You’ll pay nothing to visit many of Scotland’s top attractions. Plenty of them are free to enter, and there’s an array of free events and experiences to enjoy too. Many of them are within easy reach of our UnTours in Central Scotland and the Scottish Highlands.
Edinburgh
The National Museum of Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden & Scottish National Gallery are all free. The Scottish Parliament has its seat in a striking modern building at the end of the city’s Royal Mile. It offers free tours, and you can even book a free ticket to attend First minister’s Question Time. And if tickets to the Edinburgh Festival are not in your budget, the city is full of street performers in August, so just stroll around and enjoy. https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/attractions/free/edinburgh/
Glasgow
The fabulous Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Riverside Museum, Gallery of Modern Art and Botanic Gardens are all free and easy to see on a day trip from our Central Scotland Untour.
https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/attractions/free/glasgow/
Highlands
There is much to see for free in the Scottish Highlands. Entrance is free to the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, Inverness Botanic Gardens, and the Highland Folk Museum (Britain’s open-air museum) near Newtonmore. https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/attractions/free/highlands/
Falkirk
The Kelpies at Helix Park and Falkirk Wheel are free to visit.
Churches
Most of Scotland’s churches are free to visit, including the historic St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh and Glasgow Cathedral, although donations are welcome.
Ancient Trees
Scotland boasts some mighty trees that can be seen for free. The most famous are the Birnam Oak in Dunkeld, said to be the last survivor of Birnam Wood, mentioned in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Another one is the 3000-year-old Fortingall Yew in Fortingall’s Churchyard, a short drive from Pitlochry, a contender for Britain’s Oldest Tree.
Salmon Leap
On the Tummel River in Pitlochry, you can watch salmon leaping up the specially constructed fish ladder, which bypasses a hydroelectric power station and allows the fish to complete their annual migration.
Enjoy your time in Scotland, and let us know about your favorite freebies there!