Scotland Fly & Drive

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: Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city and hosts the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, a major international event which attracts up of the most talented young performing arts companies. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS -Aberdeen Art Gallery. The Aberdeen Art Gallery is set in a Victorian building with an exquisite marble and granite main hall. - Aberdeen Maritime Museum. This museum, rated five-star by the Scottish Tourist Board, tells the story of Aberdeen's relationship with the sea, from fishing to trade to North Sea oil. - Granite Architecture. Aberdeen's granite buildings form one of the most celebrated cityscapes in Britain, with beautiful and architecturally significant buildings. - Aberdeen Beach. The beach stretches from picturesque Footdee at one end to the mouth of the River Don over two miles north. While it's rarely hot enough for sunbathing and the North Sea is cold all year round, it's a fantastic place for a jog or a bracing walk. Surfers and windsurfers are also frequently to be found there. - Old Aberdeen. The quaintest part of the city and location of the University of Aberdeen's King's College Campus. - Winter Gardens. The David Welch Winter Gardens are one of the most popular gardens in Scotland and one of the largest indoor gardens in Europe. Consisting of a variety of glasshouses, they house a wide range of tropical and exotic plants, many of them rare. - The Tolbooth Museum. The museum has fascinating displays on crime and punishment, as well as the history of the city.

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: The most northerly town in mainland Scotland, Thurso is a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside. There’s plenty to see and do in and around the delightful town of Thurso. The town is a hive of lovely traditional shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Other great ‘must-sees’ are the circular wellhouse of Meadow Well, a fine public library and the impressive Janet Street overlooking the River Thurso close to Thurso Bridge. Check out the Swanson Gallery which hosts year round exhibitions of fine artwork, or discover the magical world of Glass Creations by artist Ian Pearson. Caithness Horizons is also well worth a visit with fascinating museum exhibits and a changing annual gallery programme. Thurso is also a major surfing area and a premier heavy cold surf destination which hosts surfing championships, including two World Championships for Kayak surfing. The plentiful reefs, points, river mouths and beaches, on top of the consistent year-round surfing opportunities, make the location a paradise for watersports lovers. West of Thurso is the Dounreay nuclear power station and its story is explained in an exhibition within the Caithness Horizons visitor centre. The dramatic north coast stretches away to the west, while inland is the vast area of blanket bog known as the ‘Flow Country’.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: The picturesque fishing town of Ullapool, nestled on the shores of Lochbroom, is a great holiday destination and a gateway to the Northern Highlands. Situated in one of the least spoilt natural environments in the UK, the town boasts a wealth of things to see and do. There is a great choice of varied walks in the area including mountains, rocky coasts and long inland footpaths with a good portion of the finest summits in the north west Highlands too. The town makes a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside and touring Wester Ross and the Highlands with Inverness being only an hour’s drive south and Stornoway and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides are just a short ferry ride away. Described as an outdoor paradise with a ‘Scandinavian twinkle in winter and Canadian-style adrenaline in summer’ and voted one of the UK’s top 10 outdoor destinations by Outdoor Fitness magazine, the town guarantees a truly unforgettable experience. To the west of Ullapool is the Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, home to pine martens, wildcats, buzzards and golden eagles as well as the unique shape of Stac Pollaidh (sometimes written Stack Polly), one of the most photographed hills in the area. South from Ullapool are attractions such as Leckmelm Shrubbery and Arboretum, Lael Forest Garden, and the dizzying depths of Corrieshalloch Gorge and the Falls of Measach. Along the Road to Poolewe are great views out to sea over golden beaches and green, rocky islands, and famous Inverewe Garden overlooking Loch Ewe.

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: Situated in Lanarkshire on the west coast of Scotland, Glasgow is a vibrant, fashionable city, with a freshness and style that few other U.K cities can match, Glasgow is famous for it's art & culture. Glasgow has internationally recognized art galleries and museums, the best shopping in the UK outside London and the best nightlife Scotland has to offer. With over 800 bars and pubs to choose from and a massive selection of nightclubs, Friday and Saturday nights see the streets swell with people moving from one entertainment to another. Music fans will love the Glasgow's atmosphere due to the number of festivals and live gigs throughout the city. With a wealth of cultural and entertainment options available, visitors will find Glasgow a city to remember. The city is easily accessible with many train and bus stations dotted around the city centre offering very reliable public transport.

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.