An overview of Scotland

 

Wild, rugged and intensely beautiful, Scotland is found in Northern Europe and is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Scotland is around half the size of its UK counterpart, but it more than makes up for its small size by having some of the most incredible history, sweeping vistas and eye-watering landscapes that you are likely to find this side of a dream. For in depth historical information take a look at the history of Scotland section of this travel guide. It has in depth information on castles, geology and genealogy.

Originally, hunter gatherers inhabited Scotland around 6,000 ago, but by the 7th century, the region was a boiling pot of warring factions that each sought to control this untamed land. The warring tribes were a mix of Norse invaders, Scots, Beakers, Britons, Picts and Anglo-Saxons. Many wars for independence have been fought as Scotland continually sought independence from British rule and vice versa. However, the industrial revolution brought relative peace and prosperity to the towns and cities, especially in the south, where modern exuberance now meets old world elegance.

In the north can be found some of the most stunning views in Europe, where those with a head for adventure can find such gems as Cape Wrath, one of the last untouched wilderness areas in Britain. Where there was once an ancient community there is now just challenging terrain populated by deer and sea birds. The foreboding sounding name actually means "turning point" in Norse as over 1,000 years ago this was used as stopping-off point on the busy Viking shipping lane to Scandinavia. If you’re the adventurous type or just enjoy long country walks – we have lots of information on your right to roam and mountain safety within the ‘getting around Scotland’ section of the travel guide.

Edinburgh, with its iconic and romantic castle, is one of the most prominent cities in Europe. Originally a fort named 'Castle Rock', it grew to be the capital of Scotland in 1437 and is the seat of the Scottish Parliament. It is a city steeped in rich culture and history, with literally something for everyone. The Old Town and New Town districts of Edinburgh are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites and there are over 4,500 listed buildings within the city, while The University was largely responsible for the Scottish Enlightenment and remains a centre for excellent to this day. There is also a friendly and diverse range of social activities to explore with a vibrant and contemporary nightlife scene as well.

Nearby is Glasgow, From the 1700's the city became one of Europe's main ports of transatlantic trade with the American colonies. The industrial revolution was the catalyst that made the city and surrounding region grow to become one of the world's most powerful centres of engineering and shipbuilding, constructing many important vessels that became the cornerstone of an entire empire.

The medieval town of St. Andrews was once the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland. However, golfing is its only religion today. Renowned as the 'home of golf', golfers from all over the world flock to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club founded in 1754. For those more interested in their History than their backswing, St Andrews also boasts a vast array of ancient monuments and sites, including the ever ubiquitous Castle and the ruins of the Cathedral of St Andrew, at one time Scotland's largest building.

Another important destination on your trip should be Aberdeen, a true testament to the talent of medieval stonemasons. The enchanting Inner Hebrides, located on the country's western coast, provides a nice contrast to the wild and rugged terrain of Scotland's interior. Golden sands and excellent rocky outcrops bring scores of climbers and beach lovers alike. This combined with an array of museums and monuments reflecting it's proud maritime history creates a memorable experience for visitors of any age.

Callander, referred to as 'Gateway to the Highlands' due to its location and function as the eastern gateway to the Loch Lomand and Trossachs National Park, the first National Park in Scotland, is a beautiful and picturesque town. It is popular with hikers and hosts a number of festivals each year.

Also in the North, Moray, one of the Pictish provinces whose principle and former Cathedral town Elgin, lies on the southern shores of the Moray Firth. With a vast selection of untouched coastlines, unexplored landscapes and pleasant towns, Moray has a wealth of attractions and activities that are there to be enjoyed and explored to their fullest.

Inverness is also relatively close and can be travelled to with ease. It is the spiritual home of bagpipe players and lovers alike, as every September the city hosts the Northern Meeting, the single most prestigious competition in the solo piping calendar. Inverness also hosts the Highland Games, a test of strength and endurance pre-dating recorded history and a sight not to be missed!


The highlands of Scotland are astoundingly beautiful and leave a lasting impression on all those that visit them. They are naturally well suited to cycling and many other outdoor pursuits, while mountains such as Aviemore, Nevis, Glenshee, The Lecht, Glencoe, and the Nevis Range are perfect for skiing and house a number of resorts. You may also undertake a trip to the world famous Loch Ness for an encounter with Nessie, the Loch's oldest and most famous inhabitant. It is a legendary creature that has both intrigued and eluded visitors for centuries and more can be read about it in the Loch Ness Monster section of this travel guide.

 Offshore yet easy to reach are the various Island surrounding Scotland such as The Isle of Skye and The Orkney Islands. These beautiful and wild outposts of nature have each been inhabited since the Neolithic times and have colourful and interesting histories. Today they offer a broad range of sporting activities from Scuba Diving in the wreckages of WW1 gunboats to rock climbing and hiking. They offer some of the most striking and memorable views in the UK, with a climate that is surprisingly temperate for such a northerly latitude.