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Surfing and other adventure holidays in Scotland

When it comes to planning a surf getaway, most holidaymakers naturally gravitate toward tropical destinations like Hawaii or Bali. These are iconic surfing destinations, and it is hard to think of a better place to spend a week or two relaxing off the grid. These are obviously great places to go surfing, but beaches can be crowded and the atmosphere can feel a bit jaded. Sometimes, a surf getaway to a less obvious destination is the perfect remedy for someone who has spent too much time in the tropics. The North Atlantic waters offshore of Scotland are surprisingly good for surfing, and the scene here continues to gain momentum every year. Scotland is well known for its activities scene, but relatively few people realise how much surfing potential is found here. One of the most popular breaks in the country is at Pease Bay. It is located on the southeast coast of Scotland and has a selection of beach and reef breaks.

This area has really taken off in the past few years, with surf shops, budget hotels and surf schools popping up all over the place. Even better than Pease Bay is Thurso East, where a rock shelf cloaked in kelp generates a consistent and long-burning right hander. Peaks range anywhere from 2 to 15 feet, depending on a variety of conditions. The biggest waves roll in during the northwest swell season, and this is when Thurso East picks up. For many itinerant surfers, Thurso East is easily the most satisfying break in all of Europe. For the avid, this alone is cause to plan adventure holidays to Scotland. Scotland is also a good place for beginners to pick up the sport. The fact that surfing is not well ingrained in this region means that there are still plenty of local beginners picking up gear and signing up for lessons. Beaches in Scotland are sandy and comfortable, and the Atlantic Gulf Stream keeps the waters from becoming too frigid. All that is needed is a warm winter wetsuit to stay comfortable for a long surfing session.

If you are planning an explicit surfing holiday in Scotland, then you will probably want to go to the Hebrides, which is widely considered the best region for surfing in Scotland. If, on the other hand, you are only interested in taking a morning to try out the sport as part of a more general vacation in Scotland, then you have more leeway in where you base yourself. There is a wealth of other high octane sports available in Scotland, including rafting, cycling, snowboarding and ballooning. You can spend each day doing something different for one or two weeks without ever experiencing any repeats. And if the weather turns sour or becomes too cold for outdoor activities, there is just as much to do inside. Several vacation destinations in Scotland have indoor climbing walls, aerial assault walls and other high energy activities that are as exciting for solotravellers as they are for families with children.