Scottish cottages - holiday cottages in Scotland

SCOTLAND

Balquhidder Glen

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Read our mini guide to Scotland

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Though not often given its due by British travellers who consider Scotland too close to home, England's northern neighbour is a beautiful, fascinating country well worth a visit, especially in Spring and Summer when the days are long and the weather pleasant.

The countryside and the breathtaking Highlands are considered by many to be Scotland's main draw, but vibrant cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow and St. Andrews shouldn't be missed. Edinburgh, set among green hills and volcanic crags, has some extraordinary architecture and interesting history thanks to its role as the Scottish royal capital. Don't miss Edinburgh castle, which is still used today and offers great city views. If you're around in August, you can't help but be overwhelmed by the mammoth International Festival, one of the largest arts festivals in the world.

Glasgow also has fine architecture, though the city itself pales in comparison to lovely Edinburgh. What it does offer is a vibrant urban life, with lots of restaurants, nightlife, galleries and museums. It also makes a great base for exploring the countryside, as many of the country's most emblematic sights are nearby.

Seaside St. Andrews is a historic university city, with medieval ruins, fantastic scenery and, of course, one of the world's most famous golf courses. If you can't arrange to play a round, at least stop by the British Golf Museum.

Once outside the cities, head straight for the dramatic Highlands, home to some of the world's most breathtaking scenery. To the east you'll find the Cairngorm Mountains and a lovely coastline. The region is strewn with castles and is also the home of Aberdeen, a port city with great nightlife. To the west you'll find Britain's tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, and the emblematic Loch Lomond. The charming Isle of Mull, with its storybook village and historic castles, makes a great stop too.

Heading north, the landscape becomes more rugged, and populated areas are few and far between. Soaring mountains, vast seas and wide expanses of empty land make this area one of the most thrilling of all Europe, especially for nature enthusiasts. The Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands are fascinating places to explore as well, both for their interesting flora and fauna and for their history; on the Shetland Islands archaeological findings date to 2000 BC.

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Balquhidder Glen

Spring and summer are the most popular times to visit, as the days are long and the temperatures pleasant. Though the weather in Scotland varies greatly, the east coast is usually dry and cool, while the west coast has more rainfall but a warmer climate. Summer is the perfect time to hike and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

Balquhidder Glen

Scotland has four international airports, three large ferry ports and major rail lines, so getting here shouldn't be a problem. If you're flying from London, a trip to Edinburgh or Glasgow should take between 1 and 1 1/2 hours. The train trip takes 4 to 5 hours. If you're coming from Belfast or Norway you can take ferries to either Aberdeen or the Shetland Islands. If you have your own wheels, you can drive to Glasgow or Edinburgh from London in less than 7 hours.

Once in Scotland, driving is an easy and pleasant way to get around, and often it's the only option if you want to strike out for the more remote areas of the Highlands. For hitting the highlights, public transportation is a good option, as there is an extensive rail system and several active ferry lines.

Balquhidder Glen

Scotland offers a myriad of outdoorsy options, whether you're into hiking, golf, boating or even snow skiing. Hiking trails criss-cross the mountains, forests and coasts, offering something stimulating for walkers of all skill levels. Some of the most popular walks follow the coast, which has long uninhabited stretches for those looking for a bit of solitude. For even more peace and quiet you can explore some of the Scottish islands on foot. Some of these trails are also used by cyclists.

Golf is another popular pastime, and one of the most famous golf courses in the world is right here in St. Andrews. Top golfers from all over the world converge to try out its challenging courses, though for the mere mortals out there less-legendary golf courses offer beautiful scenery and manicured greens as well.

If you're heading to the coast, you'll find excellent opportunities for sailing. Scotland's long stretches of wild coast and abundance of small ports make boating especially enjoyable here. Yachters and boat owners can spend months tooling up and down the coast, while novices can try the sailing schools set up in towns like Cabus, Loch Ken and Portsoy.

While Scotland isn't recognized as a main player on the world's snow skiing circuit, there are five resorts offering pleasant ski conditions and uncrowded slopes.