Historical Scotland
Scotland is full of surprises. Jam packed, in fact. Some of the most iconic scenery in the UK can be found north of the English border, as well as plenty of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered and rediscovered.
Whether you’re preparing to make your first trip to Scotland – or ‘Bonnie Scotland’ as it has been affectionately dubbed – or you’ve been more times than you care to remember, you’ll never find yourself at a loose end. The country may be small in terms of population – less than six million – but it is blessed with a plethora of sights and activities to keep visitors busy. This is why staying in holiday cottages in Scotland is so desirable.
Edinburgh is the capital city and a fascinating place to visit. It really is worthwhile to spend as long as possible here and if you time your visit right you may be able to experience a couple of special events that really put Edinburgh and Scotland firmly on the cultural map. The Fringe Festival is billed as the world’s largest arts festival and the streets come alive for the best part of a month every August. In 2010, over 21,000 performers from 30 countries took part, giving you some idea of just how big it is.
The Hogmanay (New Year) celebrations in Edinburgh are also legendary, with tens of thousands of people watching some of the world’s biggest music acts in a street party that always lives long in the memory.
Even if you miss out on the Fringe or Hogmany, Edinburgh has more than its fair share of all-year-round tourist attractions and museums, such as Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat. Be sure to watch the guns being fired at Edinburgh Castle every day at 1pm, or if not, at least when you hear a loud bang now you know what it is. Edinburgh cottages offer an ideal chance to see this city in all its splendour.
The Scottish Highlands is a popular area with climbers, mountain bikers and walkers and is home to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain the UK. For those who are willing to venture even further afield, the Isle of Skye can lay claim to having some of the most dramatic scenery in Scotland, which in itself is quite a statement.
Loch Lomond and Loch Ness both pull in plenty of punters, with many people venturing to the latter hoping to catch a glimpse of ‘Nessie’. Keen golfers should make a pilgrimage to St Andrews, which is regarded as the home of the sport. Play a round and follow in the footsteps of some of golf’s great from down the years.
No-one produces whisky quite like the Scots so possibly pen in a trip to a distillery to find out all about how the popular beverage is made and, obviously, sample a few ‘drams’ just for good measure. Another Scottish tradition is haggis with neeps and tatties so be sure to tuck into a portion of that to fill you up before you head home!
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