Scotland

Scotland is a country of some of the most extraordinary landscapes, historic cities and ancient castles. There are more than 790 islands in the archipelagos of the Hebrides and the Northern Isles. The capital Edinburgh is one of the nicest cities to visit formed by volcanic activity over 350 million years ago. A great time to visit is when the Military Tattoo is on as Edinburgh comes alive.

With some of the freshest produce and great meals to try including the delicacy of fresh premium sourced Scottish Salmon to the buttery homemade shortbread that comes in all shapes and sizes, your tastebuds will definitely be taken on a culinary tour. The iconic yet traditional national dish of Haggis is normally served with Neeps and Tatties (or Turnips and Potatoes). Grouse is another of the traditional dishes and a true delicacy with a gamey taste. Black Pudding is another traditional Scottish dish, which some might find a little less edible. Desserts are more appealing with deep battered Mars Bars something only the Scots can conjure up. The chocolate is battered and placed in a deep fryer to give you a melted chocolate experience.

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and where you will find the leading business and cultural organisations including the Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet. There are plenty of museums to enjoy including the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Under an hour from Glasgow is Culross Village. This small town is the most complete survival of a 17th - 18th Century former royal burgh complete with a 1626 toll booth, a witches’ prison, the 1597 Culross Palace and cobbled streets that have remained unchanged for hundreds of years.

Dundee is a city of culture and one of the warmest and sunniest in the country. It is a UNESCO City of Design and is home to the V&A Dundee Museum. It has plenty of cool art centres and an interesting architecture to enjoy. St. Andrews is the world famous home of Golf and known for its history, University and medieval streets and traditional buildings and is only a half an hour away from Dundee.

Perth is situated on the banks of the River Tay just an hour from both Edinburgh and Glasgow. This small cosmopolitan city has a lot to offer including some outstanding monuments, art galleries, lively weekend markets and stylish shopping centres making it a perfect choice for a weekend getaway.

There is so much to see and do in Scotland including visiting some of its great Lochs such as the stunning Loch Lomond located between the Lowlands and Highlands. With over 30 islands within the loch one of which is Inchconnachan, where you will find one of the only colonies of wallabies outside of Australia, introduced by Lady Colquhoun in the 1940's. Loch Ness is the second largest of all of Scotland’s lochs at about 25 miles from Inverness to Fort William. It is famous for Nessie and the ruins of Urquhart Castle as well as the views of the mist that sits just above the water.

The Scottish Highlands open your imagination to big beautiful sky’s and stunning landscapes. This natural setting is also home to some of the most romantic castles, great food and very welcoming people.

Some of the many other areas to consider on your next visit to Scotland are the wondrously beautiful Isle of Skye with its distinctive wildlife, beautiful highland cows, red deer, golden eagles and exquisite scenery. Rising above the island are the Cuillin, a range of craggy, rocky mountains and the iconic Old Man of Storr on the Trotternish peninsula.

Sitting at the northern tip of the mainland, the Orkney Islands have some of the most impressive archaeological remains in the world including a 104 metre stone circle of Brodgar; the Standing Stones of Stenness and Skara Brae, the finest surviving Stone Age village in Europe.

The Shetland Islands are made up of an archipelago of around 100 islands. Situated between Norway and Scotland they offer some of the most incredible scenery, breathtaking coastlines and landscapes in all of the United Kingdom. Wildlife is also plentiful with Shetland ponies to seabirds, otters, seals and orcas.