A land of inspiration. Sir Walter Scott and John Buchan were moved to great works by the magic of The Borders. Join them on The Borders Abbey Way – the hauntingly beautiful ruins of Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburgh abbeys. The Berwickshire Coastal Path takes you back 440 million years and into the world renowned St Abb’s Head national nature reserve. Relive the tragic life of Mary, Queen of Scots in the Jedburgh towerhouse. Imagine the high life at the magnificent [...]
Sir Walter Scott was right. He described Perthshire’s glens, peaks, waterfalls, forests, moors, rivers and gardens as “the fairest portion of the northern kingdom”. Let’s explore. We start at the roundhouse at Scottish Crannog Centre, on Loch Tay, and relive the Iron Age. Then Bair Atholl and its spectacular Blair Castle, gatekeeper to The Highlands for 700 years. On to delightful Aberfeldy, on the River Tay, and the colourful ‘little houses’ of Dunkeld, in the shadow of its ruined cathedral. Onwards [...]
Discover why this region is known as the home of Scottish tourism. Take in the spectacular landscapes of Loch Lomond on a boat trip before setting off into the glens, rivers and waterfalls of The Trossachs National Park. Join the kings and queens of Scotland at the stunning Stirling Castle and relive the Scots’ fight for freedom at the Battle of Bannockburn Experience and the National Wallace Monument. Go oriental in the Japanese gardens at Dollar, then go Roman, at Falkirk, [...]
The Highlands. Where do we start? On the summit of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain, overlooking Fort William. From here explore the western wilds of Ardnamurchan and the forbidding beauty of Glencoe. Stroll parts of the Great Glen Way, linking Fort William to Inverness, taking in Loch Ness – and a possible glimpse of Nessie! To Moray Speyside, drenched in heritage; Caithness and Sutherland, the last true wild lands in Britain, with John O’Groats 874 miles from Land’s End; sumptuous [...]
‘The Dear Green City’ beckons. With its ninety parks and gardens, Glasgow more than lives up to the translation of its ancient name. Stroll the Victorian Rouken Glen, the Glasgow Botanic Gardens and the 15th century Glasgow Green, home to the renowned People’s Palace. On to the amazing Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum; board the tall ship at the Riverside Museum; marvel at the city’s medieval cathedral and its mesmerising Necropolis, then follow the City Centre Mural Trail, mirroring the city’s [...]
Fore! We’re off to St Andrews – the Home of Golf – and the Kingdom of Fife. Follow golfing legends on a guided walk of the Old Course and visit the British Golf Museum. Climb the tower of the ruined St Andrews Cathedral, tour the dungeons of the castle then relax on the famous beaches. Out into Fife. The Fife Coastal Path and the Fife Pilgrim Way take you to fishing villages such as St Monans and Pittenweem and historic landmarks [...]
Let’s walk Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. At one end, dominating the skyline, Edinburgh Castle with Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny. At the other, Holyrood Palace, the official Scottish residence of the British monarch. Then into Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument. Fine views…after 287 steps. More panoramas from Calton Hill and the slopes of Arthur’s Seat. Stroll the medieval Old Town and neoclassical New Town before boarding the Royal Yacht Britannia. To the lush countryside of the Lothians, [...]
Welcome to Scotland’s sunniest city…and one of design and discovery. The V&A Dundee is everything that is design, the RRS Discovery takes you to Antarctica with Captain Scott, and the McManus gallery and museum takes you through 400 million years. Into Angus and its stunning countryside including Glen Cova, Glen Lethnot and Glen Prosen, then onto Glamis Castle, childhood home of the Queen Mother. Board the Caledonian Railway from Brechin to Bridge of Dun, and dream along with Peter Pan and [...]
To the homeland of King of Scots, Robert Bruce. Here, in Glentrool, in what is now the Galloway Forest Park, Bruce won his first major victory over the English. We’ll stay in the forest park – Britain’s largest – and wonder at the wildlife and navigate the stars at the Dark Sky Observatory. Follow the nature trails at the Mull of Galloway and the wild Cairnsmore of Fleet reserves. Fight off a siege at Caerlaverock Castle then relax in the bizarre [...]
Ayreshire is Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard. Follow the Poet’s Path through Alloway village to the museum and memorial gardens and Burns’ birthplace. On to Culzean Castle, with its gardens, beaches and woods, then further back in time to the 14th century Dundonald Castle. Celebrate the Spirit of Scotland at Loudoun Hill and walk the classic Victorian ‘prom’ at Largs. All aboard the ferry to Arran. First stop, Brodick Castle and its country park and, if you’re fit enough, Goatfell peak [...]
Let’s go west…Argyl and The Isles are everything that is Scotland. Prehistory at Kilmartin; the violent past at Inverary Castle, on Loch Fyne; history and beauty at Oban, with McCaig’s Tower, and Westport Beach, six miles of dunes and sands. Don’t miss the beavers of Knapdale Forest. Catch a film at the art nouveau Campbeltown Picture House, then carry on south and sing along to Paul McCartney on his beloved Mull of Kintyre. To The Isles: Islay, with its wildlife, beaches [...]
Watched over by the Granite City itself, Aberdeen, the region slopes north from the Grampian Mountains to a magnificent coastline with the wild Rattray Head and secluded Charlestown beaches. On from the mountains we’ve a land of heather moors, forests and rivers…and castles. Visit Balmoral, the Queen’s summer home, Braemar with its world famous Braemar Gathering, the 13th century Drum Castle, with its Jacobean mansion and the fairy tale Craigievar Castle. See the dolphins and seals at the Scottish Dolphin Centre, [...]
