From unveiling a reimagined landmark castle, to Scotland’s largest city celebrating a historic anniversary, to endless epic waves and adventure awaiting at Scotland’s first surfing resort…2025 looks to be another standout year.
Offering awe-inspiring landscapes, a vibrant culinary scene, soul-stirring experiences, and a warm, welcoming spirit, Scotland is the ultimate destination to reinvigorate the soul. Whether a nature enthusiast, lover of luxury, foodie or music aficionado, Scotland offers year-round allure and should be at the top of everybody’s travel list.
The selection below is just a handful of Scotland’s brand-new range of visitor attractions, accommodation, distilleries, events, and anniversaries to look forward to in the year ahead.
Keep an eye on the VisitScotland media toolkit for more updates over the coming months.
Top Stories
Celebrate Glasgow’s 850th anniversary
Glasgow, UNESCO City of Music, celebrates its 850th anniversary in 2025, making it an ideal time to explore this dynamic city. With a range of events and activities to come to mark the occasion and as a city renowned for its rich culture, delicious food and drink, striking architecture, world-class events, exciting visitor attractions and welcoming atmosphere, Glasgow guarantees a memorable visit. Find out more in the Glasgow spotlight section below.
The Inverness Castle Experience, Inverness, opening in 2025
The Inverness Castle Experience will be a new visitor attraction in the centre of Inverness, celebrating the ‘spirit of the Highlands’ through its stories of past, present and future. The existing castle buildings and esplanade gardens are being transformed from their original use as the home of Inverness’ prison and courts into a celebration of what makes the Highlands of Scotland a special place to live, work and visit. Visitors will be able to take a journey through the gardens, the two towers and new restaurant, bars and shop to experience stories about the Highlands and its landscape, culture, heritage, and people. The visitor journey will be guided by a seanchaidh – storyteller – who will help to reveal stories which celebrate the spirit of the Highlands.
Paisley Museum, Renfrewshire, opening in 2025
Paisley Museum was founded as a place of learning at the heart of the town, and the building and collections have a remarkable history. After a significant £45-million-pound investment, the museum is being transformed to become one of the main offerings in Paisley alongside wider heritage products such as, Paisley Art Centre, Paisley Library and Paisley Townhall. The museum will showcase Paisley’s world-changing stories to new audiences and will sit at the heart of the community – a place for everyone to learn, discover, create, and connect.
The Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh, Spring 2025
The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh will be opening a new Visitor Centre and Shop in 2025. The Visitor Centre will incorporate never seen before images and films, setting the scene for the Royal Yacht’s rich history. The Gift Shop will be a cornucopia of Royal and heritage gifts, as well as unique treasures inspired by Britannia. Discover luxury homewares, jewellery, chinaware and stunning accessories.
Tall Ships, Aberdeen, 19-22 July 2025
Aberdeen has a rich history with the Tall Ships Races, hosting the incredible fleet in 1991 and 1997, and will be welcoming back The Tall Ships Races in July 2025. Hundreds of thousands of people will descend on the city for four days of celebrating, sharing culture, and international friendships at Europe’s largest free family event.
Orkney 2025 Island Games, 12-18 July 2025
The Orkney 2025 International Island Games will take place from 12 – 18 July 2025. Orkney will have the privilege of hosting the Games in its landmark 40th year since it all began. This week-long event will see athletes from up to 24 island groups from across the world compete in 13 exciting sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, swimming, and triathlon.
Lost Shore Surf Resort, Edinburgh, opened autumn 2024
The Lost Shore Surf Resort arrived in Scotland in autumn 2024, when it proudly became Europe’s largest inland surfing destination. Based in Edinburgh, this world-class facility brings an iconic sport to a new inland home. Capable of generating up to 1,000 waves per hour, the state-of-the-art surf lake is set within a 60-acre country park, offering luxury accommodation, a food market, shopping, and a wellness spa.
Outer Hebrides Voted Best in the World
Each year, National Geographic releases its Best of the World list, celebrating destinations and travel experiences that illuminate our beautiful world and the diversity of communities and people within it. The Outer Hebrides has been named as the only UK destination on the 2025 list with recognition given to its breathtaking landscapes and unique heritage.
For decades, the Outer Hebrides has attracted visitors from every corner of the globe, who are drawn to its beautiful beaches and coastline. Offering breathtaking scenery, crystal-clear waters, unique Hebridean culture and Gaelic language, history and wildlife, welcoming locals, delicious local food and drink and its wide variety of outdoor pursuits. Find out more about this stunning group of islands here: Outer Hebrides – Holidays & Breaks | VisitScotland.
Distillery News
There are nearly 150 active distilleries spread across Scotland, which are split into five whisky producing regions: Campbeltown, Highlands, Islay, Lowlands, and Speyside. Each region boasts their own unique flavours in their whiskies, all of which reflect the landscape and surrounding area, and many distilleries are making moves to conduct new and innovative sustainable practices. In 2025, visitors can look forward to a variety of new distilleries and visitor centres opening their doors, including the first whisky distillery in Shetland, making the following well-known proverb a reality…
Today’s rain is tomorrow’s whisky
The Lerwick Distillery, Shetland, gift shop now open, full distillery reveal in 2025
Introducing Shetland’s first whisky distillery! The Lerwick Distillery opened its gift shop on Market Street in autumn 2024, offering a variety of items and local products. Full distillery operations are planned to follow, with single malt whisky production set to begin next year. While the single malt matures—a process that takes a minimum of three years and one day—the distillery will produce a unique Shetland blended whisky using select casks sourced from the Scottish mainland.
The team at Lerwick Distillery aims to complete the full distillery space by 2025, with tours and tastings anticipated to launch alongside the single malt release in future years.
Highland Park Distillery, Orkney, opening in 2025
The Orkney based 200-year-old distillery, Highland Park, crafts whisky with heathered peat for a subtly smoky flavour that’s as unique as the place it’s made. The distillery has been closed for the past year as a major programme of environmental upgrades, aimed at reducing the distillery’s carbon emissions by 20%, is carried out. The ambitious project will see a series of significant developments, including a new heat recovery system which will save more than 1000 tonnes of CO₂ every year.
Visitors will be welcomed back to this innovative distillery in 2025.
Eden Mill Distillery, St Andrews, opening in 2025
After lying still for over 150 years, Eden Mill brings the art of distilling back to this historical area in the form of a new distillery experience and a range of premium single malt whiskies and gins. The front wall of the building will feature large glass windows providing beautiful views out over the estuary and the iconic St Andrews skyline. All their electricity will be 100% renewable, coming from either the solar farm belonging to the University of St Andrews or other renewable energy sources. Additionally, the CO₂ produced during the fermentation process will be captured for the University to use.
Ardgowan Distillery Inverclyde, opening in 2025
A new state-of-the-art distillery and visitor centre on the Ardgowan Estate, just a 45-minute drive from Glasgow city centre, is nearing completion with whisky production set to begin in 2025. Using extensive heat recovery at each stage of the production process as well as CO₂ capture from fermentation, the distillery will eventually become carbon negative.
Glencadam Distillery Visitor Centre, Angus, Summer 2025
Glencadam Distillery is developing a new visitor centre and VIP suite at its site in Brechin, Angus. As one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, dating back to 1825, the new visitor centre will pay homage to its rich heritage with a dedicated exhibition space showcasing the history of the East Highland distillery and its surroundings. The visitor centre will also house a retail space and tasting rooms, as well as a whisky lounge, café and function suite for corporate hospitality and private hire.
It is expected the new visitor centre will open its doors to visitors and locals alike in summer 2025.
Edinburgh Gin Distillery, Edinburgh, Winter 2024
The Arches on East Market Street, in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, will soon be home to the highly anticipated Edinburgh Gin state-of-the-art Distillery and Visitor Experience. The opening will mark the relocation of their existing distilleries from Rutland Street and Leith, uniting the essence of the brand under one roof. The meticulously designed brand home promises immersive experiences that will transport visitors on a journey filled with wonder.
Arbikie Distillery Sustainable Experience, Angus, now running
As Arbikie continues its journey to be one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries, this new experience tells the story of Arbikie’s origins as a 400-year-old farming business. Visitors will learn about the growing of all ingredients on-site, the creation of the world’s first carbon-negative gin and vodka, Nadar, and Arbikie’s progress to becoming the world’s first green hydrogen-powered distillery.
Biggar Gin Distillery Tours, South Lanarkshire, available now
The Stillhouse, home of the range of Biggar Spirits, located at the foot of the Tinto Hills in the Southern Uplands will be offering behind the scenes tours to showcase how the distillery still uses traditional distilling techniques that stretch back hundreds of years to handcraft their award-winning spirits. Tours last approximately 90 minutes, and guests will receive a perfect serve of one of the Biggar Spirits on arrival.
Hotel News
Scotland is set to welcome a wave of new accommodation in 2025, with standout openings including Seaton House overlooking St Andrews’ iconic Old Course, The Hoxton bringing modern flair to Edinburgh’s historic Haymarket, and Murrayshall Country Estate unveiling eco-friendly luxury pods in Perthshire. Each new accommodation will offer travellers a unique experience that showcases Scotland’s rich culture and stunning landscapes…
The Hoxton, Edinburgh, opening in 2025
The Hoxton will be coming to the Haymarket neighbourhood of Edinburgh in 2025. Eleven sewn together Georgian townhouses will create 214 rooms, three houses for longer stays, a restaurant, and a large event space and gallery meaning there’s plenty to enjoy at this brand-new hotel set a mere stroll away from the sights of this historic city.
Seaton House, St Andrews, February 2025
Situated near the first tee at the world-famous Old Course, where the first ever game of golf was played 600 years ago, Seaton House offers 5-star luxury hospitality in the heart of historic St Andrews, with spectacular views across West Sands beach.
Supercity Aparthotel, Edinburgh, Spring 2025
Opening in Spring 2025, work is underway to transform Playfair House and the Category B Listed Forth House into a signature new Supercity Aparthotel in the centre of Edinburgh. Retaining the historic façade of Forth House, the existing Playfair House will be transformed to sensitively incorporate old and new in the city’s New Town. The property will include Studio, One-Bedroom and Two-Bedroom Apartment Suites.
The Waterside Hotel, West Kilbride, Spring 2025
Located just 40 minutes from Glasgow, The Waterside Hotel at West Kilbride will be the home of a new state-of-the-art spa. The new £3million sea view spa development will open in spring 2025 boasting sea views over the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran.
The developments at The Waterside Hotel will also comprise 17 additional guest rooms and will include six treatment rooms, a four-person Rasul experience, indoor thermal area with sauna and steam room. The new spa will overlook the beach and will have a strong focus on the outdoors with a large hydro pool, outdoor shower, cold bucket, a sheltered firepit and seating area.
Crossbasket Castle, East Kilbride, Spring 2025
Spring 2025 will see the launch of a new era of luxury and opulence for five-star hotel, Crossbasket Castle. Following a multi-million-pound development, a new 40-bedroom hotel, two eco-friendly lodges, and a lavish spa are set to provide the perfect choice of venue for all guest requirements. The development on the outskirts of Glasgow, described previously as a ‘no-expense-spared passion project’, is set to leave guests in awe.
Plans for the hotel also include a new purposely designed entertainment-led dining experience offering exciting entertainment acts seven days a week, immersive dining experiences and exclusive cocktail and drinks offerings that have been carefully curated to create a level of entertainment and service that is incomparable to anywhere else in Scotland.
Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort, Renfrewshire, Spring 2025
Nestled within an idyllic ancient woodland estate just ten minutes from Glasgow International Airport, Mar Hall is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound investment from new owners.
Spring 2025 will see its existing mansion complete with a full redesign of all public spaces and bedrooms, with a private dining room and members’ lounge added to the current offering.
Across the 230-acre estate, and also new in 2025, Mar Hall has been granted planning permission for 30 luxurious woodland lodges that will add an initial 48 bedrooms to the Resort’s current key count of 70. Work has also started in developing the spa and leisure facilities, event spaces, gardens and golf course.
Murrayshall Country Estate new luxury pod accommodation, Perthshire, April 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate, the historic hotel, estate, and golf course nestled in the heart of Perthshire will open a transformative expansion that will allow it to welcome over 5000 guests from across the world, in a move that will double its capacity. Capitalising on the glorious estate surrounding the hotel, Murrayshall Country Estate will be introducing 22 Armadilla pod-style cabins, marking a new era of luxury and comfort for the four-star resort.
The pods will offer a unique and eco-friendly sanctuary for guests seeking a countryside retreat blending seclusion with luxury. The pods will be available for booking from April 2025 with prices starting at £250 per night.
Fingal Hotel, Edinburgh, available in 2025
Fingal, Edinburgh’s luxury floating hotel, will be adding to their dining experience following an expansion of their Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, as well as a new private dining experience in the original Bridge, offering a tailored and immersive gastronomic journey.
Forest Holidays Log Cabins, Glentress, Scottish Borders, opened Autumn 2024
In the heart of the Tweed Valley, discover 56 environmentally sensitive, pet-friendly cabins ranging from one to five bedrooms perched amongst the pines in a mature woodland, full of natural drama.
Glentress Forest provides an
Spotlight on… Glasgow
Glasgow Cathedral viewed from The Necropolis. © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
2025 will be a big year for Glasgow as the city celebrates its 850th birthday, the perfect excuse to make 2025 the year to visit. For 850 years, Glasgow has continued to shine with its never-ending cultural programmes, stunning architecture, and friendly residents, evolving into the vibrant city known and loved around the world today. The city entices visitors through its many museums and visitor attractions, countless concerts each week, street markets and lively events. People travel from all over the world to visit the likes of the Gallery of Modern Art, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and The Burrell Collection.
Glasgow is made even more colourful by the ever-growing presence of greenery, such as Glasgow Green, Pollok Country Park, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and more. Visitors can have the best of both worlds; a lively and bustling city break and an escape into nature, all in one trip to Glasgow.
For the Foodies…
Looking for an innovative, varied, and award-winning food scene? Glasgow has it covered. From offering Michelin star experiences to maintaining its place as one of the world’s most vegan and vegetarian friendly locations, Glasgow is well known as a city for foodies. In fact, Michelin has announced that its world-famous guide to Britain’s best restaurants is to be unveiled in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery in 2025.
Brand new to the restaurant scene is Roots, a cocktail bar and brasserie, where tradition meets quality, with a modern twist. In Glasgow’s Merchant City, a new restaurant, Margo, from the team behind the iconic Ox and Finch
