VISIT SCOTLAND

Listen visit Scotland info best places to visit in Scotland best Scotland destin

Listen visit Scotland info best places to visit in Scotland best Scotland destination.

Think of Scotland, and you'll conjure up images of tartan-kilted Highlanders, skirling bagpipes, the Loch Ness Monster, lonely castles, golf, magnificent scenery, and shaggy Highland cattle. All of these are part of the mystique of this unique country, but also (apart from Nessie) a very real preview of what tourists see there.

You can explore Scotland by boat, on foot along its trails, on scenic train rides, or touring by car, and each will lead to unforgettable experiences. History is everywhere as you tour the castles and fabled battlefields where clans fought, trace the footsteps of legendary kings and queens, or follow literary trails blazed by Robbie Burns and Sir Walter Scott. Another of Scotland's great attractions is its solitude, with its remote stretches of heather-covered moors; secluded beaches; and wild, romantic mountains, with their deep glens and lochs. Whether you choose vibrant cities, historic towns, or remote moors and islands, you'll find they are all filled with memorable things to see and do.

Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile

The stone towers and walls of Edinburgh Castle have dominated the Edinburgh skyline since the 13th century. Perched atop black basalt rock, it offers magnificent views of the city and a trip through Scotland's tumultuous history. Highlights are the spectacular Crown Jewels; the famous Stone of Destiny (the Stone of Scone); and St. Margaret's Chapel, built in 1130 and the oldest building in Edinburgh. Enter the castle over a drawbridge across an old moat from the broad Esplanade, where the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo is held every August. Bronze statues of legendary heroes William Wallace and Robert the Bruce seem to keep watch over the castle gates.

Below, the Royal Mile stretches down the steep escarpment to the elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse, another of Edinburgh's most famous landmarks. Lined by brick townhouses and historic landmarks, the Royal Mile is also filled with small shops, kiltmakers, tearooms, museums, and cafés. Between its tall buildings - some reaching to more than 10 stories on the downhill side - are narrow little alleys, called "winds," that weave between tiny hidden closes.

Location: Castlehill, Edinburgh

Loch Lomond

Idyllic Loch Lomond, just a short drive northwest of Glasgow, is Britain's largest lake and, according to author Walter Scott, "The Queen of Scottish Lakes." With plentiful trout, salmon, and whitefish as a lure for anglers; the loch for watersports; and plenty of open space for hikers; this beautiful corner of Scotland is also a favorite day trip from the city. Boat trips are always popular, as are lakeside rambles and longer treks up majestic Ben Lomond (3,192 feet), with its spectacular views across the Trossachs National Park. Loch Lomond is a good first stop on a tour from Glasgow along the Western Highland Way through the Argyll countryside to Fort William. 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.

Cruising Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal

Think of Loch Ness, and you'll probably picture the mythical monster that, according to legend, has made this 23-mile-long loch home for countless centuries. The largest body of water in Scotland's Great Glen, Loch Ness is part of a waterway connecting the east and west coasts of Scotland. It and three other lochs are joined together by the Caledonian Canal, which you can cruise on short excursions, or on a six-hour voyage from one end to the other, through the canal locks that adjust the varying water levels.

The canal and each of the lochs is surrounded by some of the most beautiful highland scenery, but no part is more scenic than Loch Ness itself, with the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle on its hillside above the water.