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Scotland is a country in the United Kingdom with a rich and diverse heritage. Learn about its origins, location, demographics, economy, government, culture and more from this comprehensive encyclopedia article.
- Edinburgh
- West Highland Way
- North Coast 500
- Isle of Skye
- Loch Lomond
- Glasgow
- Stirling
- St Andrews
- Skara Brae
- Glen Coe
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Best place for year-round entertainment Scotland's capital may be famous for its festivals, but there's much more to the city than that. Edinburgh is a place of many moods: visit in spring to see the Old Town silhouetted against a blue sky and a yellow haze of daffodils, or on a chill winter’s day for fog snagging the spires of the Royal Mile, rain...
Best place for long-distance hiking The best way to really get inside Scotland's landscapes is to walk them. Here, peaks tower over lochs and sea cliffs gaze over the wind-whipped sea, but there are short woodland trails and charming strolls through valleys dusted with purple heather, too. Top of the wish list for many hikers is the 96-mile West Hi...
Best place for a scenic road trip Breathtaking views abound in the Highlands, but the far north is where things become truly awe-inspiring. This is the best place in Scotland to explore by car (you can also cycle it), with some of the finest roadside scenery in Europe. The North Coast 500 starts and ends in the likable city of Inverness, and loops ...
Best place for photographers In a country famous for stunning scenery, the Isle of Skye takes the top prize. From the craggy peaks of the Cuillins and the bizarre pinnacles of the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing to the spectacular sea cliffs of Neist Point, there's a photo opportunity awaitingyou at almost every turn. Skye is also one of the best...
Best place for a lakeside hike Despite being less than an hour's drive from the bustle and sprawl of Glasgow, the bonnie braes (banks) of Loch Lomond– immortalized in the words of one of Scotland's best-known songs – comprise one of the most scenic parts of the country. At the heart of Scotland's first national park, the loch begins as a broad, isl...
Best place for live music and pub culture Scotland's biggest city may lack Edinburgh's stunning setting, but it more than makes up for it with a barrelful of things to do and a warmth and energy that leaves every visitor impressed. Edgy and contemporary, it's a great spot to browse art galleries and museums, and to discover the works of local desig...
Best place for castle fans With an impregnable position atop a mighty wooded crag – the plug of an extinct volcano – Stirling’s beautifully preserved Old Town is a treasure trove of historic buildings and cobbled streets winding up to the ramparts of Stirling Castle. This fortress has seen serious action – it was bombarded by the Warwolf, a giant 1...
Best place for golfers Scotland invented the game of golf, and the city of St Andrewsis still revered as its spiritual home by hackers and champions alike. Links courses are the classic experience here – bumpy coastal affairs where the rough is heather and machair (coastal grass) and the main enemy is the wind, which can make a disaster of a promis...
Best place for lovers of ancient history When visiting ancient sites, it can sometimes be difficult to bridge the gulf of years or build a connection with the people that built them, but Scotland’s superb prehistoric remains have an immediate impact. Few places offer a better glimpse of everyday Stone Age life than Skara Brae in Orkneywith its care...
Best place for clan history Scotland's most famous glen combines two essential qualities of the Highlands: dramatic scenery and a deep sense of history. The peace and beauty of this valley today belies the fact that Glen Coe was the scene of a ruthless 17th-century massacre, when the local MacDonalds were murdered by soldiers of the Campbell clan. ...
Discover the stunning scenery, rich culture and lively pubs of Scotland with this guide to its top destinations. From Edinburgh and Skye to the North Coast 500 and Loch Lomond, find out where to go and what to see in this beautiful country.
Scotland is a place of epic natural landscapes, engaging cities and rich cultural heritage. Start your adventure and discover our hidden gems to create memories with friends and family. But don't just take our word for it.
2 days ago · Learn about Scotland, the northernmost part of the United Kingdom, with its rich history, diverse geography, and distinctive culture. Explore its capital Edinburgh, its islands, its castles, and its people.
- Pack for all seasons, even in summer... A joke often told is that Scotland had a great summer last year – it was on a Wednesday. It’s a tongue-in-cheek punchline, of course, but there’s a kernel of truth at its core: the country’s weather is a carousel of ever-variegated four-season shifts, with summer days often wet, wild and glorious all in the same place at nearly the same time.
- ... and check the weather if you’re going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Look away now if you don’t want the grim news. Despite the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world’s largest arts gathering, taking place in so-called peak summer in August, the event is often a washout.
- Scottish pound sterling banknotes are valid everywhere in the UK. It sounds absurd, but the variety of banknotes in the UK can be bewildering. All pound sterling bills, whether printed in Scotland, England or Northern Ireland, are legal tender and valid across the country.
- Be wary when talking politics. Scotland is a divided country, politically speaking at least. On one hand, the independence movement is growing, but some Scots resolutely want to remain part of the United Kingdom.
Mar 22, 2024 · Plan your trip to Scotland with this comprehensive guide from National Geographic. Learn about the best time to visit, the regions to explore, the culture to experience, and the sustainability tips to follow.
Learn about Scotland's culture, living, working, studying, visiting, and doing business in this progressive and spirited nation. Find out how Scotland is going net zero, celebrates its traditions, and connects with the world.
