12 Best Tourist Attractions Destination in Scotland - Scotland Travel Guide
Scotland has its own unique identity. Scotland means
something different for every visitor from castles and historic cities, lakes
and highlands, to bagpipes and kilts, and travel experiences here can be as
varied as the landscape. The capital city of Edinburgh, steeped in history, is
a good place to start, although there is much to see throughout the country. In
contrast, Glasgow is a more modern city and an excellent place to enjoy the
moment. There are also plenty of remote places to explore and lose yourself in
the countryside away from the cities.
The location of Edinburgh and its beautiful old
architecture make it one of the most attractive cities in Britain and a top
destination in Scotland. Perhaps most people think of the hilltop Edinburgh
Castle that dominates the cityscape when they picture this city. Narrow streets
and many of the main attractions are located in the old town around the castle.
The Royal Mile leads to the Palace of Holyroodhouse from the castle, lined with
old town houses and interesting shops. The New Town is considered a masterpiece
of Georgian city planning with wide avenues and large open squares. The main
sites in this area are the Royal Botanical Garden, the Scottish National
Antiquities Museum and the Scottish National Gallery.
Glasgow, the largest city in the country, has a
lively atmosphere and a strong entertainment scene, especially known for live
music. It also has a vibrant arts community and houses the Glasgow School of
Arts and several important art galleries, including the Kelvingove Museum and
Art Gallery, as well as the Burrell Collection.
There are a number of interesting sights in the
surrounding area that can be visited on a day trip from Glasgow or for longer
stays independently. The main ones are Loch Lomond, Britain's largest lake,
which can be enjoyed on a boat tour or on one of the area's footpaths. Stirling
Castle, perched on a crag high above the town of Stirling, north-east of
Glasgow, is also a beautiful view of the countryside.
For those who want to go further and immerse
themselves in a classic Scottish landscape, take a walk through the Highlands
or escape to the Hebrides. Spend time in Inverness at the Inverness Museum and
Art Gallery to see the famous Inverness Castle and learn about the area's
history. Explore the dramatic scenery of Mull Island or even more remote Staffa
Island in the Hebrides. On a final note, golfers won't want to miss St Andrews
for the famous Old Course and the British Golf Museum stop.
Think of Scotland, and you'll conjure up pictures of
Highlanders, skirling bagpipes, Loch Ness Monster, lonely castles, golf,
beautiful scenery, and shaggy Highland cattle. All these are part of this
unique country's mystique, but also a very real preview of what tourists see
there (apart from Nessie).
You can explore Scotland by boat, on foot along its
paths, on scenic train rides or by car, and everyone will experience
unforgettable experiences. History is everywhere as you tour the castles and
fabulous battlefields where clans fought, trace the footsteps of legendary
kings and queens, or follow the blazing literary trails of Robbie Burns and Sir
Walter Scott. Another of Scotland's great attractions is its solitude, with
remote heather-covered moors, secluded beaches, and wild, romantic mountains,
with their deep glens and lochs. Whether you choose vibrant cities, historic
cities or remote moors and islands, you'll find them all full of memorable
things to see and do.
01. Edinburgh
Castle and the Royal Mile
Since the 13th century, Edinburgh Castle's stone
towers and walls have dominated the skyline of Edinburgh. Perched on top of the
black basalt rock, it offers magnificent views of the city and a trip through
the tumultuous history of Scotland. The highlights are the spectacular Crown
Jewels, the famous Stone of Destiny (the Stone of Scone) and St. Margaret's
Chapel, built in 1130 and Edinburgh's oldest building. Enter the castle over a
drawbridge across an old moat from the wide Esplanade, where every August the
famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place. Bronze statues of legendary
heroes William Wallace and Robert the Bruce appear to be watching over the
gates of the castle.
The Royal Mile stretches down the steep cliff to the
elegant Holyroodhouse Palace, one of the most famous landmarks in Edinburgh.
The Royal Mile is also filled with small shops, kiltmakers, tearooms, museums
and cafés, lined with brick townhouses and historic landmarks. Between its tall
buildings-some of which reach more than 10 stories on the downhill side-there
are narrow little alleys, called "winds," which weave between small
hidden closures.
02. Loch Lomond
Idyllic Loch Lomond, just a short drive northwest of
Glasgow, is the largest lake in Britain and, according to author Walter Scott,
"The Queen of Scottish Lakes." This beautiful corner of Scotland is
also a favorite day trip from the city, with an abundance of trout, salmon and
whitefish as a lure for anglers; the loch for watersports; and plenty of open
space for hikers. Boat trips are always popular, as are rambles along the lake
and long treks up the majestic Ben Lomond (3,192 feet), with spectacular views
of the Trossachs National Park. Loch Lomond is a good first stop on a tour
through the Argyll countryside from Glasgow to Fort William along the Western
Highland Way. Savor the romance of a Scottish country estate at Cameron House
at the south end of the loch, where you can enjoy a wide range of outdoor
activities that include its lakeshore golf course.
03. Cruising Loch
Ness and the Caledonian Canal
Think of Loch Ness, and you'll probably picture the
mythical monster that has made this 23-mile-long loch home for innumerable
centuries, according to legend. Loch Ness, the largest water body in Scotland's
Great Glen, is part of a waterway that connects Scotland's east and west
coasts. It and three other lochs are joined by the Caledonian Canal, which can
be cruised on short excursions, or on a six-hour journey from one end to the
other, through the canal locks, which adjust the different levels of water.
The canal and each loch is surrounded by some of the
most beautiful scenery in the highlands, but no part is more scenic than Loch
Ness itself, with the romantic ruins of Castle Urquhart on its hillside above
the water. The castle of the 12th century, the center of many ancient myths,
was fired some 500 years later. The best views of the castle are from the
water, and on a Loch Ness cruise you can reach it by boat or drift past. The
Loch Ness Exhibition at the Drumnadrochit Hotel also provides interesting
information about the geological formation of Loch Ness and the surrounding
area. The castle, the canal, and Loch Ness are easily accessible from
Inverness.
04. The Royal Yacht
Britannia, Edinburgh
The Royal Yacht Britannia has been a floating royal
residence for more than 40 years, traveling over 1,000,000 miles worldwide. As
you explore Britannia's five main decks with an audio tour, visit the Bridge,
State Apartments and Royal Bedrooms, Crew's Quarters and Engine Room, glimpse
the life of the royal family, their guests and the crew. You can also see the
Rolls-Royce Phantom V traveling on board and stopping in the Royal Deck Tea
Room for tea and cakes.
05. Isle of Skye
and the Inner Hebrides
Skye, the largest inland island in Scotland, is
particularly popular with birders, wanderers and nature lovers. Its wild,
romantic mountain scenery is characterized by green valleys, caves, solitary
glens, sandy beaches and rushing waterfalls-a remarkable variety for an island
that is only 50 miles long and never more than 15 miles wide. The island has remains
of primeval oak forests and abundant wildlife, including otters, seals and at
least 200 bird species. It's easy to get to Skye because it's connected via a
bridge to the mainland. You can get here by ferry as well.
The other Inner Hebrides islands include Islay,
Jura, Mull, Raasay, Staffa and Iona, among others. Getting to Iona is a little
more complicated, requiring two ferry rides, but extremely rewarding. This is considered
the "Cradle of Christianity" of Scotland, as it was here that St.
Columba came from Ireland to spread the gospel in the sixth century. One of its
attractions, along with Scotland's oldest Christian cemetery, are a
12th-century church, atmospheric ruins of an abbey, and a carved stone memorial
from the 10th century, with graves of more than 60 Scottish kings, including
Macbeth.
06. Stirling Castle
James V's palace and Mary Queen of Scots ' childhood
home, Stirling Castle is one of the UK's best-preserved Renaissance buildings.
Its grand halls and rooms are carefully restored and furnished even to
painstaking reproductions of its tapestries in its 1500s appearance.
Traditional interpreters interact with visitors to bring the castle and its
history to life, and on weekends, History Hunter programs are designed for
young explorers.
Ideally located between Edinburgh and Glasgow,
Stirling is famous for the Battle of Bannockburn, which saw Robert the Bruce
defeat the English invaders in 1314, and the Battle of Stirling Bridge, a
victory for Scottish independence secured by the legendary William Wallace. The
splendid Heritage Center in Bannockburn offers excellent displays and exhibits
in this important era. Between Stirling and Bridge of Allan stands the majestic
Wallace Monument, a spectacular 246-step tower with amazing views of the area,
as well as artifacts reportedly belonging to the great Wallace.
07. Kelvingrove Art
Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
Since Charles Rennie Mackintosh's work at the
Glasgow School of Art was devastated by a fire, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and
Museum has become the main destination for admirers of the Glasgow Style, a
distinctive part of the early 20th century Arts & Crafts movement and Art
Nouveau styles. The Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Glasgow Style Gallery,
created and opened shortly before the fire, includes several Mackintosh rooms
as well as works by other prominent movement artists. Along with other notable
treasures - a Van Gogh portrait, Bronze Age tools and jewelry from Arran and
Kintyre, a 1944 Mark 21 Spitfire, and a magnificent 1901 organ used for daily
free concerts - one of the museum's most popular exhibits is Salvador Dali's
Christ of St. John of the Cross.
08. Golf at St.
Andrews
Many inventions, including bicycles, postage stamps,
phones and steam engines, were claimed by the Scots. But maybe their most
enduring invention is golf. The much revered Royal and Ancient Golf Club
located in historic St. Andrews and just 12 miles southeast of Dundee is one of
the lifetime dreams of dedicated golfers. Founded in 1750 and internationally
recognized as the ruling body of golf, St. Andrews regularly hosts the famous
British Open on one of its many 18-hole courses, the most famous of which is
the Old Course par-72, which runs along the rough coast. Although tee times are
often reserved six months in advance, some are available to those who do not
have advance reservations by lottery two days in advance. The majestic old
clubhouse and the British Golf Museum, documenting the history of the
"golf home" from the Middle Ages to the present day, are worth a
visit.
09. Riverside
Museum and Tall Ship, Glasgow
The free Riverside Museum in Glasgow, one of
Scotland's most visited attractions, brings together the history of land and
water transport in an eye-catching new venue. See, along with ships and other
models, trams, locomotives, buses, horse-drawn carriages and vintage cars. A
highlight is the authentic reconstruction of 1938 Glasgow streets, with shops
accessible to all locomotives and platforms. More than 20 interactive displays
and 90 large touch screens add images, memories and films to the collections. Outside
on the River Clyde, you can board the S. S. Glenlee, a tall ship built in 1896
and the only floating Clyde-built sailing ship in Britain.
10. The Northern
Highlands
The Scottish Highlands has a mysticism born from its
rough, untamed landscapes and its long, violent and romantic history. These
mountains and rocky shores are sparsely populated and loved by hikers and
bikers and those who enjoy fishing, golf, sea kayaking, white-water rafting,
gorge walking and other outdoor adventures in Britain's largest national park.
Beautiful small villages and towns with lodging and eating places are sprinkled
through it. Stop in the small coastal village of Dornoch to see the ruins of
its cathedral and castle, and in John o'Groats, overlooking the Pentland Firth,
where a photographed sign proclaims it to be the northernmost point of Britain,
874 miles from the southernmost point at Land's End in Cornwall. On a new
tourist route, the North Coast 500, you can explore this northern tip of
Scotland.
11. Isle of Arran
The beautiful island of Arran is often referred to
as "Scotland in Miniature" because it reflects the country's
landscapes in an area of just 166 square miles. Rolling moors, rough mountains,
sandy beaches, fishing ports, castles and golf courses can be found, all less
than an hour's ferry ride from Glasgow. There is no need for a car because
buses run around the island regularly, connecting its attractions. Although its
highlights-including Brodick Castle and Goat Fell Mountain (2,866 feet)-can be
visited in one day (including the ferry ride), it is easy to spend a few days
exploring this little Scottish sampler.
12. Robbie Burns
Country: The Burns Heritage Trail
No visit to Scotland is complete without at least
one or two sites associated with Robbie Burns, the country's most famous son. The
Burns Heritage Trail is a great way to experience a little of Burns ' life and
times-as well as seeing some of the country's most beautiful parts. Start at
the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, on the outskirts of Ayr, where
the perfectly preserved roofed house where the poet was born and spent much of
his childhood is located. After visiting other landmarks related to
Burns-including a monument and gardens created to commemorate his life and time
in Ayr, a collection of his most important writing, and the Auld Kirk from the
16th century, where his father is buried-this circular tour goes south to
Dumfries, with the excellent Robert Burns House, where the famous poet spent
the last four years of his life (he died here in 1796). Now a museum displaying
memorabilia related to Burns, this attraction depicts a vivid portrait of his
life, and his final resting place in St. Michael's Churchyard is only a short
distance away.
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