Scotland Travel & Tourism

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Are you visiting the city of Edinburgh, Scotland? Here’s a list of essential must-do travel tips for your Edinburgh vacation.

The Royal Mile

Welcome to one of Edinburgh’s most famous tourist destinations. It stretches between Holyrood Abbey and Edinburgh Castle and is chock full of gorgeous buildings and historic sites. Be sure to stop at St. Giles Cathedral and Gladstone’s Land! When you’ve finished, take a stroll through Grassmarket in the central part of town, especially if you finish at Edinburgh Castle.

New Town

You’ve seen Scotland’s Old Town– now it’s time for the New! With Scotland’s history being as long as it is, New Town isn’t very “new” at all. Its origins date back to the 1700′s. You may want to spend two days here: one for exploring shops and restaurants and the other to walk through the National Galleries of Scotland.

Arthur’s Seat

What? Scotland has a volcano? This ancient volcano offers stellar views of Edinburgh and the surrounding waters. Do yourself a favor and research its mythology before you go.

Royal Botanic Garden

This 70-acre garden is not to be missed. Built in the late 17th century, the Royal Botanic Garden was initially intended for medical research. Today, it’s one of the loveliest gardens in the U.K. Best of all, admission to the Gardens is free.

Of course, you don’t have to take these suggestions to heart. Call up friends who’ve visited Scotland, ask for advice on social media, or poll internet users through online surveys like those found at kissinsights.com.

Planning a trip to Scotland? The best time to vacation is from May to October, which is likely to have the warm and sunniest of weather. No matter when you go, expect to experience some rain, so pack an umbrella or rain jacket.

There are many vacation destination stops that are a must include for any itinirary.

Edinburgh

The city of Edinburgh is captivating from every angle. Plan several hours of time to explore the city on foot, take a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle, and enrich yourself in the history of the land.

Midday take a leisure walk down Royal Mile and Princes Street to enjoy the many shops, restuarants, and local pubs. End the day by heading to the Beehive Inn for an informal dinner with drinks followed by a guided walking tour to discover the colorful characters of Edinburgh.

Highlands

Before taking a tour of the Highlands, stop in Glencoe Village’s visitor center to obtain information packets and see displays of the area. Get ready to start the tour with a trip to Urquhart Castle for a look at the castle ruins, gorgeous scenery, and a panaromic view of Loch Ness.

Take out your camera and follow up with a scheduled boats cruise of Loch Ness and Shiel which includes scenic views, local wildlife, and an anormous amount of Nessie watching.

Shetlands

While in the Shetlands, take a visit to Mousa Broch, known as the finest and most well-preserved Iron Age tower. The next stop is to explore Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement. The highlights of the settlement include Viking long houses, medieval farmstands, oval-shaped Bronze Age houses, and Iron Age broch and wheelhouses.

The trip to Shetland is not complete without taking in the scenery which includes beautiful sheer cliffs, rolling green hills, dreary moors, and numerous lochs and inlets, making it an ideal place for fishing, walking, and cycling. Have a camera ready for encounters with the wildlife. Shetland is famous for their ponies, but travelers can also easily find migrating birds such as the Puffin and seals sunny on the white sandy beaches and rocks.

The cuisine of Scotland is a mixture of cooking traditions and practices. The distinct attributes and recipes are of its own, but share much with other European cuisine resulting from foreign, local, ancient, and modern influences.

Scottish delicacies include:

• Cullen Skink – a hearty soup made from smoked haddock, cream, shellfish, and potatoes.
• Seafood – due to its freshwaters Scotland produces some of the world’s finest seafood. Prized by chefs the world over and high on the export list, seafood items include langoustines, oysters, crabs, salmon, lobster, and scallops
• Sirloin – Scotland has the five best beef breeds in the world including Aberdeen Angus, Longhorn, Shorthorn, Galloway, and Highlind.
• Game – game meats are plentiful in Scotland including pheasant and venison
• Haggis – Scotland’s national dish made up of chopped heart, lungs, and liver of a sheep which is cooked in a sheep’s stomach bag. Popularly served with neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes).
• Scotch pie – traditionally made with mutton and slightly spiced
• Square sausage – a common breakfast favorite is made from a flavored thin square of beef or pork which has been fried or grilled and served in a roll
• Porridge – Scottish oat meal served for breakfast with salt as topping

Enjoy the meal with Scotland’s famous:

• Beer and ale – is usually served in pints and there are many Scottish micro-brewery brews to choose from
• Irn Bru – extremely popular, bright orange-colored, fizzy soft drink that is loaded with caffeine. It is said to be the best cure for a hangover and acidic enough to clean a coin.
• Whisky – notice it is whisky without an “e”. This bevarage is the most famous export of Scotland

The Isle of Arran is an undiscovered jewel in Scotland’s crown with picturesque landscaping, village shops, culinary delights, cozy pubs, and wonderful accomodations. It is renowned for its wildlife and many species of deer including the Roe and sharks include the Basking are a common site.

The heartbeat of Arran is Brodick, where visitors congregate along the coastal road to view and admire the town’s long curvy bay. As the coastal road continues to the north, Corrie a small pretty village comes into view. Corrie has a hotel, village shop selling sculptures by local artist Marvin Elliot, and one of the starting tracks up Goatfell peak.

Many will concur that the only way to enjoy the Isle of Arran is by strapping on hiking boots to take a challenging scenic walk in the mountainous north or renting a bicycle to cyle the island’s circular roads.

It is not void ofa few tourist attractions. Brodick Castle and Park should be the first stop on any tour.  Keep in mind that only a small portion of the castle is open to the public. At first the castle gives you the initial impression of an animal morgue upon entrance into the hunting gallery with all the prized deer heads displayed on the walls. However, take note of the intricate fireplace in the library and the peculiar table furnishings in the formal dining room. The steep entry fee to the attraction is justified by the extensive grounds with various trails among the exquisite rhododendrons.

On the west coast is the largest village called Blackwaterfoot. Plan on taking a walking tour of King’s Cave and combine it with a visit to the Machrie stones. In Whiting Bay, amongst the small sandy beaches and village shop is Arran Art Gallery; one of the best places to find exquisite landscape paintings and drawings of Arran.

At the end of a long day of hiking and sightseeing, stop it at one of the many legendary watering holes for the local brew and live music.

Located astride the River Ness at the Northern end of the Great Glen resides Inverness. Known as the primary city in the Highlands, visitors overflow the area in summer intent on shopping and sightseeing after a morning of monster hunting for Nessy in nearby Loch Ness.

Inverness is a beautiful place to take a stroll along the picturesque River Ness or schedule a cruise on the Moray Firth in search of bottlenose dolphins. Travel during the month of September and be delighted to hear the sounds of bagpipes since Inverness is the host city for the Nothern Meeting. The Nothern Meeting is considered to be the most prestigious solo piping competition in the world.

Another can’t miss experience is the annual City of Inverness Highland Games in July. The event is a way to celebrate Scottish culture and heritage through music, dancing, and athletics. The highlight of the event is watching kilt wearing sportsmen compete in athletic events including the caber toss, hammer throw, and stone put.

Inverness also has its share of tourist attractions including the Urquhart Castle, Eden Court Theatre, Inverness Castle, and Ness Islands.

Urquhart Castle dates back to the 13^th century. From the fragmented castle ruins, tourists are offered the most majestic views of the deep, dark, and narrow Loch Ness below.

After years of major renovations and extensions, the Eden Court Theatre has reopened. It is known as the Highlands’ main venue for history, art house cinema, and culture events including stage performances of dance, music, drama, film, comedy, and children’s events.

Serving the Sheriff’s Court atop a hill above the city centre lays Inverness Castle. This picturesque castle dating from 1847 has Baronial turrets and pink-sandstone accents.

Of course the main attraction in Inverness is the Ness Islands. Only a twenty minute walk from the castle, no one can resist taking a leisurely stroll along the river, finding an ideal picnic spot, or taking in the mature Scots pine, fir, sycamore, and beech trees.

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is historical, cultured, and cosmopolitan rolled together. The city is perched upon numerous extinct volcanoes and rocky crags which sheltered by the Firth of the Forth shoreline to the north.

Due to the Gulf Stream, prevailing westerly winds are pleasantly mild making May, June, and September the ideal time for travel. Rain is always expected but changes quickly from a rainy morning to a sunny afternoon. It is not uncommon for haar, a dense chilly fog to appear but can easily be escaped by heading a few miles inland.

Edinburgh holds many international festivals each year to attract visitors, performers, and artisians. Its firework displays are astounding with ruby and emerald colors exploding in the air as cascades of sparkling streams reflect down the walls of the castle.

Edinburgh Castle is the main attraction which dominates the city skyline. From its ramparts, you can look down to see medieval lanes, sweeping terraces, and the modern capital below. Its galleries present the most cutting-edge art, restuarants, clubs, and bars to create a cosmopolitan flair mixed with a distinct Scottish twist.

Find time in your busy itinerary to take part in Edinburgh’s tradition of climbing Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park. A climb requiring a bit of endurance, it is well worth the hike up the extinct volcano to see the best vantage points of the city and countryside below. Later in the evening head back to the Royal Mile for a walking ghost tour if you dare, followed by a romantic candlelit dinner at The Witchery by The Castle.

Spending a few days in Edinburgh? Don’t forget to sign up for the Edinburgh city pass to enjoy free access to over 25 top attractions and gain exclusive offers for restuarants and shops throughout the city.

One of the hardest things about going on vacation is not being sure of where to go to eat. If you choose the wrong place your vacation can be disappointing. Many people on vacation have found that a quick visit with the locals can be a great way to guide them to something unique and special–from fine dining establishments to street food vendors, so spend some time talking to people about what their favorite restaurant is and why.
After a long day of vacationing, which might entail hiking, biking or the exertion of lots of energy it’s comforting to know the day is going to end with a fantastic meal. For a lot of vacationers, nothing hits the spot quite like a steak. If you’re looking for comfort food, or just to treat yourself for a vacation well earned, a steak is the only way to go.

In today’s world with explosive technology at your fingertips, it’s not terribly hard to find the best steakhouse no matter where you’re vacationing. Sites like Google Maps, Yelp and Urbanspoon can take the guess work out of any dinner dilemma and have you sitting in the best steakhouse in town. Any of these sites can help guide you to a world renowned steak restaurant or one you may never even have heard of.

Steak is one of those foods that make us feel good about ourselves. It’s tasty, its decedent and it brings families together on their “dream’ vacations”. Whether that vacation is in New York City or Key West, or whether it is a romantic vacation for two or involves the whole family, finding the right place to eat a delicious steak is imperative.

So, don’t leave the important decision of where to dine in the hands of fate or chance. Let your family enjoy all of the delights of a premier steakhouse by spending a few minutes finding the perfect place.

For travellers with a zen for the greatest of adventure courtesy of the great outdoors, Scotland’s got the goods with your name all over it. Book it to this titillating destination in the United Kingdom as soon as your daily grind permits; you won’t find an escape in landscapes quite like it anywhere in the world. Indeed, Scotland today is justifiably touted as Europe’s singular capitol for adventure. Here you’ll find the cream of the crop for outdoor action in all its rich variety, for whatever it is you seek and whatever your ability, personalized for your optimal pleasure by Mother Nature in her Scotland finest.

Calling all extreme sports adventure enthusiasts: Scotland is a premier locale for adrenaline-pumping activities of the highest thrills and stakes. The country’s spectacular natural landscapes provide a singularly dramatic playground for your extreme frolics, upping the ante to awe-inspiring heights. Its legendary white-water rivers play host to rapid-rafting trips to quench the thrill-seeking thirst of the most insatiable surfers and sailors; stunning gorges, thundering waterfalls, and cliff jumps are just several of the awe-inspiring natural attributes marking these quests. For skiers and snowboarders, Scotland’s at once majestic and tumultuous mountain ranges are beckoning, equally so to mountain-bikers, sky-divers, hang-gliders, and bungee-jumpers.

Scotland also caters to the many adventurers preferring a more luxurious take on their great outdoors experience; in fact, the country is a choice destination for travellers seeking the exceptional respite and serenity that only communing with nature’s scenic wonders can induce. Luxury adventures in Scotland abound, with countless easy-going outdoor activities impeccably designed to foster ultimate tranquility– and ease and peace of mind and body–amidst the country’s natural habitat. Lingering open canoe paddling, dawn wildlife excursions, and meandering woodland strolls are only a representative slice of Scotland’s breath-taking outlets for freeing escapism in the great wide open.

Life’s too short to skimp out on its most miraculous natural adventures; but for a one-stop shop for these pleasures in all their glorious breadth and depth, Scotland has you covered in world-class style and substance.

Imagine visiting the beautiful landscape of Scotland. Imagine jet-setting to one of the most interesting places on earth, rich with history and allegiance to its contributions, with lakes, beaches and peaks that are some of the most majestic in the world. You can participate in the many festivals that take place throughout a year with the indigenous folks that bring the Scottish spirit alive upon every visit. The natural decor and appeal of the hustle and bustle of Scotland’s industrious world will carry you into a once-in-a-lifetime vacation and tourist experience.

Match your idea of urban living with the image of New York luxury condos and you will have created a formula for a retreat from where you come from. Like New York, Scotland is a mecca for art and fashion and everything that embraces celebrity-status and brand marketing that appeals to the world at-large. Scots are famously proud of their musical and photographic contributions that continue to evolve and invite the elite of the world to experience it for themselves in their country.

From film to jazz and accessories to couture dresses, Scotland hosts a vibrant array of artistic presentations both within their landscape of hills and freshwater as well as pop culture. A Scottish vacation or visit is your key to experiencing the life connected to the restaurants that serve international cuisine, the venues that showcase internationally-acclaimed shows, and the workplaces that make the world go round. Whether you are traveling alone, for business or pleasure, or with a group, travel packages and accommodations are available throughout the country to suit unique needs and interests. No matter your circumstances, Scotland awaits your arrival and hopes you stay for while. This is one vacation you won’t want to miss.

If you are thinking about a trip to Scotland there are several things you should take into consideration. You should first establish what kind of trip you are looking to take. Do you want to simply see the sights? Then you might be interested in arranging a tour with a company designed to visit the tourist spots.

There is a lot to see and do on most tours, but it’s not always best to stick to the beaten path. There is a ton of things you can do that most wouldn’t consider. Most people intend to visit a pub in Scotland, but don’t be afraid to take to the streets of Glasgow on foot and look for the pubs that you might find locals at. Odds are good the prices will be cheaper and you can ensure you will have a much more realistic Scotland experience.

Another thing you can do to save some money is instead of staying in a hotel consider staying in a hostel. Typically, you will share a room and the bathroom will be a community arrangement. While not as luxurious it will save you some cash and give you a chance to meet people that you probably wouldn’t have ordinarily have meet on your typical tour. Another option to save money might to check Craigslist for people looking to exchange housing for a couple of weeks. You should be careful and make sure you are very careful and watch closely for scams.

No matter where you are traveling, get the 411 on scams before you go. Whether it is the Scotland 411 or the Canada 411, having the right information can go far in preparing you for what traveling to that country is going to be like. A little bit of planning and preparation prior to traveling abroad can really come in handy in keeping you safe.