7 Workshops in Scotland to Build a Day Around

1.2 hour group lesson (3-16 people)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $69Our pick

Meet Finn, Iona, Jake, or another North Coast Watersports instructor at Dunnet Beach car park. You’ll get a wetsuit, board, and beach-based coaching before heading into the North Sea. This two-hour beginner lesson suits families, older first-timers, and anyone keen to try Scotland’s famous north coast waves.

“A great but very tiring 2 hours spent with my sister and brother-in-law, and learnt to surf at the age of 64. Finn was fantastic and so encouraging and the gear supplied was first class. Highly recommended.”

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2.2 hour private surf lesson! (Up to 2 people)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet your instructor at Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, suit up with provided wetsuits and boards, then walk over the dunes to Dunnet Beach. Iona and the North Coast Watersports team tailor two hours of North Sea coaching to beginners, casual surfers, or improving riders.

“This was one of the highlights of our trip to Scotland this year! Iona is patient, engaging, knowledgeable and really passionate about the sea, the coast and the sport of surfing and this shows in the way she delivers her sessions. She is also local and her love of this part of the coast is truly evident. We were met promptly at the meeting point, provided with all the equipment we would need and then carried the boards to the beach. We had a safety briefing with her and, considering we were both novice surfers, important ‘do’s and dont’s’ to make sure we didn’t hurt ourselves. With that, we were…”

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3.Wildlife Watching Safari by Vehicle & Walks / Photography workshops with a Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $248

Join Stewart Dawber for a private four-hour wildlife and photography tour around South Skye. Use binoculars and a spotting scope to search for otters, eagles, red deer, seals, and seabirds, with pickup in southeast Skye, snacks, hot drinks, and a flexible route.

“My daughter and I had a great day with Stewart! We learned a lot about the wildlife of Skye and photography tips!”

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4.Edinburgh Photography Masterclass – Private Photography Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $191

Spend three private hours photographing Edinburgh with professional guide Martin Smith or another Aperture Tours photographer. Work on composition, camera controls, long exposures, light painting, flash, and night portraits while visiting strong city viewpoints at golden hour and after dark.

“We highly recommend this tour!! Martin was wonderful, he was very knowledgeable, friendly and really wanted us to have a great tour. The weather was dreadful, cold and rainy, and Martin went out of his way to teach us different photography settings and how to use them effectively. Martin made sure we were happy with the experience and photos before we were done.”

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5.Surfing Class in Cullen Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $58Best value

Meet instructors including Casey, Finn, Toby, and Kasey at Cullen Beach for a safe, friendly introduction to surfing. You’ll get equipment, beach theory, a yoga-style warm-up, and about 1.5 hours in the water. Small groups of up to eight suit beginners, families, and women’s sessions.

“I attended a surf lesson with Casey, along with my friends daughter. Casey did an excellent job of making us all feel at ease. Casey explained everything clearly and helped and encouraged us once we entered the water. We laughed, we fell in (a lot), we left exhausted and looking forward to the next time. Everything we needed was provided, it was such a great day and we would highly recommend it. It was excellent value for money. We are all looking forward to trying it again in the new year.”

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6.Traditional Scottish Cooking Class & Dinner with Edinburgh Local

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 5 reviews · from $179

Join local host Nell at her 200-year-old Georgian New Town home for a three-hour Scottish cooking class and dinner. Prepare Cullen Skink and all-butter shortbread, then enjoy haggis, mash, turnips, whisky, Burns poetry, and a tartan-wrapped treat to take home.

“I paid it gor a present to a friend of mine who went to visit Edjmburg, and who likes cooking. She called me when she finished tbe experience horrified and sick. The place was very old and really dirty, it was disgusting. The woman, who pretRead more”

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7.The Scottish Highlands Photography Tour & Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews

Join James of Alba Experiences for a private 10 to 12 hour photography tour from Glasgow. You will visit Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, and Castle Stalker, with photo tips, bottled water, snacks, optional tripods, and hotel or airport pickup.

“A fabulous day with James, very knowledgeable with all things Scottish. I would highly recommend a tour to see Scotland at its best.”

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