Five Things To Do When You Are In Scotland

By Niall Buchanan

If you are planning a trip to Scotland then this is the perfect guide for what not to miss during your visit. These include drinking some whisky, shopping in the best destination in Britain outside of London and maybe even enjoying some golf in St Andrews.

1. Drink Whisky

Whisky is Scotland's national drink and there is a huge selection of distilleries available to visit throughout Scotland. You will find five separate whisky regions each offer its own unique flavour of malts. For those wanting to sample a wide range of whisky then the Whisky trail in Aberdeenshire is your best bet, it is home to the whisky capitol of the world Dufftown and it has many distilleries within close proximity.

If you don't have time to visit one of the many distilleries then don't worry most bars throughout the country stock a wide selection of malt whisky's and they are often a lot cheaper than those you find abroad.

2. Play Golf

Scotland is where golf started and St Andrews is known as the "home of golf" and it has no fewer than 7 golf course. The most famous of these is the Old Course which is a championship course and one of the worlds most famous golf courses. Even if you don't like golf a walk around the Old Course is well worth it, there is no play on a Sunday so that offers the perfect chance for non golfers to look around.

Nearby in Angus there is Carnoutsie golf course which is another excellent championship course. But if you are a novice to golf then you will find plenty of smaller 9 and 18 hole courses throughout Scotland.

3. Visit Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capitol city of Scotland and it is one of the top tourist destinations in Europe. It has a unique feel with many historic buildings and fantastic architecture to admire, although there are many attractions the city itself is an attraction.

If you are visiting in late summer then be sure to take in the fringe festival or the Military Tattoo, both are excellent events. There is also the world famous street party at new year when 250,000 people converge on the city centre for music and drinking!

4. Tour the Highlands

The highlands is the most scenic area of Scotland so have your camera close by because there will be plenty of photo opportunities. The main places to visit in the region are Loch Ness, Glencoe and Eilean Donan Castle.

Loch Ness is a place full of mystery and it is the largest loch in Scotland at over 22 miles in length. Here you can take a cruise on a sonar equipped boat and try and spot the legendary Loch Ness Monster.

Glencoe is one of the most spectacularly scenic places in the Highlands, it is also steeped in history with the massacre of Glencoe taking place here in 1692. It can often have an eerie feel when the mist covers the hills.

Scotland is well known for its many castles and if you only have the chance to see one it should be Eilean Donan. It is the most picturesque and iconic castle in Scotland and it is situated on the road to Skye. It offers excellent photo opportunity and you can even hire it out for a wedding if you wish!

5. Go Shopping in Glasgow

Scotland's biggest city is the 2^nd top destination for shopping in Britain (London being the top), there is a huge selection of shops to choose from. It doesn't matter if you are shopping on a budget or if you want some top designer clothes, Glasgow is perfect for both.

There are some great indoor shopping centres for when the weather isn't great, Buchanan Galleries and the St Enoch Centre are a couple of the main ones. The outdoor shopping area revolves around three interconnecting streets, these are Sauchiehall Street, Argyle Street and Buchanan Street.

If you want a unique shopping experience try the Barras market where you will find a wide selection of outdoor market stalls.

The author of this article is Niall Buchanan an internet entrepreneur who runs several affiliate marketing sites such as http://www.roomsinscotland.com and http://www.roomsinedinburgh.com

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Ways To Find Cheap Accommodation In Scotland

By Adam Christie

With poor exchange rates putting a squeeze on overseas visitors to Scotland and many people in the UK deciding to holiday at home, the race is on to find quality accommodation in Scotland at a great price.

Scotland isn't the cheapest place in Western Europe but it is possible to visit without breaking the bank.

There are many ways to find a cheap hotel in Scotland, such as through websites like laterooms.com where discounts are given by accommodation providers when it looks like they haven't filled all their rooms for a given period. Look for hotels this way from Sunday to Thursday and you can get some great bargains.

Choose Bed and Breakfast accommodation over hotels. B&B's often provide everything you could get in a hotel with the exception of maybe the bar and restaurant, but the cost is often much less.

Try self-catering accommodation. Often this is best booked by coming to Scotland with friends and splitting the bill for a cottage. 4 people booking a cottage for a week could be paying less than £15 per head per night in the height of summer!

Consider the Scottish Youth Hostels Association. SYHA has hostels all over the country and a night doesn't need to break the bank. Morning chores are a thing of the past and private and family rooms are available in many hostels. You can even hire an entire hostel if you are so inclined.

Camping in Scotland is a great way to see the country on a budget and there are campsites everywhere. There are also companies who will setup a frame tent in the campsite of your choice prior to your arrival if you don't want to carry your own gear.

For the more adventurous, mountain bothies are dotted around the hills, mostly in very remote areas. These are simple, unattended cottages and shelters but can provide you with a roof over your head for the night when exploring the hills.

Adam Christie runs HolidayScotland.org.uk which maintains a directory of holiday accommodation in Scotland

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Scotland Tours for Everyone!

By S Wander

Whether you are looking for Scotland tours that take you through history or Scotland tours that show you just how far the country has come in the last few centuries, there is a tour for you. Scotland is a country that is rich in history and rich in people who have a deep love for their country.

Scotland Tours with a True Scot

If you are looking for the best way to see Scotland, you need to make sure that you are touring the country with a true Scot. That does not necessarily mean your tour guide needs to be wearing a kilt and running around with a thick accent, but it does mean that finding someone who was born and raised in Scotland will greatly increase the quality of your Scotland tours.

There are several ways to make sure that you are being led by a true native person, and the first way is to just ask your tour company up-front if they employ only native Scots. Once you are on your tour, ask your guide about their country and their home. Ask your guide where they grew up; what they love the most about their homeland, and why they have never moved on. Ask about family and friends. By doing so, you will get not only a deeper sense of your guide, but a deeper sense of their love for their country. And, as an added bonus, your Scotland tours will be a unique experience.

Single Family or Group Scotland Tours

Most, if not all, travel companies only offer Scotland tours at a group rate. While this can be cost-effective and a little more comfortable for most people, single family Scotland tours are a truly magical and unique experience. If you and your family are feeling adventurous, see if you can find a tour-guide that is willing to just give your family a tour. It may be easier to find someone to do this than you think. If you stick to the more traditional Scotland tours, make sure you don’t just blend into the group.

All Scotland Tours are not the Same

Believe it or not, not all Scotland tours are the same. While most tours will include similar elements such as castles or traditional lore, there are different tours available for different kinds of people. Making sure that you choose the right kind of tour will help you and your family gets the most out of their tour experience. If your family is full of history buffs, there are plenty of Scotland tours that will play to your love and interest. You can walk almost back to the beginning of recorded history about Scotland on the right tour. You can see ancient castles and strongholds, and walk on grassy fields where epic battles once took place.

If, however, you and your family do not want to add an academic side to your vacation, there are Scotland tours that deal with the more modern parts of Scotland’s history and future. You can see the beginnings of the great new era in Scotland and you can tour the current film and history scene. You can see the places where Hollywood has left its mark, and even find yourself a little closer to your favorite Hollywood and music stars.

No matter what kind of Scotland tours interest you, there is something available. No tour of a country like Scotland would be complete without a tour of some of the more well-known and popular castles. Make sure your Scotland tours include a little local color and variety, as well. Find a local pub and grab dinner. If there is an outdoor festival going on while you are there, join the festivities. Make yourself a student of the Scottish culture and way of life, and your time in the country will be an amazing experience. Let yourself be immersed, and you will be forever changed.

Whatever you are looking for in Scotland tours, make sure you take the time to research your options so you can find the perfect fit. Scotland is too great a country and there are too many amazing opportunities available for you to miss out!

Copyright 2006 S Wander

Smooth Hound http://www.smoothhound.co.uk offers affordable hotel, guest house and bed & breakfast accommodation throughout the London and the rest of the world.

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