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THE BEST OF SCOTLAND 1 cotland delivers on every expectation of a deeply romantic land filled with misty lochs, fields of heather, Sand moody mountain ranges, while its thoroughly modern cities are welcoming cultural hubs. Whether you’re in the heart of Edinburgh at Hogmanay, alone in Iona Abbey, or teeing off at Carnoustie, you’ll experience a nation that champions its history and believes in its future. Our picks of the best include many world-famous attractions as well as a few well-kept secrets. THE CITIES Scotland’s cities are among the most dynamic in Europe. Edinburgh never fails to dazzle with its Old and New Towns, port of Leith, and some of the nation’s top cultural attractions. Equally vibrant Glasgow claims the top art galleries, best nightlife, and unbeatable shop- ping. Stirling links Scotland’s high and low lands and is a magnet for history lovers. THE COUNTRYSIDE Strewn with royal palaces (Falkland in Fife), ruined castles (Caerlaverock in Dumfries and Galloway), Neolithic set- tlements (Skara Brae in the Orkneys), and modern feats of engineering (Neptune’s Staircase near Fort William), the wilds of Scotland have something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts can choose from mountain ranges, river valleys, and rugged moorland where top golf courses, first- class fishing, and limitless hiking blend with tales of clan feuds and a rich variety of wildlife. THE COAST Mainland Scotland alone claims 6,158 miles of coast- line. Add on the shores of its many islands and it would take a lifetime to discover all the deserted beaches of the Hebrides (Tiree, Harris, and South Uist), the sea lochs of the west coast (Linnhe, Sunart, and Etive), and craggy cliffs to the east (East Neuk). Unbeatable coastal walks lead from Eshaness in Shetland and excellent sea fishing lies off the shores COPYRIGHTEDof Portpatrick. MATERIAL EATING & DRINKING Scotland’s culinary scene has excelled in recent years with many establishments championing local and in-season produce. Fresh seafood is hauled ashore at Loch Fyne, melt-in-the- mouth lamb is reared in the Borders, and crumbling cheeses mature in dairies across the Highlands. Your local pint could be a dark ale from Traquair or a wheat beer from Glasgow’s West. And no visit is complete without a wee dram of the liquor named after the nation itself: Scotch. 004_9781119992769-ch01.indd4_9781119992769-ch01.indd 1 111/21/111/21/11 99:06:06 PPMM 004_9781119992769-ch01.indd 2 4 _ 2 9 1 7 8 THE BEST OF SCOTLAND Introduction 1 1 Scotland 1 9 9 9 0 30 mi Mainland 2 ORKNEY 7 6 Scapa 9 ISLANDS 0 30 km - c Flow h Hoy St. Margaret’s Hope 0 1 S. Ronaldsay . i Ferries n Pen d tlan d d Firth John o’ Groats 2 Cape Wrath Duncansby Hd. Butt of Lewis Thurso A99 ATLANTIC A9 A836 Tongue OCEAN Caithness Wick Point of Lewis Stoer h Sutherland Stornoway c NORTH n Helmsdale i SEA North M A9 Loch Harris Shin e Brora OUTER h s nd HEBRIDES Tarbert T Ullapool la South h Dornoch Shiant Is. ig h Harris irt H F t y s ra h e o c Easter Ross M Lossiemouth Gairloch W Fraserburgh n i Wester Banff Lochmaddy M h Elgin Ross t Dingwall Buckie Macduff Uig r North e Nairn l o t A98 Uist t A832 N Forres i Keith A96 L A87 Inverness Strathbogie Benbecula Raasay Peterhead Portree Culloden pey Huntly A82 Battlesite S Urquhart Grantown- Kyle of on-Spey A96 Lochalsh Castle A95 South Skye Loch A9 Inverurie Ness Aberlour Don Uist Eilean Donan . C ts Lochboisdale u Castle Fort Augustus M Aberdeen ill th Aviemore Mar Sea of in t lia a h S e d Cairngorm 111/21/11 9:06 PM Canna e the d. l a d Balmoral Dee 1 S n Kingussie i Mts. o s / f Knoydart y Castle 2 Armadale M Barra Hebrides o e 1 . p / S 1 Mallaig Castlebay Eigg d The L. Great Lochy Glen Stonehaven 1 Rum S Morar Glenfinnan A90 9 Monument S . : Spean Bridge T 0 Muck M 6 P M 004_9781119992769-ch01.indd 3 4 _ 9 7 Ft. William Blair Pass of 8 Ben Nevis A N 1 P I Castle Killicrankie Montrose 1 Ardnamurchan M 1 Coll e A Brechin 9 h R n 9 Pitlochry Arinagour n Glencoe G Loch Forfar 9 i Aberfeldy Tay Glamis L 2 Morvern Tobermory Rannoch Rannoch Castle 7 Tiree h A90 6 c Moor 9 o L Arbroath - c Scarinish Mull A82 Loch Tay A9 Dundee h 0 Ulva 1 Craignure A85 NORTH . i n Oban Crianlarich Perth d Loch Ear St. Andrews d Iona n SEA Inveraray Awe Ochil A84 n 3 r Castle Hills Loch Fife Lo f Inveraray Callander Leven o Glenrothes orth rth A816 ll Tarbet Forth Dunblane of F Fi y M90 irth Colonsay rg Loch Aberfoyle Stirling F A Lomond Stirling Kirkcaldy North Berwick Scalasaig Castle Dunfermline Jura Cowal Dunbar ATLANTIC Greenock EDINBURGH A83 Dunoon Falkirk Dumbarton Haddington Gourock A1 Eyemouth OCEAN Rothesay GLASGOW M8 Kennacraig Livingston Port Askaig A68 S Paisley Motherwell d Bute Largs Berwick- Claonaig . M77 Hamilton Islay of Clyde A702 Lauder upon-Tweed B Ardrossan East Lochranza u Kilbride te Twee Coldstream Port Ellen Saltcoats Lanark d Melrose e Brodick Peebles r Kelso y Troon Kilmarnock M74 Selkirk t Arran Biggar A1 n i Prestwick s Jedburgh K and Ayr Cumnock pl Hawick s U ill Campbeltown H Maybole A76 rn t he Moffat io Rathlin I. Firth ut A7 ev o h S C A68 Mull of of L. Doon Drumlanrig IRELAND Kintyre Annan Clyde Girvan Castle Lockerbie N A77 o Dee Dumfries A74(M) r t Londonderry h Cairnryan A75 Newton (Derry) Gretna A69 C Loch Ryan Stewart Castle NORTHERN h Douglas Carlisle a Stranraer Wigtown th n ir IRELAND F n ENGLAND e Kirkudbright y l Luce a 111/21/11 9:06 PM Wigtown lw 1 Lough Bay Whithorn o M6 / Mull of 2 Bay S 1 Neagh BELFAST Galloway / 1 1 THE BEST OF SCOTLAND OF BEST THE Introduction 1 9 3 : 0 6 P M 1 THE most unforgettable TRAVEL EXPERIENCES W Edinburgh at Festival Time: Every August Edinburgh erupts into a spectacular celebration of culture, art, dance, politics, music, and street performance as a clutch of festivals—headed by the Edinburgh International Festival, the unstop- pable Fringe, and the heart-stirring Military Tattoo—sweep across every venue and public space in the city. See p. 102. W Haunting the Castles: Scotland is littered with ancient castles. Many—such as Urquhart (p. 326) on the banks of Loch Ness and the cliff-top Tantallon (p. 122)—stand in ruined splendor. Others such as Macbeth’s very own Cawdor are luxurious, legendary family homes. See p. 338 W Horseback Riding Through the Highlands: Travel the romantic way through fra- grant heather and over lichen-covered rocks on an equestrian excursion into the Highlands. One of Scotland’s biggest stables, the Highland Riding Centre in Drumnadrochit (p. 325), stands close to the brooding northern shores of Loch Ness. The Most Unforgettable Travel Experiences Travel Unforgettable Most The W Cruising the Caledonian Canal: Connecting three of the Highlands’ longest lochs (Ness, Lochy, and Oich), the Caledonian Canal once transported goods between Scotland’s east and west coasts. Today you can take in spectacular waterborne views of the Scottish countryside from the decks of the cabin cruisers that ply these calm waters. See p. 327. W Exploring the Heart of Neolithic Orkney: Discover some of Europe’s most mys- terious and best-preserved prehistoric sites on the western edges of mainland Orkney. The huge Ring of Brodgar stone circle and imposing Stones of Stenness stand close to Maeshowe chambered cairn and the Neolithic village of Skara Brae. See p. 399. W Getting in Touch with Your Inner Viking: Join the thousand-strong horde of THE BEST OF SCOTLAND THE BEST “Vikings” who march through Lerwick, Shetland, every January as part of Up Helly Aa, Europe’s largest fire festival. In a pagan-like desire to light up the seem- ingly endless winter night, they set fire to a replica longboat in the harbor. See p. 412. THE most unforgettable CITY EXPERIENCES W Walk the Royal Mile (Edinburgh): Stunning views, narrow closes, and dark wynds (alleys) spread out in all directions along this street, which forms the backbone of Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town. Take in the many free museums and some of Scotland’s most well-known attractions along the way. See p. 73. W National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh): Fresh faced from a major renovation, this transformed museum is crammed with national icons from the 12th-century Lewis Chessmen to Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell. Follow the story of Scotland to the top floor and stunning city views. See p. 80. W Underground Edinburgh: Journey deep into Edinburgh’s dark side via a tour through its spooky underground vaults and long-buried city streets. Listen to tales 4 004_9781119992769-ch01.indd4_9781119992769-ch01.indd 4 111/21/111/21/11 99:06:06 PPMM of grim goings-on as you travel through this subterranean realm, home to many of the city’s most notorious ghosts. See p. 76. 1 W The Burrell Collection (Glasgow): Sir William Burrell (1861–1958), a wealthy OF SCOTLAND THE BEST industrialist who devoted much of his life to accumulating art, is responsible for this fabulous collection. Set in parkland on Glasgow’s southside, it’s one of Scot- land’s most admired collections.
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