Information for Visitors to Scotland

Tourism

No visit to Scotland is complete without seeing Glasgow. For latest listings of events and things to see in Glasgow
http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Visitors/

Did you know? Glasgow is the third most popular foreign tourist destination in the United Kingdom after London and Edinburgh.

History

Glasgow (dear green place) is the largest city in Scotland and the third largest in the United Kingdom. It is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands. The city was formerly a royal burgh, and was known as the "Second City of the British Empire" in the Victorian era.

It established itself as a major transatlantic trading port during the Industrial Revolution during which time the Clyde was the world's pre-eminent shipbuilding centre, building many revolutionary and famous vessels, including the Queen Mary and QE2.

It is also home to Glasgow School of Art, designed by world famous Glasgow Architect, painter and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Famous For

1988 - Glasgow Garden Festival
1990 - European City of Culture in 1990,
1999 – Designated the UK City of Architecture and Design

Over 3 million tourist per year are drawn in by it’s wealth of cultural attractions and activities.

Other Glasgow Links

Glasgow School of Art http://www.gsa.ac.uk/
House for an Art Lover http://www.houseforanartlover.co.uk/
Glasgow Museums http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/about.cfm
Hampden Park – home of Scottish football http://www.hampdenpark.co.uk/about_hampden/index.htm
The official guide to Metropolitan Glasgow http://www.seeglasgow.com/
Glasgow & Edinburgh Events guide http://www.list.co.uk/

Tourism

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/leisure/Tourism

The city of Edinburgh is one of Europe's top tourist destinations, attracting roughly 13 million visitors a year, and is the second most visited tourist destination in the United Kingdom, after London. With stunning architecture from the imposing Castle, to the cutting edge parliament building and elegance of the New Town. With thousands of things to do, Edinburgh is  a must see.

History

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and its second-largest city. It is situated on the east coast of Scotland's central lowlands on the south shore of the Firth of Forth on the North Sea.

It became the capital of Scotland in 1437 and is the seat of the country's devolved government, the Scottish Parliament. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/home.htm

In the census of 2001, Edinburgh had a total resident population of approximately 440,000, making it the 7th largest city in the United Kingdom.

Famous For

Edinburgh is well-known for the annual Edinburgh Festival, actually a collection of independent festivals held annually over about four weeks from early August, when the population of the city doubles. The most famous of these events are the Edinburgh Fringe (the largest performing arts festival in the world), the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Not to mention at New Year the Hogmanay street party.

Festival Links

Edinburgh International Festival http://www.eif.co.uk/
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe http://www.edfringe.com/
The Edinburgh International Film Festival http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/
Edinburgh Military Tattoo http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/

Hogmany (new year) http://www.edinburghshogmanay.org/
Edinburgh & Glasgow Events guide http://www.list.co.uk/
Dynamic Earth Visitor Attraction http://www.dynamicearth.co.uk/

Tourism

Stretching along the beautiful Clyde Coast, Ayrshire and the Isle of Arran offers beautiful scenery, intriguing history and loads to do from ancient castles, country parks and gardens to bustling market towns.

The Isle of Arran has often been described as ‘Scotland in miniature’ with rugged mountains in the north, and rolling hills and forests to the south.

History

Most famous as the birthplace of Scottish poet Robert Burns in Alloway just south of Ayr, the gently rolling countryside has seen it’s fair share of turbulance in the past, Robert the Bruce being another Ayrshire son.

http://www.ayrshire-arran.com/ttsad/history/
http://www.burnsfestival.com/site2003/DOCS/index.html

Places of Interest

Golf

Ayrshire is home to some of the world’s premier courses, including:
Turnberry, Royal Troon and Prestwick, venue of the first ever Open in October 1860. There are also many fine municipal courses. With a range of 40 courses in the area, Ayrshire is a golf mecca, and with DCH Scotland you can get there in comfort, our people carriers are ideal for golf tours.
http://www.scottishgolfsouthwest.com/
http://www.theindependentgolfer.com

Troon

Small town in South Ayrshire, with award winning beaches.
Troon has an amazing six golf courses, including Royal Troon, which regularly hosts the Open Championship, and did so most recently in 2004.
http://www.troononline.net/

Prestwick

Prestwick is an ideal choice for holidaymakers and day visitors. Situated in the heart of Robert Burns country, Prestwick has many places of historical interest itself. Prestwick Old Course where the first Open Golf Championship was played, Bruce's Well and the Salt Pans
http://www.prestwick-town.co.uk/

Alloway

Alloway, known for its associations with the poet Robert Burns and scenic countryside.
http://www.ayrshire-arran.com/ttsad/burns/
http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/tourism/around_alloway.htm

Dunure

A small fishing village, where there is a ruined castle formerly owned by the Kennedy family.
http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/tourism/around_dunure.htm

Girvan

Small harbour town.
The harbour is a centre of attraction for visitors and offers convenient mooring facilities for visiting yachts.
http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/tourism/girvan.htm

Tourism

Irvine boasts a beautiful sandy beach that runs for miles along the coast.

History

The town was once a haunt of none other than Robert Burns, who now has two streets in the town named after him, Burns Street and Burns Crescent.

Despite being classed as a new town, Irvine has had a long history stretching back many centuries and was classed as a Royal Burgh.

There are also conflicting rumours that Mary; Queen of Scots was briefly involved in the towns history. Some say she stayed briefly at Seagate Castle. To this day there is still an annual festival, called Marymass held in the town.

Ben Nevis, Fort William

Not a climb for the faint of heart, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK, it stands at a massive 1,344m above sea level and without saying a word issues a challenge to mountaineers to dare to try. In making the trip, be sure to prepare for all weather conditions. Scottish weather is famed for changing quickly, a single day can included sunshine, rain and snow! Even in the height of summer the Summit of Ben Nevis can be snow capped.

Further Information May Be Found Here

However if climbing isn’t quite your thing then there are many other activities to do around the area. From gentle strolls through beautiful Scottish countryside to Skiing / Snowboarding in Fort William’s all year Mountain Centre.

Further Information May Be Found Here

Wallace Monument

To many the name William Wallace means Mel Gibson in a kilt, however at the Wallace Monument you can discover the true man and his incredible life. Discover the passion for freedom that he carried and see the impact he had on Scottish History.

From the top of the monument are stunning views of Ben Lomond, The Trossachs and the city of Stirling.

Further Information May Be Found Here

Bannockburn

To the Scots this place will always hold special in their hearts, the day that saw Robert the Bruce defeat a superior English army and win freedom for the Scots. The battle was fought on this historic field and has a tangible sense of history wrapped up in Scottish pride.

The site has a visitor’s centre where you will be able to find a great deal of information about the battle etc. Also you may have an opportunity to try on some chain mail and swing a claymore about and become a brave Scots warrior if only for a while.

Further Information May Be Found Here

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Scotland’s first ever National Park  it encompasses 720 sq miles (1,865 sq km) of some of the country’s finest scenery.  The wildlife in the area is spectacular from seals and porpoises to golden eagles. Amongst all this beautiful countryside winds and weaves many walks and trails to follow.

However for some walks and trails are all very good but what excitement is there? Well on the loch you can engage in many different water sports like wakeboarding / windsurfing, or how about exploring some of the islands by hiring a boat for the day? Maybe the rush of Canyoning is more your style or again abseiling down a cliff face. Whatever your preference you sure to find something at Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.

Further Information May Be Found Here

Isle of Skye        

One of the largest and best known Scottish islands, Skye is famous for some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland.
You can now drive to Skye via the bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh, or if you prefer to put the car on the ferry there are routes from Glenelg and Mallaig.

Skye is great for walks, fishing watersports, and if you prefer something lesss energetic, try a distillery tour at either Talisker of Carbost.

Other Tourist links

The official site of Scotland’s National Tourist Board http://www.visitscotland.com/

The official site for visitors to Scotland from the USA http://www.toscotland.com/

Online Scotland http://www.onlinescotland.com/index.html

Stay in a Castle http://www.celticcastles.com/