From Edinburgh to the Highlands

About the destination: Capital of the medieval kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh is arguably the most beautiful city in Northern Europe. Still the centre of Scotland’s autonomous administrative establishments, Edinburg has become neither too modernized to be cold nor too large to be unattractive. Medieval alleyways cluster around an imposing castle, elegant 18th century townhouses sweep around lush parks, and culture thrives. Unquestioned centrepiece of the city, Edinburgh Castle looms into view around street corners for miles around. 11th century Queen Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburg, is contained within the castle walls. Walking towards the palace, you’ll pass the medieval dwelling called Gladstone’s Land, and Lady Stair’s House, a 17th century town house containing memorabilia of Scotland’s literary trinity of Burns, Scott and Stevenson. The final lap of the Mile, the city's old quarter, is the Canongate Tolbooth that houses the People's Story Museum and is one of its most recognizable landmarks. For a sweeping view of the city, climb Arthur’s Seat, a dormant volcano located in Holyrood Park. Calton Hill offers, as well, beautiful views of Edinburgh. But there's more to Edinburgh than sightseeing. For some urban flair check in to Stockbridge, a quaint community full of students, coffeeshops and good pubs. Every August the city celebrates the Edinburgh International Festival, three weeks of the finest music, theatre, opera and dance. Thousands of culture-minded visitors congregate here and the city does its best to keep them happy.

About the destination: Fort William is the second largest settlement in the Highlands of Scotland with around 10,000 inhabitants. Fort William is a major tourist centre, with Glen Coe just to the south, Aonach Mòr to the north and Glenfinnan to the west, on the Road to the Isles. It is a centre for hillwalking and climbing due to its proximity to Ben Nevis and many other Munro mountains. It is also known for its nearby downhill mountain bike track. You must visit the West Highland Museum, old fashioned museum of Highland history just off High Street. It´s open M-Sa 10.00 – 16.00, entrance free.

About the destination: Portree, the main town on the Isle of Skye, is a bustling port and a thriving cultural centre. Set round its natural harbour and fringed by high ground and cliffs, the town is a popular tourists’ holiday destination and the harbour continues to be used by fishing boats as well as pleasure craft. It boasts excellent leisure facilities including a swimming pool, pony-trekking and boat cruises plus plenty of shopping opportunities in addition to the great variety of accommodation ranging from upmarket hotels through guest houses, B&Bs, self-catering establishments and hostels. There is also a campsite nearby. Portree is also the cultural hub for Skye and one of its main attractions, the award-winning Aros Centre, runs regular theatre, concerts and film screenings. The centre also incorporates an exhibition capturing the drama of Skye’s history, a spectacular RSPB exhibit with live and recorded footage of rare sea eagles plus an audio-visual presentation giving a dramatic aerial view of Skye’s incredible landscapes. The town is a popular base for exploring the rest of the island. Many visitors are drawn to the spectacular scenery of the Trotternish Ridge to the north as this wild area is dominated by weird and wonderful at the same time rock formations such as the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the truly extraordinary pinnacles of the Quaraing.

About the destination: Inverness is the nerve centre and tourist capital of the Highlands. A bustling port city located on the picturesque banks of the Ness River is a fantastic base to explore this Scottish region that contains some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain. But this city is worth a visit in its own right. Inverness is an interesting and attractive city with a rich variety of places to visit and things to do; from ancient castles to restaurants to a cruise on Loch Ness or a stroll along the river. The city itself is small, compact and easy to get around. The castle in town, perched picturesquely above the river, dominates the horizon. The castle’s present day structure is a 19th century imposing Neo-Norman red stone fortress still surrounded by part of its original bastion wall. Below the castle, the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery gives a good general overview of the development of the Highlands while medieval Church Street is home to the town’s oldest-surviving buildings. Contrary to the lore, Inverness castle is not where Macbeth murdered King Duncan; the actual site is a moat-and-drawbridge dream, Cawdor Castle, located just east of Inverness. The beautiful gothic construction is well worth a visit if only for its dazzling gardens. The ruins of Urquhart Castle, a local and national icon and one of the most photographed sites of the region, are on the north side of the Loch. This is where most sightings of the famous monster have occurred. Nowadays, Inverness is a modern city, with all the modern accommodations and amenities one could expect from a major city. There are many lovely riverside restaurants and bustling pavement cafes as well as a wide range of specialist retailers in the historic Old Town and Victorian Market. Whether it’s roaming the streets of the city itself or heading out into the Highlands of Scotland for a day trip, Inverness definitely stands as one of those ultimately must-see destinations in the United Kingdom.

About the destination: Capital of the medieval kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh is arguably the most beautiful city in Northern Europe. Still the centre of Scotland’s autonomous administrative establishments, Edinburg has become neither too modernized to be cold nor too large to be unattractive. Medieval alleyways cluster around an imposing castle, elegant 18th century townhouses sweep around lush parks, and culture thrives. Unquestioned centrepiece of the city, Edinburgh Castle looms into view around street corners for miles around. 11th century Queen Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburg, is contained within the castle walls. Walking towards the palace, you’ll pass the medieval dwelling called Gladstone’s Land, and Lady Stair’s House, a 17th century town house containing memorabilia of Scotland’s literary trinity of Burns, Scott and Stevenson. The final lap of the Mile, the city's old quarter, is the Canongate Tolbooth that houses the People's Story Museum and is one of its most recognizable landmarks. For a sweeping view of the city, climb Arthur’s Seat, a dormant volcano located in Holyrood Park. Calton Hill offers, as well, beautiful views of Edinburgh. But there's more to Edinburgh than sightseeing. For some urban flair check in to Stockbridge, a quaint community full of students, coffeeshops and good pubs. Every August the city celebrates the Edinburgh International Festival, three weeks of the finest music, theatre, opera and dance. Thousands of culture-minded visitors congregate here and the city does its best to keep them happy.