 Scotland... A Lot More Than Castles
Beaches, Festivals, Outdoor Adventure, Golf, Whiskey Tours and Great Food!
If your summer vacation plans include the beach, why not try the islands of Lewis and
Harris ... or Berneray? Don't know where these are? Look to Scotland, home to some of the most beautiful white
beaches in the world on its more than 800 surrounding islands.
While most Americans envision castles when they think of Scotland, this breathtakingly beautiful country offers
a surprisingly wide variety of unexpected pleasures.
Summer Festivals
In the summer visitors to Scotland have their pick of over 100 festivals and 80 highland games. Start with the
Hebridean Celtic Festival in July (http://www.hebceltfest.com) on the
Isle of Lewis. This international event plays a crucial role in the preservation of the rich culture of Celtic
Music. Jazz lovers can attend the Jazz & Blues Festival in Edinburgh, also in July (http://www.edinburghfestivals.com),
or check out the Jazz Festival going on at the same time in Glasgow.
August offers a chance to be a part of the spellbinding Edinburgh Military Tattoo (http://www.edintattoo.co.uk).
Hundreds of performers from the United States, Australia, Britain, Norway, and the South Pacific come together
against the famous backdrop of Edinburgh Castle for Scotland's traditional international showcase of music, theatre,
and dance.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, also in August, is the largest arts festival on the planet (Guinness Book of Records).
This year (2002) it offers over 16,000 performances in 200 venues across Scotland's capital city. Enthusiasts can
also stop in to the Edinburgh International Festival (http://www.eif.co.uk)
and the International Film Festival. Visitors who stay into early September can take part in the Braemar Highland
Gathering (http://www.braemargathering.org/) in Aberdeenshire hosted
by Scottish actor and well-known comedian Billy Connolly. It's the place to be for spotting celebrities. For a
complete list of Highland Games visit http://www.VisitScotland.com,
click on ``What to see & Do'' and scroll to the bottom to choose events.
Year Round Activities
Year round Scotland offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide variety of activities including hiking, skiing, snowboarding,
cycling, sailing, whitewater rafting, pony trekking, whale watching and fishing for some of the world's best salmon
(http://www.ToScotland.com/adventure).
Those desiring quieter settings can take a leisurely train ride through the Highlands to drink in some of the world's
most incredible views. Crossing bridges and viaducts, through tunnels and cuttings, riding the West Highland Line
is one of the most exhilarating railway journeys in the world. It's easy to get lost in the drama of the landscape,
which has become the backdrop for many movies including Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, Braveheart, Rob
Roy, Hamlet, The Highlander and Chariots of Fire. (http://www.visitscotland.com/transport).
Hearty eaters will find plenty of good food in Scotland. Surrounded by ocean and fresh water lochs, Scotland's
restaurants, hotels, small country inns, pubs and tearooms offer some of the world's finest seafood even for those
traveling on a budget. For those who love to ``star gaze'' be sure to eat at the One Devonshire Gardens hotel's
new restaurant Amarylis. Established by Gordon Ramsay, said to be Scotland's most famous chef.
Thirsty? Don't forget to have a ``wee dram'' of Scotch whisky, known to the Scots as the ``amber nectar'' at the
Glenturret Distillery, Scotland's oldest, located in Perthshire (http://www.glenturret.com).
Or enjoy a tour on the Isle of Islay (http://www.islaywhiskysociety.com)
where visitors will also be treated to private trout fishing in Loch Skerrols.
As ``the home of Golf'' Scotland has over 500 golf courses to choose from, many of which offer modest green fees
and summer availability. In addition to such famous courses as St. Andrews, Scotland offers hidden gems throughout
the country with challenging courses and stunning scenic backdrops (http://www.visitscotland.com/golf).
September 2001 will see the opening of the $71M St. Andrews Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Conference Centre. The 214-room
resort hotel with conference facilities and spa will open the end of June and the new Gene Sarazen-Sam Torrance
designed golf courses will open in September.
Uncommon Adventures
Travelers seeking more off-the-beaten-track day trips can visit the Calanais Standing Stones, which are older than
Stonehenge and located in the Western Isles. Or visit Wigtown, Scotland's national book town, set in the glorious
Galloway countryside. It hosts 16 charming bookshops waiting for exploration and is home to the printer of the
world's smallest books.
Garden and nature loves can visit Younger Botanic Garden in Dunoon in Greater Glasgow with its magnificent avenue
of Giant Redwoods and follow an extensive variety of trails which meander through 150 acres of spectacular scenery
containing 250 species of rhododendrons.
The famed Loch Lomond is the largest area of fresh water in Europe and is surrounded by charming villages. It is
the glorious entryway to Scotland's first national park, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, offering spectacular views.
While there, travelers can visit Scotland's Millennium Attraction, located in Glasgow, this brand new $100 million
Science Center (http://www.gsc.org.uk) brings science and technology to life
through hundreds of interactive exhibits in the Science Mall and the unique experiences of the GSC IMAX® Theatre
and the Glasgow Tower.
So whether your preference is for outdoor festivals, beaches, stone circles, whale watching, golfing, pony trekking,
hiking, or fine dining, Scotland offers it all. And if you have your heart set on seeing castles, Scotland offers
more than 200. For more information, visit The Scottish Tourist Board website, http://www.ToScotland.com
or call 1-800-462-2748.
SOURCE: Scottish Tourist Board
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