Scotland’s spectacular landscape has made if popular over the years with its beauty and impressive mountain scenery. Travelers will experience the warm hospitality of the Scot’s and marvel at the panorama of the undeveloped coastline and countryside. Add to this a superb range of accommodations and exciting year-round events and festivals and you will have vacations of a lifetime.
Scotland’s main cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are packed with things to do at any time of the year. If you are flying into Scotland, your journey may begin by visiting the Capital City of Edinburgh. Edinburgh’s attractions include the National Gallery of Scotland, one of Europe’s most distinguished galleries, the Royal Botanic Garden, the Royal Museum of Scotland and the famous Edinburgh Castle. The Castle with it dramatic backdrop to Edinburgh’s skyline offers visitors a sense of the Medieval times. Within the Castle is the Crown Room where the Crown Jewels are on display. Other destination to visit might include the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland at the foot of the Royal Mile.
Accommodations vary from 5 star hotels to guesthouses. Restaurants and shopping are abundant within the city and easy to access. Edinburgh is a wonderful city to walk around, taste and experience.
From Edinburgh you may journey north along the coastline to St. Andrews which winds through countryside of quaint towns and small villages. St. Andrews is situated on the East Coast of Scotland, 50 miles north of Edinburgh and is the home to golf. Golf was first played in St. Andrews around 1400 and is famous for the British Open and the appeal to play one the world’s landmark golf courses. The Old Course at St. Andrews is open to the public and tee times are accessible through a daily lottery or advance reservation. The town of St. Andrews is a quaint university town with many discerning and attractive shops and restaurants. Travelers can easily spend 3 to 4 nights.
If you want to play golf, there are over 470 golf courses around Scotland offering the challenge of the links courses by the sea to the lush fairways of the parkland courses. Green fees vary but municipal courses are the least expensive as compared to the private courses. Handicap certificates may be required at some courses and walking is usually the standard. Most of the hotels in the area will help travelers arrange tee times at the local courses. The top renowned courses may require an advance tee time set up ahead of time prior to arrival.
If you want to tour castles, there are many within a 100-mile radius of St. Andrews. Castles in Scotland means everything from ruined fortresses to stately homes. They range from the boarders of England to the Highlands. Within a days drive you may visit many fascinating famous castles and stately homes. Many of the properties owned by Historic Scotland stay open year round, including the Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle on the banks of the Loch Ness.
No matter what season you choose or activity, you are sure to experience the allure Scotland has to offer. James TravelPOINTS has experience travel agents to help you plan your vacation into Scotland. Give us a call at James TravelPOINTS 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com to help set a vacation of a lifetime.
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