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Scotland’s great outdoors

Choosing Scotland for your spring / summer business event or incentive programme means choosing a vast natural playground.

From hiking one of the country’s iconic Munros to wild swimming in a loch or kayaking through dramatic river valleys, Scotland offers so many ways to step away from the screen and immerse in the great outdoors.

Wild Swimming on Loch Tay

Wild Swimming on Loch Tay

© VisitScotland / Mat Hay

Mind, body and soul

With a growing number of organisations choosing Scotland for its breathtaking scenery and immersive outdoor experiences, we explore some of the most inspiring ways to move beyond the traditional corporate itinerary and embrace the wild side. Here are a selection of experiences designed to nurture the mind, body and soul.

Wild Braemar

Wild Braemar

Connecting with nature

At the heart of these experiences is Wild Braemar, offering authentic, bespoke outdoor adventures designed to help groups explore, discover and reconnect with nature. Based in the spectacular Cairngorms National Park, just 20 minutes from Balmoral Castle and within easy reach of Aberdeen Airport, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, Wild Braemar creates immersive programmes combining adventure and relaxation.

A Wild Braemar Day is curated to balance activity, wellbeing and connection with the landscape. Guests can begin with a guided mountain hike, a leisurely nature and foraging walk, an e-biking adventure, an off-road 4x4 exploration, or a mindful forest sketching session. The day continues with a relaxed picnic lunch served in a riverside wilderness tent, providing time to unwind and connect as a group. Participants can then enjoy an invigorating wild swim in mineral-rich waters before warming up in a traditional wood-fired wilderness sauna.

Founded by Annie Armstrong, who studied zoology at the University of St Andrews and worked on international conservation projects, each experience reflects a strong commitment to wildlife, sustainability and Scottish heritage.

Group mindfulness exercise with WanderWomen Scotland

Group mindfulness exercise with WanderWomen Scotland

Time to recharge

WanderWomen, founded by Anna Neubert-Wood in 2018, offers a programme of gentle nature-based experiences designed to encourage meaningful face-to-face connection away from screens and packed schedules. With activities ranging from silent reflection and meditation to movement play, fire-making, forest bathing and guided sharing circles, WanderWomen prioritises mental and physical wellbeing as well as team bonding and shared experiences. Sessions are tailored for small groups of up to 12 in beautiful outdoor locations such as Holyrood Park, Portobello Beach, East Lothian, the Pentland Hills, the Scottish Borders and Fife.

For organisations planning corporate events or team retreats in Scotland, these experiences provide a powerful way to enrich an itinerary, boost productivity and  strengthen team spirit while supporting both physical and mental wellbeing.

Gallus Pedals outside Scottish Event Campus (SEC).

Gallus Pedals outside Scottish Event Campus (SEC).

© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

Pedal power

If it’s a (slightly) faster pace you’re after, hop on a bike with Gallus Pedals and experience Glasgow like never before. Offering guided tours that blend iconic sights, hidden gems, and unforgettable stories, you’ll explore the city at a comfortable cruising pace on bikes or e-bikes. Led by local guides who know every shortcut, story, and top-rated pit stop, bike tours will guide you along riverside paths and hidden lanes, with regular stops to fully immerse in the city’s culture and history.

Gallus Pedals have recently launched four new tours: the Billy Connolly Tour, celebrating the most loved and famous Glaswegian comedy icon; the Glasgow Alternative Bike Tour with a visit to Celtic Park; the Glasgow Food Tour; and a walk, a talk and a dram – an early evening walking tour finishing with a whisky tasting.

Whether part of a corporate incentive programme or a team-building day out, Gallus Pedals combines sightseeing, outdoor activity, and shared cultural experiences to strengthen team bonds, reward employees or clients, and leave your group with lasting memories of Scotland’s largest city.

Guided safari experience

Guided safari experience

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Wild encounters

Set in the heart of Perthshire, Highland Safaris offers event organisers the opportunity to immerse delegates in Scotland's landscapes, wildlife and rural traditions. Experiences can be tailored to suit incentive groups, leadership retreats or team-building programmes, with activities ranging from guided Land Rover safaris and red deer encounters to scenic cruises on Loch Tay.

Delegates can gain a deeper understanding of Scotland's natural heritage while enjoying memorable experiences in the great outdoors. For groups seeking a more active challenge, Highland Safaris also offers activities such as axe throwing and bushcraft-inspired experiences. Combining adventure, storytelling and authentic Scottish hospitality.

Wilderness sauna at Wild Braemar

Wilderness sauna at Wild Braemar

© VisitScotland / Mat Hay

Coastal wellness

Scotland's rugged coastline provides the perfect backdrop for a growing wellness trend and Wild Scottish Sauna offers delegates an unforgettable way to experience it. With six stunning locations across Scotland's east coast, these wood-fired saunas combine relaxation, wellbeing and nature in equal measure.

Groups can enjoy the restorative warmth of a traditional sauna before taking a refreshing dip in the sea, embracing the increasingly popular practice of contrast therapy. Whether incorporated into a your event wellness programme, incentive itinerary or executive retreat, the experience encourages delegates to slow down, recharge and reconnect with both nature and each other. The combination of dramatic coastal scenery, fresh sea air and mindful relaxation creates a memorable and distinctly Scottish wellbeing experience.

A guided foraging walk with Curious In Nature

A guided foraging walk with Curious In Nature

© VisitScotland / Allan Myles

Curious in Nature

For organisers looking to offer something truly hands-on, Curious in Nature invites delegates to explore Scotland through the art of wild foraging. Led by expert guides, participants discover edible plants, fungi and natural ingredients hidden within Scotland's forests, coastlines and countryside. More than simply a walk outdoors, these immersive experiences encourage curiosity, learning and deeper engagement with the natural environment.

Delegates gain practical knowledge about sustainable food sources, local ecosystems and traditional uses of native plants while enjoying meaningful conversations away from the conference room. The experience can be tailored for team-building, incentive travel or leadership retreats, offering a unique blend of education, wellbeing and adventure. It's an inspiring way to help delegates see Scotland's landscapes through a completely different lens.

Foraging experience with Rvival at Monachyle Mhor Hotel

Challenge yourself and reconnect outdoors

Mhor Wild offers immersive adventures that place Scotland's landscapes at the heart of the learning experience. Designed for individuals and groups seeking meaningful connections with nature, its programmes combine wellbeing, outdoor skills and personal development. Delegates can spend time with specialist instructors focusing on traditional skills such as fire making, foraging and wild food preparation, or take on physical challenges including abseiling, rope access and natural crossings.

Experiences can range from half-day activities to multi-day wilderness retreats, allowing groups to tailor programmes around specific objectives such as leadership development, resilience, teamwork or wellbeing. By using the landscape itself as a learning environment, Mhor Wild creates memorable experiences that encourage collaboration, build confidence and leave delegates with a deeper appreciation of Scotland's natural heritage.

Surf lesson at Lost Shore

Surf lesson at Lost Shore

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Adventure meets business

As the home of Europe's largest inland surf destination, Lost Shore offers an innovative setting for meetings, incentives and corporate events. Located close to Edinburgh, it combines business facilities with a range of unique outdoor experiences designed to energise and inspire delegates.

Groups can take part in surf lessons suitable for beginners and experienced surfers alike, enjoy surf-skate sessions, or unwind in wellness-focused experiences that include saunas and recovery spaces. Whether hosting a team-building event, client gathering or incentive programme, organisers can create a distinctive delegate experience that blends adventure, wellbeing and innovation in one remarkable waterfront setting.

By blending adventure with purpose, Scotland leaves a lasting impact on your group and the places you visit.

Scotland is here for you!

Scotland’s vast natural playground offers an incredible array of outdoor business events and incentive activities. From cycling the streets of Glasgow to forest bathing, nature walks and equine experiences, spending time in nature boosts mental and physical wellbeing, strengthens connection and creates experiences to remember. By blending adventure with purpose, Scotland leaves a lasting impact on your group and the places you visit.

For more ideas and tailored inspiration, please get in touch with our team via business.events@visitscotland.com.

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