Scotland
Scotland’s striking history marked by invasions, wars, religious upheavals & independence has left its impact on its landscape and has contributed to its dramatic culture. To explore Scotland one has to give in to the charms of the country, feel the music of the bagpipers and in the process become a part of it.
Introduction:
Though small in size Scotland’s arresting natural beauty never ceases to cast its spell on the tourists. Scotland offers a variety of picturesque locations ranging from landscapes, coastlines, the sub-tropical gardens, to the hills of Dumfries and Galloway, including the awe-inspiring peaks of the Cairngorms.
Geography:
Scotland is a part of United Kingdom and is supposed to be the 117th largest country in the world. It is located between River Tweed on the east coast & flanked by Solway Firth in the West. To its west coast lies Atlantic Ocean & it is bordered in the east by he North Sea. Besides the mainland, Scotland also compromises of more than 790 islands along with the Northern Isles and the Hebrides.
Climate:
Scotland’s climate is temperate though it tends to be unpredictable at times. As it receives warm winds by the Gulf Stream it experiences milder winters and wet summers. The amount of rainfall Scotland receives annually varies from one place to another. While the western highlands are the wettest, much of lowland Scotland receives very less rainfall throughout the year. Infact heavy snowfall is also not very common in the lowlands, but increases with the rise in altitude.
Flora and Fauna:
Scotland’s flora & fauna is as varied as its culture & history. Though most of the mammals like Walrus, Lynx, Wolf, and Brown Bear & Elk have become extinct due to large-scale hunting, Scotland is still home to Seals, Sea-birds like Gannets and the Golden Eagle-which is considered as a national icon. One can also find Capercaillie, Wildcat, Red Squirrel and Pine Marten along with Scottish Crossbill-considered as an endemic bird in Britain.
Scotland flora is a mix of deciduous, tundra & coniferous species. One can find UK’s tallest tree Stronardron Douglas Fir in Argyll Fortingall Yew considered to be 5000 years old.
Must see Destinations:
Edinburgh:
One of the most picturesque places in Scotland, Edinburgh is well known for its Medieval & Gregorian architecture. The Capital of Scotland, Edinburgh also serves as the centre for Parliament. In a YouGov poll conducted in 2009, Edinburgh has been voted as the “most desirable city to live in the UK”.
One must visit Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holy Roodhouse, Edinburgh Zoo and the Royal Mile to get a feel of the place. Infact, Edinburgh is the leading tourist hotspot in Scotland.
Edinburgh boasts of various museums and libraries such as the Royal Museum, the National War Museum of Scotland, National Library of Scotland, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Glasgow:
The second largest city, Glasgow has been elected as the UK City of Architecture and Design (1999). Its key attractions are Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Centre Glasgow Cathedral, and the Kelvin grove Museum. Contemporary buildings in Glasgow include the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the Glasgow Science Centre and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, which is affectionately known as the “Armadillo”.
The city has many attractions like opera, ballet, football to art appreciation; it also has a large assortment of museums such as those dedicated to transport, modern art and religion.
Stirling:
A historic town located in central Scotland is known as the “Gateway to the Highlands”. Broad Street is popular for its distinctive cobblestoned roads; amongst its attractions are Stirling Castle and the Wallace National Monument.
Aberdeen:
Aberdeen is well known for its 45 breathtaking parks and gardens, and citywide floral displays which consist of two million roses, three million crocuses and eleven million daffodils. Infact Aberdeen has won the “Britain in Bloom” competition ten times. Besides being the largest port and harbour, Aberdeen also serves as the administrative centre for the northeast of Scotland.
Aberdeen’s boasts of an assortment of live music destinations such as pubs, clubs, and church choirs. The bars of Belmont Street are popular for organizing live music. Cèilidhs are another regular feature in the city’s halls.
Perth:
Well known for its parkland, Perth is a historic town on the River Tay. One can also visit the nearby village of Scone which is the former home of Scottish kings and the earlier capital of Scotland.
Ayrshire:
Home of William Wallace, Poet Robert Burns and Robert the Bruce Ayrshire boasts of the best golf courses in the world.
Blair Drummond Safari Park:
The wide range of attractions that Blair Drummond Safari Park offers is sure to make your children have a blast. After driving through the animal reserves then one can take a walk through the pet’s farm.
The Falkirk Wheel:
An engineering marvel, The Falkirk Wheel was built to connect the Union and Forth and Clyde Canals so as to have an easy east to west coast access for boats.
Glenmorangie Distillery Tour:
Whisky distilleries have always been popular visitor attractions in Scotland, and none more so than Glenmorangie.
Melrose Abbey:
Melrose Abbey is famous for the casket containing King Robert the Bruce’s heart, believed to be buried there.
Glasgow Science Centre:
One should visit the science and technology museum (The Glasgow Science Centre) for its different exhibits, live science shows and interactive workshops. It also comprises of the IMAX cinema and the Glasgow Tower which rotates 360° from its foundations- the only structure in the world to do so.
Edinburgh Zoo:
One of the topmost attractions in Scotland, the Zoo boasts of over 1,000 different animals. The “Penguin Parade” is one of its types. One is bound to fall in love with the place.
Kelvin grove Art Gallery & Museum:
The gallery boasts of an exceptional assortment of paintings & natural history, making it a must visit place in Scotland. One of the galleries displays the work of Mackintosh.
Scotland also boasts of many lochs such as Loch Lomond, and Loch Ness, which is believed to be the home of the Loch Ness monster.
