Central Scotland is a playground for outdoor lovers – from peaceful paddling on lochs to rugged trails and wild swimming spots. With sweeping lochs, rugged hills, and enchanting forests, Scotland is an adventurer’s paradise.
And with calm waters perfect for paddleboarding to thrilling mountain bike trails and wild swimming spots, Perthshire and Stirlingshire offer experiences that reconnect you with nature and get your adrenaline flowing.
Recent visitor surveys highlight that 40% of overnight guests in Central Scotland choose activities like hiking, climbing, or exploring trails. Nature-based activities such as wild swimming, foraging, and wildlife watching are some of the fastest-growing outdoor trends.
In Perthshire and Stirlingshire, these activities are at your doorstep. From paddling into the morning mist on a still loch to the exhilaration of reaching a summit or the quiet of camping under the stars, this region offers endless opportunities to create lasting memories.
1. Paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing
The lochs of Central Scotland are ideal for water adventures. Paddle across tranquil waters at dawn, explore winding stretches of river, or gather your group for a gentle canoe. Paddleboarding has become especially popular in recent years, with many lochs offering sheltered conditions suitable for beginners, while experienced paddlers can challenge themselves on larger waters surrounded by dramatic mountain backdrops.
2. Iconic hiking routes and walking trails
Central Scotland is crisscrossed with scenic trails for every level of walker. Here, trails wind through ancient woodlands, climb to sweeping viewpoints, and follow historic routes once used by clans, cattle drovers, and kings. Whether you’re after a gentle family walk or a full-day mountain adventure, this part of Central Scotland has it all.
3. Mountain biking and cycle trails
Central Scotland’s forest parks and hills are a haven for mountain bikers. Whether you’re seeking gentle woodland loops for a family ride or challenging downhill runs, the region has terrain to suit every rider. One of the most iconic cycling trails in Scotland, National Cycle Route 7 runs right through Central Scotland, linking Glasgow to Inverness.
4. Wild Swimming
Wild swimming is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities in Scotland, and Perthshire and Stirlingshire boast countless beautiful spots to take the plunge. From sheltered hill lochans to larger stretches of water fringed by woodland, these wild swims offer a refreshing way to immerse yourself in nature.
5. Ziplines and treetop challenges
Adrenaline-seekers will also find treetop adventures, ziplines and swings adding an extra layer of excitement to their holiday. They are perfect for families, groups of friends, or anyone wanting to test their nerves while enjoying spectacular forest settings.
6. Canyoning
Canyoning is one of the most exhilarating activities you can try in Central Scotland. This adventure sport combines scrambling, sliding, climbing, and jumping your way down natural water courses carved into the hillsides. In Perthshire and Stirlingshire, deep gorges and tumbling waterfalls provide the perfect setting, with routes that take you through hidden pools, narrow chasms, and cascading rock formations.
7. Highland Fling
Central Scotland is home to the Highland Swing and bungee jumping – offering unforgettable thrills. Set against dramatic Highland scenery, these experiences let you launch yourself from towering bridges into stunning river gorges below. The bungee jump gives the ultimate freefall rush, while the Highland Swing sends you soaring in a giant arc high above the water.
