Top 15 Free Things To Do in Scotland

Having the ability to travel around the world is a wonderful thing, but it can cost quite a bit. Saving a few dollars here and there while traveling means that you get to experience even more on your vacation whether it be the culture, history, or cuisine. If you find yourself on a vacation to Scotland and you’re in the process of figuring out what to do, why not add a few fun, free attractions to your to-do list?

Whether you’re in Glasgow or Edinburgh (or driving through both on your self-drive tour of Scotland) there are numerous free attractions that are musts while in Scotland.

Top 15 Free Things to do in Scotland

Glasgow

1. 1. 1. The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery: this is Scotland’s oldest public museum where you can see Roman artefacts from the Antonine Wall, scientific instruments used by James Watt, Joseph Lister and Lord Kelvin, along with other amazing pieces of Scotland’s history
      2. Gallery of Modern Art: this museum is filled with beautiful pieces of modern art, and it is always free to enter
      3. Riverside Museum: Scotland’s Museum of Transport and Travel: this is a fascinating museum that allows visitors to not only look at but also to climb aboard some of the exhibits. They have recreated a street that shows how Glasgow was in the 1930’s; it includes shops and subways
      4. Scotland Street School: this museum shows its visitors a view into the past of what school days were like in Scotland. They also have a lot of family events and activities regularly
      5. Lighthouse: the lighthouse used to house the Glasgow Herald but now houses many design and architecture exhibits which are all free to the public
      6. Victoria Park: This is a beautiful 50-acre park that includes a Fossil Grove, war memorials, two curling rinks, an arboretum, and a working 19th-century clock tower
      7. Kelvingrove Park: Another great Glasgow park is Kelvingrove – this is a 85-acre park that includes cottages, monuments, various wildlife and even a skate park and tennis courts

The Barras Market: this is a huge indoor and outdoor market that takes place every Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 5pm and is a great place to experience some traditional Scottish food and crafts

Edinburgh

9. 9. The Natural Museum of Scotland: this museum is always free to enter and was just completely redone to offer new and exciting exhibits – come here to see vast amounts of Scottish culture, art, and history
   10. Royal Botanic Gardens: established in 1670, this garden has one of the world’s largest collection of plants
   11. St. Giles Cathedral: named after St. Gile, the patron saint of Edinbugh, this cathedral was formally dedicated on October 6th, 1243

9. Arthur’s Seat: a great hiking spot where you’ll find fabulous views over the city
10. The Writer’s Museum: this museum celebrates the literary works of Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott
11. Free Fringe: this festival consists of over 30 bands and performers and is a can’t miss festival if you’re in Edinburgh at the time
12. National Galleries of Scotland: consisting of the National Gallery of Scotland, the Scottish Portrait Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art, these galleries are the place to be in Scotland if you’re an art lover