Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It shares a border with England to the Southeast and is surrounded by sea to the northeast, north, and west.
Most Scottish live on the mainland and in the center of Scotland, though there are nearly 800 islands off the coast! Scotland features wild coastlines, beautiful white sand beaches, stunning mountains, and rolling hills.
Why you should visit Scotland
Monumental mountains and misty glens. Castles with hidden stories. A dram of whisky straight from the source.
Best time to visit Scotland
Spring: Many attractions are open without summer crowds. Golf courses open in April; the season officially starts in May.
Summer: This is the ideal time for hiking and biking. Accommodations along the most popular routes, such as the West Highland Way fill up well in advance. There are plenty of events, including the Edinburgh Festival and Highland Games.
Autumn: Changing leaves create arresting scenes in forests—it’s a great time to visit Perthshire, known as “Big Tree Country.” The Edradour and Glenturret distilleries are well placed for combining a walk with a whisky sampling.
Winter: The Edinburgh Christmas Market kicks off in November, and Scots prepare to celebrate Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve). On January 25, pubs honor Burns Night—the birthday of national poet Robert Burns—with a dinner of haggis, neeps (turnips), and tatties (mashed potatoes).
Lay of the land
Cities: Well-heeled capital Edinburgh hosts the world’s largest performing arts festival. The medieval Old Town looms over Princes Street gardens and the New Town with art galleries and chic bars. Glasgow is boisterous and friendly, with a lively music scene. Craggy Stirling, topped by the eponymous castle, was the site of several historic battles. On the east coast, Dundee and Aberdeen pack museums and maritime history into their walkable downtowns.
Highlands: Hikers flock to the heather-bound moors and mountains of Cairngorms National Park. Surprisingly, overlooking the Speyside whisky-producing region. The landscapes surrounding Glenfinnan and Glencoe have featured in films.
Hebrides: The Isle of Skye is famed for its otherworldly topography. Flawless beaches await on Lewis and Harris. On Mull, stop by the colorful coastal town of Tobermory or scale the rugged slopes of Ben More.
Northern Isles: Neolithic sites, including Skara Brae, are scattered across the Orkney Islands. View Viking sites and the eponymous ponies on the Shetland Islands.
Southern Uplands: Stately homes and castles grace the Scottish Borders. Dumfries & Galloway is home to the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and the majestic Sweetheart Abbey.
Northeast: Seek out royal connections at Glamis Castle in Angus, or Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire. Photogenic Perthshire is home to the prestigious Gleneagles hotel and golf course.
Central Belt: Relive the greatest victories of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace at Bannockburn. Visit the National Wallace Monument, also. The John Muir Way spans 134 miles of lochs and woodlands.
Know before you go
Scottish languages: Scots Gaelic (pronounced “gaa-lik”) is still spoken by around 60,000 people, mostly in the Highlands and Islands. English, however, has been the main language spoken in Scotland since the 18th century. Though many believe it to be a dialect, Scots (descended from Northern English) is a distinct language, spoken by 1.5 million people.
What to read
Scotland: A Concise History, by Fitzroy Maclean (Fifth Edition). The former soldier and politician brings bloody battles and national heroes to life. In the fifth edition, journalist Magnus Linklater adds chapters on Brexit and the 2014 independence referendum.
Source: nationalgeographic.com
