Scotland Trips & Holidays | Travel to Scotland | Scotland Information

Think of Scotland, and you can almost hear the music of the bagpipes, see beautiful hills and immense greenery, feel the excitement of the festivals celebrated here, and even taste the local treats. Scotland is one of the countries that together constitute the United Kingdom. The word  ‘Scotland’, too has been in use since the Middle Ages. The Scots have always been spoken of not only for their fierce pride in the culture, but also for being very brave in nature. This can be attributed to the wars fought over the centuries in these lands. People in the earlier times spoke Gaelic, but today, there are not many people left who do speak the language. English is the official language. Edinburgh is the capital city, renowned world over for its importance as a financial centre, more because it is the headquarters of some important banks.

Today the population comprises of Scots, English and many immigrants from Asian countries in particular. The Scots are very faithful to their respective church be it Protestant or Catholic.  The music of the Scots stands out. The Great Highland Bagpipe, the accordion and the fiddle are three traditional instruments. The cheerful music of the bagpipe in particular is just the thing that is certain to put you in a good mood, if you are blue. Famous Scottish names in literature include the poet Robert Burns, J. M Barrie and Sir Walter Scott. The cuisine too is quite out of the ordinary. A dish called ‘haggis’, is quite popular here. Treats such as custard tarts, cheesecakes, apple pies and bread puddings are widely popular.

Since Scotland, has such a rich history, there are many castles and other monuments which can be seen here. If you are a nature lover, then the sight of greenery everywhere you go in addition to natural beauty, is certain to keep your spirits high. Not without reason then, that Scotland is a hot tourist destination.

Edinburgh – The ‘Athens of the North’ is a delightful mix of the old and the new. On one hand, cobblestone paths can be seen, and on the other hand, many modern buildings dot the sky. The old town area is a must visit, while the Georgian New Town, lies not far away, and is a World Heritage Site. Edinburgh Castle, where one can see the Scottish Crown Jewels, is frequented a lot. The Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is the Queen’s official Scottish residence, is worth a visit. Arthur’s Seat, which is in Holyrood Park, is actually an extinct volcano. The Royal Mile, has some delightful tours such as the Ghost Walk, while Princess Street is the place to head to if shopping is on the agenda. The Museum of Scotland, the National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of Antiquities are a few places to go to if history is your interest. Edinburgh is the venue for the Edinburgh Festival which takes place every year, and that is when tourists from all over the world actually come. The festival, which goes on for weeks, showcases art, literature, plays, street plays and other activities. The Military tattoo, which is staged outside the Edinburgh Castle draws in huge crowds. The Scotch Whisky Heritage Center, St Giles’ Cathedral and the Writer’s Museum are some other places to visit. Edinburgh also has many famous colleges, and is also home to the famous Edinburgh University. Nearby in Stirling, the Stirling Castle is the main attraction. It has a huge statue of Robert the Bruce, an important historical figure and the castle itself is full of interesting things to see.

Glasgow and Central Scotland – Glasgow is noted more for its architectural beauty. The Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera are both based here, and art is given a lot of importance. The Kelvingrove Park’s art gallery has paintings by Renaissance artists. The Hampden Park, the national soccer stadium is also located here. Glasgow is in the centre of a lot of beauty. The rolling hills of the Clyde Valley, the Dunoon Peninsula and the Loch Lomond which lies in the northwest, are all quite near.

Ayrshire and Arran – This is the best place to go if you wish to play a bit of golf. There are many castles and country parks to visit here. It is also the birthplace of the poet Robert Burns. The Isle of Arran is often called a ‘miniature Scotland’. It has mountains, a good coastline and many seaside resorts also. The Scottish Maritime Museum and the Duodonald Castle, which is the childhood home of William Wallace, a historical figure, are worth visiting.

The Highlands – They are the most frequented tourist spot in Scotland. Inverness is famous for the Loch Ness, where a huge creature was believed to have been spotted. Fort Williams is a famous town on the West Coast. One can see Ben Nevis, which is Britain’s highest mountain. Glencoe, which has an important historical significance, is still haunted by the deeds of yesteryears. On the way, one can see the famous Eileen Donan Castle too.  Skye, is a place that should be on every visitor’s itinerary. Its capital is Portree. The drive itself through the mountains, is breath taking. One may see very few houses but cattle are in abundance. The mountains are not only very huge, but one can see little clouds of mist, at the very top. In winter, the peaks are capped with snow. While it can get quite windy as the climb gets higher, that is no reason not to go here. The Highlands on the whole are the ideal spot to try out a bit of mountaineering, climbing or biking. Not only is the exercise good, but it is one of the best ways to see the whole place. Or if you prefer a quieter day, a boat ride past the Cuillin Mountains, is also worthwhile.

Scotland often seems like a different world altogether. The accent of the Scots, their warm nature, together with the traditions, and natural beauty, make Scotland a must see at least once.

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