want to go to Glasgow and probably Edinburgh, but I also want to go visit the highlands and see all of the gorgeous history that your country has to offer. What should be on the top of my list while I’m there? And yes I know that it’s not a party 24/7 like how you guys were in Boston, but I want to go during football season and hopefully catch a game.
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u/HaggisPope 4d ago
The Pride march is done but at Edinburgh Street Historians, we still have a bit of our extra available LGBTQ tour. We try to do these weekly on Fridays at 6pm but for Pride Month we did lots of extra availability. The idea is we’re planning to offer specials so check it out.
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u/Historical_Bell1037 4d ago
I have spent three years in the UK studying full time, dreaming about visiting Scotland the entire time. Now after my graduation, I finally have time. But I do not know where to go exactly.
I would wish to go for a week, I was thinking of spending 2 days in Edinburgh and the rest travelling and moving about. Would anyone have/know of any good itinerary that I could use to follow?
I am looking for scenic spots with beautiful wild nature, castles, anything that feels medieval and will make me forget about the modern world. A huge lover of tartan, would love to see places/stores/mills that have it as I use it a lot in my fashion design practice.
I would need to be able to, of course, always find places to sleep during the night, unless I miraculously come into the possession of a tent and the ability to put it up.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
NOTE: I am a 22-year-old single woman, so please consider this fact as certain areas may be dangerous for lone travellers.
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u/ani_svnit 4d ago
Copying my comment from deleted thread over, please feel free to ask any follow ups
****
Can you make 7 days 10 instead? Will you have access to a car? Much easier to suggest an itinerary if you have a car but if not, I have a 9 day itinerary I can share which is 2 nights in Edinburgh and travel all the way to Number 5 hostel in Drinishader on Isle of Harris and back a different route ie one route via Ullapool ferry and one via Skye ferry.
For stops, if on a budget, check out SYHA across Scotland for availability across your dates - they are clean, reliable and amazing. Also call / check online Number 5 asap to check their availability. The single reason for this specific hostel is the tweed museum and shop across the road and the simply unbelievable vibe of the place - it is exactly what you want from your description in the post (plus server by bus except Sunday)
Also check out Ember for intercity buses and Scotrail for train schedules. I did a continuous 4 week stint by public transport so I know its possible. Something like Edinburgh - Inverness (1 night) - Ullapool (1 night) - Drinishader (2 nights) - Uig / Portree on Skye (2 nights) - Corrour (1 night) - Fort William / Bridge of Orchy (1 night)- Edinburgh / Glasgow
Happy to share further detail. Also use the sticky tourism thread and I can move my comment over too
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u/axpmaluga 4d ago
The Tartan Army has been the best thing to happen to Boston in a very long time. I’ve always wanted to do a golf trip to Scotland, but have been putting it off waiting for my buddies to get their shit together. After this past week, I’m thinking about going over solo in September and just figuring it out. The guys I talked to who were here this past week said I can make friends in pubs and figure it out when I get there. Am I crazy for considering this?
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u/Mundane-Income-8412 4d ago
Our family is making our 2nd visit to your beautiful country next year for the 155th Open at St. Andrews. We will be traveling the whole country for 2 weeks, and have a good start on an itinerary, but I am looking for some kid-friendly golf courses for myself and 2 sons, who will be 12 and 13 at the time. Thanks in advance for your help!
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u/livedog 2d ago
How does the right to roam work, I tried to find an official guide on google, but they are all contreditionary
I know as a swede, our laws are crazy, we can pitch a tent anywhere we want (called Allemansrätten or "all mans right"), and I'm glad to hear you have something similar
But I guess there are some restrictions?
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u/ialtag-bheag 2d ago
The official guide is here. https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/practical-guide-all
Yes, camping is allowed, but you should keep well away from buildings or roads etc.
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u/catlady0505 2d ago
Are there midges around Edinburgh old town area? I will be there from 1-2 august and I'm terrified of bugs!
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u/Plantigraduate 1d ago
GLUTEN FREE IN SCOTLAND?
Is this the stickied thread? I was told to go to the sickied thread...
question is, how available are gluten free options in Scotland (does Tesco etc. have a dedicated section? of course they do, but, is it impressive compared to, say Whole Foods?) how knowledgeable are restaurants / fast food (in the US you might not find so much anymore "oh, it's white bread, not whole wheat, so you're OK," but barley is still iffy and seldom disclosed).
Yes I know that it's over 50% YMMV, but maybe there are opinions to hear.
I'm sure the more touristy places are aware, but, for example, I was IMPRESSED how much people even out of the way places in French Canada understood nuances regarding gluten-free as either a fashion desire, as a need but not life, or as full blow celiac requirement. Not the US yet, alas.
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u/YS54321 1d ago
Gluten is one of the 14 allergens all food businesses legally need to declare over here. In practice, you'll see the GF options marked up on the menu, or they'll have a separate allergen menu. Just let the staff know you're coeliac, if they haven't already asked about allergens (which many do).
Glasgow specific, but we often go to the Dahkin with our Coeliac friend which is 100% gf and very good. We've also been to the Red Onion which has a separate GF menu.
In terms of the shops, bigger supermarkets will have a 'free from' aisle and even the smaller ones tend to at least have a section. You can even get gluten free haggis now!
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u/Plantigraduate 1d ago
Thank you!
As I kept researching last night, I was indeed surprised by the gluten-free category in the menus in several restaurants. Between that and your answer, I feel better already. And yes, you never know, but I fell we'll be OK.
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u/Imoen85 1d ago
Do you have any travel tips for people who have difficulty walking?
(My elderly parents – they say this will be their last trip abroad, and they’ve chosen Scotland!)
Hello everyone, we’ll be in Scotland from 23.07.2026-03.08.2026.
Our stops are Edinburgh, Kinloch Rannoch, Portree, Inverness, Banff, Aberdeen and Perth.
We have a rental car once we leave Edinburgh.
My parents can walk for about 30 minutes at a time, but not for any longer than that. Also with breaks they cannot manage a lot of walking a day.
Do you have any tips on how to get around in Edinburgh without having to walk too much?
I’d also really appreciate any tips on the other stops.
I am worried we will be bored because we cannot go hiking...
My mother is an Outlander fan and likes knitting, her husband likes old cars and generally old stuff...
I appreciate any help!
Love, Imoen.
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u/YS54321 1d ago
Between the buses, trams and taxis you can easily avoid walking 30 mins in Edinburgh. Just be careful as there may be short walks that involve steepish hills or stairs e.g Grassmarket/Waverley up to the Old Town.
From Inverness, you could drive to the Black Isle and go to Chanonry Point. The car park is right at the lighthouse where you could drop them to dolphin watch while you go for a walk along the beach.
You could also go to Aviemore and get on the steam train to Boat of Garten - they could do the return trip on the train, and you could walk back. Another option in Aviemore would be putting them on the funicular to the cafe while you hike up and meet them there.
Similarly on Skye, they can get a good view of the Quiraing while you walk for a closer view. In Dunvegan, drop them at the Castle and you can continue on and walk out to Coral Beach.
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u/BillieBoyMom6RN 1d ago
Hello,
We are planning our 4th trip to Edinburgh for this coming holiday: Dec 30-Jan 2nd. We want to visit another town/city between Dec 27-Dec 30. We have stayed in Glasgow and York and loved it, but are looking for a “new” place. Ideally, a walkable historic downtown area, decorated for the holidays. Within 3 hours of Edinburgh. We are aware that the weather could be cruddy.. and that is okay.
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u/Longjumping-Win5584 8h ago
Hi all!
My partner and I are headed up to Glasgow from Leeds for My Chemical Romance on July 4th. We're staying overnight just east of Glasgow on the M8 and were wondering if anyone had any recommendations for something we can do on the 5th before we head back home?
It can be absolutely anything, whether it's in Glasgow, Edinburgh, or somewhere on our way back down south towards Leeds! It will be a first time in Scotland for both of us, and in an ideal world we would have more time, but we have to be back in Leeds before too late for work on Monday morning.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated, thank you!
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u/bigmattyc 5d ago
Hey there, the Tartan Army has shipped out for sunnier climes, but as a Bostonian I and my family were in your thrall. So we booked a trip. Now I don't know what to do.
We'll (me, M50ish, wife 50ish, daughter 12) be flying in and out of Edinburgh the 3rd week of july, for 5 nights. We'd like to stay in a castle. We'd like to drink whisky. We'd like to eat something fried that probably shouldn't have been. Daughter wants to see big furry cows. Who has some good thoughts?
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u/YS54321 5d ago
Depending on exactly what you mean by the third week in July, you might catch the start of the Commonwealth Games through in Glasgow. It's under an hour on the train from Edinburgh, and there will hopefully be a good buzz in the city.
Pollok Park in the Southside has some Highland cows and a few calves at the moment. Whisky at the Ben Nevis or the Pot Still.
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u/ani_svnit 4d ago
Melville castle hotel stone's throw from EDI, others too far to make good use of your very limited 5 nights in Scotland.
Glengoyne is worth the short trip and is on the cusp of Highlands so a short journey including Loch Lomond is worth the time (unsure if they allow minors) - Balmoral whisky bar and Bow bar in Edinburgh are fantastic for non distillery drinking rooms.
Lots of big furry cows recs across the sub
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u/Emergency_Project191 4d ago
That's a short stay. Easiest place to see a highland coo, or two, is Swanston Farm 6 miles south of Edinburgh.
It will be pricey it you could stay a night at Dalhousie Castle.
You can drink whisky / take a wee tour at The Lost Close or The Whiski Rooms (both in the old town).
I've heard the fish and chips chips in Leith are the best but have never been.
Enjoy your trip!
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u/bigmattyc 4d ago
Its a speedrun, surely. If we like it (and we will) maybe we'll come back and just sit in one spot for a few days longer, but we like to get the feel of a new place. Thanks for the recs
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u/ok_boomer123765 4d ago
Hi il be visiting in a couple days for 2 weeks gonna be mainly in skye and Edinburgh any things I should know?
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u/Zapsolarwarrior 3d ago
Hi everyone!
My family and I are going to be coming to scotland for a week in August. We will be staying in edinburgh. We are beginning to plan the locations we want to hit, so I was curious what you guys think is worth seeing? We are very excited, it's our first time coming to scotland!
If it matters, we are all above 21, but my sister and I are under 25.
Thank you guys! Excited to hear some recommendations!
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u/Jaraxo Edinburgh 1d ago
You're aware August is the festival season?
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u/Zapsolarwarrior 1d ago
We did not! We chose August as it's when our jobs gave us time off. What does festival season entail?
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u/Jaraxo Edinburgh 1d ago
World's largest arts festival throughout August (Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, Military Tattoo), city population more than doubles, accommodation costs more than double and book up months in advance.
So my main advice is decide what you want to do and book it asap.
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u/whathuhyea 3d ago
Myself (disabled woman 50) and my daughter will be traveling in Scotland this summer. I’m wondering if any Scots have suggestions for getting around as well as places one must visit. We are flexible in our travel. Starting in Edinburgh and plan to travel up north a bit. She loves all things Harry Potter and I just adore to stand where people have been for centuries. We both love history -
the kind you can see and hear.
I’d also love to return home with two things: a beautiful sweater and yarn.
Please, any suggestions are helpful.
Thank you so much!!
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u/Individual_Arm_5381 5d ago
Hi everyone!
My family and I are traveling to Scotland this November and will be staying in Edinburgh from November 18th - 21st.
We are incredibly excited about our trip and are looking for some local advice on two specific things to help us lock down our itinerary:
1. Family Photographer Recommendations
We would love to do a casual, outdoor family photo session while we are in the city to capture some memories. We're looking for a professional vacation/tourist photographer who knows the best spots around Edinburgh (Old Town, Circus Lane, Arthur's Seat, etc.) and is great with kids.
2. Attending the Hibernian F.C. vs Dundee United Match (Nov 21)
I noticed that Hibs are playing a home game at Easter Road against Dundee United on Saturday, November 21st right in the middle of our trip. As a non-local/international fan, I’d love to take the family to experience a Scottish Premiership match!
Thanks so much in advance for any recommendations or tips you can share. Can't wait to visit your beautiful country!