Time for adventure

All thrills: Scotland’s best activities for adventurous sorts

Not everyone was designed to enjoy sunbathing by the pool or flicking through novels in comfy chairs. For those ardent explorers and adrenaline seekers clamouring for thrills, this article aims to showcase the very best adventure activities that Scotland has to offer. 

From modern marvels in major cities to wilderness beyond the ken of civilisation, there are some truly magnificent and unique ways to enjoy the great outdoors here in Scotland. And at every turn, we’ll share our best suggestions for where to dine and unwind between adventures.  

Ready, set, leap.  

City surfing in the capital 

Surfing and cities don't typically go hand-in-hand — but then the spectacular Lost Shore facility in Edinburgh is far from typical.  

Abandon any concerns about unpredictable conditions. Here, Europe’s largest artificial wave pool turns an abandoned quarry into a surfer's paradise, fully configurable to your skill level. Just ten minutes from Edinburgh Airport and 35 minutes from the city, this bucket list gem is a must-visit whether you're a veteran of the waves or a beginner chasing a new thrill.  

Of course, any visit to Edinburgh would be incomplete without a hearty dose of history and tradition. Capture that sense of heritage with a stay at Prestonfield, a grand and glorious country house hotel that resides at the feet of Arthur’s Seat, the extinct volcano in Holyrood Park. Or venture to The Witchery which sits astride the Royal Mile and offers a spellbinding blend of gothic architecture and electric atmosphere.  

To top up your adrenaline and Instagram stories without trekking beyond the wilderness to Thurso, you can’t do any better than this.   

Bungee jumping in all seasons 

From surfing on the water to staring down upon it, our next activity: bungee jumping.

Despite its short duration, the heady rush and breathless thrill of bungee jumping make it an adventure worth travelling for. As luck would have it, the UK’s only permanent, purpose-built jump platform resides smack-bang in the middle of Scotland.  

Towering 40 metres (roughly the height of a ten-storey building) above the River Garry in Killiecrankie, Perthshire, you’re awarded a stirring view of the gorge and winding waterway. Suddenly the water is rushing, racing to meet you, as you dive headlong (or feetlong) towards the surface. The cord rapidly lengthens, suspends you for an instant, then rebounds back to safety.  

As the adrenaline fizzles and fades, you might find your nervous system clamouring for a breather. Dun Aluinn, the design-led, exclusive use hotel overlooking Aberfeldy, is just a few minutes away. If you’re planning prolonged escapades across this neck of the Highlands, this beautiful retreat is worth considering.  

Have a higher tolerance for adventure? Consider staying at Murrayshall Country Estate and allowing the on-site activities to flow thick and fast. With high-octane pursuits like archery, axe-throwing, and quad biking balanced by parkland golf, guided walks and excursions on the water, Murrayshall offers sufficient options to satisfy even the boldest appetites.  

Summiting Britain’s highest peak  

One of Scotland's greatest natural attractions is its range of 282 mountains with summits over 3000ft — the Munros. Conquering Munros is nothing less than a national pastime for the more intrepid Scots, and none is more vaulted that Ben Nevis, the UK’s tallest mountain.   

Rising majestically above Fort William, in the western Highlands, Ben Nevis appears both steep and imposing. Gratefully, the Mountain Track — the popular non-technical route — is little more than a lengthy hike, requiring zero climbing gear or experience. At 7-9 hours, the round-trip isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you catch the mountain on a clear day, the panoramic views and staggering scenery will steal the breath from your chest.  

On rare days, you can even catch a glimpse of distant peaks on the Isle of Skye. With its remote location near Fort William, you might think that luxury accommodation is hard to come by. Gratefully, the iconic 19th-century Inverlochy Castle Hotel sits at the feet of the great mountain, ready to envelop you in quiet splendour and exquisite period character.    

Mountain biking in the Scottish Borders 

Before we venture to the soaring peaks and thrashing shores of the north, we must take a minor detour to a major attraction: the hive of mountain bike trails that criss-cross the Scottish Borders.  

The 7stanes are seven world-class mountain biking centres spanning the Scottish Borders to Dumfries and Galloway. Endless warrens of natural and constructed trails offers that rare luxury: true accessibility for all skill levels. Whether following official way-marked routes or venturing off piste, here beginners sidle down gentle paths and experts throttle down sheer slopes and dense woodland.  

Park up for the night at Cringletie, a historic Baronial Castle that furnishes plump beds, 2 AA Rosette dining and, for profound restoration, a self-catering cottage with an al fresco hot tub. Now that is how you recover from a punishing day in the saddle. 
 

Skiing the Cairngorms and Glenshee 

When the temperatures drop and the heavens unleash flurried snow across Scotland, the skiing community is primed and ready. With a typical peak season in January and February, snow in Scotland can last as late as April — but if planning far in advance, we’d recommend scheduling in some Plan Bs, just in case.  

At Glenshee you’ll find Scotland’s most accessible slopes. With relatively low altitude, wide runs and the most lifts of any ski location in Scotland, it is a beautiful option for relaxed skiing — especially for beginners and intermediates who enjoy reliable, smooth snow.  

For more adventurous skiers, the Cairngorm mountains dial up the altitude, snowfall, and difficulty. With scope for arduous ski touring and adrenaline-fuelled off-piste routes, you can expect reasonable conditions here for most of December to April.  

For Glenshee, your best bed bets are Dun Aluinn and Murrayshall Country Estate — perhaps you can marry your ski trip with a daring dive at Killiecrankie? For the Cairngorms, both Rocpool Reserve and Glenmorangie House are within an hour, and nothing warms the cockles like a lengthy Glenmorangie whisky tasting...  

Hear the emphatic Sound of Jura  

Truth be told, there’s scarcely a corner of Scotland that doesn't lend itself to aquatic pursuits like paddleboarding, kayaking, and endless varieties of boating. However, there’s one region of Scotland we haven’t yet explored that just so happens to house both serene waters and one of the most sprawling, turbulent whirlpools in the world. Let’s set sail for the West Coast.  

The Sound of Jura is the treacherous tidal waterway separating the Isle of Jura from the Scottish mainland. Its south end is wide and expansive, containing myriad small islands and reefs close to shore. These offer wonderful opportunities for relaxed watersports, swimming, and even snorkelling in the crisp, clear waters.  

But for the truly bold, it is the Gulf of Corryvreckan that holds the most tantalising allure. In this menacing body of water lurks the world's third-largest whirlpool — a bubbling stretch of water known for high winds, 9-metre waves, and a thunderous roar you can hear 10 miles distant.  

For all that, specialist operators run boat tours of the Gulf of Corryvreckan throughout late spring and summer. With expert seamanship, powerful craft and a close watch on the weather, these excursions bring you eye-to-eye with one of the world’s most striking natural wonders.  

While hours away by road, both the family-run and eccentric Crinan Hotel and atmospheric Ardbeg House on Islay offer sailing trips to the famous Gulf. Each out of the ordinary in their own right, these two Luxury Scotland members have all the indulgent comfort you need to recover from days of audacious seafaring.   

Venture into the wilderness beyond  

Our final recommendation is not a specific activity or genre of adventure. It’s simply an invitation to explore the vast wilderness that encompasses most of the Scottish Highlands.  

From Torridon in the west to Fortrose in the east, and all the land that lurks above it, there is a countless supply of trails, summits, lochs, woodlands and coastlines waiting to be explored.  

Gravel cycling. Trail running. Freediving in the extraordinarily clear northern waters. In this part of the country, there are too many options to name. Base yourself at The Torridon and spend your trip bagging enough Munros to fill your rented sporran. Want to paddle among the dolphins in the Moray Firth? Consider the exclusive-use Linn House, Rocpool Reserve in the heart of Inverness, or the sensory playground of Glenmorangie House — further removed, but all the more tranquil for it.   

And if your daytime adventures spirit you far from civilisation, know that Little’s Chauffeur Drive is always on hand to help you navigate the winding, wending roads in spectacular comfort.