Scotland Travel Guide

Scotland, United Kingdom — Destinations

Edinburgh

Presenting a rather Gothic cityscape as it spreads out below its ancient Castle, reaching out to the port of Leith, Edinburgh is far from dour. The canny Scots have crafted a capital that is crammed with culture, filled with fun and festivity, veneered with sophistication but reeking of history and mystery.

It's a heady combination that never fails to charm visitors to this city, built on a set of extinct volcanoes on the Firth of Forth, an inlet from the North Sea, just north of the border between Scotland and England.

The first thing that catches the eye is the looming battlements of the castle, sitting atop sheer granite cliffs that can only be accessed from one steep ridge. Today the castle heads up the Royal Mile and a linear set of streets making up the 'New Town', created when Edinburgh was re-designed in the 1700s, after the Act of Union with Britain. Tourists eagerly wander up and down the main street, Princes Street, all year round, browsing in the top quality stores and photographing the vista of the castle and the old town. When it comes to sightseeing, Edinburgh's attractions are largely based on historic stories and legends, from the churchyard where Greyfriar's Bobby, the terrier, refused to leave his master's grave, to the grand royal apartments of Holyrood House, where Mary Queen of Scots watched her husband kill her lover back in the 16th century.

Edinburgh oozes atmosphere, but never more so than during the summer months, when the vibrant Edinburgh Festival fills the city with drama, creativity and colorful visitors from around the world. Another occasion when Edinburgh pulls out all its stops is during the traditional Hogmanay New Year festival, when the jolly festivities are warmed by a great imbibing of Scottish malt whisky and ales pulled in the many local pubs.

Edinburgh is perhaps best summed up by one of its famous sons, the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, who described it as 'a profusion of eccentricities; a dream in masonry and living rock'.

Glasgow

During the past few decades Glasgow, the UK's fourth largest city, has re-invented itself from a rather economically depressed post-war industrial center to a modern metropolis with a thriving art and culture scene, which has earned it accolades like the 'European City of Culture' title in 1990 and 'City of Architecture' in 1999.

In days of yore Glasgow depended on shipbuilding and engineering for its wealth; the city fell into decline in the mid-20th century with poverty and unemployment rife. Prosperity has returned, riding on the back of 21st century technology, and it is the hub of Scottish film, theater, writing, music and design that has captured worldwide attention.

The city has more than 20 galleries and museums to complement the architectural heritage of architects like Alexander Thomson, renowned for his classical designs, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, master of art nouveau.

The youthful, progressive atmosphere of the reborn Glasgow is encouraged by its large student population, spawned by four universities and several colleges, and reflected in the numerous lively restaurants, pubs and attractive shopping precincts.

Tourists find plenty to see and do in this city on the River Clyde, and can also use it as a base to explore the surrounding countryside that boasts some of Scotland's most scenic mountains, glens, lochs and coastline.

The Highlands

The Highlands of Scotland contain some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. A timeless wonderland, where roads and railways cut through breathtaking mountain views, past the deep and mysterious lochs, through the world's finest whisky-producing regions, and up to the highest peaks in Britain.

The long and dramatic Loch Ness, a short journey from Inverness, with its mythical monster, affectionately known as 'Nessie', has attracted thousands over the past century, all eager to catch a glimpse. The region is rich in heritage, and has played host to many bloody battles between the proud and ancient Scottish clans. Off the coast, the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland Islands with their rugged and dramatic scenery reveal ancient settlements and unspoiled insights into the ancient history of Scotland. A visit to this highland wilderness, despite predictably unpredictable weather, ignites a very basic pleasure and can be a glorious and refreshing experience.

Aberdeen

The bustling seaport of Aberdeen is Scotland's third biggest city, and has been dubbed the Oil Capital of Europe. This alone is not likely to entice visitors to the city, other than those on business trips, but the fact that Aberdeen boasts a fascinating and bloody history, historic granite buildings, beautiful churches, attractive green spaces and plenty of Scotch Whiskey, just might.

Once a site of brutal conflict with the English during the Scottish Wars of Independence, the city was razed to the ground by King Edward III in 1336, but was quickly rebuilt, and expanded rapidly over the centuries as it grew in prominence as a port. The 18th and 19th centuries saw an increase in elegance and style in the city, predominantly in the architecture of Old Aberdeen, an area of buildings made from the glittering local granite. Here, architectural gems include the 15th century Kings College, the Town House, and Marischal College, one of the best examples of Edwardian architecture in Britain.

Modern Aberdeen is friendly and fun, although foreigners may struggle to understand the thick local accent. Belmont Street and surrounds are packed with restaurants, clubs, bars and live music venues; there are plenty of top-class museums and galleries including the Maritime Museum and the Aberdeen Art Gallery; and the city boasts a host of lush parks, including the Duthie Park that opened in 1883. The vibrant waterfront district also merits exploration, as well as some of the lovely sandy beaches close by.

Aberdeen also acts as a perfect hub from which to explore the beauty and majesty of the Grampian Highlands, enjoy a tipple on the Malt Whisky trail or ramble around ancient Scottish castles.

Dundee

Scotland's fourth largest city, Dundee is historically famed as the city of 'jam, jute and journalism', Dundee is the original home of marmalade and also processed the backs of carpets and ship sails (jute), while the Beano and Dandy comic books were first published here. Located on the north bank of the Firth of Tay (the longest river in Britain), the picturesque city of Dundee is centered round an old town and on a clear day boasts breathtaking views over the Tay Estuary and iconic Tay Rail Bridge. Overflowing with cultural attractions, travelers can enjoy finding their own way around as nothing here is particularly structured when it comes to tourism - ideal for independent travelers. Climb the 232 steps to the highest existing medieval tower in the UK, St Mary's Tower, fondly known as the 'Old Steeple', have your picture taken with the five bronze penguins around Dundee's City Churches which look as if they're headed in the direction of the RRS Discovery, visit the century-old Discovery which took Captain Scott to Antarctica, or stroll along the golden beach before heading up to the Broughty Ferry Castle, which was built in 1496 and now houses a museum. Dundee is renowned nowadays for its universities (University of Dundee and the University of Abertay), medical training grounds, art school and plethora of pubs to look after the said 'student population'. The restaurant scene is also worth exploring with plenty of Indio-Pakistani-Chinese flavor, while shopping opportunities abound. Hit the links and play a round of golf on one of the world-class championship golf courses, making sure to sample some of the local brews on the 19th hole, or why not visit the nearby town of St Andrews to see arguably the world's most famous course. Anglers will be able to cast their line from sandy beaches or rocky cliff bottoms to hook sea trout and flatfish, while the Lunan Water and Rescobie Loch are the places to go for top-class brown and rainbow trout fishing.

Dumfries

Known as the 'Queen of the South' and birthplace of the world-famous poet Robert Burns and James Barrie, author of Peter Pan, the quaint and picturesque town of Dumfries may not be as large as some of its neighbors, but like most things Scottish, it's warm, welcoming and beautiful. In 1997 it was voted the best place to live in the UK, and is still considered to be just that by many, due to its mild climate, amenities, beautiful setting and the exuberant charm of the locals, known as Doonhamers.Most of the buildings in Dumfries are built with local red sandstone, which comes from Locharbriggs, giving them a unique character and the city a distinctive look and feel. Around town, visitors with an interest in Dumfries' most famous resident, Robert Burns, can visit Burns' House, Burns' Museum, Burns Street, Burns' Mausoleum and even his regular corner pub, the old Globe Inn. Other attractions include the Bridge House Museum, the magnificent triangular Caerlaverock Castle and its nature reserve, New Abbey, the Solway Coast and Scotland's seventh largest river, the River Nith, which runs through the center of Dumfries, creating picturesque settings and fabulous fishing opportunities right on one's doorstep. Hit the links and enjoy a round of 18 holes on one of 30 of Scotland's finest golf courses, including Thornhill and Stranraer, or put those hand-tied flies to good use when casting for brown trout in the nearby Lochmaben, which has a couple of good fishing lochs, or try for salmon, sea trout and trout from the banks of the River Nith. Just out of town, take a walk along the nearby coastline or high above on the cliff tops where waves crash below and the cool North Atlantic sea breeze invigorates you as you look out across the ocean to Ireland and the Isle of Man in the distance.

Outer Hebrides

Anyone with an eye for natural, rugged beauty should head straight for the pristine island chain of the Outer Hebrides off Scotland's west coast. Comprising over 500 islands, only a few dozen of the Hebridean Islands are inhabited. Boasting majestic mountain ranges, highlands and miles of sheltered golden beaches, the unspoiled Outer Hebrides also contain the largest concentration of Scottish Gaelic speakers in Scotland, offering a unique and fascinating look into the Celtic nation's history. Not much is known about the history of the Outer Hebrides before the 6th century AD, when records indicate that the Irish-Scottish St. Columba arrived on Iona, founding several churches. Structures such as Callanish, which dates back to the 3rd millennium BC, and Cladh Hallan, the only site in the United Kingdom where prehistoric mummies have been found, make the Outer Hebrides a fascinating destination. The major islands include Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Barra and Lewis, where Stornoway is the administrative capital of the Wester Isles. Most of the archipelago is protected habitat, as many rare species can be found here, such as the golden eagle and corncrake, while in the waters basking shark, whales, dolphins and otters abound. The main commercial activities in the Outer Hebrides center on tourism, fishing, and weaving including the manufacture of Harris tweed. Adventurous and energetic visitors can enjoy activities such as sailing, kayaking, canoeing and climbing, while surfing is fast becoming a popular sport here, due to the tides, swell and weather, attracting surfers from across Europe to frolic in its numerous reef, point and beach breaks. There's a reason they say ' it's as cold as the Hebrides'and travelers are warned that it rains two days out of three here, so a sturdy umbrella and good protective rain gear are essential. Travelers who are lucky enough to be there during the months of September and March, and October and April can relax with a delicious single malt whisky, kick back and unwind while watching the mesmerizing and beautiful Northern Lights dance across the starlit sky.

Isle of Mull

The second largest of the three Inner Hebridean islands, the volcanic Isle of Mull is also the greenest and is the stepping stone to the holy island of Iona, where St Columba landed in the 6th century AD and built a monastery from which Christianity spread into Scotland.

Located just 40 minutes by ferry from the mainland port of Oban, Mull's breathtaking landscape is as variable as the winds that batter its coast. Majestic mountainsides are juxtaposed by brightly colored houses in the quaint harbor of Tobermory where the eerie wreck of a galleon from the Spanish Armada lies motionless and empty at the bottom of the bay. And with a rich and fascinating cultural history dating back to the Neolithic times, Mull's charm, rugged beauty and archaeological sites with menhirs and stone circle constructions, make it a fabulous tourist destination.

Most travelers tend to base themselves in the town of Tobermory which is home to the only whisky distillery on the island, the Mull Museum, plenty of first-class accommodations and a good variety of pubs and restaurants to tantalize the taste buds.

Besides the impressive structures like Torosay and Duart Castle that dot Mull's coastline, indigenous animals such as otters, seals, deer and birds of prey like the White-tailed Eagle can also be spotted, while during the months of April to October, travelers can take boat trips out to sea to spot whales, dolphins and porpoises as well as visiting puffin breeding grounds.

With several shipwrecks off the coast of Mull, scuba divers will be in their element exploring the marine and coral life that lives off these wrecks, while landlubbers can take a walk on the wild side and explore Ben More, the highest hill on Mull, where on a clear day travelers will be rewarded with spectacular views out to Ben Nevis on the mainland and many other Hebridean islands in the distance.

Islay

Known as the 'Queen of the Hebrides', Islay is the southernmost of the Inner Hebridean Islands and is world famous for its single malt whiskies, breathtaking scenery, fascinating wildlife and friendly locals. With a rich and fascinating history, Islay was inhabited by early settlers who came here after the last Ice Age in around 7500BC as fishermen and hunters. Many tourists come to Islay for to sample its exceptional whiskies. Islay and boastsing a whopping eight distilleries on the island, and is it's home to single malt labels such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Caol Ila and Ardbeg, which all have the strong peaty character which is considered to be characteristic of the Islay malts, while Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich are lighter and Bowman and Kilchoman more medium-bodied. Whiskies aside, Islay features some other notable attractions and a plethora of wildlife such as grey seals, otters, shags, red deer, peregrine, golden eagle, wildcats and adders. Bird watching is another main tourist attraction because of the large flocks of wild geese which visit Islay each winter (October to May) as well as the variety of rare birds like the corncrake and the chough. The archaeological sites in Islay are captivating, like the Cultoon stone circle, which dates back to the Neolithic and early Bronze Age era, as well as the Kildalton High Cross, Scotland's last unbroken ringed Celtic cross which dates back to around 800AD. More adventurous visitors can enjoy a round of golf at the Machrie Hotel's links, a leisurely cycle along the quaint island roads, world-class fly fishing in Loch Gorm for brown trout, horse-riding on the deserted beaches and even hill walking to discover the island's interior. Walk along the eastern shore and take in a beautiful sunrise where seabirds and gulls swoop above in the crisp morning air and admire the views across to the Jura, which, not surprisingly, boasts its own brand of world-class single malt whisky.

Isle of Arran

Located close to Scotland's Ayrshire coast and Glasgow, Arran's picturesque villages dot the coastline where rugged mountains juxtapose the green rolling hills and woodlands, attracting both travelers looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of life in the big city and those wanting an adventurous holiday in the great outdoors. Arran is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde and, like many of its neighboring islands, there is prehistoric evidence of continuous habitation since the early Neolithic period. Archaeological sites such as 'Ossian's Mound' near Clachaig and a cairn near Blackwaterfoot have yielded ancient treasures providing a tantalizing glimpse into the rich history of this region, while the six stone circles at Machrie Moor date back as far as the Neolithic period. Brodick Castle is one of Arran's main tourist attractions, and was previously a seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, while the 14th century Lochranza Castle was once used as a hunting lodge for Scottish kings. Though many tourists come here to visit the world-famous Arran Distillery to sample the single malt whisky in its home, they will be surprised at the amount of other activities Arran has to offer. There really is quite literally something for everyone on the Isle of Arran. Whisky tasting aside, other attractions and activities to enjoy on the Isle of Arran include gardens, museums and heritage centers, while the great outdoors beckons to even the most hardened city-slicker with lush rolling green hills, plenty of walks, quad biking, cycling trails, fantastic golfing and some great trout fishing. With everything from salmon and venison to chocolate and beer, the Isle of Arran also attracts 'foodies' and is earning an international name for itself thanks to its high quality local produce.