With outdoor adventure and escaping the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life remaining a top reason to travel, Visit Scotland says there’s never been a better time for travel advisors to get clients thinking about Scotland – a country with “endless options” for being active.

A natural playground “steeped in history and stories of times gone by, Scotland is a land filled with diverse landscapes just waiting to be explored,” says the tourist board, noting that in a single trip, travellers can experience the rolling countryside, rugged mountain peaks, expansive in-land lochs and make waves along 10,000 km of coastline.

“With its rugged coastlines, vast array of waterways, unmissable walks and famous landscapes, Scotland is a fantastic destination for staying active, whether that be hiking, cycling or watersports,” says VisitScotland Chief Executive Malcolm Roughead. “The growing popularity of adventure tourism makes it an important sector for the Scottish visitor economy, with these visitors spending hundreds of millions of pounds every year in our accommodation, shops, bars, restaurants, and attractions.”

Citing a variety of trend reports suggesting that nature tourism remains a top priority for travellers worldwide, Visit Scotland says Scottish operators and tour providers are developing more and more innovative ways to explore the great outdoors.

With this in mind, this outdoor adventure round-up from Visit Scotland highlights a selection of trade-ready activity providers across the country designed to help travel advisors and intermediaries work with when planning a trip to Scotland.

Wild wellness

According to Expedia, wellness breaks have bounced back with almost half (46%) of global travellers more open to wellness breaks than ever before but the key thing here is, the quirkier the better! Here Scotland can deliver… think farm stays, foraging, bee keeping and getting up close to the iconic Highland Coo!

• Lennox of Lomond in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is a traditional working farm offering bespoke tours to suit various group sizes. From sheep shearing to lambing, quad bike trailer tours and guided walks, there are many ways to experience farm life. Guests will work up quite an appetite so Scottish home baking with tea and coffee is on hand!
• Ardross Farm in the East Neuk of Fife will take guests on a farm to fork journey. While soaking up the fresh air of the region, groups will learn about farming, get their hands dirty and connect with nature through handpicking vegetables, learning about beekeeping and eating local food.
• A Shetland lunch is the perfect reward for a day spent at the Shetland Rural Experience Centre Ltd where guests will see working collie dog demonstrations as well as meet Shetland sheep and ponies.
• Rewilding in Scotland is becoming increasingly prominent in response to the growing climate and biodiversity crises. SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, a nature restoration charity based in The Cairngorms National Park, offers small group Rewilding Journeys which carefully blend learning, inspiration, and fun, in the company of expert guides, like-minded fellow travellers and inspirational people pushing for a wilder Scotland.
• Near Stirling, Old Leckie Farm specializes in five-star tours of their family farm, local food production and offers farmstay accommodation. From FITS to larger groups, tours are planned to match the interests of the client from farming and food tastings to getting to know the animals and the history that surrounds Old Leckie.

Multi-adventure

Multi-activity providers offer a wide range of opportunities to explore the great outdoors whether it be keeping feet firmly on dry land but heads in the clouds on Scotland’s hills, making a splash in Scotland’s many rivers and lochs or taking on the forests on two wheels.

• With over 15 years of experience, Adventure Carrick in South Ayrshire delivers high quality outdoor experiences covering everything from watersports, mountain sports, forest activities and multi-day tours within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.
• From day taster sessions, micro adventures, and longer more remote wilderness adventures, Beyond Adventure in Perthshire is a one-stop shop for outdoor adventure in Big Tree Country. They provide outdoor wilderness activities and experiences, specialising in canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding, hiking and mountain biking.

Made for cycling

Scotland is made for cycling, whether it be in the mountains, sightseeing in the cities or with an extra power boost on an e-bike.

• Ridelines have mountain biking covered. Located in the Tweed Valley in the Scottish Borders, home to some of the UK’s best mountain bike trail centres and only one hour from Edinburgh, Ridelines offers high quality mountain bike experiences for riders from beginners to the enthusiast, including: skills courses for riders of all abilities, guided rides and other large group excursions.
• Ezee Riders is an electric bike tour and rental company based in North Berwick, 32 km from Edinburgh, offering clients an eco-friendly and memorable way to explore the beautiful coastal county of East Lothian. FITS can join the guided foodie tour or Castle and Coastline tour led by knowledgeable local guides or opt for a half or full day rental for an independent adventure. Ezee Riders also offer bespoke tours for groups of four to ten people.
• Southwest Scotland is a cycling paradise and also the birthplace of Kirkpatrick Macmillan, who created the first pedal-driven bicycle, so is a must visit on any cycling enthusiast’s travel bucket list. Galloway Cycling Holidays offers unique, customized cycling vacations along the West Coast of South Scotland offering set routes, flexible itineraries and luggage transfers.

Boots were made for walking

From Forest trails to coastal paths and mighty mountains, exploring Scotland on foot provides endless options. With tour providers offering guided daytrips, wildlife walks, multi-day hikes and more, once clients have their boots on the ground their needs will be covered.

• Wild Orkney Walks specialises in wildlife walks offering clients to get off the beaten track to explore Orkney on foot. Smaller group walks are for up to six people and can last from two hours to a full day. Bespoke tours can be tailored to clients’ needs giving visitors a special insight into the beauty and magic of Orkney’s wildlife and landscapes.
• Combining stunning scenery and island paradises, Argyll & The Isles is the ideal area to escape amid awe-inspiring landscapes. About Argyll Walking Holidays offers hiking tours and bespoke private guided hiking trips in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. During the walks customers enjoy historical, natural or geological themes, the solitude of secret places and the pure pleasure of walking.
• Based in the east of Scotland, but covering the whole country, Aboot Scotland provides day, half-day and multi-day guided walking trips and outdoor experiences for FIT and small groups of up to eight people. Bespoke, tailored tours can also be created for clients to explore Scotland’s outdoors and enjoy the atmosphere, flora and fauna. For those looking for something a little different, Aboot Scotland also offers sunrise experiences and outdoor yoga sessions.

Make a splash

With its 10,000 km of coastline, 30,000 plus lochs and lochans and miles of rivers, getting out on the water is a fantastic way to explore Scotland, discovering plenty of history and culture along the way as well as embracing outdoor adventures.

• With kayak centres based across The Highlands including Gairloch, Loch Ness and Nairn, Highland Experiences is a specialist outdoor experience provider offering canoeing and sea kayaking for those looking to explore Scotland on the water. From half-day beginners’ experiences, wildlife watching, and full-day excursions clients will be sure to have a memorable time on Scotland’s coasts and waters.
• Available to book by the berth, by the cabin or for whole boat private charter, VentureSail Holidays are the UK’s leading skippered sailing holiday agency offering ventures to incredible destinations. Once onboard, clients will be able to step off the beaten track and island hop around the jaw-droppingly beautiful Hebrides with plenty of opportunities to sightsee on land, walk, hike, sample whisky and watch wildlife.
• An hour away from Glasgow, Wreckspeditions offers boat trips exploring the historic coastlines of the Clyde. Clients will see amazing wildlife, jump waves, visit historic landmarks and even discover some secret locations. It’s hard to believe the wilderness, adventure and phenomenal scenery is just a stone’s throw away from Scotland’s largest city.

For more options and information, Visit Scotland’s travel trade website can be found HERE.