From prehistoric times, Scotland was a wild land that had to be tamed. Its resilient early inhabitants persevered to make this country of rugged landscapes and wet, cold weather into what it is today. The Scots have had struggles with both the conditions and its neighbours throughout the years, giving them a rich history and a unique culture that is world-famous.
The popular travel website tripadvisor.co.uk lists more than 400 destinations in Scotland, emphasising the importance that tourism has on the country. Some of the statistics related to Scotland, sourced from tripadvisor.co.uk are as below:
Scotland by the Numbers
Source: www.tripadvisor.co.uk
Accommodation:
Hotels: 1,382
Bed and Breakfast / Inns: 4,993
Holiday Rentals: 6,062
Destinations: 405
Things to see/do: 4,463
Restaurants: 11,036
Attractions:
Destinations: 405
Things to see/do: 4,463
Cuisine:
For a special treat, try out the street markets in many cities and towns. Small speciality shops selling traditional Scottish food are another great way to taste the best of what Scotland has to offer.
This two-part article will look at the six most visited destinations in Scotland, as listed in tripadvisor.co.uk. In this part, we will look at the first three.
1. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, and the second largest in terms of both size and population. A city which prides itself on being the administrative capital of the country, Edinburgh has a long and proud history, and the evidence is immediately clear for anyone who enters it.
Dominating the city’s skyline is the iconic Edinburgh Castle, built in the 12th Century as the seat of Scottish royalty. The large and generally well-preserved castle compound is now home to several museums and exhibits, including the Scottish Crown Jewels, which includes the last crown worn by a Scottish king. The terrace on the castle’s entrance is also the venue for several Scottish celebrations throughout the year, the largest of which is Hogmanay, the days-long Scottish New Year celebration. Scottish dancers, games, bagpipes, and other items are included in this celebration, which culminates on the dawn of each year.
Edinburgh, like most major cities of its age, is a blend of ancient and modern. An attractive modern cityscape juxtaposed with the old city, which has stood the test of time, is one of the many charms of the city. The new and old cities together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Palace at Holyroodhouse, the official seat of the British monarch in Scotland, is a majestic building erected in the 17th century and some areas are open for public viewing at certain times. Between the Palace at Holyroodhouse and the Edinburgh castle is a straight thoroughfare known as the Royal Mile, which travels through the old city of Edinburgh, and is an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, pubs, and visitor attractions.
The Scottish Parliament building, the seat of the Scottish Government, considered a masterpiece of modern architecture, is also open to the public at certain times.
Among this attractive city’s other attractions is the popular Edinburgh Zoo, the largest of its kind in Scotland. The Whiskey Museum is a privately owned museum not far from the Edinburgh Castle that offers information on the history of making whiskey, the different kinds of whiskey available and other intricacies of the process of distilling this popular beverage. A science centre known as Our Dynamic Earth brings science education to a whole new level, with modern innovative technologies as well as pure science educational tools for children and adults alike.
If you are into museums, you are in for a treat in Edinburgh. We recommend spending a few days to go through the city’s many museums including the Scottish National Museum, the Museum of Childhood, and the Scottish Writer’s Museum, among many others.
The city’s smaller historical buildings, including famous pubs, coffee shops, and restaurants are also among well-visited sites in the city. Special mention should go to The Elephant House, the coffee shop where JK Rowling wrote the world’s best-selling series of books (later adapted into movies) about the boy wizard Harry Potter.
Historical attractions aside, Edinburgh is a great city for shopping. Larger department stores and smaller shops are interspersed within the new city’s shopping areas, and if you are out souvenir shopping, you don’t have to go much further than the city’s little souvenir shops. Large shopping malls are aplenty, and so are a wide array of restaurants and pubs for you to enjoy many of the world’s finest cuisines.
Not to be forgotten are Edinburgh’s many festivals, including the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the Edinburgh International Food Festival, each of which brings a large number of tourists from within and outside of the United Kingdom.
Visitors will find a whole range of accommodation options in Edinburgh, be it a hotel, Bed and Breakfast, an inn, or a rental property, if you wish to stay for a longer period.
Edinburgh at a glance:
Hotels: 146
Attractions: 695
Restaurants: 1853
Travel Center UK has partnered with several world-class airlines to take you to this cosmopolitan city, served by Edinburgh Airport. Contact us today and make your bookings to have a wonderful holiday in Edinburgh.
2. Glasgow
Glasgow is considered Scotland’s second city, although it is both the largest in terms of size and the most populous. A city which combines old and new with a flair like no other in Scotland, Glasgow is personified by its taller and larger buildings, great transport system, wonderful wide roads, and a friendly and diverse population. Glasgow is one of Scotland’s more attractive cities to visit.
Among the city’s historical attractions are the impressive Glasgow Cathedral – built in the 12th century – and the Glasgow Necropolis, the final resting place for some of Glasgow’s more famous inhabitants.
Glasgow is one of the few cities of Scotland that feels like both a real metropolis and a warm, welcoming town. The busy crowded streets and colourful people make Glasgow one of the most alluring cities in Scotland. A common sight in Glasgow are buskers (street performers), who get to perform freely within the city. Most of these street performers will leave you mesmerised as to their vocal talent and skill with musical instruments.
Among other attractions in Glasgow are the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the largest in Scotland, the Glasgow University museum, the modern Glasgow Science Centre, the headquarters of BBC Scotland, and the Gallery of Modern Art. Not far from Glasgow is Falkirk, the location of the famous Falkirk wheel, a masterpiece of engineering and design, which is a boat lift with a unique design, and is well worth a visit.
Glasgow features great nightlife, an excellent range of world cuisines in a mind-boggling number of restaurants, and entertainment and shopping venues that are of the highest standards.
Getting around Glasgow is not just easy, it’s also fun. A small but efficient underground rail network connects some of the city’s attractions, and is a fun way to travel. Buses and trains are also available for travel, as are taxis. Glasgow is a highly pedestrian friendly city as well, so a city sightseeing tour on foot is a great idea.
A quick trip to Edinburgh, just 45 miles away, is also recommended, for a great cultural and historical experience.
Glasgow at a glance:
Hotels: 89
Attractions: 467
Restaurants: 1752
TravelCenterUK offers great value holidays to Glasgow. Call our team of experts today and book your flights. The city is served by the Glasgow International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom.
3. Aberdeen
Situated in the Northeast of Scotland, Aberdeen is considered the Oil and Gas capital of Europe. The former fishing village and centre of education – Aberdeen had two universities at a time when England had two – has now become one of the richest cities in the United Kingdom, and is known to have the postcode with the highest concentration of high net worth individuals in the nation.
Aberdeen is affectionately known as the Granite City for its buildings with unique granite facades, which are sourced from an ancient quarry located within the city limits. On a sunny day, the granite will glisten in a shade of silver, and make the city very attractive.
The more than 1.3 mile long Union Street is the city’s main thoroughfare, and is a great area for some shopping. The main attractions in the city centre are St. Nicholas Kirk (‘Kirk’ is Scottish for ‘Church’), a 10th to 11th century church in the heart of the city; the Aberdeen Art Gallery; the Tollbooth museum, which commemorates the prison that used to be located in the area; the Aberdeen Maritime Museum at Provost Ross’s House, which shows the long history of seafaring in the Aberdeen area, first as a fishing and trade port, and later as a major port for the Oil and Gas industry in the North Sea; Provost Skene’s House, the oldest known dwelling in Aberdeen, which now houses a museum; the Gordon Highlander’s Museum, celebrating the highland military traditions of Northeast Scotland; and the Marischal Museum, which contains artefacts from the University of Aberdeen’s 800-year history, and is housed in the old Marischal College building, which was recently restored to its former glory.
The city’s old quarter, known as Old Aberdeen, is home to the University of Aberdeen, and covers an area with a lot of historical buildings such as the 12th Century St. Machar’s Cathedral. The University itself is an example of outstanding ancient architecture, and is well worth a visit.
Shopping malls and University campuses are among the newer attractions in the city. Gambling is legal in Aberdeen, and plenty of casinos dot the city’s main areas. The beach area is known for its fun and games, and the sandy beach is ideal for a nice relaxing jog or walk. The water is – quite expectedly – cold, and wading is not recommended even in summer.
The city is home to a few recreational parks, which are great to spend some time catching some rays, or for a fun time out with family and friends. Duthie Park comes highly recommended, and one of the main attractions is the indoor botanical garden known as the David Welsch Winter Gardens, carefully subdivided into several climactic conditions, from tropical to arid to temperate.
Aberdeen has a few interesting and popular walking and cycling tracks, where you will get to see the city and its suburbs from up close.
A few miles from Aberdeen city are a few locations of interest.
Balmoral Castle, open for a few months every year, is the holiday home to the British monarch, and certain areas of the premises are open to public tours. The town of Huntly, famous for its variety of internationally known brands of Whiskey, is well worth a visit for its scenic beauty, if not for anything else. South of Aberdeen is the town of Stonehaven, birthplace of the deep fried Mars bar, and is home to a few traditional ‘chip shops’, some of which still use the old methods to fry their food (e.g. using Lard instead of Vegetable oil). If you are interested in castles, Aberdeenshire is the best county in the United Kingdom for it. More than 300 castles dot the map, and among the most famous and attractive are Crathes Castle, Huntly Castle, Dunnotar Castle, and Castle Fraser.
Aberdeen is also the gateway to Orkney and Shetland Islands in the North Sea, the northernmost islands in the United Kingdom. Ferry services are the ideal way to get to these islands, once the home of Vikings, the evidence of which still remains in these amazing islands.
Aberdeen at a glance:
Hotels: 62
Attractions: 193
Restaurants: 500
TravelCenterUK provides holidays to Aberdeen. The city is served by the Aberdeen International Airport, and we have partnered with the best airlines in the world to take you to Aberdeen in safety and in comfort. Call our experts and book your flights to visit the Granite City today!
In the second part of this article, we will look at the next three most visited cities in Scotland, and a few more places you have to see.
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