At the first thought of Scotland, severe highlanders in tartan kilts appear in their imagination, going to free the country from the British to the sound of bagpipes. They are replaced by lonely castles in the hills, the Loch Ness monster, ideal golf courses, magnificent landscapes and moody rocky shores. All this is part of the entourage of this unique country. The main thing is that tourists visiting this country will actually see the listed attractions of Scotland (except for the monster, of course).
Scotland can be explored in various ways: by boat, on foot, by train or by car, or take a little of everything. Every corner of the country is steeped in history, high castles rise above the fields that hosted the bloody battles of the clans, the ancient roads followed by kings and queens, the picturesque paths that became the inspiration for world famous poets and writers, Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott. And also a feature of Scotland is privacy, only here you will find deserted heather swamps, wild beaches, pristine mountains, cut by gorges and pacifying lakes. Here, every traveler will find something special for himself, whether it be a modern city, a historical place or natural landscapes.
popular sights of Scotland:
1
Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile
The high towers and walls of Edinburgh Castle made of gray stone cut the horizons of the Scottish capital from the XIII century. It is located at the top of the black basalt cliff, offering visitors a magnificent view of the main village of the country and an excursion into the turbulent history of the Scottish people. Among the main exhibits of Edinburgh Castle, it is worth noting the Skoon Stone (aka the Stone of Destiny) and royal jewels, including the crown of Scotland. Also, tourists are attracted by the chapel of St. Margarita, built in the 30s of the XII century, and which is the oldest building in Edinburgh. Before entering the castle, you will have to follow the drawbridge thrown across the moat to connect the building with the esplanade, where a parade of military bands is held every August. No one will disturb the peace of the inhabitants of the castle, while the protagonists of Scotland, Robert Bruce and William Wallace, are on guard.
From the castle to the city lies the Royal Mile, a series of streets whose total length is one Scottish mile. It ends near Holyrood Palace - one of the main attractions of the capital. Brick houses are built on both sides of the “mile”, the first floors of which are occupied by shops, workshops, cafes and museums. On the main street you can find tall buildings of 10 floors, from which small streets, called "winds", depart. They are so narrow that daylight is completely blocked from visitors by the serving roof of the houses.
By the way, according to most-beauty.ru, Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world.
2
Loch Lomond
The bewitching lake (Loch) Lomond is located near Glasgow, to get to it, you need to drive a few minutes to the northwest of the largest city in Scotland. This lake is the largest in the UK, for which he received the title “Queen of the Scottish Lakes” from Walter Scott. There are many fish in it, including trout, salmon and whitefish, which makes the lake attractive for tourists. And also Loch Lomond is ideal for lovers of water sports.
A huge open space allows you to plan long walks or one-day picnics for the people of Glasgow. Boat rental is also in great demand, as well as guide services showing tourists the way to Mount Ben Lomond, where tourists can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Trossax National Park. Often Loch Lomond becomes the first stop on a tour from Glasgow to Western Highland Way, which includes crossing the Argyll area and visiting Fort William. The southern part of the lake offers many outdoor activities, including an ideal golf course near the water.
3
Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal Cruise
At the mention of Loch Ness, we all think of the legendary monster who, according to the myth, chose the lake as his home, and has lived in it for many centuries. However, the lake is famous not only for myths, it is the deepest artery of the Great Glen Fault, which connects the eastern and western shores of the state. Loch Ness, along with three other lakes, is connected by the Caledonian Canal, which daily receives thousands of tourists who go on short sightseeing tours or six-hour voyages from the beginning to the end of the geological fault, sailing through the channel locks that regulate the water level.
The canal and each of the lakes are surrounded by excellent mountain scenery, however, not a single part of the path is more picturesque than the surroundings of Loch Ness, with the gloomy ruins of Arkart Castle. He is considered a key figure in many Scottish myths. The castle was built in the XII century and fell victim to the flame five centuries later. The castle ruins are best seen from the lake, so cruise organizers drift around Arkart, inviting tourists to take beautiful pictures from various angles. The exhibition at the Drumnadrochit Hotel offers a lot to learn about the Loch Ness geological formation. The easiest way to the lake and castle lies from Inverness.
4
Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh
The Britannia yacht has been the floating residence of the royal family of Great Britain for more than forty years. On it, members of the royal family crossed a path exceeding 1 million nautical miles, which is slightly less than 2 million kilometers. By visiting the Royal Britannia Yacht, you can get acquainted with the lifestyle of the royal family, their guests and crew.
Today, the yacht operates as a museum, anchored in Edinburgh. Excursions on the ship include visits to five decks, the captain’s bridge, state apartments, royal bedrooms, crew compartments and the engine room. On board you will also find the Rolls-Royce Phantom V, who previously traveled with the royal family, and you can take a tea break in the Royal Deck room.
By the way, on our site most-beauty.ru there is an interesting article about the most beautiful ships in the world.
5
Isle of Skye and Inner Hebrides
Skye is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago, popular with bird lovers, travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its mountain landscapes, alternating with green valleys, caves, gorges and sandy beaches, can cause a gamut of emotions for any tourist. It is simply inconceivable how natural diversity fit on an island 80 km long and 25 km wide. Sky also sheltered small areas of ancient oak forests that have been growing here for centuries. The island has more than 200 species of birds, as well as many animals, including seals and otters. Getting to Skye is easy, as it is connected to mainland Scotland by a bridge. And also ferries regularly run between the shores.
The Isle of Hebrides archipelago also includes the islands of Islay, Jura, Rasei, Mall, Aion and Staffa. The hardest thing is to get to Iona, for this you should use the services of two ferries, however, small inconveniences will pay off with interest. The island is considered the "reference point" of Scottish Catholicism, because it was here in the VI century that Saint Columbus sailed from Ireland to spread the gospel. Among Aiona's attractions are a 12th-century church, ruins of an ancient abbey, and a 10th-century carved stone memorial. Also, six dozen kings of Scotland are buried on the island, they, along with the legendary King Macbeth, found their last refuge in the country's oldest Christian cemetery.
6
Sterling castle
Sterling Castle was the palace of Jacob V and the childhood home of Queen Mary of Scotland. Today, he alone is the best specimen among the buildings of the Renaissance in the British Isles. The huge premises of the castle are meticulously restored and furnished in the style of rich houses of the 16th century, right up to the exact reproduction of tapestries. Interpreters are dressed in costumes that correspond to the era, they interact with visitors to make the castle walls “alive” and convey its history to tourists. Programs have also been developed for young explorers visiting Sterling Castle.
The castle is located in the middle of the road between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and is most famous for the Battle of Bannockburn, in which Robert Bruce defeated the British conquerors. The Battle of Stirling Bridge, which marked the independence of Scotland under the leadership of the legendary William Wallace, is also known.
The Bannockburn Museum offers magnificent exhibits and exhibits from the era of the Wars of Independence of Scotland. Between Stirling Castle and Alan's Bridge, there is the Wallace Monument, a 67-meter-high tower towering over the surrounding area in memory of this man’s great deeds. Inside the tower you can find artifacts that, according to the guides, were used by Wallace himself.
7
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
The fire destroyed almost the entire creation of Charles Rennie Mackintosh at the Glasgow School of Art. Because the main pilgrimage site for fans of the Glasgow Chips, one of the branches of the Art Nouveau style in the early 1900s, was the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The gallery consists of many halls with works of Macintosh, as well as creations of other prominent artists of the movement. Among the most popular exhibits, it is worth noting the portrait of Van Gogh, Bronze Age tools, the 1944 Spitfire fighter and the organ of the early 20th century used for daily charity concerts. Also very popular is the painting "Christ of St. John of the Cross", painted by Salvador Dali in the 50s of the last century.
8
St Andrus Golf Course
The Scots claim the right to be “discoverers” in many areas, including arguing that they invented a bicycle, a steam engine, a telephone and postage stamps. But perhaps the oldest invention of Scotland is golf. The dream of any golfer is to play in the famous Royal Ancient Club, located in the central area of St. Andrews, which is 20 kilometers from Dundee.
The club was founded in the middle of the XVIII century, and is not only the oldest in the world, but also the main governing body in this sport. The famous British Open tournament is held in St. Andrus, the competitions are held on one of the many fields with 18 holes, among which the most famous is the Old Course, located along the coast. To play on any field of the club, you will need to reserve it six months before the proposed game, however, you can get to some fields without reservation if you win the lottery.
Also, tourists are attracted by the British Golf Museum, which documents the history of the development of this sport in the "golf house", as local residents call St. Andrus without modesty. It's hard to believe, but the game originated in this area since the Middle Ages.
9
Riverside Museum and Tall Ship, Glasgow
Glasgow's free Riverside Museum is one of Scotland's most visited attractions. The modern museum building invites its visitors to learn the history of the development of sea and land transport. The walls of the Riverside exhibit many locomotives, trams, buses, vintage cars, ships, and even horse-drawn carriages. The main exhibit of Riverside is a full-size model of Glasgow streets from the 1930s, with shopping malls you can visit and a railway platform. More than 90 touch screens and two dozen interactive displays allow you to get all the information about passenger traffic of various periods, through the demonstration of films and interviews of contemporaries.
Outside on the Clyde River, tourists can board the S. S. Glenlee, nicknamed Tall Ship. It was built in 1896, and is the only British sailing ship built in Klein, which is still underway.
10
North highland
The Scottish Highlands are shrouded in mysticism due to its wild landscapes and rich history, both brutal and romantic. The sparsely populated expanses of Highland attract travelers, cyclists, as well as fans of fishing, golf, kayaking, rafting and trekking. Here, every adventure lover will find something to his liking. Between the mountains, valleys and rocky shores, small towns and villages are scattered where travelers can find a place to sleep and recover.
The tiny village of Dornoch attracts the ruins of an ancient castle and cathedral, while John O'Grots offers beautiful views of Pentland Firth. It was there that a commemorative sign was established proclaiming the village as the extreme northern point of Great Britain. Especially for tourists, the North Coast 500 route was developed, allowing you to explore the northern coastline of Scotland. She will not leave indifferent any person on the planet.
Do not miss, TOP-10 of the most beautiful villages in the world on our site most-beauty.ru is presented in this article.
11
Arran Island
“Scotland in miniature”, that's what the locals call this island, because it has absorbed all the beauty of the country, offering visitors incredible landscapes on an area of 430 km². Here you can find steep shores, mountains with sharp peaks, green hills, fishing harbors, moody fortresses and impeccable golf courses. And all this pleasure is only an hour away by ferry from Glasgow. Cars in Arran are completely unnecessary, because buses regularly run around the island - a connection between the sights.
Despite the fact that the main attractions of the island, including Brodrick Castle and Mount Gottfell, can be visited in one day, travelers prefer to stay in Arran for several days to fully explore this fascinating island.
12
The burns heritage trail
Not a single trip to Scotland can be called complete if you have not visited at least one “shrine” associated with the most illustrious Scot, poet Robert Burns. The best route for exploring the life and work of Scotland's beloved son would be the Burns Heritage Route. Start most-beauty.ru advises from the museum in Alloway, the area where the poet was born, on the outskirts of Era. There you will find a cozy house with a straw roof, where Robert spent the first years of his life. As well as the “heritage route” includes a visit to the poet’s monument and gardens created in his honor.
Next, your path will continue to the castle of the 16th century Old Kirk, in which Burns's father found peace. And then you will go south to Dumfries, where Robert completed his life journey. Now this house has been converted into a museum, which contains memorabilia related to the life of the poet. Not far from the house is St. Michael's Cathedral, which is also of interest to tourists.
Finally
The editors of the site most-beauty.ru thank you for your attention and ask you to write a comment about our article. What sights of Scotland do you like the most? Can you suggest adding to this list some other beautiful places in Scotland?