The visitor to Scotland has a wealth of history, scenery and breathtaking beauty to explore.
History
Skara Brae in Orkney is a fine example of a Neolithic settlement dating back to 5000B.C.
Roman forts and settlements are found along the path of the Antonine Wall (~46 A.D.) which stretches from the Forth to the Clyde Estuaries. A particularly fine example of a Roman Bath House is located just north of Glasgow in Bearsden.
1300 years ago, Viking raiders terrorised the west coast of Scotland and the “Battle of Largs” is still commemorated in spectacular fashion each September culminating in the burning of a Viking ‘Longship’. The ‘Vikingar Exhibition’ is open all year round in Largs.
Ayrshire is ‘Burns Country’ boasting the ‘Auld Brig o’ Doon’ and the Bard’s cottage.
Tourists travelling by car or coach to Scotland will probably stop at the tiny village of Gretna Green to view the famous Blacksmith’s Shop and the anvil where numerous English eloping couples have taken advantage of Scotland’s more liberal marriage laws.
The West Coast abounds with Islands.
Celtic Cross, Iona
Staffa, Mendelssohn's inspiration for 'The Fingal's Cave Overture' can be reached from the Isle of Mull and a new bridge quickly transports the tourist from the mainland to the Isle of Skye.
On the East Coast lies the city of Edinburgh dating back to David I who founded Holyrood Abbey in 1128.
Edinburgh is the present day capital of Scotland and home of the Palace of Holyroodhouse the British Monarch’s official Scottish residence.
Edinburgh castle, situated on top of a volcanic plug, dates from the 17th century and St Giles' Cathedral on the city’s Royal Mile dates from the 14th century.
Today the city hosts the world-famous International Festival. Literally hundreds of dramatic, musical and comedy performances as well as the Film Festival, Military Tattoo (held against the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle) and the Jazz Festival spans a three week period each August.
The Forth Road and Rail Bridges link Lothian to the Kingdom of Fife. Here the small fishing villages of St Monans, Elie and Anstruther deserve some time to appreciate their charm.
St. Andrew's, the site of Scotland’s oldest University (1410) and the home of Golf lies a few miles further north.
Central Scotland and in particular the Stirling area has achieved recent international fame with the release of Mel Gibson's, Oscar winning, 'Braveheart'; the dramatisation of the life and deeds of one of Scotland's great heroes, William Wallace. His monument still watches over the plain where Stirling Castle stands.
Scenery
Deep, mysterious lochs, relentlessly flowing rivers, torrential waterfalls and lazy streams.
Broad, deserted, silver beaches; wild, barren moors; towering, majestic mountains and lush, fertile glens.
Just a few of the descriptions which can be applied to the ever changing scenery which awaits the traveller around Scotland's 30,000 square miles.
Highland Cow
The visitor to Scotland will never be bored with some of the world's finest Climbing, Walking, Fishing, Sailing, Ski-ing and Golfing activities ready to occupy their waking hours.
Further Information is available from:
Scottish Tourist Board
Central Information
23 Ravelstone Terrace
Edinburgh EH4 3EU
Tel No [44] (0) 131 332 2433
or see
The Internet Guide to Scotland
or
Other WWW Sites
Related Pages
From tiny Iona where St. Columba established his church in 563 A.D. to the great chain of the Western Isles, the unhurried way of life and the incredible beauty of the landscape never fails to enthral those who visit these Island communities.
Tobermory, Isle of Mull
