Extreme Sports
Scotland’s naturally rugged landscape and climate make the country the perfect location for a number of extreme sports.
Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands, is the UK centre for outdoor sports and, with Glencoe to the south, Aonach Mor to the north and Glenfinnan to the west, it’s unbeatable.
There are also various downhill bike tracks nearby and the area is closely connected to the West Highland Way and the Great Glen.
Canyoning
There are a large selection of canyons in Scotland, across Perthshire, Aviemore and Argyll; the Famous Grouse Canyon, the Falls of Bruar and the Glen Alva Canyon, amongst others.
A number of outdoor sports companies regularly take tour groups through gorges where participants jump down waterfalls, scramble over rocks and scale rock faces, on full and half day tours. Prices for canyoning trips usually start at around £40 for a half day.
White water rafting
Scotland has some of the best white water rafting rivers in the UK. White water rafting is a fun, adrenalin-packed activity.
Situated in the heart of the Grampian Mountains, the River Orchy offers high grade rapids for the white water rafting enthusiast. From October onwards, with the added seasonal rain, the river reaches grade 3, 4 and 5 at various points.
Two of the most popular white water rafting rivers in Scotland are the River Tummel and the River Tay. The River Spey and the River Tweed also have enviable courses.
Whether you’re wild or mild, Scotland’s rivers have something for all types of white water rafting fans.
BMXing
In recent years BMXing has increased in popularity in Scotland. There are a number of downhill mountain bike courses across the country. Pro-rider, Danny MacAskill is also doing a lot to raise the profile of the sport in Scotland.
Danny released his five-minute long BMX street trial videos on YouTube in April 2009. Since then, his stunts, which include jumping over roofs in Edinburgh city centre and cycling across a disused Hydroelectric Power station in the Highlands, have attracted over seven million views.
Watch some of our favourite YouTube videos by clicking the links below:
Canyoning in Scotland’s River Orchy
White water rafting
Danny MacAskill – Way Back Home