Shimmering lochs, silent glens, romantic castles, remote islands, vibrant festivals, drams of whisky and rounds of golf. The birthplace of “Rabbie” Burns and Harry Potter is a proud nation, and no wonder: Scotland has fuelled the passions of artists, writers and adventurers for centuries.
- Edinburgh Castle
- Scottish National Gallery
- National Museum of Scotland
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
- Riverside Museum
- Isle of Skye
- Loch Ness and the Great Glen
- Glencoe
- Culzean Castle
- The Cairngorms
1. Edinburgh Castle
Dominating the city’s skyline since the 12th century, this castle is a national icon and, deservedly, one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions. Din Eidyn, “the stronghold of Eidyn”, from which Edinburgh takes its name, was the vital possession in Scotland’s wars. Varying roles as royal palace, barracks, prison and parliament have all helped shape this castle, home to the Scottish crown jewels and the fabled Stone of Destiny.
2. Scottish National Gallery
The National Gallery of Scotland is a striking neoclassical building in the middle of Edinburgh's Princes Street that is not to be missed and is widely regarded as one of the best small galleries in the world. The collection is a manageable collection of excellence, including works by the biggest names in Western art - Raphael, Titian, El Greco, Rembrandt and Monet to name a few - as well as Rayburn, Wilkie and more A series of Scottish masterpieces, McTaggart and more.
3. National Museum of Scotland
This treasure trove brings together some of Scotland's finest and rarest antiques in interconnected buildings on Chambers Street, Edinburgh. Both buildings maintain distinct character: the old 19th century building is dedicated to international heritage, while the modern sandstone wing is dedicated to the history of Scotland and its people.
4. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Scotland's most visited collection includes around 8,000 works of international importance. Comprising ancient cultures from around the world, as well as European and Scottish art, the collection gives you a glimpse into Glasgow's cultural transformation from the Middle Ages to the 19th and 21st centuries, including the 2014 Commonwealth Games, when the city stole all performance Out of their sense of hospitality and fun. There's also a quirky playfulness in Kelvingrove's contrasting display.
5. Riverside Museum
This stunning £74million building on the banks of the River Clyde was the winner of Europe's Museum of the Year, dedicated to transport, technology and leisure. As well as an extraordinary collection of trains and trams, boats and bicycles, cars and even skateboards, the museum looks at the social impact of transport on the city of Glasgow. You can easily spend a few hours in this great museum, the whole museum is interactive.
6. Isle of Skye
The Misty Isles are known for their towering, rugged mountains and wild coastlines due to violent geographic upheaval. Add in colourful little farms (farms), waterfalls, extraordinary whisky distilleries, castles connected to a fairy tale world and the historical romance of Prince Charles, and you'll find all of the Scots' favourite ingredients on the Isle of Skye, symbolised by Highland.
7. Loch Ness and the Great Glen
A geological fissure once split the country from coast to coast, dividing Scotland in two. Glaciers deepened the rift, and today the result is a long canyon with steep forested mountains and dark and mysterious lakes. Castles and forts abound, proving the strategic importance of the Grand Canyon, enhancing its dramatic splendor through intrigue and nostalgia. And the legendary Loch Ness monster, elusive but unruly, still attracts interest from the scientific community.
8. Glencoe
Nowhere has the traveler been so abruptly faced with the enchanting power of the Scottish mountains. The road winds beneath these characteristic peaks, sometimes dark and ominous, sometimes bright and inviting. This ancient and famous mountain pass also has a rich history: the rustling of cattle, clan fights, and, most infamously, the "Glenco Massacre" of 1692. In summer, the area is a popular meeting place for walkers and climbers. In winter, it is one of the leading ski resorts in the country.
9. Culzean Castle
Once a rather dull defensive tower, Culzean (pronounced "Cullane") has been transformed into a richly proportioned and elegant mansion by architect Robert Adam. Work began in 1777 and continued for nearly 20 years, with the Kennedy family spending little on the decoration and craftsmanship of the clifftop home. A masterpiece of the land of magnificent castles, Culzean was gifted to the country and fully restored in the 1970s. Its grounds became Scotland’s first public country park in 1969.
10. The Cairngorms
