Adventure travel is a beautiful way to experience the world, above and beyond the tourist-trappings of common holiday destinations. Upping the ante sees you eschewing the popular spots for places off the beaten track and discovering new and thrilling things that not many are lucky enough to experience.
Fun as adventure travel sounds, it also sounds unavoidably costly – which, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, makes adventure holidays unaffordable for many people. However, there is one destination that is much closer to home than you might think, and perfect for experiencing unforgettable things alongside a dose of adrenaline: Scotland.
But what makes Scotland the perfect playground for adventure travel? Here are some of the factors that make this historic country best-in-class for unconventional holidays.
Astounding Landscapes
The most striking thing about Scotland to those that first visit it is undoubtedly the view. Whether you arrive by plane or by motorway, you are greeted by an incredible arrangement of wildlands and mountain peaks, rocky shores, and impeccable fields. The landscapes are manifold and diverse, allowing you to get something out of your holiday whatever your preference or ability.
Perhaps the best thing about these landscapes, though, is that they are largely free to explore – and also largely completely free and legal to camp in. One of the biggest benefits to choosing this country for any form of extended hike or adventure holiday is that wild camping is legal in Scotland, allowing you to pitch up in a majority of private and public land provided you treat it with the respect it deserves.
Varied Activities
Your Scottish holiday is not merely defined by the shape its stunning landscapes take, though; there are also a great many unforgettable things you can do during your stay to make your holiday truly special. Scotland is a playground for adventure sports, with the right environment and climate for everything from road biking to mountain biking, paragliding to parasailing, and diving to white-water rafting. You can also check some local experiences in Edinburgh before coming to this country so that you can be more familiar with what you want to do.
Of course, these forms of thrill-seeking come with their own attached risks and should only be attempted via reputable experience providers or with the counsel of consummate professionals at a given sport. Should you feel unsupported while undertaking a guided activity you could make a claim if you suffer an injury, but by choosing the most trusted company with qualified instructors you should be safe to enjoy a harm-free holiday.
Rich Wildlife
In enjoying the trappings of a Scottish adventure holiday, you will also naturally encounter a great variety of wonderful creatures from across the animal kingdom. Scotland is home to a large number of species both permanent and migratory, including a number of rare and endangered animals of different kinds.
The best animal-spotting can be done from Scotland’s shores, which are visited by the likes of dolphins and seals – some of which you may be lucky enough to surf or boat alongside!
