Scottish Holidays - A Travel Guide to Holidays in Scotland
The experience of Scotland is one to be seen, heard, and felt, to be believed. Your vacation there will be filled with a sense of history, mystery, and surprise: indeed there is such a wealth of great places to visit, you may need to come again! So what's on offer in Scotland?
For a start, there are the Scottish cities you've probably heard of. Explore the Clyde valley, where in Glasgow the transport museum shows how people used to travel to Scotland of old, and you can see examples of old blue-collar residences in the People's Palace.
In the Lothians, lies Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. This bustling historic city is absolutely beautiful, and the celebrations at New Year's Eve proves Scotland knows how to party!
However, there's another side to Scotland besides the partying; Angus and Dundee offer two thousand years of history, romantic castles, prehistoric ruins and scenic glens.
The towns of Perthshire, aside the River Tay should not be missed, nor should the Dunkeld cathedral. If you're in Scotland with a loved one, Loch Lomond is famously romantic!
In the historic Kingdom of Fife there are ancient Scottish towns such as St Andrews, the home of golf, and Kirkcaldy, which contains the amazing Ravenscraig Castle. Alternatively, explore the Flemish architecture in Culross.
But if golf is really your thing, you're in for a treat. Ayrshire and Arran has the best courses Scotland has to offer, said to be the best in the world. The quaint villages, impressive mountains and startling coastline in Ayr will make it difficult to leave.
Scotland has some eccentric places too. Gretna Green is famous for runaway lovers getting married, while Argyll, Bute and Stirling is unique for where the lowland meet the highlands, and the cities of Stirling and Oban are delightful there. Also, don't forget Scotland makes some of the best whisky around; why not try and fit in a visit to one of the famous scotch whisky distilleries in Argyll.
Meanwhile, Dumfries and Galloway is located on the cliffs of South Scotland, and bring your binoculars as Ireland and the Isle of Man might be visible! The countryside, lochs, and beaches are simply awesome.
Visit the Grampian Highlands, with its great beaches, but be sure not to neglect its Castles and Malt Whisky distilleries.
Yet who could miss Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands? For those familiar with our myths here in Scotland, don't pass up a chance to see the Loch Ness monster! This location also provides easy access by train to Kinlochbervie, a busy seaport.
Meanwhile along the Scottish Borders is Kelso, where the Adam Mansion is available, or the remains of a Celtic fort stand proudly at Innerleithen.
You must not forget the beautiful, rugged, islands around mainland Scotland. A ferry will take you to the Orkney Isles, where you can walk on charming small roads and enjoy the scenery. Stay in places including Papa Westray, South Ronaldsay, Hoy - the locals ensure you a hospitable welcome and will make you feel right at home here in Scotland.
In the Shetland Isles – 120 miles off the north coast of Scotland – you can watch the women at work on their knitting machines and perhaps return home with your own authentic sweater! Poems have been written about the famous Shetland ponies that roam in Unst, in the north of the Shetland Isles.
Finally, the Western Isles offer beautiful high hills for hiking while stunning beaches and white farmhouses spring up. Did we mention our Castles?
So what do you do about accommodation on your visit to Scotland? Every place you visit is likely to have a reasonable hotel, indeed holiday inns are located in most big towns and have every modern amenity you'd want. Maybe you want to get out of the city for a while - try the experience of a grand country house hotel or a castle hotel.
Or perhaps you fancy a family-oriented, rustic setting for your stay? In which case Scotland offers bed and breakfast establishments and guesthouses, as well as log cabins, chalets, and lodges. For those who prefer to be self-sufficient, you can also find self-catering cottages & Self Catering Lodges, for those on a tight budget, there are hostels, and for fans of the outdoors, there are camping and caravan sites available.
For a start, there are the Scottish cities you've probably heard of. Explore the Clyde valley, where in Glasgow the transport museum shows how people used to travel to Scotland of old, and you can see examples of old blue-collar residences in the People's Palace.
In the Lothians, lies Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. This bustling historic city is absolutely beautiful, and the celebrations at New Year's Eve proves Scotland knows how to party!
However, there's another side to Scotland besides the partying; Angus and Dundee offer two thousand years of history, romantic castles, prehistoric ruins and scenic glens.
The towns of Perthshire, aside the River Tay should not be missed, nor should the Dunkeld cathedral. If you're in Scotland with a loved one, Loch Lomond is famously romantic!
In the historic Kingdom of Fife there are ancient Scottish towns such as St Andrews, the home of golf, and Kirkcaldy, which contains the amazing Ravenscraig Castle. Alternatively, explore the Flemish architecture in Culross.
But if golf is really your thing, you're in for a treat. Ayrshire and Arran has the best courses Scotland has to offer, said to be the best in the world. The quaint villages, impressive mountains and startling coastline in Ayr will make it difficult to leave.
Scotland has some eccentric places too. Gretna Green is famous for runaway lovers getting married, while Argyll, Bute and Stirling is unique for where the lowland meet the highlands, and the cities of Stirling and Oban are delightful there. Also, don't forget Scotland makes some of the best whisky around; why not try and fit in a visit to one of the famous scotch whisky distilleries in Argyll.
Meanwhile, Dumfries and Galloway is located on the cliffs of South Scotland, and bring your binoculars as Ireland and the Isle of Man might be visible! The countryside, lochs, and beaches are simply awesome.
Visit the Grampian Highlands, with its great beaches, but be sure not to neglect its Castles and Malt Whisky distilleries.
Yet who could miss Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands? For those familiar with our myths here in Scotland, don't pass up a chance to see the Loch Ness monster! This location also provides easy access by train to Kinlochbervie, a busy seaport.
Meanwhile along the Scottish Borders is Kelso, where the Adam Mansion is available, or the remains of a Celtic fort stand proudly at Innerleithen.
You must not forget the beautiful, rugged, islands around mainland Scotland. A ferry will take you to the Orkney Isles, where you can walk on charming small roads and enjoy the scenery. Stay in places including Papa Westray, South Ronaldsay, Hoy - the locals ensure you a hospitable welcome and will make you feel right at home here in Scotland.
In the Shetland Isles – 120 miles off the north coast of Scotland – you can watch the women at work on their knitting machines and perhaps return home with your own authentic sweater! Poems have been written about the famous Shetland ponies that roam in Unst, in the north of the Shetland Isles.
Finally, the Western Isles offer beautiful high hills for hiking while stunning beaches and white farmhouses spring up. Did we mention our Castles?
So what do you do about accommodation on your visit to Scotland? Every place you visit is likely to have a reasonable hotel, indeed holiday inns are located in most big towns and have every modern amenity you'd want. Maybe you want to get out of the city for a while - try the experience of a grand country house hotel or a castle hotel.
Or perhaps you fancy a family-oriented, rustic setting for your stay? In which case Scotland offers bed and breakfast establishments and guesthouses, as well as log cabins, chalets, and lodges. For those who prefer to be self-sufficient, you can also find self-catering cottages & Self Catering Lodges, for those on a tight budget, there are hostels, and for fans of the outdoors, there are camping and caravan sites available.