Right then gentlemen, for those of you looking for a stag do a little closer to home (if not, head to Eastern Europe, you can thank us later), may we suggest the wonderful city of Edinburgh? The capital of Scotland is well renown for having some of the best pubs in Britain, but it’s also alive with activities, food, nightlife and culture to keep all manners of stag do’s happy. You can have it rough, rowdy and hands on, where the men are men, kilts or no kilts. Or, take a more leisurely approach and enjoy the finer experiences of whisky tasting and other country pursuits – there is no right or wrong way to enjoy this sensational city.
STAG DO ACTIVITIES || NAUGHTY NIGHTLIFE || SERIOUS FOOD || 3 THINGS NOT TO MISS || OUTSIDE THE CITY || D.I.Y WHISKY TOUR ||
The Best Stag Do Activities in Scotland
Take advantage of Scotland’s stunning countryside, and prepare yourself and the boys for a day of shooting, trekking, quad biking, throwing and tossing (yes, really!) before collapsing in a cosy pub and enjoying some of the land’s most delicious whisky. What more could you want?
We’ve chosen our top three awesome stag do activities for you to enjoy below:
Quads and Clays
This fantastic day out is a real treat for those who want to take on the countryside. Get your game on with clay pigeon shooting with three different flight simulations to play with, before adventuring through the boggy woodland on fully automatic roaring quad bikes. Covering over 9 miles of testing trails, it’s an exhilarating ride that lets you experience the best of Scotland’s rugged beauty.
What’s included?
Enjoy your fill of free biscuits and all the tea and coffee you can drink! If you want to partake in both the quad biking and the clay pigeon shooting, you should allow approximately 2.5 hours for both activities.
Is it worth it?
If you fancy getting down and dirty, then this is the way to do it. Combining two fantastic activities in one awesome package, it’s a sure-fire way to get everyone’s spirits up and set the tone for a night of revelry ahead.
Whisky Tasting Tour
What could be better than a whisky tasting tour to help you relax and unwind after an action-packed morning? Scotland is known throughout the world for it’s smooth Scotch malt whisky, and your trip here wouldn’t be complete without a tour and tasting.
Explore the home of Edinburgh Malt just outside Edinburgh city centre, and enjoy a sampling of some delicious malt whisky as you take in the rolling farmland that surrounds you.
What’s included?
This activity includes a tour through the historic distillery, including an exhibition on malt whisky throughout time. You’ll learn about the different aromas and the production process while an in house whisky expert will guide you through the tasting. Of course, your whisky samples are also included!
Is it worth it?
For the more refined among you (or those who want a good excuse to get smashed) this is the definition of a stag do activity in Scotland. Whether you simply want to relax and enjoy a famous drink, or if you’re whetting your appetite for a night on the town later, this is a tour you won’t want to miss.
Mini Highland Games
For those seeking a more traditional Scottish experience, you can’t go wrong with the Mini Highland Games. A Scottish version of the Olympics, these rough and ready outdoor pursuits hark back to the 11th century, and they still pack a punch today.
Although professionals come from all over the world to compete, there’s nothing stopping you and the boys getting stuck in. Toss a caber and hurl some haggis to the sound of bagpipes and let yourself be transported back to the Middle Ages! Push yourself hard enough and there’ll be a bottle of whisky or champagne to celebrate with afterwards.
What’s included?
The sessions last for two hours, with generally one hour of gaming. All equipment, instructions, supervision and insurance are provided, and a full safety briefing ensures that everyone has a good time.
With nine activities to partake in, you’ll be happy to know that there’s plenty of tea and coffee available too – with whisky or champagne included for the winning team. If you fancy getting lunch at the same time, BBQs and other hot and cold lunches can be arranged for an extra fee.
Is it worth it?
If you and your mates are the competitive type, you’ll get all you want and more from the Highland Games. Physical but fun, it’s an awesome activity you can only enjoy in Scotland, and it’s sure to get everyone revved up and looking forward to a night on the town once the games are over.
Best 6 Night Clubs
Bongo Club
Let out your inner hipster at this popular hangout- spread over three floors there’s music to suit everyone (as long as you like electro, house, or old school hip hop that is) and they do brilliant theme nights to up the ante of your night out.
Cabaret Voltaire
Another gem in Edinburgh’s ‘alternative’ scene, CabVol has cleaned up its act in recent years and is now a speakeasy on the top floor with an underground club that gives a nod to its grimy past.
El Barrio
El Barrio is everything you’d expect from a small, Mexican-style bar: lots of tequila, lots of cheesy music, and lots of dancing. Great place to get to know local girls, who come to let their hair down!
The Electric Circus
Looking for a space that combines a hip-hop club with a karaoke bar and gig venue? Electric circus does just that, attracting hoards of local lassies ready to party the night away.
Lola Lo
Everybody loves a tiki theme, and Lola Lo is always great for a fun night sipping tropical drinks from coconuts and testing your moves on the multi-coloured disco floor.
Liquid Rooms
Like a lot of clubs in Edinburgh, this one is tucked away underground. It has a bit of a reputation for burning down a couple of years ago, but its risen from the ashes to become a great live-music and clubbing venue.
Best View Point
Edinburgh is full of hills and heights great for casting your eye over the sprawling city below. Calton Hill is perfect for a stroll- less demanding than Arthurs Seat, but still giving great vistas towards the castle.
Credit: Guiseppe Milo via Flickr
Top Three Fancy Eats
Nonna’s Kitchen
A little out from the city centre, this is a town favourite. Its everything you could want from an Italian restaurant: family run, fresh, full of garlic, and just a little bit quirky. Book ahead.
The Witchery
One for a very special occasion, The Witchery is internationally famous and has an amazing, candlelit atmosphere. Nestled by the castle, its posh and just a little bit spooky.
The Grain Store
This small and intimate restaurant captures the heart and soul of Edinburgh; exposed brick walls, gorgeous views, candles, and the freshest fish and meat in the city.
Top Three Cheap Eats
Mosque Kitchen
Originally catering to Edinburgh’s Muslim community, the Mosque kitchen has opened its doors and now is a firm favourite with students and stags, who knows it’s the perfect place to line your stomach with a delicious and cheap curry before a night out.
Spoons
The menu and the prices might say ‘greasy spoon’, but the stylish interior of this Edinburgh staple is anything but. With quirky cutlery and great views through its big windows, Spoons is the ideal place to nurse those sore heads and beat the hangover with a full Scottish.
Oink
From the little Piglet bap to the Grunter stuffed with crackling, haggis, and applesauce, this hog roasting restaurant is a local favourite serving up delicious pork and hearty fillings. With a location just off the royal mile, it’s the perfect place to grab some sustenance between pints.
Best Time to Visit the City
Everyone knows august is the time of year when Edinburgh really comes into its own; the entire town is transformed by the festival, bursting with up-and-coming comedians, weird and whacky experimental theatre, tourists looking for a good laugh, and bars open until 6am. Hogmanay is not to be missed, but if you can’t quite face the cold, May and June are perfect for enjoying a bit of sunshine, and making the most of the bars whilst students are still stuck in exams.
Three Things Not To Miss
Everyone knows you can’t miss the Fringe Festival; whether you’re in to comedy, crazy new theatre, or live music, the festival never fails to deliver. Encompassing everything from established comedians, to crazy German women re-enacting the Grim fairy tales with vegetables (true story), the late-opening times of all the bars alone makes it worth a trip. For something a bit different, head up for the Beltane fire festival in April. This pagan festival is absolutely mad- think candle vigils through the streets, fireworks, and a giant bonfire on Calton hill with naked, painted participants dancing around it.
3 Things You Didn’t Know About Edinburgh
– A wallet made of notorious mass murderer William Burke’s skin is on display in the Surgeon’s Hall Museum.
– The festival more than doubles Edinburgh’s population each August.
– Worried about your bald patch? In the 17th century Edinburgh’s male population could be found rubbing dried dove poo on their head as they thought it was a cure. Well…I guess it’s worth a go, right?
Getting Around the City
Whatever you do, don’t mention the trams to any taxi drivers in the city. It’s really not worth the time or the effort; the city is easily workable on foot to save extra pounds for the pints. If you do get a taxi, it shouldn’t set you back too much, and the bus system is easy enough to work out. There’s a great airport bus that leaves every 10 minutes and will get you to the airport in around half an hour. If you fancy doing something a bit different, then the tour buses taking you out to Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannica are worth a look.
Get out of the City and into the countryside
There’s more to Scotland than just Edinburgh. So if you have a spare few days, why not venture into the great outdoors and explore Scotland’s rugged natural landscape.
Hiking in Scotland, is a must for any outdoor enthusiast. Much is made about the sublime beauty, the inspiring backdrops, the staggering juxtapositions of a fresh summers day and a bleak but eerily pretty winters one. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the stunning Scottish highlands.
So in case you are feeling those desires to be out with mother nature, camping among the stars with your friends and enjoying the simple pleasures in life, here our several photos to satiate your wanderlust. Get out there and explore; adventure is never far away.
Ben Nevis
Credit: Laura Dempsey via Flickr
Credit: Andy Dixon via Flickr
Glencoe
Credit: Stuart Powell via Flickr
Credit: travelingcolors.net
Cairngorms
Credit: Green Dreams Photography
Credit: Mark Dickson via Flickr
Go on a Whisky Tour through Scotland
If you’re in Scotland for more than a few days, why not look at renting a car and viewing some of these incredible whisky distilleries. Heading north-east to Speyside, you’ll find several notable single malt whisky distilleries, or head to the stunning wilderness of the west coast to places like Skye and the Isle of Mull. Adventure, exploration and a wee dram awaits from all these distinctive regions. Now, stop and marvel at this google map we made, all for you, our whisky loving readers.
Speyside
Glenfarclas
Glenfarclas is a family run operation which has been passed down through the generations, which means that an incredible amount of care goes into producing each and every drop of their fresh, sherried style of single malt Highland Scotch whiskies. With a huge collection of drams, from 10 right through to 40 years old, there’s plenty to sup and savour at Glenfarclas.
Credit: whiskyshopdufftown.com and markcnewton.com
Glen Elgin
Located about 10 miles south of where the river Lossie meets the sea, Glen Elgin boasts a wonderful location for a spot of whisky tasting with the lads. This modestly sized yet super successful Speyside whisky distillery offers a lovely choice of light, sweet and mellow drams – perfect for swigging on a fine summer’s day.
Credit: scotchwhisky.net and greenwellystop.co.uk
Glen Spey
Known as one of the most obscure distilleries in Scotland, Glen Spey is well worth a visit. This small Scotch producer originally set out to make blended whisky, but over the years it has really defined its flavour. The eight year old Glen Spey single malt is light, delicate and accessible to almost everyone’s palette.
Credit: Martyn Jenkins via Flickr and greenwellystop.co.uk
The Macallan
The Macallan distillery is based on the banks of the River Spey and is set with 34 acres of exquisite rural beauty. As the producer of the most expensive whisky in the world, Macallan has certainly made a name for itself over the years. Using imported sherry casks from Spain to achieve 70% of its rich, earthy tones, this distillery has a whole host of excitement to offer a keen group of whisky fanatics.
Credit: funbobsboozeblog.com and sgwhisky.com
Speyburn
Founded in 1897, the Speyburn-Glenlivet Distillery has a longstanding single malt history, and this wonderfully traditional whisky producer is the only of its kind to use water from the Grunty Burn (famed for its purity and world-class salmon fishing). Speyburn’s 10 year old Highland whisky is smooth, refreshing and comes complete with a tongue tingling zesty twang.
Credit: gallecars.science and greenwellystop.co.uk
Glenfiddich
This popular drop regularly features on our supermarket shelves, but a trip to the distillery is the only way you can really appreciate these fine Scotch whiskies. Based in the heart of Dufftown, this thriving whisky maker’s is surrounded by golden barley fields and its ever-expanding range of 10 – 18 years old drams offer a host of distinctly crisp flavours.
Credit: whiskymeasure.com and wikipedia
Balvenie
For centuries, whisky has been one of Scotland’s greatest traditions, and Speyside’s Balvenie distillery is very serious about keeping their customs alive. All of the malt and barley is grown on local turf and a resident coppersmith makes sure each barrel is in kept in perfect condition. The result is a range of rich, smooth and distinctively honeyed whiskies to sit back and savour come rain or shine.
Credit: thewhiskywoman
Knockdhu
This fine whisky-smith distilled their first drop way back in 1894 and today they are going stronger than ever. Their award-winning – and particularly peaty – Scotch selection boast rich, earthy tones, coupled with elements of sweet honey and vanilla. A proper indulgent little treat!
Credit: wikimedia and greenwellystop.co.uk
Glenrothes
Another Speyside gem, Glenrothes owes much of its whisky based success to its picture postcard-like Highland location, and the plump, ripe barley used in the production process. Pick a glass of Glenrothes up and expect a rich, full bodied, spicy brew which takes charge of your taste buds and tells you who’s boss. Magic!
Credit: walkhighlands.co.uk and therumhowlerblog.com
Islay
Ardbeg
Situated on Scotland’s wondrous Isle of Islay (Queen of the Hebrides), the scenes from this distillery are nothing short of ‘picture postcard.’ Boasting some of the world’s smokiest non-chill filtered 10 year old single malts, expect full flavour, earthy tones and a 46% alcoholic punch. Hold onto your hats!
Credit: islay.org.ukand northernwalker
Bowmore
Another Isle of Islay gem, Bowmore owes a lot of its flavour to its rich, peaty soil and fine loch side location. Bomore’s current whisky master has worked at the Distillery for 40 years (as a man and a boy) so knows a thing or two about single malts. Expect a rich, peaty vibe with a subtle fruity twang.
Credit: youllhavehadyourtea.org.uk and whiskyforgirls.com
Bunnahabhain
This beautiful coastal distillery has been standing since 1881 – and has a lot of tales to tell. Crafted with pure spring water from the Margadale River, Bunnahabhain’s selection of drams are some of the most traditional in the country, and pack a delicate yet peaty punch.
Credit: nippysweetwhiskies.com and bornrich.com
Lagavulin
Another whisky producing wonder from Islay, this tight-knit distillery gets its name from its location. Situated right on the secluded banks of the beautiful Lagavulin Bay, this small but meticulously produced range of 12 and 16 year old single malts offer a feisty, peaty flavour with a subtle fruity edge. Basically, a little something to put hairs on your chest!
Credit: lockettbros.co.uk and greenwellystop.co.uk
Highlands
Dalwhinnie
For a real chest expanding, manly Highland experience, Dalwhinne offer something really quite special. Nestled in the stunning Cairngorm National Park, this acclaimed distillery is known for their choice of full-bodied and smooth 15 year old single malts. The real spirit of the Highlands!
Credit: perfect gnat via flickr and greenwellystop.co.uk
Glemorangie
For something as smooth as a bum cheek covered in Veet, coupled with ripe fruity aromas, Glenmorangie’s signature 10 year old + single malts will certainly deliver. Located in Rosshire, this historic distillery boasts the tallest stills in Scotland and they only ever use their casks twice. Fresh!
Credit: glenmorangie.com and ahintofgarlic.wordpress.com
Teaninich
Teaninich produces some colossally expensive whiskies, but if you’ve got the cash, they’re well worth buying. Based in a peaceful pocket of the Scottish Highlands, this distillery doesn’t disappoint and their eclectic collection of malts are especially fresh and fragrant.
Credit: thetimes.co.uk and whiskyshop.com
Island Whisky
Isle of Jura
Nestled on the peaceful West Coast of Scotland, Isle of Jura offers a truly idyllic spot for whisky tasting. This beloved producer of distinctively striking Scotch operates on what George Orwell described as ‘the most un-get-at-able place,’ and although it stays true to its roots, Jura is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of whisky and the way people perceive it. If you go there, ask about for the new Jura Brooklyn – they might even let you try it.
Talisker
As the only whisky distillery on the Isle of Skye, Talisker has a very unique taste which has actually been named ‘the king of drinks’ by none other than Robert Louis Stevenson. This distinctive collection of single malts is made right by the sea, and its coastal roots definitely come through in the flavour.
Credit: theisleofskyeguide.com and imgkid.com
Tobermory
Situated on the sensational Hebridean island of Mull, Tobermory is one of the oldest – and most traditional commercial distilleries’ in Scotland. This lovely little selection of whiskies has a smooth velvety taste and the 10 year old dram is matured in ex-Bourbon casks, just to give it that little bit of edge.
Credit: independentconnoisseurs.com and whiskymerchants.co.uk
Lowland whisky
Auchentoshan
Auchentoshan has a cool, modern feel to it – almost like a Shoreditch hipster sitting smack bang in the middle of a Gala bingo hall. This wonderfully inventive range of single malts are all triple distilled to give them their unique base flavour, and with Three Wood and American Oak on the menu, you really can’t go wrong.
Credit: catswhiskerstour.com and greenwellystop.co.uk
If this has inspired you to embark on a whisky distillery adventure, let us know how you get on. What places would you like to see in Scotland? Oh, if you do, please make sure you don’t lose the stag in the wilderness. For more ideas and inspiration, head over to Staggered and Chillisauce.