Featuring new attractions, hotels, events, and celebrations for the year ahead

From unveiling a reimagined landmark castle, to Scotland's largest city celebrating a historic anniversary, to endless epic waves and adventure awaiting at Scotland's first surfing resort...2025 looks to be another standout year.

Offering awe-inspiring landscapes, a vibrant culinary scene, soul-stirring experiences, and a warm, welcoming spirit, Scotland is the ultimate destination to reinvigorate the soul. Whether a nature enthusiast, lover of luxury, foodie or music aficionado, Scotland offers year-round allure and should be at the top of everybody's travel list.

The selection below is just a handful of Scotland's brand-new range of visitor attractions, accommodation, distilleries, events, and anniversaries to look forward to in the year ahead.

Keep an eye on the VisitScotland media toolkit for more updates over the coming months. 

 

Top Stories

The Inverness Castle Experience, Inverness, opening in 2025

The Inverness Castle Experience will be a new visitor attraction in the centre of Inverness, celebrating the 'spirit of the Highlands' through its stories of past, present and future. The existing castle buildings and esplanade gardens are being transformed from their original use as the home of Inverness' prison and courts into a celebration of what makes the Highlands of Scotland a special place to live, work and visit. Visitors will be able to take a journey through the gardens, the two towers and new restaurant, bars and shop to experience stories about the Highlands and its landscape, culture, heritage, and people.  The visitor journey will be guided by a seanchaidh – storyteller – who will help to reveal stories which celebrate the spirit of the Highlands.

 

Celebrate Glasgow's 850th anniversary

Glasgow, UNESCO City of Music, celebrates its 850th anniversary in 2025, making it an ideal time to explore this dynamic city. With a range of events and activities to come to mark the occasion and as a city renowned for its rich culture, delicious food and drink, striking architecture, world-class events, exciting visitor attractions and welcoming atmosphere, Glasgow guarantees a memorable visit. Find out more in the Glasgow spotlight section below.

 

Paisley Museum, Renfrewshire, opening in 2025

Paisley Museum was founded as a place of learning at the heart of the town, and the building and collections have a remarkable history.  After a significant £45-million-pound investment, the museum is being transformed to become one of the main offerings in Paisley alongside wider heritage products such as, Paisley Art Centre, Paisley Library and Paisley Townhall.  The museum will showcase Paisley's world-changing stories to new audiences and will sit at the heart of the community – a place for everyone to learn, discover, create, and connect.

 

Lost Shore Surf Resort, Edinburgh, opened autumn 2024

The Lost Shore Surf Resort arrived in Scotland in autumn 2024, when it proudly became Europe's largest inland surfing destination. Based in Edinburgh, this world-class facility brings an iconic sport to a new inland home. Capable of generating up to 1,000 waves per hour, the state-of-the-art surf lake is set within a 60-acre country park, offering luxury accommodation, a food market, shopping, and a wellness spa.

 

Tall Ships, Aberdeen, 19-22 July 2025

 

Aberdeen has a rich history with the Tall Ships Races, hosting the incredible fleet in 1991 and 1997, and will be welcoming back The Tall Ships Races in July 2025. Hundreds of thousands of people will descend on the city for four days of celebrating, sharing culture, and international friendships at Europe's largest free family event.

 

 

Orkney 2025 Island Games, 12-18 July 2025

The Orkney 2025 International Island Games will take place from 12 – 18 July 2025.  Orkney will have the privilege of hosting the Games in its landmark 40th year since it all began.  This week-long event will see athletes from up to 24 island groups from across the world compete in 13 exciting sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, swimming, and triathlon.

 

The Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh, Spring 2025

 

The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh will be opening a new Visitor Centre and Shop in 2025. The Visitor Centre will incorporate never seen before images and films, setting the scene for the Royal Yacht's rich history. The Gift Shop will be a cornucopia of Royal and heritage gifts, as well as unique treasures inspired by Britannia. Discover luxury homewares, jewellery, chinaware and stunning accessories.

 

Outer Hebrides Voted Best in the World

Each year, National Geographic releases its Best of the World list, celebrating destinations and travel experiences that illuminate our beautiful world and the diversity of communities and people within it. The Outer Hebrides has been named as the only UK destination on the 2025 list with recognition given to its breathtaking landscapes and unique heritage.

For decades, the Outer Hebrides has attracted visitors from every corner of the globe, who are drawn to its beautiful beaches and coastline. Offering breathtaking scenery, crystal-clear waters, unique Hebridean culture and Gaelic language, history and wildlife, welcoming locals, delicious local food and drink and its wide variety of outdoor pursuits.  Find out more about this stunning group of islands here: Outer Hebrides - Holidays & Breaks | VisitScotland.

 

 

Distillery News

There are nearly 150 active distilleries spread across Scotland, which are split into five whisky producing regions: Campbeltown, Highlands, Islay, Lowlands, and Speyside.  Each region boasts their own unique flavours in their whiskies, all of which reflect the landscape and surrounding area, and many distilleries are making moves to conduct new and innovative sustainable practices.  In 2025, visitors can look forward to a variety of new distilleries and visitor centres opening their doors, including the first whisky distillery in Shetland, making the following well-known proverb a reality...

Today's rain is tomorrow's whisky

The Lerwick Distillery, Shetland, gift shop now open, full distillery reveal in 2025

Introducing Shetland's first whisky distillery! The Lerwick Distillery opened its gift shop on Market Street in autumn 2024, offering a variety of items and local products. Full distillery operations are planned to follow, with single malt whisky production set to begin next year. While the single malt matures—a process that takes a minimum of three years and one day—the distillery will produce a unique Shetland blended whisky using select casks sourced from the Scottish mainland.

The team at Lerwick Distillery aims to complete the full distillery space by 2025, with tours and tastings anticipated to launch alongside the single malt release in future years.

 

Highland Park Distillery, Orkney, opening in 2025

The Orkney based 200-year-old distillery, Highland Park, crafts whisky with heathered peat for a subtly smoky flavour that's as unique as the place it's made.  The distillery has been closed for the past year as a major programme of environmental upgrades, aimed at reducing the distillery's carbon emissions by 20%, is carried out.  The ambitious project will see a series of significant developments, including a new heat recovery system which will save more than 1000 tonnes of CO₂ every year. 

Visitors will be welcomed back to this innovative distillery in 2025.

 

Edinburgh Gin Distillery, Edinburgh, Winter 2024

The Arches on East Market Street, in the heart of Scotland's capital city, will soon be home to the highly anticipated Edinburgh Gin state-of-the-art Distillery and Visitor Experience. The opening will mark the relocation of their existing distilleries from Rutland Street and Leith, uniting the essence of the brand under one roof. The meticulously designed brand home promises immersive experiences that will transport visitors on a journey filled with wonder.

 

Arbikie Distillery Sustainable Experience, Angus, now running

As Arbikie continues its journey to be one of the world's most sustainable distilleries, this new experience tells the story of Arbikie's origins as a 400-year-old farming business. Visitors will learn about the growing of all ingredients on-site, the creation of the world's first carbon-negative gin and vodka, Nadar, and Arbikie's progress to becoming the world's first green hydrogen-powered distillery.

 

Eden Mill Distillery, St Andrews, opening in 2025

After lying still for over 150 years, Eden Mill brings the art of distilling back to this historical area in the form of a new distillery experience and a range of premium single malt whiskies and gins. The front wall of the building will feature large glass windows providing beautiful views out over the estuary and the iconic St Andrews skyline. All their electricity will be 100% renewable, coming from either the solar farm belonging to the University of St Andrews or other renewable energy sources. Additionally, the CO₂ produced during the fermentation process will be captured for the University to use.

 

Glencadam Distillery Visitor Centre, Angus, Summer 2025

Glencadam Distillery is developing a new visitor centre and VIP suite at its site in Brechin, Angus.  As one of Scotland's oldest distilleries, dating back to 1825, the new visitor centre will pay homage to its rich heritage with a dedicated exhibition space showcasing the history of the East Highland distillery and its surroundings. The visitor centre will also house a retail space and tasting rooms, as well as a whisky lounge, café and function suite for corporate hospitality and private hire.

It is expected the new visitor centre will open its doors to visitors and locals alike in summer 2025.

 

Ardgowan Distillery Inverclyde, opening in 2025

A new state-of-the-art distillery and visitor centre on the Ardgowan Estate, just a 45-minute drive from Glasgow city centre, is nearing completion with whisky production set to begin in 2025. Using extensive heat recovery at each stage of the production process as well as CO₂ capture from fermentation, the distillery will eventually become carbon negative.

 

Biggar Gin Distillery Tours, South Lanarkshire, available now

The Stillhouse, home of the range of Biggar Spirits, located at the foot of the Tinto Hills in the Southern Uplands will be offering behind the scenes tours to showcase how the distillery still uses traditional distilling techniques that stretch back hundreds of years to handcraft their award-winning spirits. Tours last approximately 90 minutes, and guests will receive a perfect serve of one of the Biggar Spirits on arrival.

 

Hotel News

Scotland is set to welcome a wave of new accommodation in 2025, with standout openings including Seaton House overlooking St Andrews' iconic Old Course, The Hoxton bringing modern flair to Edinburgh's historic Haymarket, and Murrayshall Country Estate unveiling eco-friendly luxury pods in Perthshire. Each new accommodation will offer travellers a unique experience that showcases Scotland's rich culture and stunning landscapes…

 

Seaton House, St Andrews, February 2025

Situated near the first tee at the world-famous Old Course, where the first ever game of golf was played 600 years ago, Seaton House offers 5-star luxury hospitality in the heart of historic St Andrews, with spectacular views across West Sands beach.

 

The Hoxton, Edinburgh, opening in 2025

The Hoxton will be coming to the Haymarket neighbourhood of Edinburgh in 2025. Eleven sewn together Georgian townhouses will create 214 rooms, three houses for longer stays, a restaurant, and a large event space and gallery meaning there's plenty to enjoy at this brand-new hotel set a mere stroll away from the sights of this historic city.

 

Supercity Aparthotel, Edinburgh, Spring 2025

Opening in Spring 2025, work is underway to transform Playfair House and the Category B Listed Forth House into a signature new Supercity Aparthotel in the centre of Edinburgh.  Retaining the historic façade of Forth House, the existing Playfair House will be transformed to sensitively incorporate old and new in the city's New Town. The property will include Studio, One-Bedroom and Two-Bedroom Apartment Suites.

 

The Waterside Hotel, West Kilbride, Spring 2025

Located just 40 minutes from Glasgow, The Waterside Hotel at West Kilbride will be the home of a new state-of-the-art spa. The new £3million sea view spa development will open in spring 2025 boasting sea views over the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran.

The developments at The Waterside Hotel will also comprise 17 additional guest rooms and will include six treatment rooms, a four-person Rasul experience, indoor thermal area with sauna and steam room. The new spa will overlook the beach and will have a strong focus on the outdoors with a large hydro pool, outdoor shower, cold bucket, a sheltered firepit and seating area.

 

Murrayshall Country Estate new luxury pod accommodation, Perthshire, April 2025

Murrayshall Country Estate, the historic hotel, estate, and golf course nestled in the heart of Perthshire will open a transformative expansion that will allow it to welcome over 5000 guests from across the world, in a move that will double its capacity. Capitalising on the glorious estate surrounding the hotel, Murrayshall Country Estate will be introducing 22 Armadilla pod-style cabins, marking a new era of luxury and comfort for the four-star resort. 

The pods will offer a unique and eco-friendly sanctuary for guests seeking a countryside retreat blending seclusion with luxury. The pods will be available for booking from April 2025 with prices starting at £250 per night.  

 

Forest Holidays Log Cabins, Glentress, Scottish Borders, opened Autumn 2024

In the heart of the Tweed Valley, discover 56 environmentally sensitive, pet-friendly cabins ranging from one to five bedrooms perched amongst the pines in a mature woodland, full of natural drama.  

Glentress Forest provides an epic Scottish Borders backdrop to walking, world-class mountain biking and incredible wildlife watching. Embrace adventure or seek out space to unwind across 3,800 acres of forest.  

 

Crossbasket Castle, East Kilbride, Spring 2025

 

Spring 2025 will see the launch of a new era of luxury and opulence for five-star hotel, Crossbasket Castle. Following a multi-million-pound development, a new 40-bedroom hotel, two eco-friendly lodges, and a lavish spa are set to provide the perfect choice of venue for all guest requirements. The development on the outskirts of Glasgow, described previously as a 'no-expense-spared passion project', is set to leave guests in awe.

 

Plans for the hotel also include a new purposely designed entertainment-led dining experience offering exciting entertainment acts seven days a week, immersive dining experiences and exclusive cocktail and drinks offerings that have been carefully curated to create a level of entertainment and service that is incomparable to anywhere else in Scotland.

 

Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort, Renfrewshire, Spring 2025

Nestled within an idyllic ancient woodland estate just ten minutes from Glasgow International Airport, Mar Hall is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound investment from new owners.

Spring 2025 will see its existing mansion complete with a full redesign of all public spaces and bedrooms, with a private dining room and members' lounge added to the current offering.

Across the 230-acre estate, and also new in 2025, Mar Hall has been granted planning permission for 30 luxurious woodland lodges that will add an initial 48 bedrooms to the Resort's current key count of 70.  Work has also started in developing the spa and leisure facilities, event spaces, gardens and golf course.

 

Fingal Hotel, Edinburgh, available in 2025

 

Fingal, Edinburgh's luxury floating hotel, will be adding to their dining experience following an expansion of their Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, as well as a new private dining experience in the original Bridge, offering a tailored and immersive gastronomic journey.

 

Spotlight on... Glasgow

Glasgow Cathedral viewed from The Necropolis. © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

 

2025 will be a big year for Glasgow as the city celebrates its 850th birthday, the perfect excuse to make 2025 the year to visit.   For 850 years, Glasgow has continued to shine with its never-ending cultural programmes, stunning architecture, and friendly residents, evolving into the vibrant city known and loved around the world today.  The city entices visitors through its many museums and visitor attractions, countless concerts each week, street markets and lively events.  People travel from all over the world to visit the likes of the Gallery of Modern Art, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and The Burrell Collection.

Glasgow is made even more colourful by the ever-growing presence of greenery, such as Glasgow Green, Pollok Country Park, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and more.  Visitors can have the best of both worlds; a lively and bustling city break and an escape into nature, all in one trip to Glasgow.

For the Foodies...

Looking for an innovative, varied, and award-winning food scene?  Glasgow has it covered.  From offering Michelin star experiences to maintaining its place as one of the world's most vegan and vegetarian friendly locations, Glasgow is well known as a city for foodies.  In fact, Michelin has announced that its world-famous guide to Britain's best restaurants is to be unveiled in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery in 2025.

Brand new to the restaurant scene is Roots, a cocktail bar and brasserie, where tradition meets quality, with a modern twist.  In Glasgow's Merchant City, a new restaurant, Margo, from the team behind the iconic Ox and Finch has opened, offering a menu that will regularly evolve while retaining a flavour-led approach with a focus on Scottish seafood, meat butchered in-house, and bread and pasta made from scratch.

Glasgow is also famous for being a creative and cultural city, with art galleries galore, famous architecture, and history as a UNESCO City of Music. So, it is only natural for the arts to bleed into the food scene.  Restaurant and bar, The Last Bookstore, has recently opened to provide a book lover's paradise in the centre of Glasgow.  The bar's walls are lined with over 8,000 books and a stunning book arch for the perfect photo op, and the cocktail menu is inspired by literary heroes, such as Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy Parker, and Jack Kerouac.  Music lovers should run, not walk, to Glasgow's newest jazz cafe, Basement Jazz Cafe, to enjoy the city's lively nightlife to the soundtrack of live music, showcasing the best up-and-coming jazz musicians from Glasgow and beyond.

Find out more about the city of Glasgow:

Glasgow - Short Holidays & Weekend City Breaks | VisitScotland

9 Restaurants & Bars to Try in Glasgow | VisitScotland

Places to Eat & Drink - Visit Glasgow

 

 

Events, Exhibitions & Experiences

With atmospheric crowds, iconic venues and picture-perfect backdrops, Scotland plays host to world leading sporting events as well as music and cultural festivals.  Edinburgh is the world's leading festival city with amazing events taking place year-round, including the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 2025, visitors can choose from small local events to large international crowds, see below to find out what's in store.

 

Big Burns Supper, Dumfries, January 2025

For those with a thirst for adventure and an appetite for the extraordinary, Big Burns Supper 2025 is offering one of the most unique and immersive celebrations of Scottish tradition ever seen: the Underwater Burns Supper. This bold and playful reinterpretation of the classic Burns Supper will take place at the depths of Dumfries, bringing together professional performers to deliver a dining experience that promises to be like no other.

But the creativity doesn't stop there. This year's line-up offers a variety of quirky twists on the Burns Supper tradition, including the Burns Supper on a Bus, a roving feast where attendees can enjoy haggis, neeps, and tatties while touring the streets of Dumfries on a vintage red bus. For families, the Family Burns Supper presents a more relaxed, kid-friendly version of the event, allowing everyone to enjoy a slice of Scottish culture.

 

Celtic Connections, Glasgow, January/February 2025

Glasgow's annual folk, roots and world music festival, Celtic Connections, celebrates its connections to cultures across the globe.  From 16 January to 2 February 2025, over 2,100 musicians from around the world bring the city to life for eighteen days.  During this time, there are concerts, ceilidhs, talks, art exhibitions, workshops and free events for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.

 

Granite City Festival Weekender, Aberdeen, June 2025

Aberdeen is gearing up for an unforgettable weekend as the very first Granite City Festival Weekender 2025 takes over Hazlehead Park for three days of music, entertainment, and family fun. From Friday, June 27, to Sunday, June 29, the festival will deliver a diverse lineup catering to fans of house and techno, dance music, and family-friendly activities. With three unique stages and a dedicated VIP area, the event is poised to become the ultimate music experience in the northeast of Scotland, with an estimated 10,000 attendees expected over the weekend.

 

FyneFest, Cairndow, Argyll, 30 May – 1 June 2025

The first FyneFest took place in 2010, with around 300 people joining the Fyne Ales team in the Brewery Tap courtyard for a wee party to kick-off the Summer.  Over the following years, FyneFest evolved and grew, expanding to three days and into the fields of Glen Fyne, welcoming more people, offering more diverse beers, showcasing more live music, and sharing more outstanding food. But at its core, the spirit of FyneFest never changed.  Tickets for the 2025 festival are available now: FyneFest 2025 | 30 May - 1 June 2025.

 

Perth Museum: Waters Rising Exhibition, Perth, 8 November 2024 – 16 March 2025

Waters Rising traces stories and objects connected to flooding from Scotland and abroad, from biblical accounts to Ancient Egypt to North America, and more recent events closer to home. Exploring the growing threat of the global climate emergency whilst examining the impact of flooding and extreme weather events on communities, businesses, and infrastructure in Perth and Kinross, the exhibition also includes photos, memories, and stories from local people.

 

Midlothian Snowsports Centre – New Alpine Coaster, Edinburgh, available now

Scotland's first Alpine Coaster, opened in September 2024 at Midlothian Snowsports Centre, offers a thrilling winter experience. As the longest in the UK, it reaches speeds of up to 28 mph, promising adrenaline-filled fun for all ages. With stunning views and year-round access, it's the ultimate family-friendly attraction this winter.

 

V&A Dundee - Garden Futures: Designing with Nature Exhibition, Dundee, 17 May

Unearth the future of garden design at the upcoming exhibition at Scotland's design museum, V&A Dundee.  Explore the history of modern garden design, the important role gardens play in all our lives and find out how our outdoor spaces can shape a greener and more imaginative future.  The exhibition highlights groundbreaking gardens by visionaries Piet Oudolf and Derek Jarman, alongside innovative work from leading artists, designers, and landscape architects, such as Jamaica Kincaid, Duncan Grant and William Morris.

 

The exhibition launches on Saturday 17 May, but tickets are available for purchase from February 2025.  Please find more information here: Garden Futures: Designing with Nature | V&A Dundee.

 

The Wee Waddle, Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh, available now

Edinburgh Zoo is set to bring back a reimagined version of the penguin parade after the event was postponed for more than four years. The world-famous parade, which first began as an accident in 1950 when some of the penguins escaped their enclosure, was initially brought to an end during the Covid-19 pandemic, before being postponed again due to the rise of avian flu.

Now visitors can once again watch the gentoo, rockhopper and king penguin colony take a stroll along the walkway next to Penguins Rock as they explore a new area outside of their usual habitat.

The Wee Waddle is included in Edinburgh Zoo tickets and will take place Thursdays to Sundays at 2:15pm.

 

Discover more events happening in Scotland in 2025 here: Events & Festivals in Scotland

 

New Tours & Workshops

 

In 2025, Scotland welcomes brand new tours and workshops, spanning from culinary masterclasses to sport and wellness tours, explorations of clans and heritage, historical immersion, and more.  Each activity provides visitors with the chance to experience authentic Scotland and all it has to offer.

 

Coorie in Tour and Experience 2025, West Lothian, 17-21 February 2025  

This brand-new five-day experience, organised by Mary's Meanders in partnership with Capercaillie Escapes, offers an escape to the hills outside of The Royal Burgh of Linlithgow for a week of immersive crafting and culinary experiences. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, participants will dive into Scotland's rich traditions, learning from master artisans and chefs, while connecting with fellow enthusiasts in an inspiring and serene environment. 

 

Stride Out Running Tours, Edinburgh, available now

A new running tour offering a unique, exhilarating way to experience Edinburgh.  For those with limited time available, it's the ideal way to combine exercise with the desire to explore beyond the norm.  With Stride Out, it's also about taking part in something a little different, having fun along the way and creating an unforgettable experience.

 

Hopscotch Travel, New Clan and Heritage Tours, 2025

These new tours cater to the growing interest in heritage tourism and offer visitors a chance to connect with Scotland's culture and history in a meaningful way, providing a deeper exploration of Scotland's past and its unique cultural heritage. Tours include visits to clan castles, historic sites, and local landmarks, as well as opportunities to learn about the stories and traditions associated with Scotland's clans. Guests can also enjoy experiences such as whisky tastings, visits to local craft shops, and guided walks through areas of historical significance.

The Hickory Golf Workshop, The Kingdom of Fife, available now

Scotland is the home of golf, and this workshop celebrates this rich history through the creation and restoration of hickory golf clubs, just as they were crafted in the early days of the sport. Participants can learn how these clubs were made and gain an appreciation for the timeless skills involved. Attendees not only witness the creation of hickory golf clubs but also get hands-on experience in restoring and finishing their own club, which they can take home as a memento of their time spent in Scotland.

Selkie Explorers Mindful Sailing and Yoga Retreat, Mallaig to Eigg, Summer 2025

Selkie Explorers and Wild Rock Yoga are joining forces to offer four exclusive yoga and sailing retreats in 2025, led by seasoned female skippers and yoga instructors Celia Bull and Emma Burgess, from the islands of Eigg and Mull. Starting in Mallaig, participants will hone sailing skills while exploring the Highlands, combining on-deck yoga, hill climbs, and meditation sessions. With paddleboards and kayaks available, guests will immerse themselves in the rhythms of nature, moving from dawn to dusk, guided by the stars and moon. The journey culminates on the Isle of Eigg, offering a transformative retreat filled with adventure, reflection, and camaraderie.

 

Brora Heritage Centre, Highlands, Summer 2025

Brora Heritage Centre offers a quality introduction to the unique, rich and fascinating industrial heritage, in the parish of Clyne. Brora is home to the most northerly and remote coal mine in the UK. In Summer 2025, Brora Heritage Centre will transform into a £5million heritage centre and museum thanks to the redevelopment of a derelict C-listed building which was gifted to the organisation in 2018, safeguarding the future of heritage in the village for residents and visitors for years to come. Sustainability, community involvement and the promotion of responsible tourism are all key elements of this redevelopment.

 

Canna House, Isle of Canna, Inner Hebrides, Spring 2025

 

Canna House was built in 1863 and offers visitors a glimpse into the house and the island's history.   Within the sturdy Victorian walls is a substantial cultural archive of Gaelic folk songs and tales, Celtic and Norse Studies, philology, music, literature and Scottish history, as well as the furnishings, artworks and personal belongings of previous owners.  The house has been closed to the public for some time due to the need for building conservation. The current project activity is focusing on the conservation of Canna House, collections management, and collections review, and aims to reopen to the public in spring 2025.

 

Scotland The Big Picture: Wild Perthshire, Dates available in June and October 2025

Scotland The Big Picture aims to champion rewilding in Scotland and allow others to discover rewilding on their immersive and guided Rewilding Journeys.  In 2025, visitors can participate in the Wild Perthshire trip, to explore Perthshire's beautiful wild places, where increasingly, rewilding is creating a more dynamic and ecologically rich environment.  Along the way, meet the inspiring people behind pioneering rewilding projects, witness landscapes of hope and seek out enriching encounters with wild animals.

 

Flight Routes

 

New Philadelphia to Edinburgh Route with American Airlines, Spring 2025

 

VisitScotland is excited to welcome back American Airlines' daily seasonal route between Edinburgh and Philadelphia, resuming on 24 May 2025. This service, operating until 5 October 2025, strengthens connections between the East Coast of the United States and Scotland, served by a Boeing 787-800 aircraft.

 

New Cornwall to Glasgow flight route with Loganair, Spring 2025

Loganair will operate a direct service between Glasgow and Newquay, from May to September 2025. The flights, available to book now, will operate from Glasgow on Saturday afternoons. Fares start at £89.99, including hold and cabin luggage.

 

Emirates Returns to Edinburgh, November 2024

VisitScotland warmly welcomes Emirates' return to Edinburgh with a daily service starting on 4 November 2024. This flight, complementing the existing A380 service to Glasgow, offers 14 weekly flights to and from Scotland, enhancing connectivity for travellers from the Far East and Australasia via Dubai.

 

Anniversaries

• 75th Anniversary of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, celebrating with their milestone show, The Heroes Who Made Us, 1 – 23 August 2025.

 

• 30th anniversary of the famous movie, Rob Roy (1995), based on the 18th century Scottish Highlander. Film fans can celebrate by walking the famous Rob Roy Way which opened in May 2002, and takes walkers from Drymen, a village which was once a popular stopping place for cattle drovers, to Pitlochry, deemed to be situated in one of the most beautiful valleys in Central Scotland.

 

• 45th anniversary of the release of Gregory's Girl (1980), an award-winning Scottish coming-of-age movie that celebrates all the awkwardness and joy of first love.

 

• 50th anniversary of the release of Monty Python & the Holy Grail (1975), a comedy based on King Arthur's legendary hunt for the Holy Grail. Fans of the movie can visit Doune Castle on a visit to Scotland in 2025, a striking gatehouse in Stirlingshire that was used in the filming of the movie.

 

• 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway, a development that changed Britain and the world forever. Railway 200 celebrates the past, present and future of rail. Discover Scotland's most scenic railways here: Railways Tours & Train Holidays in Scotland | VisitScotland

2025 and beyond…

• Old Petty at Cabot Highlands, Inverness, 2025 preview play available: The Cabot Collection has announced that Old Petty, the much-anticipated Tom Doak designed golf course at Cabot Highlands in Inverness, will officially open for preview play from 1 August – 30 September 2025. Old Petty joins Cabot Highlands' renowned Castle Stuart golf course, ranked among The Top 100 Courses in the World by Golf Magazine. Guests must book a round on Castle Stuart (£330 green fee) to request an Old Petty preview play booking (£190 green fee). The grand opening of Old Petty will be in Spring 2026, with bookings to be announced in 2025.

 

• Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2026: It has been announced that the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August 2026. Scotland has proven experience in hosting major events and looks forward to delivering the Commonwealth Games as well as co-hosting the 2028 European Football Championship at Hampden Park.

 

• The Scottish Crannog Centre New Crannog, Perthshire, 2025/26: The Scottish Crannog Centre re-opened in spring 2024 in Perthshire to showcase Iron Age Scotland. In 2025/26, the museum aims to complete their over-water Crannog on Loch Tay.

 

• Harestone Moss, Aberdeenshire, 2025/26: Set in 70 acres of rewilded paradise, bursting with wildlife, nature trails, and renowned Aberdeenshire beaches, Harestone Moss will provide visitors with a range of luxury self-catering accommodation, equipped with wood burning hot tubs, for an indulgent and eco-friendly getaway.  The unique accommodation on offer will include underground burrow houses, luxury converted grain silos, and a boutique treehouse.

 

• Center Parcs unveils plans for its first site in Scotland: A proposed £350m resort near Hawick in the Scottish Borders is set to transform the area. Currently in its early stages, submission of a 2025 planning application for approximately 700 lodges is underway. The resort is proposed to feature a variety of attractions, including an indoor water park and a diverse range of indoor and outdoor activities, offering an exciting new experience for visitors.

Ends

Have a wonderful festive period when it comes, and we look forward to welcoming you in 2025!

For more inspiring stories and news updates, keep an eye on your inbox over the coming year for the VisitScotland comms bundles which are crafted to provide a snapshot of key stories from across Scotland and distributed every month. 

For more information and images, please contact:

TravelPR@visitscotland.com

VisitScotland media toolkit for further media assets: Visit Scotland Media Toolkit

Images

 

• Outer Hebrides beaches & Uath Lochans
• Perth Museum
• Inverness Castle
• Lost Shore Surf Resort
• The Royal Yacht Britannia
• Outer Hebrides beaches
• Highland Park Distillery
• Arbikie Distillery
• Glentress Forest Log Cabins
• Fingal Hotel
• Glasgow Cathedral
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery (Glasgow)
• The Burrell Collection (Glasgow)
• Pollok Country Park (Glasgow)
• Glasgow Botanic Gardens
• UNESCO City of Music (Glasgow)
• Celtic Connections
• Edinburgh Zoo
• Loganair
• Edinburgh Military Tattoo
• Rob Roy Way
• Doune Castle

 

Notes to Editors

Electronic Travel Authorisation

 

The UK government is phasing in a new travel scheme. It will require people travelling to the UK without a visa to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). By April 2025, it will apply to all visitors who do not need a visa to enter the UK, including babies and children, who:

• do not need a visa for stays of less than six months
• do not have any other immigration status prior to travelling

An ETA costs £10 per applicant. It will allow multiple journeys and will be valid for two years or until the holder's passport expires – whichever is sooner.

Further information: Electronic Travel Authorisation I VisitScotland.org

VisitScotland

• Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews   
• VisitScotland is Scotland's national tourism organisation. Its purpose is to deliver a strategic and coordinated approach to supporting the rebuilding of the visitor economy in a responsible way, to ensure tourism thrives.
• Please note all opening dates are accurate at the time of release but are subject to change.
• The organisation's work will help deliver the Scottish Government's National Strategy for Economic Transformation, and Scotland Outlook 2030, the national tourism strategy, which details the vision of Scotland being the world leader in 21st century tourism.  
• This is delivered through three strategic pillars: Building a responsible destination brand, investing in Scotland's tourism and events communities and facilitating collaboration and embracing change in support of a fairer, more responsible and inclusive visitor economy. 
• Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, spending by tourists in Scotland generated around £11 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributed around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices).  
• VisitScotland is a leader in responsible tourism, making Scotland a better place for people to live and visit. We are proud signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency.  
• For VisitScotland's press releases go to https://toolkit.visitscotland.org, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/  
• For holiday information on Scotland go to visitscotland.com

PLEASE NOTE    

This copy was correct at the time of going to press. VisitScotland cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation.  All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by the reliance on the information contained herewith, or in the event of any company, individual or firm ceasing to trade, is hereby excluded.