Aberdeen, Scotland

Aberdeen is a good family holiday destination in Scotland. It features tourist attractions that can be enjoyed by all ages, from galleries and museums, to restaurants and bars. It is also known as the ‘Granite City’ or ‘Silver City’ because of the sparkling granite buildings. It is the third largest city in Scotland and is known as the ‘Oil Capital of Europe.’

The city’s name is literally translated as, ‘between the Don and Dee’. It is known for its rugged coastlines and the Cairngorms National Park. Aberdeen is a good site for nature lovers where a string of trails such as the Castle Trail, Coastal Trail, and the Victorian Heritage Trail can be explored.

The largest granite structure in the world, the Marischal College, is nestled in this town. The 16th Century Provost Skene’s House is also among the historical attractions in the heart of the city. Those who love to shop should explore the main street of Aberdeen, Union Street, which offers several shops, restaurants and bars.

Beach lovers will also enjoy strolling on the white sands of Aberdeen’s beach where water sports such as windsurfing and surfing can be enjoyed. Aberdeen also has cliffs and castles that reveal the rich history of the city, such as the ruin of Dunnotar Castle and Stonehaven.

Tourists can enjoy a sumptuous evening meal after a day of exploring the city. A good dish of fish and chips in Stonehaven or fresh seafood dining can be enjoyed at the restaurants around the area.

If you’re a tourist from outside the EU, you must first secure a visa. Ferry rides to Aberdeen are available through Northlink Ferries. It can be reached by plane, rail, road, or sea.

Orkney

Orkney, located in northern Scotland, is an archipelago that is comprised of 70 islands, 21 of which are inhabited. Its sandy beaches, scenery, wildlife, cuisine, and hospitality make the islands an ideal place for a holiday.

Orkney has over 5000 years of human history. Four World Heritage sites, which date back to 3100 B.C., can be found here. These include the Skara Brae Stone Age Village (3100 B.C.), The Ring of Brodgar (2000 B.C.), Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, and the Standing Stones of Stennes.

There are numerous festivals and events celebrated throughout the year in Orkney, which include the annual agricultural shows, the St. Magnus Festival, and numerous sporting events.

A wide variety of activities can also be enjoyed in Orkney. Surfing, sailing, windsurfing, diving, kite surfing, and kayaking are a few of the water activities available. While inland, you can enjoy angling, play a round of golf, or explore the island by bicycle or on foot.

Orkney Ferries connect all the islands to the Orkney Mainland. It is perfect for a holiday cruise and a tour of the islands.

Westray, also known as ‘The Queen of the Isles’, is the second biggest of the North Isles. You can get around the whole island in a day by bike or on foot. An organised tour can also be arranged. The talent of the ancient people can be seen in a rock carving called the Westray Stone, which can be found in the island’s biggest settlement. Holm of Faray can also be found on the island. It is a breeding site for grey seals. In autumn, a large numbers of seals come here to mate and the pups are born in October.

If you’re from outside the EU and would like to spend your holiday in Orkney, Scotland, you will likely need a tourist visa.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, which means ‘Eidin’s Fort’ is the capital of Scotland. It is close to the Firth of Forth shore and is known as one of the UK’s finest cities an excellent place for a Holiday.

There are several architectural landmarks in this city, such as Gothic St. Giles’ Church; Georgian townhouses, Holyrood Palace, the John Knox House, the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, and the Writers’ Museum.

Edinburgh Castle is seen on the skyline from the Princes Street Gardens. Malcolm III turned this hill fortress into his royal residence during the 11th century. There are many historic towns that can be explored in the Lothian region where mediaeval chapels and castles reveal Scotland’s interesting history. The city is also divided into the elegant, neo-classical New Town and the mediaeval Old Town.

This city is not only rich in history but also has a wide variety of shops, making it an ideal destination for shoppers from all over the world. Princes Street is the main shopping street, and is filled with designer boutiques. George Street is also flooded with restaurants, bars and clothes shops. Grassmarket offers second-hand and antique art pieces. Other places for shopping are St. Andrew’s Square, Cockburn Street, and the Royal Mile.

If you are travelling from a country outside of the EU, you must first secure a visa. The airport is 8 miles away from the A8 Edinburgh-Glasgow Road.

There are numerous hotels of various star ratings; guesthouses, holiday cottages, and campsites in and around Edinburgh.

Loch Ness

Loch Ness is the largest lake in Scotland and is one of the most popular destinations in the country. The area is filled with excellent eateries, natural wonders, historic attractions, and comfortable places to stay. Loch Ness will never run out of activities to suit all tastes. With the lake being over 20 miles long, a mile wide and 700 feet deep, cruising is definitely on the top of the list of things to do in Loch Ness.

Cruising is one of the best ways to appreciate Loch Ness, with cruises and boat trips operating all year long. In Loch Ness, every season has its special moments. In spring, the surrounding hills burst back into life with the early blossom of the wild cherries and whins. Autumn brings the bronzes and gold of the leaves and the air will make you want to enjoy a hearty meal.

Spotting small villages and farms lets you wonder what life was like in the past when the roads around Loch Ness could not be travelled and people had to sail to get from one place to another. From the Urquhart Castle to the Caledonian Canal, structures of the industrial age can be seen and are still used today. Also, you have to keep your eyes open for you never know if you’ll spot Loch Ness’ most infamous resident, the Loch Ness monster.

Cobb’s Restaurant at the Clansman Hotel is the only restaurant overlooking Loch Ness. The restaurant serves Scottish cuisine with a continental twist, making it popular among the locals and foreign visitors alike.

If you’re from outside the EU and would like to spend your holiday in Loch Ness, Scotland, you will be likely to need a tourist visa.

Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow is a major port and the largest city in Scotland. It is found on the River Clyde in the western part of the country. The main landmarks in Glasgow are the Trades House, the Cathedral, the Hunterian Museum, and the Burrell Collection.

The Burrell Collection showcases a vast array of artworks from many different parts of the world. It contains over 9,000 pieces of art that were collected by William Burrell. The Gallery of Modern Art or GoMA is a contemporary art gallery that displays works from local and international artists. The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery features the collection of William Hunter, which was given to the University of Glasgow in 1738.

Glasgow Cathedral is where the first bishop of the ancient Strathclyde kingdom, St. Kentigern or Mungo, is believed to have been buried in AD 612.

Glasgow is also the largest retail centre outside of London. Argyll Arcade is one of Britain’s oldest shopping areas. It was built in 1827 and houses 32 jewellery shops. The Merchant City and the West End offers travellers a number of bookstores, second-hand clothing boutiques, and antiques stores. The Barras is a street market on the East End where cheap antiques, clothing and food can be purchased. The popular items in this place are Celtic jewelleries, whisky and golfing equipment. There’s also an Italian centre that has cafes and restaurants.

If you are from outside the EU, you must first secure a visa in order to travel in Scotland. There is an airport in Glasgow that accommodates flights from all over the world.