Looking for something new to do this summer? We have you covered. From e-biking to art installations, wellness to going truly wild in the water, there is always something novel to try in Scotland.
Take an alpaca for a walk in the Cheviot Hills
Retrace the steps of Roman soldiers and Border Reivers across the Cheviot hills in the Scottish Borders, with an alpaca as your friendly companion. You’ll get to meet and feed these South American creatures and learn about their nature and how to take care of them, before going on a trek with your alpaca and an experienced guide. Choose from a daytime hike or a sunset stroll with your new woolly pal. Trekkers must be aged 13-plus. Younger alpaca fans can enjoy a meet and greet session instead.
beirhope.co.uk
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(Image: Gallus Pedals)
Get a new perspective on Glasgow
See Glasgow on two wheels – on a postie’s vintage bike. Gallus Pedals runs brilliant tours of the city, bringing in history, culture, street art and famous Glaswegians. The group tours cover a lot of ground but at a leisurely pace and mostly on good off-road paths, so there’s no need for Lycra shorts. The refurbished bikes are comfortable to ride and are all named after Glaswegian women you should know or be ready to discover. E-bikes are available, too, making this a great multi-ability group activity.
galluspedals.com
Learn to breathe by Loch Long
Think you know how to breathe? Think again. An experience day with Performance Breathwork in Arrochar will teach you how to utilise and improve your breathing to benefit your health and wellbeing. By learning simple and effective breathing techniques, participants learn ways to combat stress and anxiety, improve exercise performance and increase focus and concentration. On an experience day guests spend the morning learning new techniques, enjoy lunch, which is prepared by the in-house nutritionist, and then get to spend the afternoon forest bathing and using their new breathing skills in the sauna and during a refreshing loch dip.
performancebreathworks.com
Try forest bathing in the Borders
WanderWoman offers gentle and restorative outdoor experiences in small, women-only groups. Days out vary but often include barefoot walking, silent reflection, meditation, yoga, journaling, nature art, talking around a fire and optional outdoor swimming. Spend a relaxed afternoon forest bathing and meditating in the Borders followed by an invigorating coached river swim, or perhaps join Anna for yoga and a hike followed by a night camping in the woods? Anna says: “You will leave feeling refreshed, invigorated, inspired and happy to be alive, smelling of fire and freedom!”
wander-women.co.uk
Get wet and wild in East Lothian
Coasteering feels like everything you were never allowed to do in swimming lessons: running, jumping and messing about in the water. An afternoon spent coasteering in Dunbar is a thrilling experience: swimming through holes in the rock, jumping off cliffs and hauling yourself out the water using seaweed. You’ll also learn a lot about plants and animals that live in the intertidal zone. Going with a guide is absolutely essential and Ocean Vertical instructors are the best. They visit each site many times and measure jump heights and water depths, so you’re in safe hands.
beyondadventure.co.uk
Practise sun salutations in Argyll
Who needs Bali when you can do yoga on the beach in Oban? Join Yoga with Iain for a 45-minute yoga class on the sandy shores of Ganavan Sands in Oban. The classes are suitable for yogis of any ability level and can be booked as a drop-in class if you are visiting the area.
Feel the sand between your toes and connect to yourself and the landscape during a dynamic and well-supported yoga practice. Enjoy beautiful views of Mull, Lismore and the Morvern peninsula from your yoga mat. Classes take place on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings in (almost) any weather.
yogawithiain.co.uk
Cheer on your favourite shucker in Stranraer
After a summer of sport, it’ll be Scottish chefs turn to compete, at “Shuck Off”, The Scottish Oyster Shucking Championship, held at Stranraer Oyster Festival. Chefs from across the country compete to represent Scotland at the world championships. As well as plenty of feasting, the festival will host cooking demonstrations from TV chefs, and let visitors try ‘extreme pond dipping’ to see or handle whatever the Vital Spark oyster boat brings up from the depths of Loch Ryan. This year the family-friendly festival runs from September 13-15.
stranraeroysterfestival.com
Discover plant medicine in Perthshire
Over a half-day course unlock the healing powers of plants to make simple home health remedies. Participants will learn how to make infusions, decoctions, tinctures and balms, and use many wild plants often dismissed as weeds. The couple behind Call of the Wild were founding directors of Secret Herb Garden in Edinburgh so they have a huge amount of plant knowledge to share from their base in rural Perthshire.
cotwild.co.uk
E-bike and eat around East Lothian
A guided tour for cyclists and food-fans journeys through the pretty East Lothian coastline and countryside. Discover cafés and bakeries, and meet talented producers as you explore the region’s incredible larder. The tour includes e-bike hire and guide, plus brunch, coffee stops, a picnic lunch and baked goodies so no need to bring snacks. The Electric Bike Foodie Tour is suitable for all fitness levels and is adults only.
ezeeriders.co.uk
See St Andrews in a new light
Brussels-based Studio Lemercier, co-directed by independent curator Juliette Bibasse and visual artist and climate activists, will show artwork at St Andrews Botanic Gardens as part of the Garden’s ‘Summer Art Nights’. Studio Lemercier explores the intersection of light, art, political ecology and energy using water, varied surfaces, trees and plants. Over four weekends the duo will transform the gardens at night, showing works that include light installations and video to encourage new perspectives on the gardens and the natural world.
standrewsbotanic.org
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