7 Scavenger Hunts in Scotland to Build a Day Around

1.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Edinburgh with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20Our pick

Captain Bess guides you and your group by phone from 1 Cockburn Street through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Follow maps, solve clues, hear short stories, and pause whenever you like. No app, printing, guide, or fixed departure time is needed.

“This scavenger hunt was such a fun introduction to the city! I played with my husband and we had such a blast. I especially loved the little history lessons after each clue was found. Such a wonderful idea and look forward to playing more of these in other cities.”

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2.The Pirate’s Riddle: An Outdoor Treasure Hunt

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.)

Meet at the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill for a 2.5 to 3-hour private treasure hunt based on Captain Kidd. Your group gets a map and pirate kit, solves physical clues, contacts the Game Master only when needed, and returns to the starting point.

“Somehow we got lost in the system and no one turned up to do our tour. They did refund us and gave us the opportunity to do a different event for free which we were not able to do. They were very pleasant to deal with but it was disappointing.”

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3.The Ghost of Mary Queen of Scots Escape Room

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $38

Join your own group of spiritual mediums at 24 Sandyford Place in Glasgow for a 75-minute escape room inspired by Mary Queen of Scots. Expect a demanding puzzle challenge, a sinister castle story, helpful staff, and several stairs before you reach the room.

“Great experience. Lots of stairs to get there but rewarded with a tough escape room. Staff was helpful.”

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4.Magicians Heist Private Escape Room in Glasgow

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $38

Join a private team of aspiring magicians at eeek! Escape Rooms in Glasgow. You have one hour to enter Gizmo the Great’s home and find his Book of Tricks. Expect varied puzzles, strong 1970s magic theming, helpful game masters such as Joe, Lucy, Aimee, Amber, and Joseph, and a third-floor venue with no lift.

“We had a really great time at Eeek escape rooms! We did The Magician’s Heist and thoroughly enjoyed. Our game master was Joseph and he was so friendly and made the experience even better! Would definitely return and try the other rooms they have.”

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5.Fun and Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Glasgow with Cryptic Clues

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $20

Captain Bess sends maps, clues, hints, facts, and stories to your phone on this private Glasgow treasure hunt. Start when you choose, follow a city-center route, and solve puzzles from George Square to Glasgow Green, the Clyde, and the Merchant City.

“Never sure what to expect when trying something like this with teenagers but everyone clicked into it quickly and a half day well spent. Nicely chosen route and range of locations, paced well with enough info but not too much! Have a doughnut stop half way through (trantrum doughnuts). Great way to explore a city for the first time.”

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6.Inverness Quest: Self Guided City Walk & Immersive Treasure Hunt

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews

Start at Falcon Square and follow a two-and-a-half-hour app-based Quest through central Inverness. Solve clues, spot city sights, cross the River Ness, learn about Nessie, find street art, and set your own pace. The English-only experience suits groups of up to five and runs in daylight.

“Never happened. Never got a code to start the experience and had to request two refunds. I was told there was a glitch in the system 👎”

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7.Escape Burns’ Hame Toun: Outdoor Puzzle Game in Ayr

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 40 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $7Best value

Explore Ayr through a self-guided Robert Burns puzzle game. Use the Questo app to follow clues from Burns Statue Square to River Street, solving challenges at nine stops in about 40 to 70 minutes. It suits families, friends, and private groups, but bring a charged phone and expect to guess if a clue is unclear.

“Not so much is known about Burns links to Ayr so this is a great way to find out more. Lots of fun for all ages and especially enjoyed the challenge of solving the clues. Brilliant outdoor group activity!”

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