7 amazing cities to visit in Scotland

Scotland
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Scotland is part of the United Kingdome of Great Britain, together with England Wales and Northern Ireland. The land of Kilts, and the great history, hills and great landscape. The languages spoken in Scotland are English, Scottish Gaelic, and Scots. The name Scotland is derived from the Latin word ‘Scotia’ which means land of the Scots, a Celtic group of people from Ireland who settled in Britain in the 5th Century. Scotland is in the Northern part of the United Kingdom and some of its unique features include kilts, bagpipes, and highland dancing; and its national symbol is a thistle! 

1. Edinburg 

Edinburgh
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Edinburg is Scotland’s capital, which has served as the seat of Parliament since the 15th Century. The city could be a great setting for an epic movie, which has kings, horse-drawn carriages, armored soldiers, kilt-wearing noblemen, kings, and great castles! Maybe that is because the city was the venue for the coronation of Scottish rulers! It also has a great history. The architecture in this city is from medieval times, as well as encompassing those from recent times. You will find buildings from the 18th Century. The city is the second tourist attraction in the UK, after London. 

The festivals that you will find in Edinburg include the Edinburg Fringe Festival, Edinburg Book Festival, Royal Edinburg Military Tattoo among others. The city of kilts also has amazing sites that one can enjoy; get to experience the Edinburg Castle, Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill, Palace of Holyroodhouse, experience day tours and sample the real Scottish culture!

2. Glasgow 

Glasgow
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Glasgow is the city of arts, festivals, and museums. There is a ton of things to discover in Glasgow, all year round! Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland. It has a rich history mixed with modernity; the vintage steam engines. One interesting thing, the city hosts about 130 musical events per week! The city and its transport system will take you back to the 1930s. There are medieval buildings like the Glasgow Cathedral and the old Antonine Wall. The King’s Theatre and the Scottish Opera, the Royal Scottish Orchestra, the Kelvingrove Art and Museum the Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Glasgow Style Gallery are some few places that entertain Glasgow. Glasgow also offers a hiking experience in the hills with breathtaking views. 

The city is also shopping heaven, especially for shoe lovers!

3. Loch Ness

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The 745 foot-deep lake offers you beautiful scenery. Loch Ness was named after the legendary Ness, the lady of the lake, believed to have been a sea monster. Get to hike around lakeside Scotland’s largest castles and activities like Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition. Urquhart Castle is among some of the oldest castles in the area; some having been destroyed about 500 years ago. Some were built as far back as the 1100s! As a town with a sea view, there are boat cruises to enjoy, in the lake, which is the biggest freshwater lake in England and Wales combined! 

4. St Andrews 

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St Andrews a golfer’s paradise! The coastal resort town is also home to the third oldest university in the English-speaking world. Everything about St Andrews revolves around golf. The town is home to the world’s oldest golf course, a par 72 Old Course. The course, founded in 1754 has a view of beautiful rugged coastline and attractive clubhouse. St Andrews is located on the East Coast of Scotland and has access to the North Sea. The St Andrews Cathedral is the highlight of this city, which though is in ruins, is still very beautiful and symbolic to the people of Scotland. A visit to the British Golf Museum is highly encouraged!

5. Aberdeenshire 

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This is home to more than 300 castles! Get to experienced amazing castles; both ruined by the many incidences in Scotland and also those that have been preserved and in great condition!

Dunnottar Castle is the most tourist-friendly of all; it also has a rich history, it was the best positioned and therefore a good fortress. Craigievar Castle believed to be the inspiration for the Disney logo is also in Aberdeen and is one of the most iconic! The old fishing village of Footdee is also a highlight of Aberdeen and is worth checking out. There are also street murals and dolphin watching at Torry Battery. 

6. Dundee

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Dundee is an architecture lover’s dream. This city has the first V&A to be constructed out of London and it is fascinating!!!! McManus Galleries, the St Pauls’s Cathedral in the City Center, and the Courier Building are some of the most notable architectural masterpieces in the area. The small Coastal city does not require a lot of time to visit. It is compact in size and therefore all activities are within reach. Visit the Broughty Ferry Shoreline, the Dundee Museum of Transport- with classic and modern forms of transport used over time, the Taypark House which has a ton of culinary experiences to sample under one roof with a café and restaurant. Dundee Treasure House, Scotland’s oldest surviving medieval church tower, the Old Steeple, the Royal Tay Yacht Club, and of course, shopping at the city is also a plan!

Dundee is a small city with some of the best attractions and activities in Scotland, and it definitely is worth a visit!

7. Perth 

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This Perth is not to be confused with Perth in Australia! Yes, there is also a Perth in central Scotland and it is an enchanting city on the banks of River Tey. The city is very well known as being the place where the King of Scots was crowned. The presence of the Scone Abbey, home of the Scone of Destiny in the city has really brought the city to life. The city was established in the 12th Century and is where the Royal Court met many times. Because it is a city rich in history, one cannot go there without visiting the 15th Century Huntingtower Castle, the Black Watch Castle and Museum, the Iconic Scone Palace, the 16th Century Elcho Castle and the 18th Century Mills along the Tay River. But, history is not the only thing to be enjoyed in Perth, go fishing at the River Tay, shop and dine at the George Street, visit the UK’s oldest record store Concord Music, spend time at the Branklyn Garden and even take a walk up the Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park!