Despite its small size, Scotland has a lot to see and do with much of its beauty in its countryside with stunning landscapes, rolling hills, rugged mountains, glittering lochs, abundant wildlife, historic architecture and ruins, a thriving arts and cultural scene and a fascinating history of gruesome and epic battles.
Visit the granite city of Scotland, Aberdeen. Once Europe’s biggest fishing ports, Aberdeen is now a city fuelled by the North Sea oil industry. Much of the city is built of blue-grey granite impregnated with flecks of mica which give the buildings the appearance of sparkling in the sunlight. Discover the old haunts of Scotland’s favourite poet, Robert Burns, in the country around Ayr and visit the village of Alloway where he was born. You will also find many of the finest golf courses in the country along the coastline.
Explore the countryside of central Scotland where you’ll find the settings for some of the most significant battles in the evolution of the country. In 1297, it was in Stirling that William Wallace defeated the English in the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Learn about the man himself and the battle at the William Wallace Monument and witness the breathtaking views from the top of the tower. Just down the road in 1314, Robert the Bruce did it again at the Battle of Bannockburn. Admire the sweeping views of the surrounding countryside from Stirling Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was coronated in 1543. Get out and about in Rob Roy Macgregor country in the spectacular Trossachs, an area of diverse and wild scenery and also where you’ll find the popular Loch Lomond, Britain’s largest lake. For fans of golf, it’s in this region that you can make the pilgrimage to the Holy Grail of the sport – St Andrews.
Other sites worthy of a visit include Culloden Moor, where the last battle on British soil was fought in 1746. The excellent information centre features a display about the battle and weapons. See the most photographed castle in Scotland, the beautiful Eilean Donan Castle standing on a small island in Loch Duich. Visit the summer holiday home of the Royal Family in Balmoral where you can stroll along one of the many walking trails on the expansive grounds.
