Start Your Adventure in Scotland: A Small Bucket List for Students

So, you’ve come to study in Scotland. Och, good on ya.

You can say you were impressed by our top-class universities and a reputation for producing creative thinkers.

But we know the truth... you just wanted to live in Scotland.

Now you’re here, enjoy your experience as a student and discover our hauntingly vast landscapes, quirky yet beautiful culture, and morbidly fascinating history.

A Scottish welcome is like a sip of whisky by the fire and to you we say welcome, along with a wee Scottish bucket list to get you started on your adventure. But it comes with a warning: you may get hooked and be unable to leave.

Famous Landmarks

Scottish landscapes are a deep well of myths and legends. Stories told round the fire. You lean closer just to make sure you don't miss any details. You take a million photographs, just so you can study them later and perhaps discover secrets for yourself.

Here are our three unmissable sites for you to explore.

Loch Ness  

This mysterious loch has been a Scottish icon for hundreds of years. There’s been more Nessie sightings than you’ve had cups of coffee. Loch Ness has also witnessed many dramatic battles. No wonder it tops visitors’ bucket lists.

Whether you believe in the Loch Ness Monster or you’re craving some unforgettable Highland scenery; get on a tour with Rabbie’s and find out what all this fuss is about. 

Glen Coe

The most stunning valley you’ll ever see, Glen Coe is the remains of a super volcano shaped by glaciers. Here, the raw beauty of mountain peaks intertwines with a dramatic clan history and leaves you speechless. Visit this magnificent site on one of our tours and get your head full of fascinating facts and tragic tales.

Isle of Skye

Skye is the closest you can get to visiting a fantasy land. The Cuillin Mountains rise ominously like the peaks of Mordor, fairy pools and glens scatter across the island, and the giant’s fingers get mistaken for a famous rock formation.

Join our tours to immerse yourself in the stunning sights and local legends and you’ll discover that not all magic is gone.

Scottish Icons

From cute animals to fiery drinks and national outfits; Scottish culture is instantly recognizable all over the world. Here’s a quick round-up of five things we think make us special.

Highland Cows

Eye-catching red hair, a trendy fringe, and large curved horns: Highland cows, or as we call them Highland coos, are a sight to behold. Seeing them in the fields is one of the most sought-after Scottish experiences, so keep your eyes peeled when exploring the Highlands and Islands.

Whisky

This legendary Scottish drink has only three ingredients: barley (wheat or rye), yeast, and water. But don’t get fooled by this apparent simplicity. With over 130 distilleries scattered over five distinctive whisky regions, this tipple is as complex as our land and history.

If you’re on a mission to get whisky expertise, start with theory before you move to practice and learn to drink whisky like a true Scot. And join one of our field trips to see how the ‘water of life’ is made. Slainte!

Kilts

People around the world may laugh that men in Scotland wear skirts. Nothing could be more wrong. It takes a real man to wear a heavy kilt made of over seven metres of wool. And Scots do it with pride, even more so when someone asks if they wear any underwear.

For us, the kilt is more than an item of clothing; it’s a piece of history and culture that has stood the test of time. And it’s a sign of your family’s identity.

If you can’t get your head around kilts, tartans, and clans; have a drink with a local and get all your answers.

Golf

This international game boasts its own culture and some of the most prestigious courses and tournaments. But it had humble beginnings in Scotland in the 15th century.

Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner, discover the places connected to the heritage of the game and enjoy a round of golf at some of the most famous courses in the world. 

Hint: A day trip to the incredible seaside town of St Andrews is an easy day trip from Edinburgh... and the perfect spot for golf lovers.

Food

You might have raised your eyebrows a couple of times when confronted with Scottish food. Deep-fried Mars bar? Fluorescent Irn Bru as a hangover cure? Scottish cuisine can get as tongue-in-cheek as our banter. But it’s also known for unrivalled quality. If you love discovering new tastes, loosen up your belt and check our Scottish culinary bucket list.

Morbidly Fascinating History

Neolithic villages, Roman ruins, and splendid castles; these are just some of the wondrous monuments left behind by the previous generations of inhabitants and invaders. With so many fascinating historical events to discover, you’re bound to find a topic that will inspire you to further explorations.

Stirling Castle 

Sitting at the Lowland-Highland junction, Stirling Castle is as magnificent as it is crucial to Scotland’s history. From being home to Scottish royals like Mary Queen of Scots to witnessing famous battles; this fortress has endured a lot and had various functions.

Feel like a royal as you explore the sumptuous chambers of the castle and hear the latest gossip from the court. And then escape to the countryside and discover the land and legends this castle has guarded for centuries.

Hadrian’s Wall

They came, they saw, and decided to build a wall. The might of the Roman Empire stopped in today’s northern England with the construction of the Hadrian’s Wall. This 73-mile-long barrier protected the Roman border from the feisty tribes in the north. And changed the history for ever.

You can still admire this ancient feat of engineering on our day tour from Edinburgh. So, step back in time and imagine what life on the border of the Roman Britain was like.

Skara Brae in Orkney

When a storm revealed Skara Brae in 1850, people couldn’t believe their eyes. Instead of staring at a large mound, they saw an outline of mysterious structures jutting out of the grass and soil. Today, we know this village as one of the best-preserved Neolithic settlements in Europe. And it’s older than the Great Pyramids of Giza.

Journey to Orkney to peek into the ancient way of living and discover other secrets hidden on these stunning islands.

Movies Shot in Scotland

Scotland’s mind-blowing landscapes dazzle on the big and small screen. But they are even more jaw-dropping in real-life. Immerse yourself in the natural sets of some of the most popular productions in the world and discover their own stories.

James Bond

Britain’s most suave agent may have travelled all over the world, but his story is strongly connected to Scotland. According to the books, a young James Bond was educated in Edinburgh and his father was born in Glen Coe.

In Skyfall, 007 returns to his ancestral home, trying to hide from the enemy in the wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. Sadly, you can’t turn up and visit Skyfall Lodge, as it was built in Surrey, England. But you can follow in the footsteps of Bond and M through the awe-inspiring and intimidating scenery of Glen Coe and Glen Etive.

Harry Potter

If you’re secretly a Potterhead, add some magic to your time in Edinburgh and visit some of the best Harry Potter locations in Scotland.

Start your adventure in the capital and discover the essential sites that inspired J. K. Rowling.  Next, grab your broomsticks and fly off to the places you’ve seen on the big screen like Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glen Coe, and Alnwick Castle in England.

Outlander

If you’ve been dreaming about going back in time and helping the Scottish Jacobite revolution with Jamie and Claire, you’ve chosen the best place to be.

Travel in time in Edinburgh to discover its Jacobite history and filming locations used in the series. Then, follow in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire through the turbulent events and stunning landscapes on one of our Outlander tours of Scotland for the ultimate fan experience.

So there you have it, a wee introduction to everything Scottish.

But it’s just a warm-up. You still have many islands to visit, mountains to climb, whiskies to try, and stories to hear before you really get to know Scotland. So spend your time here studying, exploring and creating great memories that will last a life time.