Consider Scotland, if just for a moment, and it’s more than likely you’ll conjure up images of the Loch Ness Monster, tartan kilted Highlanders, blaring bagpipes, magnificent scenery, shaggy Highland cattle, ghostly castles, and of course, the birthplace of golf.
All together, these things are part and parcel of the fabric that makes Scotland so unique.
You can walk around the castles and the battlefields where the ferocious clans fought against the English. You can follow in the footsteps of illustrious kings and queens. Or you can track the literary trails which were trodden by the likes of Sir Walter Scot and Robbert Burns.
A further great attraction of Scotland is its solitude, together with its remote stretches of purple moors, secluded expanses of beaches, and wildly romantic mountains with their lochs and glens, all waiting to be explored.
Here are the best places to visit in Scotland!
1. Castle Rock, Edinburgh - Edinburgh Castle
The most famous fortress in Scotland, Edinburgh Castle has played a dominant role in the city’s skyline since the reign of King David I during the 12th Century. For good reason, it is the most popular national monument in the country.
Sitting on top of an extinct volcano, the spectacular castle offers terrific views over city landmarks, including Princes Street, the Royal Mile, and Holyroodhouse Palace, which lies at the far end of the Royal Mile.
To gain entrance to the castle, a drawbridge spans over an old moat which has its entryway from the Esplanade, the location for the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which is held as an annual event in August. As you walk along the Esplanade, you’ll witness bronze statues of two Scottish heroes – Robert the Bruce and William Wallace, both of whom fought and defeated the English during the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
2. Inverness - Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
If you think of Loch Ness, near the small city of Inverness, you’ll likely picture the mythical monster, which, according to legend, has made a home of the loch for countless centuries. For a thoroughly detailed portrayal of the monster, there’s no place that does a better task of fueling the legend than that of Drumnadrochit Hotel’s Loch Ness Exhibition.
3. St. Andrews - The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews
The Scots are responsible for many inventions, including the postage stamp, tarmacadam, the steam engine, the bicycle, and not least, the telephone. Arguably one of their best inventions is the game of golf. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of Scotland´s main tourist attractions. Recognised as golf’s ruling body and founded in 1750, St. Andrews frequently plays host to the famous British Open. Worth a look is the British Golf Museum which relays the history of the “home of golf”, beginning in the Middle Ages and progressing to the present day.
4. Trossachs National Park - Loch Lomond
Situated about 14 miles (23 km) north of Glasgow, and part of the Trossachs National Park, lies Britain’s largest lake – Loch Lomond. With its plentiful supplies of salmon, trout, and whitefish, it serves as an extremely popular place for fishermen the world over. And surrounded by spectacular mountain slopes and streams, it’s also celebrated by hikers, day-trippers, and water sports enthusiasts.
For those with endless amounts of energy, a hike up Ben Lomond, the tallest peak in the area, which stands at 3,192 ft. (973 m), is well and truly worth it just to see the spectacular surrounding views. At the southern end of the loch, Cameron House makes for an excellent place to experience the wonders of a Scottish castle, take in the fresh loch air, and savour the expansive range of outdoor activities.
5. Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye, known as “Cloud Island” on account of the heavy mists that often blanket the isle, and also by the Viking name “Sküyo”, is the largest of the country’s inner isles. It’s an extremely popular destination among nature lovers. The wild mountain scenery together with the lush green glens and caves, beautiful waterfalls, and sandy beaches, which are all packed into an island that is merely 50 miles (80.5 km) in length and 15 miles (24 km) in width (at the centre), serve to add to the overall appeal.
Add to this the quaint little villages, oak forests and a variety of wildlife species, including seals, otters, and over 200 species of birds, this place is a must.
Visiting the island can be achieved either by passenger ferry or by taking a short drive across the bridge that connects to the mainland.
