Scotland and it's Great Cities

I would like to introduce you to a few major cities of Scotland that I have frequented, lived in, or are located near my home town, and I do apologize if I have missed your favorite city out, but, please let me know and I shall include that in future updates.

The following sites have all the information you need to know about Scotland, and what to do in these cities, have a good look around and enjoy. Welcome to my country.

http://www.visitourscotland.co.uk/ http://www.visitscotland.com/

Scotland My Home My Family

A very nice throw that will suit the more mature ladies, a great gift to receive at Christmas time, you won't go wrong presenting this present. Normally used around the house to take the chill off, and there are many different Tartans to choose frombut this one is special to me and I would like to share it with you ;)

Where better to start than the Capital of Scotland!

Edinburgh the capital of Scotland, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and the second largest city in Scotland. Founded on Castle Rock by ancient British tribes who utilized the strategic elevated position of the volcanic rock. It is named after Edwin, King of Northumbria in the 7th century. Edinburgh did not develop into a town until the 11th century, but it soon grew and in 1532 it was declared Scotland's capital.

Edinburgh Castle has been the home of Scottish Royalty for many centuries. The Scottish Crown Jewels are kept in the Old Royal Palace, and it was here, in a small cramped room, that Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to the future King James VI. Inside the castle walls is the 11th century St Margaret's Chapel. Built in 1076, this is the oldest roofed building in Scotland. The castle is open to visitors and guided tours are given regularly.

The city itself is broken up into two sections: the Old Town and the New Town. The narrow medieval streets of the Old Town stretch east from Castle Hill to Holyrood Abbey. Many medieval buildings are here, including the Parliament House, St Giles Cathedral, the house of John Knox, and Brodie's Close. The New Town is just north of the castle. It was built in the early 19th century and contains many elegant streets lined with Georgian buildings. A beautiful view of impressive Castle hill can be seen from Princes Street. At night this view is even more spectacular.

Edinburgh contains many art galleries and museums. The National Gallery of Scotland, in the New Town, is by far the most impressive. A large collection of European and British paintings from the Renaissance to the 20th century are on display. Famous artists include Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Ramsay and Raphael. Today Edinburgh is a lively city and a huge cultural center.

The Royal Yacht Britannia

Scotland's best visitor attraction. Experience what life was like on board The Royal Yacht Britannia with a fascinating audio tour of five decks. Discover this floating palace that served the British Royal Family for over forty years. Highlights of the tour include the elegant State Apartments, the Crew's Quarters, the Engine Room and the stunning Royal Deck Tea Room. Complimentary audio guide in 22 languages. Open year round with free parking at Ocean Terminal. Only 15 minutes from Edinburgh city center

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

Enjoy unique views of Edinburgh from the fascinating Camera Obscura and rooftop terrace. In World of Illusions, experience five floors of interactive hands-on fun, including vortex tunnel, mirror maze and shrinking room. Get involved, play, touch everything. Great entertainment for all ages and nationalities, whatever the weather. Scotland's oldest purpose-built attraction, established in 1835. Best family attraction in Britain.

Royal Botanic Garden

The Royal Botanic Garden is about 2kms north of Princes Street. It is super and free although entry into the glasshouses is liable to be charged for. The site covers 31 hectares with various habitats showing a huge collection of plants, trees etc. If you visit the glasshouses you may find that in many respects it is on par with the Eden Project in Cornwall. Everything is well labelled and there are audio aids to suit children as well as adults. The restaurant serves excellent food at reasonable prices.

Check out the Official Edinburgh Tourist Board Web Site (Select Picture) for in depth knowledge and advise, go on surprise yourself.

Glasgow the largest city in Scotland, and in its prime it was often referred to as the 'Second Capital'. Glasgow was founded in the 6th century by St Mungo. He built a church here and the town slowly grew around it. Glasgow grew over the centuries and by 1450 it was declared a city. The city gained wealth and importance during the Industrial Revolution due to its iron and steel production. Glasgow grew even more after the Union of Parliaments was signed in 1707 and trade with America made the huge port famous. Glasgow's importance began to decline in the 20th century beginning with the Depression in the 1930's. Today the city is a successful centre of modern technology. Glasgow offers a full range of entertainment throughout the year. The Royal Scottish Opera, the Scottish National Orchestra and the Scottish Ballet can all be found here. The Mayfest is a three week long festival featuring ballet, art, opera and music. Large Folk Festivals run through June and July and the World Pipe Band Championships are held in August. Glasgow Cathedral was built mainly in the 13th century at the site of the original church built by St Mungo. His tomb can be seen in the Lower Church under an impressive fan vaulted ceiling. One of the cathedral's most splendid features is the 15th century stone screen with impressions of the Seven Deadly Sins carved on its corbels. In the centre of the city, on the banks of the River Clyde, is one of Britain's oldest parks, Glasgow Green. The People's Palace Social History Museum can be found here. Collections of Glasgow's art dating from 1175 to the present day are on display. The Burrell Museum is three miles south of the city in Pollock Country Park. The museum's collection was given to Glasgow by Sir William Burrell, a wealthy industrialist who died in 1958. The collection is massive, including silver, bronzes, Oriental jade, furniture, tapestries, prints, needlework and paintings.

Museum Of Transport

The Museum of Transport is located in the Kelvin Hall and is one of the most popular museums of transport in the British Isles, attracting half a million visitors a year. Founded in 1964, it houses many exhibits of national and international importance. The museum uses its collections of vehicles and models to tell the story of transport by land and sea, with a unique Glasgow flavour

St Mungo Museum Of Religious Life & Art

This unique museum explores the importance of religion in people's lives across the world and across time. The building, which stands on the site of the medieval Bishop's Castle, was opened in April 1993. The aim of the museum is to promote understanding and respect between people of different faiths and none

Gallery of Modern Art

In the heart of the city the Gallery of Modern Art houses four floors of today's finest painting, sculpture and installations from around the world. The gallery offers a thought-provoking program of temporary exhibitions and workshops.

Glasgow Cathedral

One of the most magnificent buildings of medieval Scotland, it is a rare example of a complete pre-Reformation Scottish cathedral.

Check out the Trip Advisor for more things to do in Glasgow, walk down the Cathedral Precinct (Select Picture) and see where that takes you!

Aberdeen has grown considerably since 1972 and is now the third largest city in Scotland. There is much here for visitors who have an interest in history and art. The oldest house in Aberdeen is Provost Skene's House. Built in 1545, it was once the home of Sir George Skene, a mayor of Aberdeen in the 17th century. Two hundred years of design can be seen inside the period rooms. The Aberdeen Maritime Museum is located in Shiprow, overlooking the harbour. Exhibitions trace the local seafaring history of Aberdeen. Displays on shipwrecks, fishing, shipbuilding, wrecks and rescues, and the workings of the oil fields can be found here. The Art Gallery features collections of 18th to 20th century art. The decorative arts collection is comprised mostly of Aberdonian silver. Collections of jewellery, ceramics, tapestries and glass can all be seen here. St. Machar's Cathedral is a 15th century granite structure built by Bishop Lichtoun. The stonework of one of the arches dates back to the 14th century. The nave currently serves as the parish church. The oak ceiling is covered with 48 shields from Pope Leo X, St. Margaret, and many kings, bishops and nobles of Scotland Marischal College was founded in 1593 by George Keith, the 5th Earl Marischal. In 1906, Marishcal College joined with King's College and formed Aberdeen University. In Mitchell Hall a window can be seen that illustrates the history of the University. This section of the college is open to visitors.

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Aberdeen has long prospered off of sea-based industries, from the boom of the city's fishing industry in the early 20th century to its oil industry today; this museum explores the historic developments behind the city's maritime industries.

Aberdeen Art Gallery

The art gallery of Aberdeen is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. A particularly attractive example of late 19th century architecture, it houses one of the finest art collections in Britain

Castle Trail

Aberdeenshire is famous for it rich castle tradition and is known as Scotland's castle capital with over 70 castles and castle sites in the region.

Scotland's amazing history can be experienced through some of the world's most unique castles and visitors are encouraged to take in some of the rugged ruins, colossal castles and haunted halls the North East has to offer.

Scotland's only Castle Trail can also be found in Aberdeenshire and features over 12 of the most magical castles from the last millennium. The trail is approximately 150 miles long and reveals some of the country's Norman and Renaissance heritage.

A number of the castles on the trail can be found just a short drive out of the city itself with Drum and Tolquhan Castles and Castles Fraser and Crathes all near Aberdeen.

Check out the Aberdeen Official Tourism Site for more attractions and what to do, hit the night life (Select Picture) and see what that reveals!

Perth lies beside the River Tay in the Tayside region, it is the smallest of Scotland's cities. The Scottish Parliament met there on occasions and it was the home of many Scottish kings.Perth is an historical city that was once the capital of medieval Scotland. The city had religious importance because it was the home to the large monasteries of the Black Friars, the Grey Friars, the White Friars and the Carthusian's. These monasteries were destroyed after the sermons of John Knox in 1559 when he launched the Scottish reformation from the pulpit of St John's Kirk.

The central part of the town is located between two large parks known as the North Inch and the South Inch. A plaque can be found just to the south of the North Inch reminding all of the violence that occurred at this site. It was here that the Black Friars Monastery was destroyed. James I was assassinated here by Sir Robert Graham in 1437. In 1396, the area was the location of violent judicial fighting between Clans. The Fair Maid's House is said to be the oldest house in Perth. Sir Walter Scott chose this as the fictional home of Catherine Glover, the heroine of The Fair Maid of Perth. The house now serves as a craft shop. Scone Palace can be found a few miles north of Perth. Between the 9th and 13th centuries the sacred Stone of Destiny was guarded here. It was seized by Edward I in the 13th century and kept in Westminster Abbey until recently when it was returned to Scotland.

Huntingtower Castle

Huntingtower is an unusual, well-preserved castle, consisting of three different phases of building: a 15th century keep, a nearby but not touching 16th century L-plan tower house, and a later small connecting range. Huntingtower Castle has an interesting history; it was visited by Mary Queen of Scots in 1513 and Lord George Murray, the Jacobite commander, was born there in 1694. This is an excellent place to visit, conveniently located just off the main road north as it by passes Perth.

Perth Museum and Art Gallery

One of the oldest museums in Britain, found in the centre of the fair city of Perth. Exhibitions, both permanent and changing are drawn from our fantastic collections of find and applied art, archaeology, photography and human & natural history. Until Spring 2005, works from the Ferguson Gallery Collection, the largest collection of works by a Scottish colorist.

Perth Sculpture Trail

The Perthshire Public Art Trust has created Perth Sculpture Trail, which is responsible for the development of public art in Perth & Kinross. The trail extends through a mile of beautiful riverside parkland and enhances Perth's attractions as a place to visit, providing a strong national focus for contemporary art in public places.

Check out the Trip Advisor for the attractions in Perth, take a stroll down the high street (Select Picture) and see where that takes you!

Dundee situated on the north side of the Firth of Tay. Dundee is the administrative centre for the Tayside Region of east Scotland and the country's fourth largest city.

Dundee was a famous ship building centre in the 18th century. Today it is an industrial city that has many sights on its famed port. On the waterfront two historic ships can be seen. The H.M.S. Unicorn is a wooden ship of 46 guns that was built in 1824. The Unicorn is the oldest British warship still afloat and it is still fitted as it was on its last voyage. One of the last of the original sailing ships made in Britain is the Discovery. It was a research ship built in 1901 that was used by Captain Scott on two expeditions to Antarctica. It is now anchored at Craig Pier and is open for tours. The McManus Galleries are located in Albert Square. The gallery exhibits collections of Victorian art and archaeological materials of the area. Outside the gallery is a statue of the famous poet Robert Burns.

The city is linked to the south side of the Firth by rail and road bridges.

The Howff Burial Ground is located just north of the city square. This land was once an orchard to a monastery, until it was destroyed in 1548. It became a burial ground in 1564, when Mary, Queen of Scots, gave the land to the town. For three centuries the Howff has been the chief burial ground for the area.

Broughty Castle Museum

Broughty Castle sits imposingly at the mouth of the River Tay. Built in 1496 on a rocky promontory, it has faced many sieges and battles.

Today, it houses fascinating displays on the life and times of Broughty Ferry, its people, the environment and the wildlife that live close by. The Castle has magnificent views over the river, and is only minutes away from Broughty Ferry Beach and Esplanade. It's a 'must-see' attraction if you're visiting Broughty Ferry, and offers something for everyone, with a changing program of events, activities and displays.

Discovery Point

A trip to Discovery Point is an adventure in its own right as audiovisual shows, computer-based multimedia and displays of the actual artifacts of the crew transport you to Antarctica.

Climb aboard Captain Scott's ship RRS Discovery where you will follow in the footsteps of him and his crew, see how they lived, what they ate and witness their hardships and their triumphs. It's a fascinating tale of one of the most heroic voyages of exploration ever undertaken.

A great day out for all the family.

Verdant Works

Verdant Works is the only working jute textile museum in the UK. Dundee was famous the world over for its manufacture of Jute, which, at the time was imported from India. Verdant Works tells the story of the mill workers, most of who were women and children, who worked in treacherous conditions and were poorly paid. It also tells the story of the Jute Barons, the wealthy owners who gained a great deal from this industry. With lots of hands-on interactives, video footage and loving restored working machinery this is a must visit if you come to Dundee.

To find out what's going on in Dundee, set sail (click on picture) on Captain Scott's ship RSS Discovery

Inverness often referred to as the 'capital' of the highlands Inverness is the northernmost major city of Scotland. Once a small village nestling on the shores of the River Ness, Inverness is today a thriving, modern town and commercial centre. The heart of the town offers a wide variety of shopping experiences from the ubiquitous souvenir shops to famous high street retailers like Marks & Spencer. Inverness boasts some of the finest traditional kilt making shops in Scotland and no holiday would be complete without a visit to watch the most famous of all Scottish garments being made. Enjoy a short stroll along the banks of the River Ness, taking in the beautiful St. Andrew's Cathedral, famous for it's unfinished twin spires.

Culloden Battlefield

This battlefield marks the site of the historic 1746 battle between the Duke of Cumberland and Prince Charles.

Bogbain Farm

Bogbain Farm offers quad biking, clay pigeon shooting, archery, paintballing and rage buggies all on one site! Ideal for stag and hen parties and a popular concert venue too, set within a 19th century farm building on the outskirts of Inverness. Home of the Inverness Whisky Festival, Northern Roots Music Festival and the Wild West Fest. Run by Blazin' Fiddles star Bruce MacGregor.

Inverness Day Tours

Experts and authors in Scottish history and heritage take you on exploratory excursions, building in distilleries, boats, ferries and attractions. 6 passenger vehicles (8 by arrangement). An exclusive and personal approach to providing scenic and historic tours. Tours visit Skye, the far north, Loch Ness (speciality), Applecross (amazing), Speyside (hic!), City to City, Great Glen, precious Glen Affric, Glen Coe, Mull and Clan Tours (speciality). Also Diana Gabaldon Outlander Tours

WOW Scotland Tours and Activities

WOW Scotland organize Highland day tours and hiking tours in the Highlands of Scotland. They offer a variety of day tours visiting places such as Loch Ness, Glen Affric, Skye, castles, whiskey distilleries and battlefields. For the more adventurous our hiking tours take you off the beaten track and explore mountain tops, remote lochs and hidden waterfalls. Or why not combine a day tour with a short hike to experience the best of the Highlands?

Inverness Castle

Inverness Castle was built on the site of an earlier fortress in 1835 and sits on a low cliff overlooking the River Ness and the cathedral on the opposite bank. It is thought that 11th-century castle which featured in Shakepeare's play Macbeth (even though there is no historical evidence to suggest that it was where Duncan I was murdered) was in fact located to the east of the present castle. Originally built of wood, it was replaced by a fortress of stone on Castle Hill. Apparently there have been sightings of the ghost of King Duncan walking along the banks of the River Ness in full regalia.

Today Inverness Castle houses the Sherriff's Court. Take Castle Street which winds its way up around the rear of the castle and past some pretty floral displays to get to the statue of Flora MacDonald.

Edinburgh Civil War Memorial with Abraham Lincoln statue. A Civil War memorial to honor the Scots who fought in the Union Army. It is exceptional, as it is the only memorial outside the United States to those who lost their lives in the Civil War.

Check Abraham Lincoln for more information.

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