Coasteering Scotland

Coasteering has become an immensely popular adventure sport all around the UK. Adventure-seekers can enjoy scrambling and climbing up stunning rocky areas of coastline, reaching steep cliffs, and plunging into the cool waters below. This adrenaline-fuelled sport works best in sweeping, dramatic landscapes, and you’d be hard pushed to find better examples than along Scotland’s beautiful shores.

There are lots of places that you might choose to visit if you’re hoping to take part in some coasteering in Scotland. Here we outline a few of the very best spots, and some of the best and safest activity providers that you can find to enjoy a great coasteering experience when coasteering Scotland.

Arbroath

Arbroath is arguably the most popular coasteering location in Scotland, and for many of the most seasoned coasteerers, it’s one of the very best places to practise the sport in the whole of the UK. In fact, over the last ten years or so, it has become a hugely popular destination for all manner of water sports like kayaking, sea swimming and paddleboarding. The rugged coastline to the north of this small fishing village offers incredible scenery, with the added bonus of being one of the sunniest places in Scotland! That’s bound to be a plus if you’re plunging into the chilly waters of the Scottish Highlands…

Because of its large boulders, tough climbs and challenging scrambles, Arbroath is often considered to be one of the most challenging sites anywhere in the country. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted, although of course there is a range of experienced activity providers who can help you navigate your way around, and build your confidence to take on some of the trickiest parts.

Elie

Elie is also on the East Coast, on the southern edge of the easternmost point of Fife. The lovely scenery and more gentle slopes make this a fantastic location for coasteering beginners. Lots of the activity providers in the area will focus on creating a progressive day of training, as you start small and end up scaling some of the more challenging parts of the coastline for your final jumps when Coasteering Scotland. Elie is also a great spot for wildlife, and you can sometimes see seals and dolphins – although keep your eyes peeled for the occasional jellyfish too! Lots of local coasteering companies suggest that you try Elie as a warm-up before taking on the more challenging landscape in Arbroath, so it’s definitely a great place to start if you want to give this incredible sport a try for the first time.

Edinburgh

If you’ve come for a visit to the country’s capital, you might be surprised to find that you’re still only a short journey away from some fabulous coasteering sites. In fact, you’re not too far from the great sites in Fife, but there are also some very local to Edinburgh that can offer a great experience when coasteering Scotland. Try Shell Bay, easily accessible within about an hour from the city centre and a fantastic family-friendly location with great views and the chance to explore the beaches and rockpools too. The level of swell means that you’ll get a relatively smooth entry when you jump into the water, meaning that it’s suitable for younger coasteerers too.

Oban and the Lorn

Although the east coast is more densely populated and tends to have the bigger tourist attractions, you’ll find that there are plenty of stunning spots that make excellent locations when coasteering Scotland on the west coast too! Oban is a small but stunning seaside town that is a popular tourist spot for many reasons. One of the key attractions is the fact that it offers some of the most incredible scenery on the west coast, as well as some incredible wildlife too. If you spend a morning or afternoon exploring the coastline, you might just spot some of the local otter, seals or incredible seabirds… this beautiful site is truly one of the best areas to experience Scotland’s natural beauty.

Scotland Coasteering Providers

So no matter which side of Scotland you choose to visit, you’re sure to be able to find a great site to try coasteering. If this fun-filled sport has tickled your fancy, there are lots of great coasteering providers, many of whom operate across several different Scottish coasteering locations.

Vertical Descents

As you might imagine from their name, Vertical Descents want to help you plan an exciting and adrenaline-fuelled day or half-day of adventurous activities. They operate on the east and west coast, so are a great choice for either Oban or Arbroath.

Intrepidus Outdoors

Intrepidus Outdoors are based on the west coast, and can take you for a day of activity in either Shell Bay or up to Arbroath if you are feeling adventurous! Their packages include transport from Edinburgh City Centre, so can be a great option if you’ve travelled to the city by train and don’t have an easy way to travel into the Highlands by car.

Clan Adventures

Clan Adventures offers a whole range of adventure sports across Central Scotland, and will work with your group to find the best coasteering location to suit you! Perfect for stag and hen parties, you can tailor-make a package of adventure activities to include coasteering at one of the top spots listed above.

With so much great terrain to explore, there’s a number of experienced and highly rated coasteering providers operating in the area.