Ten things you can only do in Scotland

Many people travel to Scotland to view the beautiful scenery and there is no denying that it has some of the most stunning landscapes in the world.  However, Scotland has much more to offer those looking for a memorable adventure, there are some things that you can't do anywhere else in the world.  Here is my list of 10 things that you can only do in Scotland, just in case you need another reason or ten to visit...

1.  Take the world's shortest commercial flight - The flight between the two Orkney Islands, Westray and Papa Westray takes a mere 47 seconds!

2.  Bag a Munro - A Munro is a mountain in Scotland with a height over 3,000 ft.  Climbing to the peak is known as 'Munro-bagging', the aim is to 'bag' them all (282 at last count).

Beinn Dorain - One of many munros in Scotland

3.  Play at the world's oldest golf course - St Andrew's Old Course is the oldest golf course in the world with the game first played here as long ago as 1400.

4.  Enjoy the view from the tallest, fully rotating free-standing structure in the world -  at 127 metres high, The Glasgow Science Centre Tower provides panoramic views of up to 20 miles across the city of Glasgow.

The Glasgow Science Centre Tower

5.  Follow Harry Potter's steam train journey - Book a seat on the Jacobite steam train and follow the West Highland Railway Line over the Glenfinnan viaduct made famous in the Harry Potter films as the route taken by the Hogwarts Express.

6.  Take a trip 'Doon the Watter' on the last seagoing passenger carrying paddle steamer in the world - The PS Waverley was built in 1946 and is named after Sir Walter Scott’s first novel.

The PS Waverley

7.  Eat an Arbroath Smokie straight from the barrel - An Arbroath Smokie is haddock, smoked over hardwood and under law can only be called an Arbroath Smokie if it is produced in the traditional manner and within a five mile radius of the town. 

8.  Enjoy a boat trip through the air on the world's first and only rotating boat lift - The 35 metre tall Falkirk Wheel was designed to connect the Union Canal and the Forth and Clyde Canal, take a 50 minute boat trip and experience being lifted into the air as you travel between the two canals.

The boat lift of the Falkirk Wheel

9.  Stand next to the tallest hedge in the world - The Meikleour beech hedge in Perthshire was planted in 1745 and has an average height of 100 feet, the highest part being 120 feet.  Recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the highest hedge in the world it is also the longest in Britain.

10.  Visit the largest arts festival in the world - For three weeks every August thousands of performers from all over the world take to the streets and festival venues of Edinburgh for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

So that is my list of ten things that you won't be able to do anywhere else in the world.  How many have you tried if any?