Days out
Wildlife and animal days out in Scotland.
Seeing wildlife in Scotland is one of those moments that stays with you: a seal watching you from the water, an otter slipping off the rocks, puffins on a clifftop close enough to see their bright beaks, or a sea eagle circling high over a loch. These days take you to the places where your chances are best, with boat trips, nature reserves and quiet shores worked into a full day out.
Every one is worked out stop by stop, with the drive between each place, where to eat, and the boat trips that need booking ahead. Nothing is ever guaranteed with wildlife, and that's half the thrill, but timing helps: puffins are on the cliffs from spring into the summer, and early mornings and evenings are best for most things. Bring binoculars, plenty of patience and a warm layer, and keep a respectful distance so the animals stay relaxed. Choose where you're starting from, or a day that catches your eye.
Your best match · LothianAn alpaca trek to the beach at John Muir AlpacasBy car, about two hours.See the dayA few hours
Argyll and ButeThe Hebridean Whale Centre in TobermoryOn foot, about two hours
AngusKayaking the Arbroath cliffs and pizza at the Copper OvenBy car, about four and a half hours
Outer HebridesGolden eagles at the North Harris Eagle ObservatoryBy car, about two and a half hours
AberdeenA harbour and dolphin cruise from AberdeenBy car, about three hours
Dumfries and GallowayThe Mull of Galloway, Scotland's most southerly pointBy car, about two and a half hours
CairngormsUath Lochans and Farleitter Crag walkBy car, an hour, or two and a half hours for both trails
Dumfries and GallowayThe Clints of Dromore walk and the Big Water of Fleet ViaductBy car, about an hour
Isle of ArranA walk to Hutton's Unconformity at LochranzaBy car, about two hoursA full day
Wester RossCalum's seal trip from Plockton and Castle MoilBy car, about five hours
Shetland IslandsA day in UnstA day by car, about 37 miles
CairngormsOspreys, Castle Roy and the old forest at Loch GartenA day by car, about 36 miles
Wester RossPlockton, Eilean Donan and KyleA day by car, about 27 miles
Outer HebridesCallanish Alpacas and the Calanais StonesBy car, about four hours
Shetland IslandsOtters and winter wildlife with Shetland NatureBy car, about seven hours
StirlingshireDeanston Distillery and the red kites at ArgatyBy car, about five hours
Ross and CromartyChanonry Point and the Fairy Glen with the kids and the dogBy car, about five and a half hours
The shore walk from John o' Groats to Duncansby Head
Clear across Scotland today, so a day outside. A few hours by car.
One place, and somewhere for lunch.
Not every day out needs to be a big one. A castle and a café, a walk and lunch, a museum when it rains: one place, somewhere good to eat close by, and the time between worked out.
Islay Woollen Mill and lunch at the Bridgend Hotel
By car, about two and a half hours.
Hot chocolate at Cocoa Mountain and Dornoch Cathedral
On foot, about an hour and a half.
Floors Castle and afternoon tea in the Terrace Café
On foot, about three and a half hours.
Coffee at Steampunk and the Coastal Communities Museum
By train and on foot, about two hours.
An evening by the River Thurso and a dram at the Ulbster Arms
By car, about two and a half hours.
An evening round Portpatrick harbour and supper by the sea
On foot, about two hours.
Lunch at the Badachro Inn and Redpoint beach
By car, about three and a half hours.
Sunset on Ayr's Esplanade and supper at the Fox & Willow
By car, about two and a half hours.
A walk to Plodda Falls by Tomich
By car, about three hours.
An evening by Findhorn Bay and a pint at the Kimberley Inn
On foot, about two and a half hours.
The Hebridean Whale Centre in Tobermory
On foot, about two hours.
Kailzie Gardens near Peebles
By car, about two and a half hours.
A kayak taster on Loch Ken and lunch in Castle Douglas
By car, about four and a half hours.
Eas Mòr and lunch at the Forest of the Falls
By car, about two and a half hours.
A walk up the Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail
By car, about five hours.
The Kelvin Walkway and lunch at Inn Deep with the dog
On foot, about two and a half hours.
A seaside sauna on Aberdeen beach at Footdee
On foot, about three hours.
A walk to the Wailing Widow Falls and lunch at Kylesku
By car, about two and a half hours.
A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór and the Kibble Palace
By Subway and on foot, about four hours.
A picnic by the Cambus o' May bridge
By car, about two hours.
Coldbackie Beach and lunch at the Brass Tap in Tongue
By car, about two and a half hours.
The Tennent's brewery tour and lunch at Drygate
On foot, about three and a half hours.
The community sauna in Cromarty
On foot, about three hours.
Strathnaver Museum and lunch at the Store in Bettyhill
By car, about two and a half hours.
V&A Dundee and afternoon tea at Tatha
On foot, about three and a half hours.
Ardmair Beach and fish and chips at Deli-Ca-Sea
By car, about two and a half hours.
Broughty Ferry harbour and a pint at the Fisherman's Tavern
By bus and on foot, about three hours.
Breakfast at Figment and Johnston Gardens
On foot, about two hours.
The Calanais Stones at sunset and a pizza from Crust
By car, about an hour and a half.
Kirkwall harbour and a drink at Helgi's
On foot, about an hour and a half.
Clickimin Broch and lunch at Fjarå
On foot, about three hours.
Voltaire & Rousseau bookshop and soup at Naked Soup
By Subway and on foot, about three hours.
A Tay boat trip from Broughty Ferry and lunch at Gracie's
On foot, about three hours.
Aberdeen Art Gallery and afternoon tea at Cup
On foot, about three hours.
Dean Village, the Water of Leith and lunch at the Pantry
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Stenness at sunset and supper at the Standing Stones Hotel
By car, about three hours.
Kelvingrove Park at sunset and supper at Stravaigin
By Subway and on foot, about three hours.
Footdee at the harbour mouth and supper at the Silver Darling
On foot, about three and a half hours.
Lunan Bay and an Arbroath smokie at the Old Brewhouse
By car, about three hours.
St Magnus Cathedral and coffee at the Real Food Café
On foot, about an hour and a half.
Culloden Battlefield and afternoon tea at Culloden House
By car, about three and a half hours.
The Kelpies at dusk and supper at Indian Cottage
By car, about three hours.
The Hidden Gardens and lunch at Ranjit's Kitchen
By train and on foot, about three hours.
Rubha nan Gall lighthouse and a pint at the Mishnish
On foot, about two and a half hours.
The Bass Rock by boat and lunch at the Rocketeer
On foot, about three and a half hours.
Burn of Valayre and fish and chips at Frankie's in Brae
By car, about two hours.
Spey Bank Studio and afternoon tea at the Boat Country Inn
By car, about two and a half hours.
Dunure Castle, the harbour and lunch at the Anchorage
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Clava Cairns at sunset and supper at the Cawdor Tavern
By car, about three hours.
Breakfast at Mhor Bread and a stroll by the Teith in Callander
On foot, about two hours.
A dolphin boat trip from Avoch and lunch at IV10
By car, about three hours.
The Big Burn walk at Golspie
By car, about two hours with lunch.
Eildon Hills and lunch at Burts in Melrose
On foot, about three and a half hours.
The Writers' Museum and afternoon tea at the Signet Library
On foot, about three and a half hours.
Hailes Castle and lunch at Bostock in East Linton
By car, about two hours.
A wood-fired sauna at Castletown Beach, Dunnet Bay
On foot, about three hours.
Supper by the fire at the Old Inn in Gairloch
By car, about two and a half hours.
Rozelle House and afternoon tea at the Fox and Willow
By car, about three hours.
Kelvingrove and afternoon tea at the Hidden Lane Tearoom
By Subway and train and on foot, about five hours.
Sunset on Magdalen Green and supper at Piccolo
On foot, about three and a half hours.
The Black Isle Brewery and lunch at the Black Isle Bar
By car, about three hours.
Calton Hill at sunset and supper at Howies Waterloo
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Tantallon Castle and lunch at Drift
By car, about three hours.
A wildlife cruise from Gairloch harbour
By boat and on foot, about four hours.
Breakfast at Nethy House and the bridge at Nethy Bridge
On foot, about an hour and a half.
Burns Monument Gardens and afternoon tea at the Brig o' Doon
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Nairn beach, the harbour and lunch at Basil Harbour Café
On foot, about two hours.
Scorrybreac at dusk and supper at the Cuillin Hills Hotel
On foot, about three hours.
The Merchant City and a pint at Babbity Bowster
On foot, about two and a half hours.
A fudge doughnut at Fisher & Donaldson and Desperate Dan
On foot, about an hour.
Coffee at Bakhoos and Fortrose Cathedral
On foot, about an hour and a half.
Dunbar harbour, the Battery and lunch at the Creel
On foot, about three hours.
The River Ness and a pint at the Castle Tavern
On foot, about three hours.
Montrose Air Station Museum and lunch at Roo's Leap
By car, about four hours.
Breakfast at Twelve Triangles and Melrose Abbey
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Edinburgh Gin's distillery tour and lunch at Howies
On foot, about three hours.
South Queensferry and lunch at the Hawes Inn
On foot, about two and a half hours.
The Cocoa Tree and St Fillan's Cave in Pittenweem
On foot, about an hour and a half.
Black Rock Gorge and lunch at the Storehouse
By car, about two and a half hours.
An evening at the King's Theatre
On foot, about four and a half hours.
North Berwick harbour at dusk and a pint at the Ship Inn
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Crail to Anstruther on the coastal path and fish and chips
By bus and on foot, about five hours.
Scott's View at sunset and supper at the Buccleuch Arms
By car, about two and a half hours.
North Berwick Law and lunch at the Herringbone
On foot, about three and a half hours.
A seaside sauna on Elie harbour and lunch at the Ship Inn
On foot, about three hours.
A wood-fired sauna at Reef Beach, Uig
By car, about four and a half hours.
The Orkney Brewery tour at Quoyloo
By car, about two hours.
The Borders Distillery and lunch at the Heart of Hawick
On foot, about two and a half hours.
An evening at the Phoenix Cinema in Kirkwall
By car, about four hours.
Coffee and cake at Logie Steading near Forres
On foot, about two hours.
A dolphin boat from Cromarty and lunch at Sutor Creek
On foot, about three and a half hours.
Reiss Sands with the dog and lunch at Puldagon Farm
By car, about two and a half hours.
A wood-fired sauna on Lerwick's waterfront
On foot, about three hours.
A walk up to Moulin and a pint at the Moulin Inn
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Troon's South Beach and fish and chips at the Wee Hurrie
By train and on foot, about three hours.
Hume Castle and afternoon tea at Ednam House
By car, about two and a half hours.
The Shore at Leith and a dram at Teuchters Landing
By tram and on foot, about two and a half hours.
An evening at An Lanntair in Stornoway
On foot, about four hours.
An evening at Mareel in Lerwick
By car, about four hours.
The Falls of Acharn and a floating sauna on Loch Tay
By car, about four and a half hours.
The Cairngorm Brewery and lunch at the Cairngorm Hotel
On foot, about three hours.
Coffee and sourdough at Narture and the Auld Brig in Ayr
On foot, about an hour and a half.
A community sauna on the shore at Applecross
On foot, about three hours.
Brunch at the Pantry and Circus Lane
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Dewar's, the Watermill and the Scottish Crannog Centre
By car, about five and a half hours.
Breakfast at Streetlights and Carlingwark Loch
On foot, about two hours.
A Kylesku boat trip and lunch at the Kylesku Hotel
On foot, about three hours.
Bowhouse market weekend and lunch in the courtyard
On foot, about two and a half hours.
An e-bike ride to Blair Atholl and lunch at the Watermill
By bike, about three and a half hours.
Elgin Cathedral and afternoon tea at Johnstons of Elgin
On foot, about three and a half hours.
A lochside sauna at Forbes of Kingennie
By car, about three hours.
A wood-fired sauna on Ganavan Sands, Oban
By car, about two and a half hours.
Sunset at the Lady's Tower and supper at the Ship Inn in Elie
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Southerness Lighthouse and lunch at the Steamboat Inn
By car, about three hours.
Gogo Glen and the Greeto Falls walk above Largs
By car, about three hours with Nardini's.
A film at the Highland Cinema and a pizza in its restaurant
On foot, about three and a half hours.
Paddleboarding at Willowgate and lunch by the Tay
By car, about three hours.
A spa day and a seaweed bath at Portavadie
By car, about three and a half hours.
An evening at the Ceilidh Place in Ullapool
By car, about three hours.
Maspie Den waterfall and lunch at Pillars of Hercules
On foot, about three hours.
Rob Roy's grave and the riverside sauna at Monachyle Mhor
By car, about three and a half hours.
The Nevis Range gondola and lunch at the Larder Café
By car, about three and a half hours.
The Dee Walk at dusk and supper at the Selkirk Arms
On foot, about two and a half hours.
The Black Watch Museum and afternoon tea at Effie's
On foot, about four hours.
Glencoe Visitor Centre and tea at the Isles of Glencoe
By car, about three hours.
An Aufguss sauna at SWG3, then Kelvingrove
On foot, about four hours.
Cairn Holy and lunch at the Ship Inn
By car, about two and a half hours.
A tour of Lerwick Brewery
By car, about two hours.
The Commando Memorial at sunset and supper at Crannog
By car, about three hours.
The Wardlaw Museum and afternoon tea at the Old Course Hotel
On foot, about four hours.
Carrick shore and a seafood lunch at Swally n' Scran
By car, about two and a half hours.
A tour at Ben Nevis Distillery and lunch at the Larder Café
By car, about three and a half hours.
Paddleboarding at Pinkston and lunch at Ocho on Speirs Wharf
By Subway and on foot, about four hours.
A sauna at dusk at Stravaig, facing Lochnagar
By car, about three and a half hours.
Breakfast at Cult Cafe and the Ceilidh Place bookshop
On foot, about two hours.
An evening along The Scores and a pint at the Jigger Inn
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Robert Burns House and afternoon tea at the Cairndale
On foot, about three hours.
St Mary's Church and hot chocolate in Grandtully
By car, about an hour and a half.
The Nith at dusk and supper at the Cavens Arms
On foot, about two and a half hours.
The Old Fort, the Town Pier and a pint at the Ben Nevis Bar
On foot, about two and a half hours.
The Rha waterfall in Uig and lunch at the Galley
By car, about two hours.
Stac Pollaidh and lunch at the Seaforth in Ullapool
By car, about five hours.
Breakfast at the Wildcat and the end of the West Highland Way
On foot, about an hour and a half.
Breakfast from Deanston Bakery and the view from Queen's Park
By train and on foot, about two and a half hours.
An art tour and afternoon tea at the Fife Arms
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Knockan Crag and lunch at the Elphin Tearooms
By car, about two and a half hours.
A wildlife boat to the Gulf of Corryvreckan
On foot, about three and a half hours.
Gracefield Arts Centre and lunch in its Studio Café
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Busta House garden and supper by Busta Voe
By car, about two hours.
Kenmore beach on Loch Tay and lunch at the Courtyard
On foot, about two and a half hours.
The Big Strand and afternoon tea at the Machrie
On foot, about two and a half hours.
The River Dee path and a pint at the Flying Stag
On foot, about three and a half hours.
Dunning and a drink at the Kirkstyle Inn
By car, about two and a half hours.
Isle of Mull Cheese farm and lunch in the Glass Barn
By car, about three and a half hours.
Cairn O'Mohr winery tour and lunch at the Pickled Peacock
By car, about three hours.
Talisker Distillery and lunch at Carbost
On foot, about four hours.
Tobermory Distillery tour and lunch at MacGochans
On foot, about two and a half hours.
Breakfast at ARAN and the Birnam Oak
On foot, about two hours.
The Old Boat of Caol and lunch at An Cafaidh Mara
By car, about two hours.
St Columba's Isle and afternoon tea at Skeabost House
By car, about two hours.
A wander round Ballater and afternoon tea at Darroch Learg
On foot, about three hours.
A stroll by Loch Harport and a pint at the Old Inn
By car, about two hours.
Loch Kinord and pizza at Kite in Dinnet
By car, about three hours.
Historic Kilbride and lunch at the Barn at Cologin
By car, about two hours.
Cambus o' May bridge and an ice cream at Shorty's
By car, about two and a half hours.
St Conan's Kirk and afternoon tea at the Oban Bay Hotel
By car, about three hours.
Knock Hill and an ice cream in Portsoy
By car, about two and a half hours.
A sea eagle boat trip from Portree and fish and chips
On foot, about three and a half hours.
A boat trip from Stonehaven and lunch at the Tolbooth
By car, about four hours.
Clachan Bridge and a pint at Tigh an Truish
By car, about two hours.
Cellardyke's tidal pool and fish and chips in Anstruther
On foot, about three hours.
The Falls of Lora and lunch at the Oyster Inn
By car, about two hours.
Brunch at Birch and the Donnie Munro mural in Portree
On foot, about an hour and a half.
Pitlochry Dam at dusk and supper at Port-na-Craig
On foot, about three hours.
Port Charlotte's shore and a dram at the Port Charlotte Hotel
On foot, about two and a half hours.
The Tay at sunset and supper at the North Port
On foot, about three hours.
Bowmore Pier at sunset and supper at Peatzeria
On foot, about two and a half hours.
A boat trip from Oban's North Pier and lunch at Ee-Usk
On foot, about four hours.
Sunset at McCaig's Tower and supper at the Waterfront Fishouse
On foot, about three hours.
The Spear Sauna at Lost Shore, near Edinburgh
By car, about two and a half hours.
Oban's Railway Pier and breakfast at Food from Argyll
On foot, about an hour and a half.
A Saturday night at the Chlachain Inn in Mallaig
By car, about four hours.
A Seal Island cruise and lunch at the Highland Cinema
On foot, about three and a half hours.
A walk to the Reekie Linn and lunch at Peel Farm
By car, about two hours.
A picnic in Dunnottar Woods at Stonehaven
By car, about an hour and a half.
A picnic at Haughton Country Park in Alford
By car, about two hours.
A picnic in Scolty Forest at Banchory
By car, about an hour and a half.
Chocolate at the Cocoabean and the Dark Space Planetarium
By car, about six hours.
A picnic at Aden Country Park
By car, about two hours.
A picnic at Balmedie Country Park
By car, about two hours.
A picnic watching the gliders at Aboyne
By car, about an hour and a half.
Stonehaven's open-air pool and fish and chips from The Bay
On foot, about three hours.
The Atholl Palace Museum and afternoon tea
On foot, about three hours.
Round the Appin Rocks to Clach Thoull at Port Appin
On foot, about three hours, with lunch.
The Falls of Feugh and an ice cream in Banchory
By car, about an hour and a half.
Aboyne Green and a pint at the Boat Inn
On foot, about two hours.
The farm walk on Ulva and lunch at the Boathouse
On foot, about three hours.
Little Oaks at Drum Castle and lunch at the Mains of Drum
By car, about three hours.
A hilltop sauna at Woodlands Glencoe and Glencoe Lochan
By car, about four hours.
Where are you starting from?
Days out within an hour of where you are staying, nearest first.
Days by the people who live there.
Our writers’ own days out, from the places they know best.
A day in Fetlar: discover the island’s archaeology and built history
A day by car, about 26 miles.
Exploring Northwestern Corners from Shieldaig to Ullapool
A day by car, about 110 miles.
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Exploring Historic Dunbar
A few hours by car.
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The Moray Pictish Trail – 50 Miles of Stones, Forts, and Forgotten Symbols
A day by car, about 58 miles.
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Old Town Walking Tour
A day on foot, about 3 miles.
Where the locals go.
The people we have met along the way, the makers, owners and writers, on the places they love most, in their own words.
“…stroll up to The Birks of Aberfeldy from The Memorial Arch, soaking up the woods and waterfalls that once inspired Rabbie Burns.”
Zanna Wilson, artist and gallerist who runs The Watermill Gallery in Aberfeldy, Perthshire
“My absolute favourite café with the best coffee in town.”
Lorna Freytag, artist and illustrator based in Oban, with a studio overlooking Oban Bay
“The best veggie and vegan breakfast around. Epic cakes and great coffee.”
Shelley Richmond, freelance photographer and creative based in Dervaig, Isle of Mull, who publishes The Isle of Mull Journal
“The breakfasts here are incredible.”
Karen Harvey, owner of Hoos and InHoos, two homeware shops on Great Western Road in Glasgow's West End
“We particularly love doing sections of the Fife Coastal Path, especially through the East Neuk villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans and Elie.”
Joy and Nick, own Airdit, a woodland treehouse stay above St Andrews, Fife
“A visit to the Falls of Foyers is a must.”
Anna Low, co-owns and runs Foyers Lodge, a small boutique hotel overlooking Loch Ness
“I’m a big fan of the Isle of Raasay Distillery.”
Katy Fennema, whisky Ambassador at the Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar, and runs Braemar Highland Experience with her husband Julian
“…amazing panoramas all the way up to the Old Man of Storr.”
Calum Gillies and Leonie, artist Calum Gillies and his wife Leonie run The Exchange, a gallery and coffee spot in the old telephone exchange at Clachan, Isle of Raasay
“The Nethy House Café is a regular spot for lunch or coffee.”
Sarah and Phil, run The Lazy Duck, an off-grid eco-holiday site with cabins, a bunkhouse and a campsite in Nethybridge, Cairngorms National Park
“I would definitely recommend Arthur’s seat in Holyrood Park.”
Kirsty Campbell, knitwear designer from Banchory, Deeside, behind RYVOAN, who knits in her Edinburgh studio
“…the Old Man of Storr, Quiraing and Fairy Pools etc are all incredible natural wonders to see.”
Jennifer Pearson, jewellery designer and founder of ÒR, two creative retail stores in Portree, Isle of Skye
“Exploring the incredible beaches of Oldshoremore, Polin, Achmelvich, Sandwood Bay all within 30-40 minutes drive, all with their unique character.”
Catherine Sinclair, textile designer behind Cove*, who also runs Kylesku Lodges on the north-west coast
“Both are incredible ruined castles on the coastal cliffs and have such interesting history alongside spectacular views.”
Laura (Fernweh), designer and maker of waxed-canvas bags and accessories at Fernweh UK, with a studio at Deemouth Artist Studios in Aberdeen
“Leith hall, Drum Castle and Crathes Castle gardens are all personal favourites.”
Hollie Berries, sustainable florist running Hollie Berries Flower Studio and Cutting Garden in Aberdeenshire
“Blackford Hill is my very favourite spot in Edinburgh.”
Emily Hogarth, papercut artist and illustrator who lives in East Lothian and works for Edinburgh clients, including Hidden Scotland's folklore illustrations
“…head down to the Harbour for Lobster & chips at either ‘The Rocketeer’ or ‘The Lobster Shack’.”
Stephanie Lothian, co-owns The Barn at Williamstone Farm Steadings, a holiday cottage in North Berwick
Longer trips.
Two days and more: the days joined up, with somewhere to sleep between.
Whisky up the Highland east coast in three days
The West Highland Way
The Loch Ness 360
Wallace and Bruce: Stirling, Dunfermline and Melrose
A winter weekend in the Cairngorms
Three days in Glasgow and Loch Lomond
Speyside whisky in three days
The Great Glen Way
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A Book Lover’s Guide to Edinburgh
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A Two-Day Festive Itinerary to Edinburgh
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A Week in Edinburgh
Whisky and gin on Skye and Raasay: two days, one driver
Make a day your own.
Every day out has a Customise button: give it your own name and date, say where you are staying, move or drop a stop, and keep it in your account to share with whoever is coming.
