DK Travel - DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Scotland

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t Neolithic Ring of Brogdar, Orkney

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t Twilight over Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich.

Rugged shores and wild Highland glens. Stern castles and haunting battlefields. World-class museums and internationally renowned festivals. Scotland offers enough bucket-list experiences to draw visitors back year after year. Whatever your dream trip entails, this DK Eyewitness Travel Guide is the perfect companion.

Small but spectacular, Scotland is famed for its majestic mountain landscapes, tranquil lochs and windswept moorland, all fringed by thousands of miles of dramatic coastline. The undulating farmlands of Angus, Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire and the verdant sheep pastures of the Borders are a haven of tranquillity, while pocket wildernesses like the Cairngorms, Rannoch Moor and the Trossachs are but a stones throw from bustling towns and cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

This richly varied hinterland is a joy for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a vast array of activities from gentle country strolls to long-distance hill walking, rock climbing and whitewater kayaking. Meanwhile, the museums and art galleries of Scotlands cities are temples to art and culture, and a plethora of bars and clubs serve up a buzzing nightlife comprising live gigs, impromptu folk sessions and comedy. Old-school inns abound, but cool cocktail bars and gastropubs offer an exciting new take on food and drink while still honouring the countrys local produce and culinary tradition.

With so much on offer, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. This guide breaks Scotland down into easily navigable chapters, with detailed itineraries, expert local knowledge and comprehensive maps to help you plan your perfect trip. Whether youre here for a flying visit or a grand tour, this Eyewitness Travel Guide will ensure that you see the very best the country has to offer. Enjoy the book, enjoy Scotland, and haste ye back.

Wild red stag grazing in the frosty moorlands of the Scottish Highlands.

Visitors admiring the view from the top of Calton Hill, Edinburgh.

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Dramatic coastlines, soaring mountains and spirited cities, each with their own rich and multifaceted culture. There are so many things that make this vibrant country irresistible. Heres a round up of a few of our favourites.

t Explore ancient strongholds such as .

Discover Reasons to Love Scotland

t Venture through the iconic Highland landscapes of Glencoe and the Isle of Skye, and explore rolling moorlands and ravishing coastlines in Torridon and the northwest.

Discover Reasons to Love Scotland

Hogmanay

t Party your way into the New Year with world-class bands and awesome midnight pyrotechnics at Edinburghs famous Hogmanay, then join locals in a Loony Dook to blow the cobwebs away.

Discover Reasons to Love Scotland

A Flourishing Foodie Scene

t Scotland is in full culinary bloom thanks to creative chefs across the country working their magic with the best locally sourced ingredients.

Discover Reasons to Love Scotland

Cities of Culture

t Admire Renaissance gems at Glasgows .

Discover Reasons to Love Scotland

Distilleries Galore

t Scotland is a whisky-lovers paradise. Sip ancient malts in distilleries such as , or try a new breed of Scotch at an artisan spirit house or cocktail bar.

Discover Reasons to Love Scotland

Highland Culture