|
 |
An onslaught of opportunities
Undeniably big on breathtakingly lush scenery, big on vivid history, and huge on good-humored character, Scotland is a vast culture squeezed inside a small country. And that can only be a good thing.
Things you must do in Scotland
Ferry to the outer islands
Orkney and Shetland are an archeologist’s dream – a complete Stone Age village is on view at Orkney’s Skara Brae, while Shetland’s Jarlshof was continuously occupied from the Stone Age to the 17th century.
And make sure to visit Maes Howe in Orkney – a Neolithic chambered tomb said to be over 5,000 years old – older than the Pyramids of Egypt!
BACK TO TOP
Search For Nessie
The Highlands are full of glorious glens, bens and lochs to visit. Be inspired by the spectacular Glencoe, climb Scotland’s highest peak Ben Nevis, and contemplate the mysterious depths of Loch Ness – is she, or isn’t she lurking down there?
BACK TO TOP
Kiss The Skye
On the Isle of Skye – the landscape is breathtakingly unique – visit the lunar scenery of the Quiraing in the north of the island. Find out more about the history and wildlife of Skye at the award winning Aros Skye Heritage Centre just outside Portree.
BACK TO TOP
Take The Hogwarts Express
Take in the view of Loch Shiel from your train window as you cross over the 21 soaring arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. You may recognize it as the thoroughfare of the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.
BACK TO TOP
Make a Pilgrimage
The island of Iona has a special place in the spiritual character of Scotland. It was here that St Columba brought Christianity to Scotland in 563AD. The Iona Abbey is also the burial ground of many early val Scottish kings and chiefs – including Duncan, whose murder was made infamous in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
BACK TO TOP
See The Granite City
No other Scottish city is quite like Aberdeen – and not only because of its sparkly granite which lends downtown Aberdeen such a distinctive air. This northern city looks out across the North Sea with a definite salty and independent spirit. Aware of its maritime heritage – check it out at the Maritime Museum – yet vibrant and forward-looking, Aberdeen has a thriving cultural life at arts and music venues such as the Lemon Tree, and offers a good choice of shopping, pubs and restaurants.
Around 14milesnorth of the city, you can take a seaside stroll along the Sands of Forvie – a national nature reserve among the coastal dunes noted for its birdlife.
BACK TO TOP
Visit Scotland’s Favourite Whisky Town
After a day of exploring, a wee dram might be just the ticket. Speyside’s Dufftown is said to be Scotland’s whisky capital with a huge number of distilleries in the area, including worldwide favorites Glenfiddich and Balvennie.
BACK TO TOP
See Big Tree Country
Perthshire is Scotland’s Big Tree Country, and you will soon see why. This is home to a number of tree record-breakers, including the world's tallest hedge. See some of these soaring specimens at Diana's Grove when you visit Blair Castle.
In Fortingall Church churchyard, is the Fortingall Yew, a remnant of a tree said to be between 3,000 to 5,000 years old, which is considered to be the oldest living organism in Europe.
And if you visit Perthshire in the fall, you will be able to experience the Enchanted Forest at Faskally Wood – a magical light show through the falling autumn leaves.
BACK TO TOP
Climb Calton Hill
Edinburgh is built over seven hills and they are a lot easier to ‘bag’ than the mountains of the Highlands, but give you just as spectacular a view. Look down the length of Princes Street from Calton Hill, or take in the view over to the Pentland Hills from the ancient volcano now called Arthur’s Seat.
And history doesn’t just stop with the castle perched atop its craggy summit. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Queen’s official residence, where Mary Queen of Scots spent much of her stormy reign.
BACK TO TOP
Follow the Da Vinci Code
Outside of Edinburgh, Rosslyn Chapel, featured in Dan Brown's acclaimed novel, The Da Vinci Code, is richly decorated with the mysterious fifteenth century carvings of the Scottish Knights Templar.
BACK TO TOP
Take in some Mackintosh
One of Glasgow’s favorite sons is Charles Rennie Mackintosh – and the Mackintosh Trail will take you around the twelve locations in the city where the architect’s most famous works can be found. The wrought iron roses at Glasgow School of Art, and the simplicity of the white bedroom at Hill House in Helensburgh are beautiful examples of the development of Art Nouveau in Scotland.
Just as Glasgow is full to the brim with art, it is awash with green spaces. The ‘Dear Green Place’ is home to six parks – from Glasgow Green, the city’s oldest park, to the Kibble Palace glasshouse in the Botanic Gardens, and Kelvingrove Park – Glasgow’s main park and tranquil home to Kelvingrove Museum and Glasgow University.
BACK TO TOP
Literary exploration
Ayrshire is arguably the historical seat of literary Scotland, where the spirit of Robert Burns can be found at every corner. Take a tour around Burns Cottage in Alloway, near Ayr, where he was born. Join the Burns Howff Club on one of their walking tours around this hometown of Dumfries, where he spent his last years. Take a seat in Rabbie’s favorite chair at his local pub.
Another local literary great to be inspired by is Sir Walter Scott – visit his archetypal Scottish Baronial home, Abbotsford House, which he built near Melrose in the Scottish Borders in the 1820s.
BACK TO TOP
|
 |
Featured Multimedia
Deal finder
Deal of the day
Plan your trip
|
