About Scotland

Inverness-shire, Ross-shire, Sutherland, Caithness and the islands including Orkney

For spectacular scenery the Highlands of Scotland provides some of the best, with a huge expanse of area full of mountains, lochs and glens full of romance, wildlife and scenic beauty. The heritage of this area includes visiting Culloden, taking the ferry to the Isle of Skye or just taking in one of the many castles like Eilean Donan. There is also the wildlife which includes ptarmigan, red grouse, ospreys, mountain hares, golden eagles, otters, red deer and pine martins. For the more adventure minded there is Aviemore in the heart of the Cairngorm national park or Fort William, the outdoor capital of the UK sitting beneath Ben Nevis, both with superb mountain biking, hill climbing, skiing and watersports all available. For children, a trip to Loch Ness to see the Loch Ness monster is a must! Alternatively there is the Kincraig Wildlife Park or the Landmark Acivity Centre at Carrbridge which is ideal for family fun.

Many signposts are written in both English and Gaelic, the Scottish language. Shinty is the local sport, which to an outsider is the equivalent of hockey without rules.

The islands include the Inner and Outer Hebrides as well as the Orkney and the Shetland islands. Orkney's ancient heritage dates back six millennia and Skara Brae is one of the finest preserved stone-age site in Europe and forms part of the islands' World Heritage Site. The best way of seeing Orkney is by touring the island and then you see the full effect of Scapa Flow and the Churchill Barriers. Island hopping is also popular and there is nothing better than enjoying the local food and drink of an evening, or visiting the Highland Park Distillery in Kirkwall. For those going to Shetland the annual Up Hella Aa and the Shetland Folk Festival are well worth catching. Once seen, never forgotten.

Top 6 places to visit:

1. Eilean Donan Castle, by Kyle of Lochalsh
2. Urquhart Castle, by Drumnadrochit
3. Loch Ness
4. Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge
5. Skara Brae, Orkney
6. Landmark Visitor Centre, Carrbridge

Aberdeenshire, Royal Deeside & Moray

From mountain to sea, this underrated area, the north-eastern corner of Scotland is known throughout the world as castle and malt whisky country. The many castles include Castle Fraser, being one of the most notable, together with Drum, Crathes, Craigievar, Kildrummy and Balmoral. This is also malt whisky country where over half of Scotlands whisky distilleries are located including Glenfarclas, Glenlivet, Macallan and Aberlour, amongst many others. The river Spey being the lifeblood for many of these, as well as providing the angler for sport with salmon fishing. Within the city of Aberdeen, known as the granite city due to its huge usage of this stone for its buildings, there is a cosmopolitan feel and it is very much the gateway to Royal Deeside and this area of outstanding beauty. The rivers Dee and Don both flow from there into Aberdeen and out to sea. This is also a land of Highland Games the most notable being the Braemar Gathering. For golfers there are the championship courses at Nairn, Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay.

The local dialect is known as Doric and if you are asked fit like you are being asked how you are. The local paper is the Aberdeen Press and Journal, known as the P+J.

For those that prefer the coastal areas there are magnificent beaches at St Cyrus, Fraserburgh, Sandend Bay and Findhorn Bay. The Moray Firth region is famous for the dolphins and porpoises and there are daily sightings in good weather. Portsoy, with its 17th century harbour village is just one of many attractions, as well as the villages nestling beneath cliffs, like Crovie and Pennan, which was used as the backdrop for the film Local Hero. Or go to Cullen and taste the soup that bears its name Cullen Skink.

Top 6 places to visit:

1. The Malt Whisky Trail
2. The Castle Trail
3. Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen
4. Balmoral Castle
5. Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Visitor Centre, Elgin
6. Baxters Visitor Centre, Fochabers

In Angus you will find rolling agricultural landscapes with the Angus Glens in the background, whilst still having access to coastal areas. The city of Dundee has a vibrant centre with a riverside setting. One of the highlights is visiting RSS Discovery and Discovery Point visitor centre. Out in the countryside there are many Munros (mountains of over 3,000 feet) in Angus which offer superb walking opportunities or there is some of the best salmon and sea trout fishing in Scotland. There are also wonderful beaches at Lunan Bay and St Cyrus. Arbroath is an old fishing port famous the world over for its smoked fish, the Arbroath Smokie. It was here, in the Abbey, that the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320. Or you can visit Glamis Castle, which was the childhood home of the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Perthshire is a natural choice for visitors geographically it is in the very heart of Scotland. The central point is the city of Perth, the fair city which bustles with life with the river Tay running through it. The impressive Scone Palace is nearby, which was the crowning place for Scottish Kings. Perthshire is also home to the world famous Gleneagles Hotel and leisure complex. This is also Big Tree Country, with the world's highest hedge at Meikleour, Europe's oldest tree, the widest conifer in Britain, the sole survivor from Shakespeare's Birnam Wood and many more fascinating trees. Or visit Glenshee and take part in some skiing. But, all in all, it is the beauty of this county with the lush lowland pastures of the south meeting the rugged grandeur of the Highlands. It is no wonder Perthshire continues to be so popular with visitors, new and old.

The Kingdom of Fife has some of the finest beaches in Scotland and where there are beaches you will find links golf courses and St Andrews is known the world over as the home of golf. Whilst the Old Course is the championship course, there are beautiful courses everywhere. The East Neuk is a beautiful coastal strip overlooking the Firth of Forth with many quaint and picturesque fishing villages like Anstruther, Crail and Pittenweem. Dunfermline is an ancient Capital of Scotland and seven Kings of Scotland are buried here. Andrew Carnegie was born here and bequeathed substantial sums to his beloved home town. For children the impressive Deep Sea World at North Queensferry, holds a million gallons of water and has one of the longest underwater tunnels in the world to watch the marine life.

Top 6 places to visit:

1. The Famous Grouse Experience, Crieff
2. St Andrews
3. Deep Sea World, North Queensferry
4. Glamis Castle
5. Scottish Crannog Centre, Aberfeldy
6. RSS Discovery, Dundee

As diverse an area as you can encounter in Scotland as it combines the nationally significant heritage of Stirling and Bannockburn together with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Scotland's fight for independence is encompassed here with Stirling Castle, Bannockburn, and the Wallace Monument, all of which have national significance. The Trossachs is where Rob Roy McGregor was brought up and it is possible to visit his birthplace at Glengyle, by taking a cruise on Loch Katrine. There is also the more modern aspect with The Falkirk Wheel, a superb example of Scottish engineering at its best. For the younger children there is the ever popular Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park.

This is where the Lowlands meet the West Highlands and the journey to the isles begins. Amongst the larger islands you can choose from the Isle of Mull, Coll, Iona, Colonsay, Islay and Jura. All evocative with rugged coastlines and on Iona in particular, there is one of Scotlands most historic and sacred sites, Iona Abbey.

Loch Lomond with its bonnie banks is a must for anyone wishing to see the scenic beauty of this area, as well giving the opportunity to explore or take part in many water-sports on the loch. Or take and adventure and fly in a seaplane from Loch Lomond to Tobermory, though younger children might say Balamory. As with most of this area of contrast and scenic beauty, the opportunities to take walks or go mountain biking in the countryside is endless. No more so than in the Cowal Peninsula and the Isle of Bute - from beaches and forest walks to coastal paths - all as diverse as the area itself.

Top 6 places to visit:

1. Inveraray Jail
2. Iona Abbey, Iona
3. The Falkirk Wheel
4. Stirling Castle
5. The National Park Gateway Centre, Balloch
6. Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and is one of the iconic European capital cities and consequently a major destination for groups from around the world. With Edinburgh Castle sitting proudly in the middle and being the focal point for all visitors. The old town is a maze of ancient streets, stretching from the castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, passing the new award winning Scottish Parliament building. It is also best known for the annual Edinburgh International Festival held in August, along with the Military Tattoo. For younger children there is Edinburgh Zoo, which is always a lovely day out for all the family, with the Penguins Parade a huge favourite.

Outside Edinburgh, Rosslyn Chapel, recently associated with the Da Vinci Code, and Linlithgow Palace in particular should not be missed. Whilst a trip to South Queensferry is a must just to see the famous Forth Railway Bridge if nothing else. East Lothian is synonymous with amazing golf courses with Gullane and North Berwick to the fore, but there is also the race course at Musselburgh or a trip to Glenkinchie Distillery to consider. Or take up ski-ing at the dry slope centre at Hillend.

The Scottish Borders is a land of rolling hills, castles, abbeys, gardens, woods, flowing rivers and strong traditions. The river Tweed is the artery that feeds the Border lands and keeps many an angler happy. For the walker there is the Southern Upland Way, whilst this region caters extensively for the cyclist with The Borderloop and The Tweed Cycle Way. Another jewel of the Borders is its east coast and seascapes, with Eyemouth and St Abbs, which are lovely fishing villages. There are many historic houses and abbeys to visit, including Traquair House, Floors Castle, Thirlestane Castle and the abbeys at Kelso, Melrose, Dryburgh and Jedburgh. With many specialist gardens also open to the public. For the golfer there are 21 golf courses in this region alone. The Scottish Borders prides itself as Scotlands leading short break destination.

Top 6 places to visit:

1. Edinburgh Castle
2. Edinburgh Zoo
3. Rosslyn Chapel, Rosslin
4. Floors Castle
5. Scotts View, Melrose
6. Melrose Abbey

Glasgow is Scotlands biggest city and one of architectural elegance combined with chic shopping, excellent restaurants, theatres and a buzzing nightlife environment. With a huge range of restaurants, bistros and pavement cafes many of which are close to its shopping centres. The shopping is among the very best in Britain. Then there are the pubs, clubs and theatres offering an impressive array of evening entertainment options all year round. There are many museums with The Burrell Collection being a standout example. South East of Glasgow is the World Heritage Village of New Lanark, which was founded in 1785 to harness the power of the River Clyde for cotton production. This 19th century revolutionary new town is preserved in its spectacular riverside setting near the Falls of Clyde.

Ayrshire with its excellent transport network allowing easy access via air with both Glasgow and Prestwick Airports in the vicinity, is the perfect holiday destination. Surrounded by natural beauty, seascape, history, and the great outdoors - Ayrshire and the Isle of Arran & Cumbrae have it all. If you are a golfer, the area offers over 42 courses including three Open Championship links courses at Troon, Prestwick and Turnberry. Ayrshire is the home of Scotlands most famous poet, Robert Burns, and The Burns National Heritage Park is a must see attraction. Many of the seaside towns of Ayrshire have excellent beaches and the microclimate in this area is renowned to be warmer and dryer than the rest of Scotland. Then there is Culzean Castle with beautiful sea views across to Ailsa Craig and Arran.

Dumfries & Galloway is one of the least explored but equally as stunning as any other part of Scotland. Dumfries is the largest town and the major shopping centre situated on the River Nith and the town is closely associated with Robert Burns. Gretna is renowned as the wedding venue of choice for young lovers who have run away north to Scotland to get married. On the coast is Kirkcudbright, the "artists town", and continues to be popular today because of its good light. Wigtown is Scotland's original National Book Town and the home to its annual book Festival. Stranraer is a major ferry port to Northern Ireland. The region has rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, wonderful forests, rolling hills, tranquil lochs, fresh local produce and authentic traditions stretching back into the past.

Top 6 places to visit:

1. Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow
2. New Lanark Visitor Centre
3. Culzean Castle
4. Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran
5. Gretna Blacksmiths Shop Centre
6. The Robert Burns Centre