What To See And Do In Scotland
My Top Scottish Attractions
Scottish attractions have seen tourism at an all time high due to the number of famous sights that keep visitors flocking back time and again. With sights like Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow Science Centre and the Falkirk Wheel, attractions in Scotland hold something of interest for everyone.
Things to do in Scotland would obviously have to include a visit to Edinburgh Castle, and I have featured it on my Scottish Castles page.
I have had the privilege of seeing many of Scotland's great attractions and some of them are pretty awesome. Obviously everyone has different tastes, so my top ten, listed here in no particular order, is quite varied.
Blair Drummond Safari Park
Another one of my favourite Scottish attractions, is the reasonably priced and fantastic day out for all the family, Blair Drummond Wildlife Safari Park.
Blair Drummond Park is situated less than an hour's drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. If you take junction 10 off the M9 motorway, it's well signposted from there, and Stirling is the nearest train station.
If you enjoy animals and wide open spaces as much as I do, you'll love this place. All you need is half decent weather, to let you take full advantage of the walks and the many other facilities you'll find around the park.
You start off by driving through the animal reserves, then once you have parked you can take a walk through pets farm, visit the adventure areas, take in the falconry and sea lion displays, and visit chimp island.
Some of the other animals you can look forward to meeting include :
Antelopes, Lions, Tigers, Penguins, Birds of Prey, Bears, Giraffes, Camels, Meerkats, Zebras, Rhinos, Otters, Ostriches, Lemurs, Wallabys, and the only Elephants you're likely to see in Scotland.
This isn't the whole list, these are just the ones I remember, there are lots more you're likely to see.
When you do finally stop for a rest, there are bar and restaurant facilities, a barbeque area, and lots of picnic areas where you can just relax.
The children won't get bored, that's for sure, when you consider the number of attractions that make up the whole adventure that is Blair Drummond Wildlife Safari Park. A wooden castle, bouncy castle, giant astraglide, pirate ship, face painting, pedal boats and amusements are just some of the things to keep the little ones happy. But perhaps the highlight of the day for them and for you, is a visit to the fantastic Chimp Island.
This wildlife safari park has been going strong since 1970, and it's a shame to think that some of these animals are an endangered species. The Chimps and Tigers are endangered, and many other animals are dependent on conservation areas like Blair Drummond Safari Park for their survival.
The animals are well cared for here, all the staff do a fabulous job, and it's nice to think when you pay your admission fee that some of it is going to a very worthwhile cause, especially when you have such a great time.
I would recommend you allow at least four hours for your visit.
Opening Times
Open Daily 10am - 5.30pm
Admission Prices
Adults £11.50
Children (3-14 inclusive) £8
Senior Citizens £8
Special needs £8
Children under 3 get in free.
The Falkirk Wheel
To be honest, this isn't my kind of "attraction" and I arrived here by accident, but when I saw the Wheel in action I was glad I came.
The Falkirk Wheel was completed in 2002 and opened by Her Majesty the Queen.
It's an exceptional feat of engineering, the only rotating boat lift in the world, and it connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.
I can now understand why it was
voted one of the top seven waterway structures in the UK. It's unique in the sense it can carry eight or more boats at a time, scooping them out of the water and depositing them up or down on the waterway between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The Falkirk Wheel connects Glasgow and Edinburgh by canal, replacing 11 locks across central Scotland, that were abandoned in the 1930's.
Apparently there was much discussion as to whether this was necessary, but the Falkirk Wheel is now a tourist attraction which has had a huge impact on the area. It’s success may lead to other developments around the newly renovated canals in the Falkirk area.
The Visitor Centre, fully accessible, with disabled car parking provided, offers a magnificent viewpoint from which to see the Wheel in action, has a cafeteria and gift shop, and there is no charge for entrance.
There is also a boat tour with audio and video support. A trip takes about an hour and provides an unforgettable day out for all the family.
Tickets for Boat Trips can be booked in the Centre, although it is recommended that you pre-book on 08700 500208. In addition to the boat trips, interactive exhibitions in the centre allow visitors to learn more about the rotating boat lift and the canals, and the kids can have a great time in the Irn Bru Fun Factory.
The Wheel is situated in the Tamfourhill area of Falkirk, and served by two railway stations, both a short distance away, although most visitors travel by road, with every approach well signposted from the M8 and M876 motorways.
It was named after the nearby town of Falkirk in central Scotland, a modern town, easily accessible from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Falkirk has excellent shopping centres, and the High Street is pedestrian only.
Other attractions in the area include the remnants of the Antonine wall, built between the Firth of Forth and the Clyde to form the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Falkirk's history has seen contributions by William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots and John Logie Baird.
When darkness falls, the illuminations help enhance the Falkirk Wheel's stature as the third most popular visitor attraction in Scotland, behind only the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and Edinburgh Castle.
I have to admit I enjoyed this day out.
Facilities
Audio Visual Boat Trip
Audio Walking Tour
Interactive Exhibition
Outdoor Play Area
Gift & Souvenir Shop
Picnic Areas
Cycle Paths
Canal Walks
Cafe
Opening Times
Until 31st March
Monday - Wednesday 11.00-1600
Thursday - Sunday 11.00-16.00
Boat Trip Prices
Adult £8.00
Children (3 - 15 years old) £4.50
Children under 3 FREE
Concessions £6.75
Family £22.05
* Scottish charity - the Seagull Trust, formed in 1978, provides free canal cruising for anyone with a disability. They have four branches located on the Union, Forth & Clyde and Caledonian Canals at: Falkirk, Highland, Kirkintilloch and Ratho. Full details can be found on the bookings page.
Glenmorangie Distillery Tour