I ripped open my package from the Isle of Harris. As I pushed my nose into the fabric, it smelled of lanolin and scratched my face. I had chosen it a month before because its color would forever remind me of the heather, sky, and rock that cover this Hebridean island. The fog was thick …
The medieval stone city of Edinburgh boasts a staggering 700 pubs for its population of just under 500,000, the highest concentration of pubs in Great Britain. And the epicenter of Edinburgh’s beer sampling scene, as any local will tell you, is Rose Street, only a brisk 10-minute walk down the hill from the Royal Mile …
The opening sights and sounds of the Edinburgh Tattoo are spectacular, set against the backdrop of ancient Edinburgh Castle. In the distance, behind the castle walls, I hear the sinister rattle of dozens of snare drums followed by the wail of a single bagpipe. Then, suddenly, 600 pipers fire up their instruments in a loud …
Scotland has scores of museums, all of them interesting, but the National Museum of Scotland, in Edinburgh, is truly exceptional. Its collections of thousands of objects cover natural history, world cultures, geology, archaeology, science and technology, and of course the entire story (pre-history included) of Scotland. The museum is set in the heart of the …
Every September morning I wondered why I hadn’t explored the Scottish Hebrides before. White sand beaches and turquoise sea, purple-washed mountains and golden glens lured me every day. Dry weather heightened my enchantment as I lapped up the islands’ ancient history wherever I found it. The Hebridean islands, formed by ancient volcanoes and sculpted by …
What’s not to love about Scotland? Home to a rich history, spectacular scenery, and some of the kindest people around; Scotland should be at the top of everyone’s “Must Visit” list. I mean just look at some of these best places to visit in Scotland! Here are eight particularly great reasons to plan a trip …
Edinburgh is the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, as it serves up a delicious array of libraries, bookshops, historic authors, literary monuments, and scenic tours. In the 1700s, Edinburgh was the heart of the Scottish Enlightenment, and it gained the nickname “Athens of the North” for its classical architecture and reputation for producing literary and …
Compatible traveling companions do not necessarily share every interest, but it can be trying to spend your precious holidays being dragged around to boring places. You may assume that you have to go golfing even though you read a notice about the Elizabethan doll exhibit at a village museum. You may try to ignore …
On a small, rocky plateau overlooking a deep tree lined glen, lies a modest Scottish chapel that has captured the imagination of millions of people around the world. Rosslyn Chapel, measuring only 68 feet long, 35 feet wide, and 42 feet high, has enough fascinating myths, legends and mysteries to put a major Cathedral …
Few places in Scotland encapsulate the country’s history, culture, heritage and architecture like Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Stretching gently down from Edinburgh Castle, curled up like a gigantic stone sleeping dragon at the top end, to the majestic Baroque Palace of Holyroodhouse at its lower end, the Royal Mile is an esplanade to be savoured with …