Classic Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, stands proudly on top of a range of rocky hills with the sea in the distance. The city is the seat of the Scottish Government and the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Edinburgh is an easy city to walk, especially the medieval streets of the Old Town, where you can feel the history that permeates it. Edinburgh Castle dates to the 12th century and watches over the city from Castle Rock. The city is also culturally rich, with a wide range of museums and art galleries to explore. The National Museum of Scotland is the best place to learn about the country’s history, while the National War Museum tells the story of Scotland at war from the 17th century onwards. Visit the Scottish National Gallery to see the national collection of Art and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art to see more contemporary works. Edinburgh also hosts a number of festivals between July and September each year, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Inverness, known as the ‘Capital of the Highlands’, serves as a gateway to outdoor adventure ranging from water sports to hiking and cycling trails. But arguably the best-known activity is to head for Loch Ness and take a boat tour in search of the legendary Loch Ness monster. There is plenty of history to go around too. The atmospheric ruins of the medieval Urquhart Castle overlook Loch Ness. Nearby lies the 4,000-year-old Clava Cairns. one of Scotland’s best prehistoric sites, and Culloden Battlefield. The latter is the site of the final and bloodiest battle of the Jacobite Risings. Within the city you will find the 18th-century Inverness Castle and several churches. The Inverness Museum & Art Gallery features a wide range of artefacts and exhibits on Highland culture. On a lighter side, Inverness hosts the Northern Meeting every September, the highlight of which is a solo bagpipe competition. It is also the host of the Inverness Highland Games, which celebrates Scottish and Gaelic culture. This being Scotland, there are three whiskey distilleries in the area as well.

Framed by craggy mountains, mysterious lochs, and picturesque sea cliffs, the Isle of Skye has a magical allure all of its own. Besides spectacular scenic vistas, this mystic island is home to stately castles, museums, and awe-inspiring natural rock formations such as the Old Man of Storr. Dunvegan Castle, dating back nearly eight centuries, is the oldest in Scotland and with its beautiful gardens is worth exploring. Hop aboard a boat at the pier on the castle grounds for a fun visit to the nearby seal colony. A hike around Quiraing or Fairy Glen is an unforgettable experience as is watching the sunset at Neist Point Lighthouse. The crystal clear waters at the Fairy Pools of Glenbrittle and the Mealt Waterfall plunging into the sea are mesmerizing sights. Stop by the island’s oldest distillery Talisker which sits on a picturesque bay, for a fascinating tour of the process involved in producing fine Scotch whisky.

The Western Highlands region is famed for its soaring, rocky mountains and lush greenery dotted with lochs or lakes as far as the eye can see. For hiking and trekking enthusiasts, the Scottish Highlands are the stuff of dreams thanks to Lochaber Geopark, home to Britain’s tallest peak Ben Nevis, as well as numerous trails across rolling hills and valleys. Featured in many a movie, such as the Harry Potter series, the gentle slopes of the valley offer astounding photo opportunities. Stop by the two visitor centers in the park to brush up on your knowledge of geology and see samples of rocks and minerals from the area showcased in interesting displays. Nearby, a lighthouse at the mystical Ardnamurchan Point affords sweeping views of the British Isles, all the way from Isle of Mull in the south to Isle of Skye in the north! Wonderfully picturesque, Camusdarach draws you in for a stroll on its wooden footbridge and dunes, as does the Commando Memorial in Glen Spean. From your ideal base near Fort William, spend days exploring the region at your own pace. Climb aboard the Jacobite steam train that traverses a scenic route to Mallaig passing across the historic Glenfinnan Viaduct. Along the way, quaint little settlements beckon with authentic local pubs that offer fish and chips and Scottish ale on tap!

Serene and seemingly endless, the impossibly picturesque Loch Lomond is the largest lake in all of Britain! Second in popularity only to its northern cousin Loch Ness, the lake straddles Scotland’s Highland Border, starting as a glacier-cleaved trench in its northern reaches to fan out into a vast expanse studded by islands and skirted by rolling meadows in the south. With Glasgow only a few miles away, Loch Lomond is a favorite with summer crowds flocking to lakeside towns such as Balloch. The eastern shores on the other hand, offer quieter and more scenic stays and hikes interrupted only by the occasional sheep.

Glasgow offers visitors history, culture and character. Scotland’s largest city has a long maritime and industrial past but is evolving into a cultural, music and food destination. The city center hums with a wide range of performance venues, including the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and the Theatre Royal, home of Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet. Most of the city’s world class museums are free to visit while art is everywhere, including on the street, with huge murals decorating and elevating the side of city buildings. The award-winning Burrell Collection will amaze and delight you. Housed in Pollock Country Park, it features more than 9,000 objects that range across 6,000 years, and includes art by Rodin, Degas and Cezanne. The city boasts of more than 90 parks, justifying its sobriquet of ‘Dear Green Place’. Glasgow is also Scotland’s only UNESCO City of Music, with regular live music performances, both large and small. An award-winning food scene that caters to both budget and fine dining ensures there will be plenty to tickle your tastebuds too.