Scotland has a lot to offer the visitor on holiday, and when the time comes to leave you may see at the border a sign saying "Haste ye back to Scotland" that will remind you of the good time you had and that you must come again. Some think of the Scots as rather dour people but in fact they are not averse to a bit of fun and are extremely hospitable. Hadrian may have got it wrong when he built a wall to try to keep them out of England.
If you are looking for some peaceful countryside to walk in or just sit and enjoy then of course Scotland has some of the best, from magical lochs, sometimes shrouded in mist, to magnificent hills and valleys, with even the odd mountain. In fact the Highlands are well known for their impressive scenic quality, and include Ben Nevis at over 4,000 feet in height, and peaks such as the Sgurr Fiona, Corrag Bhuidhe, and An Teallach in the north. These mountains are not easily accessible to the ordinary hiker and are best observed rather than climbed. The southern and eastern parts of Scotland are the Lowlands that also have pleasant rolling hills that are ideal for walkers and are closer to civilisation. You can find out more here about various aspects of what Scotland has to offer.
Scotland has a wealth of history in Scotland and some fascinating ancient sites such as those of standing stones dating back many hundreds of years, and many fine castles, some of which have come down relatively unscathed through the centuries. Worth visiting are Urquhart and Edinburgh castle because of their magnificent scale and awesome appearance. The latter dominates the skyline over the city of Edinburgh which itself is a place of diverse interest including historic churches and cathedrals, and many art galleries which include famous works by Impressionists and Dutch Masters, and also a collection of historic portraits in the National Portrait Gallery.
Scotland has beaches too, usually uncluttered by sunbathers strangely, but ideal for surfers and for appreciating the beauty of nature’s sunsets!
Scotland is one of the few places where many animals and birds can still enjoy their natural habitat without too much disturbance from man, motor car, and concrete, and with its many square miles of open landscape, is an ideal destination for the lover of wildlife. There are few other places where you can spot large deer, badgers, otters, and a whole variety of birds such as wild geese, curlews, golden plovers, eagles, and on neighbouring islands the vibrant puffins.
There is too much to see and do in one trip to Scotland, but one trip could be enough to whet your appetite for more experiences in this unspoiled part of the British Isles.
