Plan a trip to Scotland

Scotland is a part of the United Kingdom (UK) and is but one third of northern Great Britain, small but fascinating and definitely an enjoyable travel destination. 

Scotland (Scottish: Alba), once an independent kingdom, is full of mystery, romantic legends and stories of sea monsters and fierce warriors. It is a country with incredible views, landscapes and diverse scenery. Travelers and tourists will especially enjoy the Scottish warm hospitality.  

A trip to Scotland usually starts either in Edinburgh the capital city of Scotland or Glasgow, the largest city. 

The Scots are proud of the fact that there are six sites inscribed on the World Heritage List and Edinburgh is one of them. The other five are (1) St Kilda- internationally known for its birdlife (2) Heart of Neolithic Orkney- significant   Neolithic monuments which are on the Orkney Islands  (3) The Antonine Wall- a Roman fortification on stone foundations, between the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth (4) New Lanark- a village about 25 miles from Glasgow, on the River Clyde which was built around 1785 especially to house workers of the cotton mills (5) the  Forth Rail Bridge – trains have been travelling across the red bridge since 1890 and at that time was the longest rail (about 4000 km)  and the most innovative during that period for bridge design and construction.

Edinburgh, the capital city is divided into two; the medieval Old Town sitting up on top of a volcanic hill and the elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings.
The main road through the Old Town is known as the Royal Mile. It connects Edinburgh Castle on the west and the Palace of Holyroodhouse on the east, which once was the home of the Scottish Royals and today it is the official residence of the British Monarch when in Scotland. 

Wander around the New Town which is in the central area and admire the (mostly) original neo-classical and Georgian period architecture. Be sure to stop by the souvenir shops for unique finds and to join the locals in a crowded pub. There are colorful street shows, especially during the Fringe Festival, which usually take place in August. When you feel you need a relaxing break be sure to get to the Princess Gardens and also make time to visit some of the museums along this path including the Museum on the Mound, found in the Head Office of the Bank of Scotland, with many a story that has to do with money, money, money! Then there is the National Museum of Scotland and The National War Museum and Memorial which is located in Edinburgh Castle.

Secret: The Museum on the Mound (The Money Museum”) is Free!

Glasgow was one of the biggest industrial centers in the UK and is a vibrant city today devoted to the arts and culture. Glasgow museums tell the city history and development and are showcases to the slogan that marks modern days of Glasgow "People Make Glasgow". 

Drive out of the big cities and Scotland will strike you with its beauty of lakes (lochs), mountains and wild nature. Going out of Glasgow to the North of the country will take you to The Trossachs National Park which is centered on Loch Lomond; as well as rambling hills and vales of the Trossachs and other ranges. Going further north don’t miss the famous mountain pass Glen Coe, remembered for what is called “the Massacre of Glencoe” where in 1692 Scottish forces assassinated 30 people of the MacDonald Clan for failing to pledge allegiance to King William III and Mary II. Today it is a very popular location for film makers. 

Continue further north, through Fort Williams and you will reach the famous (fresh water) Loch Ness which takes its name from the Ness River, flowing for 37 km from the northern end. Truth be told, everyone wants to get their “Kodak Moment” and you can do that at Loch Ness, where you just might catch a glimpse of the Loch Ness monster (nicknamed Nessie). 

You might want to spend a day in Inverness, which is regarded as the capital of the Highlands. The Scottish Highlands will take your breath away; it is like being on a movie set – but in this case it’s the real thing - old castles, green landscapes, craggy hills, dreamy, romantic stories of local heroes dressed in kilts, drinking Scotch Whiskey and dining on local cuisine. 

For nature lovers and hikers, a must visit is to the Isle of Skye (or just Skye). It is the largest and most northern of the islands in the Inner Hebrides and has unique trails and diverse landscapes. 

Secret: "Over the Sea to Skye" is a phrase that comes from a late 19th century Scottish song “The Skye Boat Song" which recounts the tale of Bonnie Prince Charlie, who in 1746 escaped from Benbecula to the Isle of Skye, trying to avoid capture by the government troops. It is this line “Over the Sea to Sky” that has lured tourism to the Isle of Skye, which was made famous in books, songs, movies and a television series.
One more secret: Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II so loved this place that the pipers played this song at the funeral procession.

Further inland, follow The Speyside Whiskey Trail which is considered the center of the hundred-year-old Scotch Whiskey industry. There are many famous distilleries concentrated in this area and you’ll be able to visit and taste famous whiskeys like Glenfiddich, Cardhu, Glenlivet and others. If you are driving – remember don’t drink!

Stirling is a city in the center of Scotland. The Stirling Castle, sitting on a volcanic rock in the heart of the old town, is a strategic point and a gateway to the highlands. It saw many battles between the Scottish people led by the nation’s heroes, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce and Edward I and Edward II of England. It was their valiant deeds that united the Highlands and the Lowlands in the 13th-14th centuries. 

The Fife Coastal Path, designated by Scottish Natural Heritage as one of Scotland's Great Trails, covers close to 200 km and passes through some of Scotland’s Hills, valleys and vibrant coastline, national attractions, towns and cities including St. Andrews. It is definitely worth a visit to this seaside town, northeast of Edinburgh. Besides miles of invigorating beaches, attractive forests and interesting nature spots, the St. Andrews University is an interesting stop. It is the oldest university in Scotland and the third-oldest English university (after Oxford and Cambridge). One more exciting site, especially if you are a golfer, is the famous St Andrew's links courses, known as the “Home of Golf”. A document from the mid 1500’s signed by Archbishop Hamilton was found which gave permission for the game of golf to be played, thus making it one of the oldest courses in the world and the most famous golf course, existing since 1894. 

Scotland is not just old castles. Scotland is home to high education and technology which brought to the world some of the most important inventions of the modern era like the Steam Engine, ATM, MRI machine and more. A showcase to the Scottish enlightenment and innovations can be found in the National Museum in Edinburgh.

Secret: Located between Edinburgh and Glasgow is the town Falkirk where there are two main attractions, one for lovers of engineering feats and the second for those who love unique sculptures. First there is the Falkirk Wheel, which is the world's only rotating boat lift and links the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal 35 meters above, so boats “sail through the sky”. Then there is Andy Scott’s sculpture of two huge Kelpies (horse-head sculptures) which are the largest in the world. Over 300 tons of structural steel went into the making of the 30-meter Kelpies which were placed on sentry duty at the entrance to the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Note: What is a Kelpie? In Scottish Folklore, a mythical water creature that inhabits the lochs and takes different shapes, usually as a black horse.

Need guidance? start planning, organizing, and booking your customized dream trip to Scotland using RoutePerfect’s unique set of planning tools. Unlike any other company, Routeperfect offers its exclusive Popular Itineraries written by tourism professionals and experienced travelers to jumpstart your planning, helping you to personalize your travel and book your accommodations so that you can experience the country YOUR way.