If you are looking for a teens adventure, then Scotland is a great place to be. There are plenty of activities that will give you a thrill and adrenaline rush. If you are looking for something fast-paced, you can try out zip-lining, quad biking or coasteering.
If you want to see some beautiful sights while getting your heart rate up, then mountain biking or hiking might be more the thing for your teen’s adventure activities in Scotland.
If you are looking for something really extreme, then white water rafting or bungee jumping might be right up your alley. No matter what type of adventure you are looking for, then Scotland, United Kingdom has something to offer.
You will find plenty to do on adventure holidays in Scotland for teenagers. Most of the amazing adventure trips for teens in Scotland are located around 4 areas, those being Edinburgh – Glasgow, Inverness, Fort William and the Central Highlands region.
Scotland adventure activities near Inverness
Inverness is a city in Scotland that is located on the River Ness. The city is known for its historical castle, which is located on a hill overlooking the city.
Inverness also has a large shopping district and is a popular tourist destination. Many people visit Inverness to take advantage of its outdoor activities, such as bike riding, hiking and rafting.
1. Canyoning in Moray, Scotland teens adventure
Canyoning is a fast-growing extreme sport that combines hiking, swimming, and rappelling down steep canyons and waterways. It’s perfect for those who are looking for an outdoor adventure with a thrill.
Rivers and creeks provide the perfect setting for this activity, which is suitable for teenagers and families with older kids alike. The excitement of canyoning comes from navigating through the waterway, often using ropes to swing, slide, or rappel down chutes and waterfalls.
Canyoning in Moray is available for teens 13 years and over and is not for the faint of heart or those who are afraid of heights.
On this adventure with teenagers, you will descend a 45-foot waterfall, via water slides, dunks, and small jumps. For more information, reviews, and booking, search here.
2. White water rafting near Inverness
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, white water rafting is the perfect adventure sport. Navigating a river filled with rapids can be both dramatic and extreme, but it’s also a thrilling experience that everyone should try at least once.
You will find plenty of companies and locations in Scotland that offer a thrilling whitewater rafting experience. Your tour guides will familiarise you with the basics of paddle strokes and safety procedures before you hit the river on this adrenaline rush experience.
Once you’re on the river, trust your guide and enjoy the adventure for teenagers in Scotland! This Northern Scotland adventure activity is designed for families, so if you have teens and smaller kids, anyone over 5 can participate in this action activity.
This 2.5-hour exciting adventure for families takes you down the Middle Findhorn River where you find spectacular Scottish Highland scenery in every direction and some gripping rapids such as the Sleeping Whale, Dragon’s Tooth, and Carnage Corner.
It’s not all fast-paced, with sections of tranquil waters to relax and enjoy the experience. For more information and bookings click here.
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Scotland adventure activities near Fort William
Fort William is a town in the Scottish Highlands. It’s a popular tourist destination, with good reason—the area is stunningly beautiful. There are plenty of things to do in and around Fort William, including hiking, fishing, and coasteering.
The town itself has a variety of shops, restaurants, pubs and hotels. If you’re looking for an adventure-filled holiday in Scotland.
Fort William is a great place to start planning your teen’s adventure holiday. There are a number of thrill-seeking activities within a short drive of Fort William. Fort William near the west coast of Scotland is connected to Glasgow via the West Highland Way
3. Via Ferrata excursion in Kinlochleven near Fort William
Are you looking for an unforgettable family adventure in Scotland with your teenagers? Experience the thrilling Via Ferrata excursion near Fort William in Kinlochleven.
This exciting outdoor activity is perfect for young adults who love adrenaline-pumping experiences. Tackle ladders, bridges and zip lines that run next to Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall, which is the third-tallest waterfall in Scotland. You will be securely harnessed to iron cables, ensuring safety throughout the journey.
The stunning Scottish Highlands region, near Fort William, offers a picturesque backdrop for this exciting adventure. This action-packed activity promises an extraordinary holiday activity where you will be challenged and excited at one of the most beautiful places in Scotland. Click here for more information
4. Adventure teen tours – canoeing on Loch Oich
Canoeing is a great way to explore nature and get outdoors. It’s a fun, adventurous activity that can be enjoyed on lakes, rivers, and rapids. You can go at your own pace or with a group of friends. Canoeing is a great way to see wildlife and enjoy the environment.
Experience a two-hour or half-day excursion on one of the most stunning Lochs in Scotland. After a short introduction and instruction session, you will learn about Loch’s environment, local legends and crystal clear water from your own open-top canoe.
At certain times of the year, Atlantic salmon migrate through the Loch and can be seen leaping as they make their way up the streams in the area.
This is one of the more gentle teens adventure activities in Scotland. Book your exciting family travel day out on the waters near Fort William.
5. Things to do in Scotland with teens – Segway in Glencoe
How do you make the best vacations for teenagers? Segway! There is nothing more fun than zipping around on a segway, for teens, this has to be one of the best things to do in Scotland on a teens adventure vacation.
A Glencoe Segway experience at the Ballachulish Golf Course will have you riding up and down around and about on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Segway tours are a great opportunity to have fun and learn about the area of Scotland you are visiting.
Segway tours are for the whole family, you will be given instructions and a short amount of practise time before you set off on your adventures in Glencoe with teenagers.
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Scotland adventure activities near The Central Highland
The central highlands of Scotland are a picturesque region made up of rolling hills, glens, and lochs. The area is also home to a number of charming towns and villages which are home to some amazing teen adventure activities. Families can enjoy a variety of teens adventure activities, including hiking, fishing, biking and golfing.
The Perth and Kinross area also offers plenty of opportunities for sightseeing on your teens adventure holiday. Tourists can visit the highlights of the highlands and lowlands, or take in the stunning scenery of the Cairngorms National Park.
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6. Bungee jump over the Garry River in Killiecrankie
If you are looking for adrenaline activities in Scotland, bungee jumping is definitely worth considering. The heights involved can be nerve-wracking, but they are also part of what makes the experience so exhilarating.
If you are worried about being too scared to go through with it, don’t be – most bungee jump operators offer training and safety briefings before you take the plunge.
Bungee jumping requires guts and bravery to take the plunge, but those who do it swear by the intense high they get from this extreme sport. So what are you waiting for?
For first time jumpers, this is perfect as the launch platform is just 40 meters high. After a safety briefing and instruction, you will be fitted with your harness and ready to off the Garry Bridge over the river Garry.
After diving off and experiencing the free fall of Bungee you are winched back to the bungee platform. Book your Bungee experience today.
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7. Quad bike tour in Pitlochry
What could be more exhilarating than speeding through forests and hills on a powerful machine? Quad biking is the perfect way to get your adrenaline fix while enjoying the great outdoors!
The landscapes you’ll see on a quad bike tour are sure to take your breath away. Whether you’re cruising through a dense forest or crossing a wide-open meadow, there’s something inherently thrilling about being out in nature on an ATV.
A quad bike ATV tour provides a unique perspective of nature and landscapes that can’t be found anywhere else and is one of the best teens adventure activities in Scotland.
Teens and tweens aged 12 years and up can have adventurous and fun on the ATV course at Pillory. This adrenaline-driving experience will take you through ravines and into forests.
An adventure like this for teens in Scotland is great for building confidence, with the instructors tailoring the experience to your needs. Get ready to ride and book your ATV adventure in Scotland today.
8. Zipline across the Garry River in Killiecrankie
Zip-lining, also known as zip trekking or simply zipping, is a recreational activity and extreme sport in which participants use a harness to attach themselves to a cable mounted on a pair of trolley wheels.
They then glide along the cable, typically from tree to tree, to travel from one point to another. Ziplining is a thrilling and extreme adventure that takes you through nature and the outdoors on your teen’s adventure vacation.
It’s a fun way to explore the world around you and get an adrenaline rush at the same time. Ziplines can be found as part of ropes courses, too.
The Killiecrankie Zipline will have you flying like an eagle as you cross the Garry River in the stunning National Trust of Scotland protected area.
This thrilling activity for teens in Scotland is a course of 9 zip lines that crisscross across the River Garry at heights of up to 35 meters. Scotland could be one of the best adventure holidays with teenagers. For more information and booking details, search here.
Adventure activities in Scotland for teens near John o’Groats
Head to John o’Groats in northeastern Scotland with your adventure-loving teenagers. Capture photos at the iconic Land’s End signpost, and take thrilling wildlife cruises to spot seals, puffins, and dolphins.
Explore scenic coastal walks, try sea kayaking, and enjoy bike rides along the coastline. near John o’ Groats. Visit Duncansby Head to see the magnificent Duncansby Stacks.
Take a ferry to the captivating Orkney Islands for ancient archaeological sites. Don’t miss the chance to witness the Northern Lights during winter. Enjoy local delicacies like haggis and fresh seafood. It’s an unforgettable outdoor experience for the whole family.
9. Surf lesson at Dunnet Beach, Scotland
Discover the thrill of water sports such as surfing with teens and young adults in Scotland at Dunnet Beach, near John o’ Groats.
This outdoor adventure activity offers surf lessons with experienced instructors, catering to all skill levels, amidst the beautiful Scottish coastline.
Enjoy the safety-focused outdoor adventure experience and the chance to catch waves in a scenic and ideal location for surfing.
Surfing at Dunnet Beach is a fantastic opportunity for teens and young adults to embrace outdoor adventure and create lasting memories during their family trip to Scotland.
Book the surf lesson and ride the waves with confidence, have so much fun and excitement!
Scotland adventure activities near Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a city located in Scotland and is known for its many tourist attractions. Some of the most popular attractions include Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, and Holyrood Palace.
The city is also home to many Harry Potter locations, shopping areas, restaurants, and pubs. Edinburgh is a great place to visit with family or friends and there are many different activities in Edinburgh to keep everyone entertained.
10. Coasteering adventure at Shell Bay near Edinburgh
Looking for outdoor Edinburgh activities for teenagers? An amazing outdoor adventure for visiting teens in Edinburgh is coasteering.
Coasteering is a fun, adventurous sport that combines elements of cliff jumping, swimming, and hiking. It can be done in an ocean, sea, or bay area. Coasteering is perfect for those who love the thrill of adventure and want to explore the coastline in a new way.
This great activity at Shell Bay offers the perfect amount of swell which gives smooth entries whilst jumping. For more information, pictures, reviews and booking click here.
11. Stand up paddleboarding near Edinburgh
If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy the water and get some exercise, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) might be just the thing. SUP is a relatively new sport that involves standing on a large, surfboard-like paddleboard and using a long paddle to move through the water.
It can be done in lakes, rivers, and oceans, and is great for all ages and abilities. It’s also a great way to explore new areas and see things from a different perspective.
Learn to SUP sessions are designed for those with little to no experience on a paddleboard aged 14 years and over. Qualified instructors will teach you how to gain stability on the water, water safety and how to get back on the paddleboard from the water.
This exciting and fun teen adventure takes place at different locations such as Edinburgh Quay depending on the conditions.
12. River Bugging for young adults in Scotland
River bugging near Edinburgh is an exciting adventure brought from New Zealand by Splash Rafting. Experience the thrill of this one-person craft resembling a giant inflatable armchair on the River Tummel, River Tay & Pinkston watersports (Glasgow) all year round.
With the UK’s largest fleet of river bugs, they cater to groups of all sizes. Teens will enjoy the rush of having fun on the river under expert guidance from experienced river bug guides.
Don your webbed gloves and full wetsuit gear, and let the excitement begin as you spend the day exploring the white-water rapids on this fun outdoor activity. Have a go at River bugging today.
How to get to Scotland
- Scotland offers 5 international Airports that visitors can fly into, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow Prestwick and Inverness.
- If your flights have a long stopover, or you just want to relax before your trip you should consider getting a lounge pass with Priority Pass. Priority Pass has access to airport lounges all over the world. Search now for your lounge pass.
- You can hire a car at any international airport in Scotland and the UK! You are best to pre-book the car and have it waiting for you on arrival.
- If your flights have a long stopover, or you just want to relax before your trip you should consider getting a lounge pass with Priority Pass. Priority Pass has access to airport lounges all over the world. Search now for your lounge pass.
- If you’re arriving in the UK and then onto Scotland from Europe, you may be able to cross the English Channel with your car, catch a high-speed train from popular destinations such as Paris and Amsterdam to London then a train to your destination in Scotland. You can book train tickets to the U.K. with Trainline for the best prices available.
Have you considered staying in a hostel with your teens when you travel? Read why we love staying in hostels with our teens
Where to stay in Scotland
Scotland is a vast country with plenty of natural beauty to be explored. Those who visit Scotland will find that there are many different types of accommodation to choose from, including camping hotels, hostels, apartments, and castles.
Family rooms are also available in many locations, making it easy for parents and children to travel together. Scotland’s landscape is diverse, so visitors can find themselves in the rugged Highlands one day and by the seaside the next.
There are many interesting cities and towns to explore in Scotland as well as plenty of countryside walks and hikes.
One thing to keep in mind when travelling in the U.K. is that hotel room prices can vary significantly depending on the time of year. Search locations and prices with companies like Expedia and Trip Advisor.
What currency do I need for my trip to Scotland?
The official currency you need to use in Scotland is the Great British Pound. We recommend that you get a Revolut travel money card, that can be loaded with multiple currencies and has nearly non-existent withdrawal fees to save you money.
Travel insurance for Scotland with teens
Scotland has a high quality of healthcare but in saying that travel insurance is still recommended for all travellers entering the country.
The last thing you want is a massive bill for medical expenses should you require care on your family holiday in the United Kingdom.
If you plan on doing fun adventure activities with teenagers, check that your insurance policy covers such teens adventure activities.
We recommend using Travel Insurance Master, their website will compare the best deals from a number of providers and present you with the best value for money policy on the market. Click through to Insurance Masters to get a free quote.
Using your phone in Scotland
Relying on Wi-Fi when you are travelling and sightseeing in Scotland on a family with teens adventure vacation can be hard.
Making calls and staying in contact when you travel with teenagers is a top priority. Plan your family trip to Scotland and prepaid Europe travel SIM cards to stop any stress about travelling, data and calls on your family vacation in the United Kingdom.
Pocket Wi-Fi for your Scotland with teenagers trip
You will be able to access free Wi-Fi at certain spots in the UK. The best solution for teens to stay connected to the internet is to rent a 4G Pocket Wi-Fi hotspot.
These small devices can be ordered and delivered to your home before departure or your hotel in major cities for your teen’s adventure holiday.
Alternatively, you can purchase a mobile hotspot device to keep and use on all your travel with teens holidays. You can choose the length of time you want and the amount of daily data you will need. Order your pocket Wi-Fi today for your Scotland trip
We hope this article from us here at Wyld Family Travel has inspired you to start planning some teen adventure activities in Scotland.
No matter what type of adventure you are looking for, a trip to Scotland, United Kingdom has something to offer.
Travelling with young adults has just as many issues as travelling with young children. Choosing the best teenage vacation destinations, what bags and suitcases to take, travel essentials and more can be so time-consuming.
Planning a family travel with teenagers and tweens can be stressful, and finding the best tips for travel is essential.
Our Travel with Teenagers Destination Guides have you covered! With insights from around the globe, these guides will spark inspiration for your next family vacation, making it an epic adventure with your teens.
More travel inspiration for your trip to Great Britain
Author bio:
Father, husband, traveller, and chief destination manager here at Wyld Family Travel. When Mark is not talking about travel or planning travel you will find him working in disability support. Mark is a family travel advocate, having travelled to over 45 countries with his kids from 10 months old, through to their teenage years. You will find his work here and on other popular websites.
Mark Wyld
Content Creator