Scotland is everything you imagine – whisky, golf, romance of the clans and a wealth of castles and historic sites. The Highlands area is one of the last wildernesses in Europe.

Here are some destinations to explore.

Edinburgh

'Edinburgh,' said the writer Robert Louis Stevenson, 'is what Paris ought to be'. Its magnificent architecture shifts from the lofty tenements and narrow closes of its medieval Old Town as they tumble down the spine of the Royal Mile, to the grace and geometric precision of the Georgian New Town. Above it all, in its towering splendour, stands the Castle.

Every step is a revelation - an alleyway which reveals an ancient courtyard, or a wynd which opens up a new panorama. And yet within this sweeping elegance is a compact city, a bustling city, above all a city which rewards every visitor.

Beyond the city, the Lothian countryside provides a beautiful setting for the rich gems of the capital. This is an area steeped in history, filled with castles, great houses and battle sites. It's also the ancient home of the game of golf and you can find some of the great links and parkland courses of the world here. In fact, the trails and parkland and miles of glorious coastline in the Lothians open up the countryside for everyone - from picnickers on the fine golden beaches, to walkers high in the Pentland Hills.
 

Glasgow

Vibrant and energetic, Glasgow enjoys a year round buzz that visitors just love. Known as Scotland’s style capital with its art deco brasseries, stylish shops and cultural centres, the city boasts more than 30 art galleries and museums and an annual programme of performing arts and festivals. Each year Glasgow hosts the International Jazz Festival and Celtic Connections – the world’s largest winter festival of celtic music and culture.

Long described as Britain’s finest Victorian City, Glasgow’s history is bound with entrepreneurial spirit and commerce. The fortunes made in the transatlantic trading in the 18th century led to the construction of the magnificent building style which is the hallmark of the city today. However, it’s the Art Nouveau “Glasgow Style” for which the city has become famous, and no visitor should miss a trip to the Lighthouse where the story of one of Glasgow’s most celebrated sons, architect and designer Charles Rennie Macintosh is told.

Visitors can take the Clyde Waterbus along the Clyde to explore beyond the city or a paddle steamer into the outer estuary from Greenock. Further into the Clyde Valley is the town of Paisley which gave its name to the distinctive pattern of the Paisley shawl, and is home to the magnificent 12th century.
 

Highlands & Inverness

The Highlands is great escape country. The diversity of landscape from the crags and mountains to the lochs and rivers possesses the power to inspire.

History, legend and romance combine seamlessly to guarantee the visitor a truly memorable adventure. Clan museums and centres such as Armadale Castle and the Museum of the Isle of Skye relate the story of clearances and emigration, while grand houses like Dunrobin Castle near Golspie are open to view and are reminders of the dramatic past.

Inverness, the Highland capital has a buoyant nightlife, pubs and clubs and an excellent shopping centre and makes an excellent touring centre. Visitors can go north west to Inverewe Gardens or Glenmorangie Distillery at Tain, south to Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness, or east to the beaches and golf courses of the Moray Firth around Nairn.

Visitors can sample the local seafood by taking a cruise from Kyle of Lochalsh on the way to Skye, visit the farmers’ markets at Tain and Fort William or take part in the local food and drink festivals.
Wild country means abundant wildlife, and golden eagles and otters on the shore near Gairloch or resident birds in the pinewoods around Speyside can all be seen.

For golfers, there are excellent championship courses at Nairn and Dornoch and for walkers and mountaineers, there are the Cuillins on Skye, Glen Coe and the Torridon Mountains.

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