Eilean Donan Castle

[Jon Mountjoy]

This castle is widely recognized all over the world. First castle was built on this site in 13th century. After that it was rebuilt few times. Situated on the route to the Isle of Sky it can be easily reached by tourists. Destroyed partially in 18th century, the castle remained ruined for over 200 years. In 1911 Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap started its restoration. Nowadays it looks stunningly beautiful.

Balmoral Castle

[Giulio GMDB]

It was purchased by Prince Albert in 1852 as a gift for Queen Victoria. Balmoral Castle served as home of the royal family since then, although it had to be enlarged. Queen used to describe it in her journals as “my dear paradise in the Highlands”. Not only the castle itself is very beautiful, also the surroundings are picturesque. Balmoral Estate covers about 20,000 hectares of forests, farms and moors.

Kilchurn Castle

[L Grove]

This one is merely a ruin now, but it still fascinates tourists. Built in the middle of 15th century by Sir Collin Campbell it was enlarged in following years. Located on the northeastern shore of Loch Awe it looks almost like a scenery from a fairy tail… or maybe Victorian horror story?

Castle Tioram

[robertpaulyoung]

It stared in Highlander III and Highlander:Endgame. Built on small, rocky island on Loch Moidart sometimes it may look really spooky indeed. Nowadays castle is in very poor shape, and the access to the interior is prohibited. New owners are planning its restoration.

Castle Urquhart

[lawmurray]

Located on the north shore of Loch Ness it looks very majestic. As a result of Jacobite uprising it was blown up in 1692, so it wouldn’t become rebels’ stronghold. Castle is open to public and easily reachable from Inverness.

Stirling Castle

[roger4336

Probably Stirling is Scotland's most important castle. Why? Well, it has been besieged eight times, including in 1746 – during Wars of Scottish Independence. Tourists may visit Palace at Stirling (one of the best preserved renaissance buildings in Great Britain), Stirling Heads Gallery and Chapel Royal. Some say that Stirling Castle is haunted by some ghosts!

Edinburgh Castle

[kevgibbo]

Edinburgh Castle can be easily seen over the city. What is interesting, it was built on extinct volcano. For centuries it was symbol of Scotland, and from 1995 it is World Heritage Site. Scotland’s coronation stone (Stone of Destiny) is being kept here, in the Crown Room, as well as crown jewels, oldest royal regalia in United Kingdom.

Inveraray Castle

Englishpointers (Back lots better back to work)

Located in Argyll on the shores of Loch Fyne in western part of the country, it is a popular attraction. It is worth to see armoury hall, clan room and… the old kitchen located in the basement.  Some say that Inveraray Castle is haunted.

St Andrew’s Day is one of the most meaningful days for Scots. Since 2007 it is a bank holiday and is widely celebrated, not only in Scotland but throughout the world, especially by Scottish emigrants.

St Andrew’s Day, November the 30th, is celebrating the patron of Scotland, who was one of the Twelve Apostoles. He was a Galilean fisherman, who had been crucified on a diagonally transversed cross, that is now the flag of Scotland, also known as Saltire. He was said to help Agnus II and his army to win against the Angles. Ever since his relics were brought to Scotland from Caledonia in the 10th century, St Andrew had become the patron of this beautiful country.

It used to be the tradition for Scottish farmers that their workers go out St Andra’ing where they would catch rabbits and hares and have a feast on a singed sheep’s head, though they would have called it a heid. There would have been much drinking to celebrate the day.  Now there are many concerts, festivals and dance shows called ceilidh. Since the 30th is the opening day of Christmas Markets, it is a joyful time full of bagpipe music, traditional cuisine and beverages. Scots, being very proud of their tradition, make it a point to show the best of it during this time.

St Andrew’s Day is connected to many customs, many of them carried out until this day. It is said that the day before, around midnight a young maiden should pray to Saint Andrew for a husband and look for a sign that they had been heard. Another is for her to throw a shoe at the door – if the toe is directed towards the exit when it falls, it means that the girl will get married in the coming year. There is also the peeling of an apple – the girl has to peel an apple so as not to break the peel itself and throw it over her shoulder. The scrap should form the first letter of her future groom’s name.

These are only couple of traditions. When it comes to food, it is nice to try some cock-a-leekie soup as a started and a main course of haggis. Many enjoy fish dishes on St Andrew’s Day, as the saint was said to be a fisherman. Another way to celebrate is to make use of the free admission to Scottish Castles. These include free entry to Edinburgh Castle, St Andrews Castle and St Andrews Cathedral.

Whether you are planning an adventure to travel to Scotland or you are interested in studying the history of the country, you will be fascinated by the legends and lore of Scotland. When researching Scottish legends, the first thing that most people think of is the Loch Ness Monster or William Wallace but the history of Scotland has produced some of the more interesting legends that people are not aware of.

The history of Halloween can be traced back to Scotland where it began as a religious celebration of the end of summer, called Samhain. Samhain is a Druid festival that marked the time of the year when the days grew shorter and darkness started earlier.

The Shellycoat is condidered the Scottish boogeyman, Boobrie is a legendary water bird that haunts Scottish lakes, Fachan is a creature who dwells in the western highlands of Scotland, Red Cap is an evil creature who lives in a castle on Scotland’s border.

Scotland is also home to some of the most beautiful and mysterious castles in the world. The history and myths associate with the castles of Scotland make up some of the most interesting Scottish legends you will find. Borthwick Castle in Lothian is said to be haunted by Mary Queen of Scots, Eilean Donan Castle is haunted by Lady Mary, Braemer Castle is haunted by The Black Colonel, Edinburgh Castle is reported to be visited by multiple ghosts.

Scottish legends can be found throughout the history of Scotland and is a part of it’s wonderful folklore.

Edinburgh, against the appearance, is not the biggest city of Scotland. But it’s still its capital. Although Glasgow is the biggest Scottish town it’s typical  industrial town, that’s why it wouldn’t be a best place to represent Scotland on the world.

Edinburgh has become a capital of Scotland in 1437 year, and since 1999 it is also a base of Scottish Parliament. Due to its closeness to England Edinburgh was during hundreds of years attacked by English army. Scottish people who wanted to feel safer had built defensive walls. They were functioning till XVIII-century when Scotland united with England as a supreme country. Political life has stopped, London was major town those days. But cultural life was in its best.

In late XVIII-century town was divided into two parts – old and new. Those part were splitt by Princess Street Gardens. In XIX century the old town was devastated by a huge fire. Nowadays its a heart of medieval part of Edinburgh where most important monuments of Scotland are situated like in example Holyrood Palace, St Giles Cathedral and John Knox’s house. The main street of this part of Edinburgh is Royal Mile that connects Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. It’s a main point of tourists trips.

On the other site of the Princess Street Gardens we have New Town. It was created because of conditions that people lived in in Old Town. And in the old part of the town fires were very common. It was because all street there were narrow and the fire had an easy way to go farther. Most people that lived in New Town were wealthy and could effort that. An exclusive houses were built and government buildings. In the New Town we can find most famous street of Scotland – The Princess Street. Thanks to the beautiful view on the castle and gardens it has gathered its fame.

Edinburgh is town that combines all the best qualities of big but not to big towns – it has quite developed cultural/social life and also has an interesting history, great people and many fantastic things to see.

“You tak’ the high Road an’ I’ll tak’ the low road” and we will enjoy a Scottish vacation together, in the Scottish highlands and in the lowlands of Bonnie Scotland. Most people visit Edinburgh and then claim they have “done Scotland”. Others head straight for the Isle of Skye or for Gleneagles Hotel or St. Andrews for a round of golf and then claim the same thing.

You don’t “do Scotland” in a day, or even a few days. Ten days to two weeks is what it takes to experience what Scotland has to offer, and even that is nothing more than a taste of more to come should you wish to return – and most do. So what is needed for you to see Scotland in all her glory? This proud country that has withstood the ravages of invading English, sometimes with great success and sometimes not?

One of the first things you will notice on your Scotland vacation, whether in the Scottish highlands or in the lowlands, is the pride of the people in their country and of their friendliness to visitors. Then you notice the scenery and everything else that makes Scotland what it is. Let’s start on your ideal vacation in Scotland with the type of service you should expect.

First, if traveling from a distance, such as anywhere in the USA, you must travel at least business class. It is 5 hours out and 8 hours back (due to the jet stream), so you will want to travel in comfort. Then you should have personal attention – your personal guide, individual car and chauffeur and first class rail travel. The accommodation in Scotland is generally excellent, but even that should be extra special just for you and your partner or friend.

Scotland’s capital city is Edinburgh, and is universally acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the world. Its main street, Princes Street, is lined with stores and boutiques on one side, and by the gardens on the other where you cannot miss the famous Edinburgh Castle, perched high on a volcanic plug overlooking the entire city. The largest city in the country is Glasgow, about an hour drive away, designed largely by Sir Charles Rennie Mackintosh and home of the famous Burrell collection of art. Glasgow is second only to London as the largest retail center in the UK.

Having visited these two magnificent cities your Scotland vacation should now leave the lowlands of Scotland, and head for the Scottish highlands. The beauty of Loch Lomond, the longest inland loch in the UK, deserves its reputation, and you mustn’t miss it when visiting Scotland. Luss, on the banks of the loch, is a good place to stop for a pint of Scottish beer and to see how kilts or bagpipes are made. The bagpipes are Scotland’s national musical instrument, though some my debate the term ‘musical’.

Scotland is steeped in history, and Inveraray Castle is close by on the sea loch, Loch Fyne. This is the ancestral home of the chief of the Campbells, the Duke of Argyle: more about them below! You should then head for Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain, and just south of there is the gloomy Glencoe, where in 1692 the Campbells were the guests of the MacDonald clan for the best part of a week.

By order of the English king, whom the Campbells supported, they massacred the MacDonalds one wintry Scottish night while they were asleep. Few survived – those that escaped immediate death later froze on the mountains or on Rannoch moor where survival was impossible on a freezing winter’s night. The Campbells have never been forgiven for this treachery, and Glencoe is still a dark and brooding place. It is well worth visiting, as is the Rannoch moor close by.

You should now head off for Mallaig and get the ferry over to the Isle of Skye. Before you reach Mallaig you will pass Glenfinnan, and the memorial on the site where Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) landed in Scotland to claim the Scottish throne – a venture that saw them as far as Derby before the whole campaign ended in tears and slaughter on the field of Culloden close to Inverness, away to the east of here.

Skye itself is a must for any Scotland vacation, and is a beautiful and mysterious island. Dunvegan castle is the seat of the Macleod clan, and still hold the remnants of the ‘Fairy Flag’ that the MacLeods carried into battle. They believed that the flag could call up a fairy army to help them when needed.

Now you must visit Loch Ness and see if you can spot the Loch Ness Monster – many have, and it is amazing how a few good Scottish malt whiskies (no ‘e’ in Scots whisky) make the monster much easier to spot. You pass the loch on your way to Inverness that every Scotland vacation should include in its itinerary. The ancient capital of the highlands, Inverness is just a short drive away from the aforementioned Culloden, where you can still see the mounds under which the clansmen were buried in mass graves after the slaughter. Fought on 16th April, 1746, it was the last battle on British soil, and the last in which claymores tried to defeat muskets and bayonets.

Other places you must visit while on vacation in the Scottish highlands and lowlands include Fife and St. Andrews, with its championship links golf courses, Stirling Castle, Falkirk and the Monument to William Wallace of ‘Braveheart’ fame and many other great Scottish historical sites. You must visit a distillery or two and try out the single malt whiskies, and Rosslyn Chapel is worth a visit. Close to Edinburgh, this has connections with the Knights Templar, and features in Dan Brown’s book ‘The Da Vinci Code’.

Then finish off back in Edinburgh, with perhaps a visit to the haunted vaults under the city or to Mary Queen of Scots’ home, Holyrood Palace. You can visit her bedroom and other apartments in the Palace, situated close to the new Scottish Parliament.

A Scotland vacation in the Scottish highlands and lowlands is the way to ‘do Scotland’ and after all of the above you can truly claim to have ‘done it properly’.

By: Margaret Winfrey

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The Scottish vacation in the Scottish highlands with the personal service, check Ultitude you will be offered a first class luxury Scottish vacation with personal guides. You can also visit Ultitude-Travel.com, our travel blog on luxury vacations Scotland.