The Atlas Obscura Guide To Scotland

664 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Scotland

Updated September 21, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Scotland

Fingal's Cave

Isle of Staffa, Scotland

Fingal's Cave

This astonishingly geometric cave has inspired everyone from Jules Verne to Pink Floyd.

Fairy Pools.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

Fairy Pools

These fantastically named natural pools look like something out of a Scottish myth.

Fairy Glen, as viewed from Castle Ewan.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

Fairy Glen

This dramatic landscape hidden on the Isle of Skye looks as though you've stepped into the magical realm.

A street in the close.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Mary King's Close

17th century streets hidden under Edinburgh were once a breeding ground for the black death.

Eilean Donan

Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland

Eilean Donan

The most iconic structure in Scotland has been home to bishops, colonels, and Sean Connery characters.

The fountain.

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Witches' Well

The fountain marks the area where hundreds of accused witches were burned at the stake.

The Black Hole terrace.

Holywood, Scotland

Garden of Cosmic Speculation

A 30-acre garden inspired by the principles of modern physics.

(Flickr/Wojtek Gurak)

Edinburgh, Scotland

Holyrood Abbey Ruins

Ruined 11th century abbey built by King David I in Edinburgh, Scotland.

See All 664 Things To Do in Scotland

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Scotland

The Witchery

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Witchery

Near the former site of numerous witch burnings, this lavish Edinburgh mainstay pays homage to Scotland's brutal history.

The bar, with the window to the snug.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Bennets Bar

This historic pub has maintained much of its 1906 decor, including a small sequestered room for women, where orders were slipped through a tiny window.

The stained glass over the restaurant's bar.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Cafe Royal

Come for the oysters, stay for the priceless art honoring inventors across history and Scotland's favorite outdoor sports.

View from the Ferry

Scotland

The Old Forge

A pub that is literally in the middle of nowhere, but continues to do business.

See all 10 Places to Eat in Scotland

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Hidden Edinburgh

Crowds clog Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the main artery between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. The road is dotted with stores selling Nessie trinkets and lined with bagpipers and street performers pulling off dazzling tricks. But look beyond the tartan tourist traps, and you’ll discover tucked-away gardens, remnants of the city’s medieval past, and much more.

Look closely and wander widely: Parliament Square is full of charm.

Explore Scotland

History & Culture 139

Art 61

Ruins 56

History 55

Statues 42

Monuments 41

Memorials 39

Castles 38

Sculptures 37

Churches 33

Architectural Oddities 32

Geology 32

Places To Stay 9

Unique Restaurants & Bars 8

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Recent Scotland Activity

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epyonsaber44

has been to St Cecilia's Hall
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wants to go to Grave of 'The Great Lafayette'
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has been to Charles II Statue
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wants to go to 'Center of Edinburgh' Bollard
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oystermouth1971

wants to go to R34 Memorial

Stories About Scotland

There were many hotspots of alleged witch activity in Central Scotland.

Explore This Map of More Than 3,000 Scottish Witches

An Edinburgh University project uses data to track the victims of Scottish "witch-prickers" in the 16th and 17th centuries.

by Frank Jacobs, Big Think

Bonfires and revelry dominate modern Beltane celebrations, but the origins of the event are more mundane.

Beltane Is About More Than Fire and Fertility

The ancient “Celtic” start of summer is rooted in animal husbandry—and it’s not on May 1.

by Gemma Tarlach

A performer, deep in his feels, reciting "Address to a Haggis" at a Burns Supper.

Celebrating Scotland's Bard? Break Out the Haggis.

Every January 25, Scotland pays tribute to its most famous poet and an offal-y delicious dish.

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Can garlic help you win a soccer match?

5 Must-Read Football (or Soccer) Stories

Who needs the World Cup when we have so many con men, trendsetters, superstitions, and architectural rivalries?

December 6, 2022

A Halloween party in Scotland in 2004.

In Scotland, Trick or Treaters Sing (And Tell Jokes) For Their Candy

This tradition dates back hundreds of years.

by Jemma Beedie

October 5, 2022

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In the late 16th century, the quaint coastal town of North Berwick, Scotland, depicted here in a 1591 print, became an early hotbed of witch accusations. Some 60 people were accused, both nobles and servants, and many were executed.

Why Is Scotland Apologizing Now for Witch Trials 300 Years Ago?

The gender politics of attempting to right a historic wrong.

For 17 days in Scotland's remote Cairngorms mountains, British traveler Elise Wortley retraced the journey of early-20th-century writer Nan Shepherd.

Returning to the Valley of the Assassins in the Footsteps of Explorer Freya Stark

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Lists Featuring Scotland

Callanish Standing Stones.

A close up photo of several stones in one of the larger circles.

Lundin Links Standing Stones.

Ring of Brodgar

7 of Scotland’s Most Enchanting Standing Stones

These ancient monuments have captivated the imagination for thousands of years.

Including Callanish Stones, Machrie Moor Standing Stones, and Lundin Links Standing Stones

Fierce little cat.

Elephants playing in the mud at Elephant Nature Park.

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Little Spotted Kiwi

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