Scotland has been voted the second best country to visit in 2017 by the readers of Rough Guide. To help you plan your next visit, a new video from Airborne Lens reveals the Top 10 things you must do when in Scotland.

With breathtaking scenery, unique cultural attractions, a warm welcome, and castles unlike anywhere else in the world, Scotland is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on earth.

It’s almost impossible to pick a Top 10 of places you must visit, but here at Airborne Lens we love a challenge, so we sent our team out to find some of our bucketlist favourites and we put this short video together for you to enjoy. Thanks for watching, and please share…. 

Watch the video here: CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO

Scotland Top 10:  #10 Walk Through Glencoe

The area is a paradise for walkers and climbers in all seasons, and skiers and snowboarders in the winter. Visitors can also hire mountain bikes and hurtle downhill on the many purpose-built bike tracks, in addition there's sailing, white water or sea kayaking, fishing, canyoning, golf, archery, climbing or simply walking the miles of mountain and forestry tracks.

After a long walk, stop by the legendary Clachaig Inn, a source of accommodation and hospitality for travellers for over three hundred years. Or enjoy the wonderful setting of the Glencoe Inn, in the shadow of the Pap of Glencoe, overlooking Loch Leven.

Scotland Top 10:  #9 Visit A Winter Festival

We love winter in Scotland, because that means it’s time for twinkling lights, fairground rides, outdoor ice rinks, Christmas markets and mulled wine!

From the annual sound and light show at The Enchanted Forest to the magical winter wonderland in the centre of a fairytale city at Edinburgh's Winter Festivals, there is no excuse not to wrap up warm and enjoy the winter fun in Scotland.

Scotland Top 10:  #8 Photograph Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most photographed in the country, and probably appears on more shortbread tins and calendars than any other.

Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery, it is little wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish Highlands.

But don’t forget, there are more than 2,000+ castles in Scotland just waiting for you to visit.

Scotland Top 10:  #7 Sail Over the Sea to Skye

The product of violent geographical upheavals, the Isle of Skye is justly famed for its towering, ragged mountains and wild coastline. Add to these a colourful patchwork of crofts (farms), waterfalls, an exceptional whisky, a castle linked to the fairy world and the historical romance of Bonnie Prince Charlie, and you find on Skye all the ingredients that best symbolise the Highlands.

Step back in time and experience how islanders really lived at the unique and informative Skye Museum of Island Life or sample the Michelin-starred restaurant in a magical setting at the luxurious Kinloch Lodge.

Scotland Top 10:  #6 Have a Wee Dram

No visit to Scotland is complete without a visit to a whisky distillery. Whisky is Scotland's national drink and it’s biggest export, with rare bottles selling for thousands of dollars.

Passing through the stunning Perthshire Tourist Route brings you to the home of Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery, where tradition is combined with the latest interactive technology to tell the story of the Dewar family.

A popular way to visit a distillery (or a few) is to take a guided tour such as the Timberbush Tours Highland Whisky, Woodland & Braveheart tour which includes a visit to Scotland’s oldest distillery, The Famous Grouse Experience at Glenturret (Est. 1775).

Scotland Top 10:  #5 Take a Coach Tour

Let someone else drive, and sit back and enjoy the ever-changing scenery as it drifts by. There are lots of excellent tour companies operating in Scotland, and with so many choices on types of trips from small group tours, scenic day trips, famous TV and film locations tours, to workshop based tours why not try a few! Some of the larger tour companies also operate their own hotels, offering all inclusive deals.

And don’t forget, Airborne Lens run photography and drone filming workshops from November to April every year, please enquire here for more information and availability.

Scotland Top 10:  #4 Be Inspired in Glasgow

Glasgow was named European City of Culture in 1990 and has continued to grow it’s vibrant arts and culture scene. This has been further reinforced by Glasgow being awarded the accolade of UNESCO City of Music and appointed to its Creative Cities Network.

Glasgow is home to the national performing arts organisations Royal Scottish National Orchestra, National Theatre of Scotland, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, and the 4th oldest University in the English-speaking world.

Glasgow is also renowned for its remarkable museum offering, including the Zaha Hadid-designed Riverside Museum and of course being home to Scotland’s most visited collection at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Some 8,000 works of major international significance are displayed over three floors of gallery space.

Scotland Top 10:  #3 Stroll Through the Borders

From the rolling hills and moorland in the west to the gentle valleys and picturesque Berwickshire coastline in the east, follow in the foosteps of historical novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott’s shoes and visit the famous Scott’s View, and his home at Abbotsford House.

Walking in this enthralling landscape, you can't help but imagine yourself transported back to the bygone world of Scott's sweeping romantic epics filled with daring outlaws and damsels in distress.

The Scottish Borders is also a great place for the thrill seeker, with mountain biking to be had at the two 7stanes centres as well as off-road quad biking, archery and tree-top adventures at Go Ape. 

Scotland Top 10:  #2 Drive the North Coast 500

Scotland’s answer to Route 66, the NC 500 offers more than 500 miles of the best of the North Highlands. The route runs to and from Inverness, venturing round the capital of the Highlands, up the West Coast and back via the rugged north coast.

There is so much to see and do along the way, from a tour of an organic brewery, to a visit to the most northerly of Scotland's great houses at Dunrobin Castle, or play a round of golf on some of the finest courses in the country.

Not to mention a host of amazing places to stay, including the award winning “most hospitable hotel” at Kylesku, or blend the comforts of home with the simple joys of the great outdoors and stay in a wigwam. For those looking for the height of luxury, treat yourself at Dornoch Castle, or why not just hire an entire castle!

Scotland Top 10:  #1 Visit Edinburgh Castle

Dominating the city’s skyline as it has done for over 800 years, Edinburgh Castle is a national icon and, deservedly, the country’s most popular visitor attraction. Set in the heart of Scotland's dynamic capital city it is sure to capture your imagination. The scenery will take your breath away.

Airborne Lens was one of the first media companies in the UK to film with drones at the castle, and what an amazing experience it was! 

About Airborne Lens

Airborne Lens is the CAA Approved drone team at Airborne Media, an award winning digital media production company serving Scotland and the North of England. We provide high quality and affordable short films, aerial filming, professional photography and 360-degree virtual tours for business, industry, film and TV.