All United Kingdom Scotland

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Scotland

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

Updated July 8, 2024

Email

Cities

Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Aberdeen
  2. Aberdeenshire
  3. Anstruther
  4. Argyll And Bute
  5. Ayr
  6. Beauly
  7. Birnam
  8. Blantyre
  9. Comrie
  10. Crail
  11. Crieff
  12. Dailly
  13. Dalmally
  14. Dumfries And Galloway
  15. Dunbar
  16. Dundee
  17. Dunfermline
  18. Dunmore
  19. Dunure
  20. East Ayrshire
  21. East Lothian
  22. Edinburgh
  23. Eyemouth
  24. Falkirk
  25. Fraserburgh
  26. Glasgow
  27. Glencoe
  28. Glenfinnan
  29. Glentrool
  30. Highland
  31. Inverkeithing
  32. Inverness
  33. Isle Of Skye
  34. Johnstone
  35. Kilmartin
  36. Lendalfoot
  37. Lerwick
  38. Melrose
  39. Millport
  40. Musselburgh
  41. North Berwick
  42. Orkney
  43. Outer Hebrides
  44. Paisley
  45. Peebles
  46. Perth
  47. Perth And Kinross
  48. Port Charlotte
  49. Prestonpans
  50. Renfrewshire
  51. Saddell
  52. Saint Andrews
  53. Scottish Borders
  54. Shetland Islands
  55. Stirling
  56. Stonehaven
  57. Wallyford
  58. Wanlockhead
  59. West Dunbartonshire
  60. Wigtown

Unusual Attractions in Scotland

See All 702 Things To Do in Scotland

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Scotland

See all 10 Places to Eat in Scotland
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Trips

NEW - Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Learn More

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

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.

View Itinerary

Explore Scotland

History & Culture 155
Architecture 103
Art 63
Ruins 59
History 56
Castles 45
Statues 43
Monuments 43

Scotland Leaderboard

Recent Scotland Activity

Stories About Scotland

Podcast: Stone of Destiny

An unassuming rock in a Scottish bar may have quite a royal history.
by The Podcast Team

Imbolc, Groundhog Day, and Brigantia All Celebrate the Coming Spring

Whatever you call it, early February's cross-quarter day reconnects us with ancient astronomical timekeeping traditions.
by Rebecca Boyle
The Tomnaverie Stone Circle is a dramatic megalithic monument devoted to the Moon. A large recumbent stone, arranged between two smaller, upright stones, is visible just to the left of the image's center.

Scotland's Ancient Stone Circles Mark Our Deep Connection to the Moon

Unlike Sun-focused Stonehenge and other megalithic monuments, Tomnaverie and similar stone circles hint at the Moon's importance to ancient people.
by Rebecca Boyle
Stretching between the 16th and 18th centuries, the Scottish witch trials were among Europe’s longest and most deadly.

Isobel Gowdie and the Untold History of the Scottish Witch Trials

Some experts estimate as many as 3,000 people were accused and executed for witchcraft in Scotland.
by Sarah Durn
There are so many reasons to take stone skimming seriously.

Stone Skimming Is a World Champion Sport—And a Model for Spaceships

What to know if you want to skip a rock over 200 feet. Or fly to space.
by Ella Benson Easton
The Cailleach shrine can determine if locals have a good year or not.

Moving Stones Has a Magical Effect at This Secret Shrine in Scotland

Don't let the Cailleach curse your autumn.
by Daniela Castillo Gómez
Modern-day versions of the Atholl Brose often contain cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

The Oat-Milk Cocktail That Took Down an Army

Amanda Schuster explores the origins of the Atholl Brose in “Signature Cocktails.”
by Diana Hubbell
On closer examination, the map reveals the places of residence of accused witches, here in the Greater Edinburgh area.

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

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.

7

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

Fierce little cat.
Elephants playing in the mud at Elephant Nature Park.
Oh, hello!
Little Spotted Kiwi

10 Ethical Animal Places to Visit in 2019

Unique experiences from Nairobi to Chiang Mai.

12

Including Cat Island, Elephant Nature Park , and India's Giant Technicolor Squirrels

Bolivia's Witch Market
Dubrovnik Maskeron
The Statue of St. Anthony's Pig
The Guardhouse Monkey

15 Unlikely Places to Re-Up Your Luck

Luck be a... llama fetus?

15

Including Bolivia's Witch Market, Dubrovnik Maskeron, and Statue of St. Anthony's Pig

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.

Learn More