The 12 Best Workshops & Classes in Scotland

1.2 hour group lesson (3-16 people)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $69Our pick

Meet Finn, Iona, Jake, or another North Coast Watersports instructor at Dunnet Beach car park. You’ll get a wetsuit, board, and beach-based coaching before heading into the North Sea. This beginner lesson suits families, older first-timers, and anyone keen to spot seals and seabirds while learning to catch a wave.

“This was a last min booking after a few cans the night before, was a tad nervous but Finn is a great teacher and a great bloke , was very patient with me, great to see him after we watched him on the nc500 tv program, just wish we had this kinda thing in Essex,”

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2.Eden Mill Edinburgh Love Gin Cocktail Masterclass

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · from $41Best value

At 1a Rutland Street, learn the story and botanicals behind Eden Mill Love Gin, sample two cocktails made by mixologists, then make a third with professional bar tools. Hosts including Andre, Robert, Olivia, and Isaac lead small groups of up to 10 in an atmospheric Edinburgh vault, with macarons and marshmallows served alongside the drinks.

“It was an informative presentation on the Love Gin. I greatly enjoyed making the cocktail and enjoyed the comardery presence of the others who joined the presentation. It was really cool being in the underground vaults. Andre was very welcoming and knowledgeable. He deserves a raise!”

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3.2 hour private surf lesson! (Up to 2 people)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet your instructor at Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, suit up, and walk over the dunes to Dunnet Beach. North Coast Watersports provides the wetsuit, board, safety briefing, and two hours of private coaching for up to two people. Lessons suit first-timers, casual surfers, and those ready to improve.

“This was one of the highlights of our trip to Scotland this year! Iona is patient, engaging, knowledgeable and really passionate about the sea, the coast and the sport of surfing and this shows in the way she delivers her sessions. She is also local and her love of this part of the coast is truly evident. We were met promptly at the meeting point, provided with all the equipment we would need and then carried the boards to the beach. We had a safety briefing with her and, considering we were both novice surfers, important ‘do’s and dont’s’ to make sure we didn’t hurt ourselves. With that, we were…”

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4.Wildlife Watching Safari by Vehicle & Walks / Photography workshops with a Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $248

Join Stewart Dawber for a private wildlife and photography tour across South Skye. He tailors the route to your interests and may seek otters, golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, red deer, seals, seabirds, pine martens, or red squirrels. Binoculars, a spotting scope, snacks, drinks, and private transport are included.

“Stewart is knowledgeable, witty and fun company. We spent a few memorable hours together as he shared more about how to appreciate the animals. It was a delightful and enjoyable experience. What we manage to do: i) spotted the lone otter snacking in the waters around the island under the Skyre bridge, ii) learnt more about the lighthouse and how it used to function, iii) sighted a group of Scottish Red deer, a cuckoo, a Goldenhead Eagle (elusive but rewarding as we waited). Absolutely wonderful!”

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5.Edinburgh Photography Masterclass – Private Photography Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $191

Meet professional photographer Martin Smith or another Aperture Tours guide at 43 Leith Street for a private, three-hour Edinburgh photo lesson. You will work on composition, camera settings, low-light shooting, light painting, portraits, and long exposures, with the route shaped around your goals. Bring your own camera, or rent a tripod.

“Great way to start a stay in the city. Very knowledgeable guide. Was a very patient teacher. Listened to what I wanted to challenge in my photography knowledge”

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6.Surfing Class in Cullen Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $58

Meet your Blue Coast Surf & Paddle instructor at Cullen Beach car park for a two-hour beginner-friendly lesson. You’ll receive equipment, safety guidance, a yoga-style warm-up, and about 1.5 hours in the water. Instructors including Casey, Finn, Toby, and Finley tailor advice for children, adults, and first-timers.

“Amazing conditions for my daughter’s lesson. Finn was excellent explaining and supporting her through the lesson with excellent advice. Very well organised and added greatly to our holiday with a smiling but tired teenager as she had Paddle Boarded in the morning! Thoroughly recommend Blue Coast you won’t be disappointed 😊👍”

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7.Gin Tasting Masterclass in Aberdeen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $108

Spend two hours at City of Aberdeen Distillery with the head distiller and the Dan and Alan team. Taste single botanicals, build your own gin, identify a mystery ingredient, sample Aberdeen Gin expressions, and finish with a G&T chosen to suit you.

“One of the best things I have had the pleasure of booking. Dan & Alan are the perfect team and their passion shows. I had an absolute ball. The group was small and we all chatted and laughed. There was a good selection of things to purchase, especially for long haul travel. Thoroughly recommend”

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8.Private Highland whisky tour from Edinburgh- Build your own tour!

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · from $602

Start at 7:30 am in Edinburgh and shape a private Highland whisky route with your guide. Choose from distilleries such as Edradour, Glenturret, Glenmorangie, Oban, or Deanston. Ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, stop at a Scottish pub for lunch if desired, and pay admission and tasting fees separately.

“Disappointing experience- We were booked in to see 4 different sights- Invereray castle, a distillery tour at Glengoyne and whisky tasting at Deanston distillery. The driver Steve was very polite and friendly. We wanted to cover Glencoe, Loch Read more”

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9.Silver Ring Making Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $169

Meet Darren at his workshop near Lochearnhead for a private three-hour silversmithing session on a Scottish hill farm. He guides you through designing and making a sterling silver ring, with no previous experience needed. You work at your own pace, enjoy the countryside setting, and leave with a ring made by your own hands.

“The whole Ring making experience was absolutely incredible - we can't thank Darren enough. He was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating in helping us make our dream rings.”

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10.Traditional Scottish Cooking Class & Dinner with Edinburgh Local

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 5 reviews · from $179

Join local host Nell at her 200-year-old Georgian New Town home for a three-hour Scottish cooking class and dinner. Make Cullen Skink and all-butter shortbread, then enjoy haggis, whisky, and Robert Burns poetry in an intimate group of up to eight.

“I paid it gor a present to a friend of mine who went to visit Edjmburg, and who likes cooking. She called me when she finished tbe experience horrified and sick. The place was very old and really dirty, it was disgusting. The woman, who pretRead more”

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11.Bespoke build your own Highland Tour in 16 seat minibus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Create your own eight-hour Highland tour from Inverness in a private 16-seat minibus. Avril or Amy can shape the day around Culloden, the Cairns, Skye, Thurso, Dunnet Head, Dornoch, Dunrobin, family roots, or your own list. Hotel pickup is available within 20 miles.

“We had great time with Avril's travels, she is a very knowledgeable and fun tour guide, we took the Highlands, Dunrobin and Dornoch tour the first day and she tailored the second day to the things we wanted to see and do. Avril went out of her way to make sure we did everything on our list and enjoyed ourselves, we were collected and drop off from our hotel in a very nice clean and new minibus, with all the covid measures in place that made us feel safe and comfortable, I could not recommend her services enough. Thank you Avril”

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12.The Scottish Highlands Photography Tour & Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews

Join guide James of Alba Experiences for a private 10 to 12-hour photography tour through the West Highlands. Starting with pickup in Glasgow, you’ll visit Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, and Castle Stalker, with practical advice on framing and camera technique. Tripods are available on request, while bottled water and snacks are supplied.

“A fabulous day with James, very knowledgeable with all things Scottish. I would highly recommend a tour to see Scotland at its best.”

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