Must-Visit Scotland Sights & Attractions
There might be plenty of beautiful place in the world, but absolutely nothing can compare the spectacular beauty of Scotland. Being one of the most gorgeous countries in Europe, it is a heavenly abode for the peace seekers. Its beauty will inspire you and its serenity will energize you. There is so much to do and see in Scotland that it becomes nearly impossible to narrow down to few places, but nevertheless here is a list of must-see places that you cannot miss while visiting Scotland:
Dunnottar Castle: Spectacular Ruined Fortress in Scotland
A romantic and beautiful setting, Dunnottar Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland. Visiting such a place can be an unforgettable experience, but tourists who plan a visit here should know something about the importance of this fortress, too. The medieval fortress is located near Stonehaven, being surrounded by the North Sea. Initially, the castle was known as Pictish fortress.
It is believed that the castle was first built sometime during the 5th century. In the 13th century, a new addition was brought to the castle. Back then, a stone church was constructed here. The new church was dedicated to St Ninian. Dunnottar is an impregnable fortress with a rich and fascinating history. The castle has witnessed some of the most dramatic events in British history. The construction itself has served with different purposes throughout the years. It has been a religious center, but also one of the most feared prisons in Scotland.
For no less than 1000 years, this castle played an important role in the history of the country. Since Dunnottar Castle had great strategic importance in the history of Scotland, it witnessed many battles. It suffered a lot of damage, too.
In 1715, the castle was confiscated by the government from Earl Marischal. Until then, the castle was home to Marischal, one of the most powerful families in the country. Between 1715 and 1925, the beautiful construction remained neglected and unfortunately the damage it suffered throughout the years was never completely repaired. In 1925, Viscountess Cowdray started the restoration of this fascinating building, even though the castle remained open for visits. During a vacation in this area of Scotland, the Dunnottar Castle is a must-see.
Edinburgh Castle
Its intricate architecture and amazing grandeur gives it an obvious spot in this list. Being one of the most famous castles in Scotland, it is located on top of a volcano thus, covering the Edinburgh skyline. In Edinburgh Castle, you can take a guided tour to dig deep in rich Scottish history, peep in the royal rooms and marvel at St. Margate’s Chapel which is the oldest building in Scotland. This castle owing to its high location gives you a mesmerizing sky view of the beautiful Edinburgh city. With the memorials, museums and exhibitions that can be visited, there are many activities that the tourists of all age group can participate in and enjoy. You can even visit the Whiskey manufacturing house in its vicinity or even take the Haunted tours at night.
Cairngorms National Park
Covering most of the area between Aberdeen and Inverness, it is the largest National Park in Britain. You can visit the Reindeers and see them live in their natural habitat while taking the steam train back. The beautiful towns surrounding the national park, provides a great photographing opportunities. You can take a stroll, savor the delicious Scottish traditional tea or just relax in the restaurants and pubs. With the multiple outdoor activities, entertainment is personified for people of all age groups.
Isle Of Sky
Situated in the west coast of the Scottish mainland, you can easily reach this place by the Sky Bridge. With its diverse and rich flora, each and every area of this Isle is unique and capturing. The best way to enjoy the beauty of this place is by the bicycle ride which is the most opted choice of tourists, but if you want to cover more area in less time, then a car would be the best commuting option.
Loch Ness, Inverness
This is the most famous tourist attraction in Scotland owing to the Loch Ness Monster legend. Amongst the many hot water ponds in Scotland, this is the largest and hugely visited. So apart from keeping the children occupied in monster spotting, it provides equal fun opportunities for adults in adventure sports like golf, fishing and horse riding. Apart from the outdoor attractions, this place has a museum, Caledonian Canal visiting center to keep you entertained.
Stirling Castle
Being one of the largest castles in Scotland, it is amazingly surrounded by steeps on 3 sides. You can cherish the rich historical architecture while taking stroll in its delicately carved kitchen and the rooms which were once occupied by the Scottish Royals. This building is rightfully called the finest renaissance building in Scotland. If you are a fan of traditional Scottish architecture, then do not miss visiting this place.
Scottish Cottages
A trip to experience the Scottish tradition and elegant lifestyle can not be concluded without a stay in the traditional Scottish cottages. Being traditionally built, they provide a glimpse of Scottish architectural grandeur. These cottages are provided in different range and location from the Luxury Cottages Scotland to the budgeted ones. You can book a cottage right within the Scottish colony to get a first hand experience with the Scottish lifestyle or the one situated in the beautiful Scottish highlands. Many travel and tour services organize bonfire events for the Cottage residents, which provides you with an opportunity to interact with the fellow travelers while enjoy the majestic night view of the Scottish beauty.
Best Time to Visit Scotland
Considering the temperate nature of the British climate, it’s amazing how much mileage the locals get out of the subject: a two-day cold snap is discussed as if it were the onset of a new Ice Age, and a week in the upper 70s starts rumors of a heatwave. The fact is that summers rarely get hot and the winters don’t get very cold, except in the north of Scotland and on the highest points of the Welsh and Scottish uplands. Rainfall is fairly even, though again mountainous areas get higher quantities throughout the year (the west coast of Scotland is especially damp, and Llanberis, at the foot of Snowdon, gets more than twice as much rainfall as Caernarfon, seven miles away). In general, the south gets more hours of sunshine than the north.
The bottom line is that it’s impossible to say with any degree of certainty what the weather will be like. May might be wet and grey one year and gloriously sunny the next; November stands an equal chance of being crisp and clear or foggy and grim. If you’re planning to lie on a beach, or camp in the dry, you’ll want to visit between June and September – a period when you shouldn’t go anywhere without booking your accommodation in advance. Elsewhere, if you’re balancing the clemency of the weather against the density of the crowds, the best months to explore are April, May, September and October.