Scotland

GREATER GLASGOW & CLYDE VALLEY 
 
The gateway to Scotland, Glasgow is one of Europe's great cultural destinations. Its museums and galleries are complemented by beautiful countryside along the River Clyde from its source, through garden valleys and on to the sea.

 
A CULTURAL FEAST

Today's Glasgow is letting the world know about its striking architecture, heritage and culture, building on the success of a string of culturally orientated visitor attractions as well as accolades like Cultural Capital of Europe in 1990 and UK City of Architecture and Design in 1999. Typical of the city's attractions is the Gallery of Modern Art. Housed in a handsome neoclassical building in the city centre, the gallery displays some fine examples of Scottish figurative art, though there is also an eclectic collection from all parts of the world. The material on each floor reflects one of the four elements of fire, air, earth or water and there are also a number of interactive exhibits.

The Burrell Collection, with its collection of textiles, furniture, ceramics and other objets d'art, is also typical of the city's cultural wealth. The Art Gallery and Museum in Kelvingrove Park is one of Europe's finest civic art collections. Opposite is the Museum of Transport, with re-constructions of a typical Glasgow street of the 1930's. Also nearby is the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, where the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh is well represented. The Mackintosh House within the gallery comprises an accurate reconstruction of the interiors of one of his former homes. To the east of the city centre, located next to Glasgow Cathedral, is the stimulating St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Art, presenting the universal themes of life, death and the hereafter through evocative art associated with different religious faiths.

Glasgow is the headquarters of many artistic companies, including Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, all of which have regular concert programmes in custom-built halls, most notably the prestigious Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Britain's largest community festival, Mayfest, is held each May and encompasses a whole range of visual and performing arts.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

Glasgow's culture is far more than high art. It embraces the heritage of the ordinary citizen at places like The Tenement House, where a typical city dwelling of the recent past is open to view. It also includes the People's Palace, where the social history of Glasgow is told. Outside the city, the Paisley Museum and Art Gallery portrays the development of the famous and distinctive Paisley shawl, while the McLean Museum in Greenock also focuses on social history.

A little further afield, New Lanark is just one of a whole range of fascinating visitor attractions easily accessible off the main artery of the A74 / M74. Close to the town of Lanark, the River Clyde flows through a wooded rocky gorge, famed for its outstanding beauty. The river here formerly powered textile mills in a development controlled by the enlightened industrialist Robert Owen. The doctrine of Owenism, with its Utopian ideas of workers' welfare, later became famous the world over and the New Lanark Visitor Centre tells the story.

THE RIVER CLYDE 
 
Close to the upper reaches of this winding river, the handsome town of Biggar has a wealth of award-winning museums. Chatelherault, minutes from the main M74 near Hamilton is well worth discovering. The former hunting lodge of the Dukes of Hamilton and built by the famous Scottish architect William Adam in 1732, has been restored and now houses a fascinating visitor centre. The Carfin Pilgrimage Centre, which stands in the grounds of the Carfin Grotto, traces the history, traditions and motivations of pilgrimage, focusing particularly on pilgrimage in Scotland.

West of Glasgow, where the Clyde opens out in an ever widening estuary is Inverclyde, overlooking popular cruising waters with a backdrop of the hills of Argyll. Among its many attractions is the Clyde Muirshiel Country Park, with its moor and woodland scenery. With dramatic ruined castles, industrial heritage, country parks and also the Hamilton Mausoleum (boasting Europe's longest echo at 22 seconds), the River Clyde valley has much to offer.

SHOPPING

Naturally, a major city such as Glasgow offers a very wide choice of shopping options, notably around Buchanan Street, Argyle Street or Sauchiehall Street. In addition, while the St Enoch Centre represents the modern trend in covered shopping and is one of the largest malls in Europe, Princes Square adds an elite note, with a sophisticated ambience appropriate for a style-conscious city.

The area known as Merchant City, which recalls the entrepreneurs who traded with the Americas is the 18th and 19th centuries, is now a district of small, select shops. Notable here is the Italian Centre, a concentration of Italian fashion designer shops in a conversion of a handsome Merchant City building. By contrast, The Barras near Glasgow Green is part flea market, part entertainment and very much an integral part of Glasgow Life.

NIGHTLIFE

Glasgow is famous for its variety of pubs, wine bars and other places of much conviviality, where visitors will find Glasgow hospitality at its best. Many of the city's pubs offer live entertainment in the form of folk or jazz. From wholesome pub food to more exotic cuisine, Glasgow's restaurant scene is both lively and cosmopolitan. Clubs and nightspots are up-to-date and fashion conscious and often feature live bands. There is also a thriving and authentic Ceilidh scene, where Scotland's native music can be enjoyed. For a complete guide to the city's entertainment, visitors should call in to the city's Tourist Information Centre.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

EDINBURGH - CITY, COAST AND COUNTRYSIDE 
 
Edinburgh, Scotland's beautiful Festival City and historic capital is embraced by the scenic coastline and rich countryside of the Lothians.

 
SCOTLAND'S CAPITAL

No visitor can remain unmoved by the first glimpse of the magnificent city of Edinburgh, a destination distinguished by its World City Heritage status. Exploring the city starts with Edinburgh Castle, with its dramatic tales of siege, dark deeds and intrigue. Scotland's own crown jewels, The Honours of Scotland, are on display within the castle along with an equally potent symbol of nationhood, the Stone of Destiny, on which Scottish monarchs were crowned. The impressive fortress on its crag is a dramatic backdrop to Edinburgh's skyline but there is much more to discover in this amazing city.

Edinburgh's story is told all around the Old Town at places like Huntly House Museum in the Canongate, as well as other historic buildings such as Gladstone's Land, with its glimpse of local life in the 17th century. Many of the city's museums are within easy reach of the Royal Mile, the long thoroughfare linking the Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which has for centuries been a royal residence. Princes Street Gardens mark the New Town's southern edge. Any exploration of these handsome streets should start with the Georgian House in Charlotte Square, which is furnished in the style of the late 18th century, when the fashionable houses here were new.

Edinburgh's attractions reflect its status as a capital city. The National Gallery of Scotland is one of Europe's most distinguished galleries, while the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art holds an impressive selection of 20th century work. The city's Royal Botanic Garden offers colour throughout the year, with the world famous collection of rhododendrons a particular highlight in the spring months, while the Royal Museum of Scotland displays a wide ranging collection in many scientific and cultural fields.

A YEAR-ROUND FESTIVAL

The dramatic cityscape of Edinburgh adds a special dimension to the Edinburgh International Festival, one of the world's principal arts festivals and further enhanced by the lively Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Edinburgh reaches an exciting peak when the Festival, Fringe and Military Tattoo are all in full swing in the second half of August. The Film Festival and Jazz Festival are just some of the other high points around peak season, while there are many other events and festivals going on at other times of the year. Edinburgh is definitely the place to be for that most Scottish of all festivals, Hogmanay. Join in with the Scots as they ring in the New Year in their own inimitable way, with events and celebrations starting on December 28th, running on Hogmanay itself (December 31st) and continuing through New Years Day.

EDINBURGH BY NIGHT

Edinburgh's cosmopolitan outlook means plenty of places to eat and drink - from the special ambience of typical city pubs in Rose Street to some of the most distinguished dining in Scotland. Traditional-style Scottish entertainment with plenty of kilts and pipers is on offer at a number of city centre venues. Meanwhile, the club and disco scene in the capital is fast changing so should this tickle your fancy, just enquire about the latest names on your arrival.

SHOPPING

As well as covered modern shopping venues such as the Waverley Shopping Centre, which brings together specialist retailers in a modern mall, the city has plenty of other shopping areas. One can choose from the international flavour of Victoria Street, the friendly atmosphere of Bruntsfield, Morningside, Stockbridge or some of the other suburbs with their excellent range of smaller shops. From Victorian jewellery in Rose Street to tartan rugs on the Royal Mile, antique shops on Causewayside to city centre Jenners (the world's oldest department store), shopping in Edinburgh is a fantastic experience.

THE LOTHIANS - CAPITAL, COUNTRYSIDE AND COAST

If you would like to enjoy the best of city and countryside, then the Lothians are a great option. You could play golf on some of Scotland's finest links courses, discover castles associated with Mary, Queen of Scots and enjoy a boat trip to the spectacular gannet-nesting colony on Bass Rock out in the Firth of Forth. Visitors may also view the city from the slopes of the Pentland Hills, where the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson once lived.

Coastal East Lothian offers some of the driest and sunniest conditions in Scotland, especially around the town of Dunbar, which has excellent sandy beaches nearby. Also close at hand, Tantallon Castle on its dramatic cliff-top setting near the attractive little resort of North Berwick, offers fine views over to the Bass Rock. A few minutes away is the equally impressive Dirleton Castle, with its 13th century fortifications and lovely gardens overlooking one of Scotland's prettiest villages.

Contrasting with the romantically ruined Tantallon and Dirleton is Lennoxlove House, set a few minutes drive away in the countryside. Still the seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, this ancient tower is also associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. Hidden in the rolling countryside, Glenkinchie Distillery is a reminder that not all of Scotland's fine malt whiskies come from the Highlands.

Off the A68 south of Edinburgh, look for the signpost to Crichton Castle, while Rosslyn Chapel is also within easy reach, where the stone carving is reckoned to be the finest in all Scotland. To the west of Edinburgh, there are other fine castles and stately homes to be enjoyed, including Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots and Hopetoun House, designed and built by the famous Adam family of architects. The 17th century House of the Binns is yet another of the castles and historic houses within easy distance of each other and close to the capital.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

WEST HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS, LOCH LOMOND, STIRLING & TROSSACHS 
 
From the romantic Isles of Argyll in the west to the gentle hills east of Stirling, this is the crossroads of Scotland, where the lowlands meet the West Highlands.

 
Here the lowlands meet the mountains of the north and west. Both the Trossachs and Loch Lomond have enthralled travellers since Sir Walter Scott's writings first popularised the area in the early 19th century. The romantic landscapes and islands of Argyll are also dramatic but the gentler hills and communities of the Lowland edge, by Falkirk, around Clackmannanshire and in Stirling - focal points of the nation's history - have plenty to attract visitors.

ROYAL STIRLING

In olden days, all routes led to Stirling. Because of its strategic position, whoever held Stirling Castle controlled the Scottish nation. The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, one of the most significant conflicts of the Scottish Wars of Independence, was fought within sight of its walls. Led by Robert the Bruce, the Scots defeated the English occupying forces and gained almost three centuries of independence.

Today, Stirling Castle still watches over the Old Town of Stirling with its many picturesque buildings. Close by is the National Wallace Monument, a tribute to Scotland's first freedom fighter, Sir William Wallace, whose struggle to free Scotland from England's occupation was portrayed in the unforgettable Oscar-winning movie, "Braveheart".

THE TROSSACHS AND LOCH LOMOND

Close to Stirling, the Trossachs, with their heather-clad hills and lochs half-hidden in woodlands have attracted generations in search of the picturesque. There are plenty of walks and marked trails through the woods and on to the peaks. Start your Trossachs adventure from the Rob Roy and Trossachs Visitor Centre in Callander. Rob Roy MacGregor was a real life Highlander, cattle dealer and outlaw who became a Scottish folk hero, a story portrayed in the Hollywood film "Rob Roy".

To the west, Loch Lomond, famed in song, also offers a choice of cruising or a chance to walk the West Highland Way, the official long distance footpath, which runs through the wooded slopes of its eastern bank. Road and rail run parallel to the walking route. They climb dramatic Glen Falloch to the junction community of Crianlarich, surrounded by the mighty hills of Breadalbane (literally, in Gaelic, meaning the high grounds of Scotland). The charming village of Killin with its folklore centre is nearby.

Westward again lies the small village of Tyndrum, a popular stopover place for the West Highland Way walkers. This upland area is of great botanical interest and is enjoyed by walkers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. In the other direction, to the south from Loch Lomond, you will find the former shipbuilding town of Dumbarton with Dumbarton Castle perched on a conspicuous rock guarding the River Clyde approaches. There are cruising options in plenty on the sheltered waters of the Clyde estuary. Though a favourite haunt of yachting enthusiasts, there is also a programme of pleasure cruises revealing the grandeur of the sea-lochs, from resorts such as Dunoon and Helensburgh.