If you have been watching the news things look pretty grim. I don’t have to tell you what the newscasters are reporting, because you already know. Yip a lot of people have lost there jobs, but the vast majority have not. Some people are even prospering. Whatever your thoughts on the economy are, if you can travel right now then why not. If it makes you feel better then consider that you are helping to keep people employed. You might even be able to get a fantastic deal to. If you are going to travel this year then here are a few reasons that you should have Scotland vacations.

There is so Much to See and Do

Let’s start with the obvious reasons to have Scotland vacations. Sometimes it is good to be reminded. Scotland has a long and interesting history. It does not matter if your ancestors are from Scotland or not. You can tour or even stay is historic castles. You can enjoy the cities and the night life they have to offer. Scotland is filled with lively pubs for you to enjoy. There are festivals like the one in Edinburgh in August accompanies the “Edinburgh military tattoo”. There are also highland games that will keep you entertained.

Scotland Vacations and the Exchange Rate

Here is the biggest thing to keep in mind when you are considering Scotland vacations this year. In many ways the US dollar falling is bad, unless you are traveling to Brittan. As of this writing it would take $130 of our dollars to equal there $100 which is better than it used to be. We are getting a better exchange on the conversion so that makes it a great time to visit Scotland.

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Scotland is estimated at around 30,000 SQ miles. That is a lot of ground to cover while on your Scotland vacations. Few people have the time or money to see it all. You are probably finding that you will need to pick and area or two to visit instead of the whole thing. So where do you start to look for the right part of Scotland to visit. Read on to find out the character of each area and visit back for lists of things to do in each area for your Scotland vacations.

Scotland Vacations in Edinburgh 

Edinburgh is known for its Edinburgh castle that sits on top of and old volcano. Although that is a perfectly good reason to choose Edinburgh to visit there is so much more to the city and the greater area. The center of Edinburgh is split in half by Princess Street Gardens. The north sides was built in the age of reason and are Greaten style. The south site is Old Town where you will find medieval architecture and tight allays and closes. Edinburgh also has many museums so it is a cultural destination.

Scotland Vacations in Dumfries

Dumfries is a town of only about 30,000 residents and known for being the resting place for Robbie Burns. This is a quiet town that you might only want to visit for a day, but it is a perfect jumping off place to visit the region surrounding it such as the Solway coast. As Burns also spend his last five years there you will find a few places to see that are associated with him. In the nineteen sixties there was building that got rid of many original building, but what is left of the red sandstone buildings to be worth a look.

Scotland Vacations in Glasgow 

Glasgow is situated on the river Clyde, which makes it the perfect place to have been an industrial giant. Glasgow tents to have a gritty feel and bad part of town because of its failed industry in the 1960s and 1970s. Today Glasgow can seem to be a stark gray city, but is now known for being a city of culture. You will find very imaginative museums, which demonstrate Scotland’s past, present, and future. The architecture is definitely worth a visit to Glasgow it itself.

Scotland Vacations in Skye

Skye and the Western Isles have many intriguing things to see. This Area does not have many pubs; instead it is full of churches. You can take a scenic ferry to the island or the less scenic road. Skye is considered the centered of Gaelic culture. If you are a real outdoorsman than you should have no problem finding enough to keep you happy for a week of two in Skye. If your just in it for fantastic view than this is also the place for you.

Scotland Vacations in the Inverness

Inverness is located in the spectacular Highland of Scotland and known as the only city in the Highlands. This area is full of castles and other historic sites. Inverness is a busy hub that is the perfect place to stay or get transportation while exploring other parts of the Highland. Inverness sits on the river Ness and has a few foot paths worth taking.

Above photo of Scotland – Trotternish/Island of Skye by vtveen

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The Scottish countryside is beautiful with unique flora and fauna, majestic farms, breathtaking seaside cliffs, and castle ruins steeped in history. Scotland also has flourishing urban towns with intriguing museums, historical castles, regal cathedrals, and exciting pubs. If you’re not an outdoorsy person who likes spending all your time in the countryside chasing Scottish highland cows, you’re in for a treat. Scotland has some great urban cities that are perfect for your Scotland vacation.

Museums

Scotland has so much history it’s bound to be full of museums. You can find all types of museums in Scotland’s cities. You can find ancient castles that have been turned into museums in most of the larger cities and even some of the smaller ones. You will also find all types and sizes of historic buildings that are housing Scotland’s antiquities. Scotland also has modern museums with fantastic examples of Scotland’s best modern art. Look for the National Gallery of Scotland which includes the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh.

Restaurants

You might have heard that Scotland, like England, is not known for its legendary cuisine. Bland food might have been the only offerings in the past, but today that simply isn’t true. You can feast on anything from fast food to gourmet food and all sorts of ethnic foods in between. Like everywhere else in the world, you will have the best selection in the largest metropolitan areas. Of course seafood and fish are prominent on most menus if you are by the coast. It is no longer necessary to eat haggis in Scotland, in fact in many places you might have trouble even finding haggis. On the other hand you’ve got to try a Deep Fried Snickers Bar.

Pub Crawls

You can visit all sorts of museums, gardens, and restaurants during the day, but what is there to do at night? So many urbanites like to enjoy the benefits of city life during the evenings too. The perfect activity to fill your evenings is right downtown.  If you arranged your lodgings right they might even be right down stairs. On Pub Crawls you basically walk or “crawl” from pub to pub. If you look around you can find official Pub Crawls to take that are like a tour.

Above photo of Port O’ Leith bar, Eninburgh by Ross Angus

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Scotland is the birthplace of golf, so it goes without saying that if you are a golfer you simply must get in a game or two. Scotland has more than 500 golf courses scattered across its lush landscape. Everyone can find the prefect golf course to satisfy the golfer in them. If you enjoy golfing then getting the chance to play is going to be the best part of your Scotland vacation.

Historical Golf Courses

It isn’t known exactly when the great game of golf was invented, but since golf’s beginning the game was enjoyed by everyone in Scotland from paupers to royalty. If you want to tee up where golfing celebrities have been playing for so long then aim for St Andrews Links. This is a links course, which means that it is by the sea and therefore has plenty of natural sand dunes, few trees, and few water hazards. At St Andrews Links you can get tee times in the old course or the castle course. Just be aware that this famous golf course is very popular, so getting a tee time is going to take some real effort. Once you are out on the course it will all be worth it.

When to go

If you’re planning on doing some golfing on your Scotland vacation or if golf is going to be the center of your Scotland vacation then it’s good to plan for golf season, which is technically from the beginning of April to the end of September.  The busiest times are in May and September. You can easily find a nice place to golf all year long in Scotland if you don’t mind the cold weather. No matter what time of year you visit be prepared for unpredictable weather. Bring waterproof shoes and a warm wool sweater to go under your jacket.

Above photo “Tees” by foxypar4

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You’ve been working hard all year long and now it’s time for your vacation. A Scotland vacation is just perfect to unwind, see something new, get some exercise, and become one with nature. You may already know what to expect from a Scotland vacation. Things like majestic castle ruins, rolling hillocks, misty lochs, tall sea cliffs, and an exciting pub scene. There is just so much to do and see in Scotland, where do you start deciding what to include on your itinerary.

Golfing

Are you a golfer? Even if you aren’t, a Scotland golf vacation is going to be entertaining. Scotland is the birthplace of golf, so of course, it is dotted with wonderful golf courses. You don’t need to be a golf pro to play a game at many of the Scotland’s scenic golf courses. It would be a good idea to try golf at home if you are a complete novice.

Fishing

Not only can you enjoy great fish and seafood when you visit Scotland at the many restaurants and pubs, but you can also go fishing to catch your own. Scotland is a wet country with plenty of streams, rivers, lochs, and ocean to choose from. Fishing is a big pastime in Scotland, so finding tackle shops and guides is not a problem.

Urban Cities

Scotland’s Urban Cities are real happening places these days. The Scottish people are fun loving and friendly, so making new friends in local pubs is easy. If you are interested in history then the big cities like Glasgow are perfect places to sight see. Take in the enchanting architecture everywhere, roam the many museums, and follow a lovely foot path into the wilder areas. Scotland’s cities good places to find all types of accommodations. You can book anything from youth hostels to a room in a castle hotel.

No matter how you decide to take this vacation, remember to take the time to relax and enjoy yourself.

Above photo “6th Green, Royal Dornoch Golf Club” by foxypar4

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Scotland is full of green hillocks, rocky beaches, breathtaking sea cliffs, all types of castles, country farms, majestic locks, bubbling streams and rivers, and active modern cities. No matter what type of scenery you‘d like to see during your Scotland vacation you’ll be delighted with the adventure of finding it. What type of adventure would you like to have?

Get Up Close to the Scotland Landscape

You can fill your Scotland vacation with riding the railway, busses, in a rental car, or planes to get from place to place. But if you really want to see the real Scotland be sure to take in some of the scenery on foot. Or if you prefer you could rent a bike or horse to make the travel faster. Scotland has some very unique wildlife that you simply cannot find anywhere else. You would not be able to see them from a window in a fast moving vehicle. If you really enjoy nature then get out and see some while you are in Scotland.

Walking the local foot paths

If you would like to get some good exercise on your Scotland vacation then you’re in luck, Scotland has a wonderful selection of walking paths. There are whole books written just on the subject of walking around Scotland. Don’t let the term foot path fool you. Many of these paths are very long and can take you across country. If you aren’t a hard core back packer then do not fear. Finding shorter paths or just using a part of the longer ones is not a problem. Just bring your rugged winter gear even if it is summer. The weather in Scotland changes fast and you will want to be prepared.

Hiking around the Coast

There is nothing more dramatic and breathtaking than the Scotland coast. Many wonderful foot paths can be found by the sea. You could try to take on a long trek down the coast or just explore some of the intoxicating castle ruins that hang on steep sea cliffs. When walking these paths always pay attention to warning signs and of course warnings from passersby. The coast can also be dangerous and you want to return safely from your Scotland vacation to tell everyone about it.

Wake up Under the Scottish Sky

The true adventurers out there could wake up under the Scotland sky. This is the stuff of dreams. And of course I’m referring to the sky that is above your nice cold weather tent roof. Behave like a true Scotsman and go with a group to make a nice party. This isn’t just for the camp fire conversation, there is safety in numbers. As stated before the weather can change fast in Scotland and so you will need to really know what you are doing before attempting a Scotland camping trip.

Above photo “Explorer Summer Camp 2007 – Scotland” by Ben.Bowen

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Green rolling hills, ancient castle walls, regal churches, quant inns, kilts in bright red and navy, lively pubs, cool breezes, the best golf courses, and more locks than you could count. This is a place where the people are fun loving, friendly, but won’t pry into your personal business.

If this sounds like a Wonderful place to you then a Scotland vacation is your perfect adventure. Scotland has so much to offer its visitors you could have ten Scotland vacations and not see it all. Where do you start deciding what to do?

Scotland Vacation for the Active

Your idea of the perfect vacation might be one where you can stretch your legs and really work up a sweat. If you really want to get out and see the countryside while challenging yourself then consider taking a walking, hiking, or camping trip in Scotland. You could pick a walk like Westhighland Way on the edge of Glasgow. You can take the path as far as you want from a day hike to a longer hike. If you are a real adventurer then camping will make you feel like a real Scotsman.

Scotland Vacation for Exploring Castles

What is the one thing that you think of when you think of Scotland? You are very likely thinking of castles. Castles are such a huge part of Scotland. There is a Scotland castle for everyone’s tastes. You can find opulent castles that have been turned into resorts and hotels to enjoy for a few nights to a few weeks. Or you can find fully appointed castles to rent in its entirety for your group. There are also castles that have been turned into museums with wonderful artwork and artifacts to explore. If you are anything like me you will find plenty of castle ruins to keep your imagination going for years.

Scotland Vacation for Golfers

It isn’t known the exact date that the great game of golf was created. However, it is known that this popular game came from Scotland. In gulfs childhood the game was enjoyed by every walk of life from pauper’s to royalty. Going to Scotland to play a few games of golf isn’t just for the pros, anyone can enjoy golfing in Scotland.

Scotland Vacation for Urbanites

The urban cities of Scotland are lively places with wonderful museums, historical castles, beautiful churches, fancy hotels, affordable hostels, and hopping pubs. You will find ancient buildings changed into accommodations and restaurants. Urban Scotland is great for shopping and making new friends. Everyone should spend at least a day exploring modern urban Scotland.

above photo “Bishop Hill” by Brian Forbes

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There are many things a visitor to Scotland can do and see. If your idea of a wonderful Scotland vacation involves adventure and lots of exercise, bring your walking shoes and umbrella. Scotland is a perfect place for the outdoorsman, and you’ll find more adventure than you can imagine. Here are a few examples of activates you could do in Scotland.

Walking

Scotland is full of foot paths. You can find some nice trails on the edges of Scotland’s most modern urban cities, or in the country where you will have only the Scottish highland cows for company. Scotland has truly unique wildlife that you won’t find anywhere else. You have quite a few foot paths to choose from, so you can follow the entire path for a cross country trek or just part of it for a day trip.

Camping

Are you a real camper? Do you enjoy camping in cool climates and want a really rugged adventure? Camping in Scotland is not for the faint of heart. There are plenty of places to choose from. If you’re planning to camp in the highlands beware of midges. They are also known as the “Wee Beasties” to locals. To avoid these biting insects you will want to camp in spring and fall instead of summer. So, having cold weather camping equipment is a must.

Skiing

Did you know that you can ski in the summer in Scotland? No they don’t have snow covered runs open all year. Scotland natives are real outdoorsmen; they enjoy outdoor sports all year long. So it is no wonder you can find several dry ski runs in Scotland. For example; The Alford Dry Ski Centre in Aberdeen. Or course if you choose a winter Scotland vacation than there are many wonderful ski runs to choose from.

Above photo “Wild Camping” by Hermes

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When you decided to have a Scotland vacation you probably had castles and the country side in mind. You might be hoping to take in some good museums and stay in a quaint inn or two. Most people have a restricted amount of time and money for their Scotland vacation. If you aim for a particular urban area you can get all the elements that you wanted into your vacation while saving travel time and money. What are some of your options?

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a metropolitan city that has much to offer. If you plan your Scotland vacation for August you can enjoy the Edinburgh festival. This is a grand festival entertaining for all ages. Each night in the whole month of August the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is performed in the Esplanade. The Esplanade is a parade gowned that sits in front of the Edinburgh castle.

Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland largest city, so there is much to see. If you are looking for great architecture then Glasgow is your city. You will find all kinds of architecture from a medieval castle to buildings right out of the Victorian age. Be sure to visit “Merchant City” and the “Royal Exchange Square” for the architecture. A walk around “Glasgow University” will also be worth your time.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is known as the city of Granite. It lies north of Edinburgh. Aberdeen is colder than Edinburgh with cutting winds and driving rain. So, why would I want to spend my Scotland vacation in Aberdeen you might ask? Aberdeen is also a city of gardens and parks. Everywhere you look you will find glorious flower gardens. This city is known to have the most beautiful parks in Britain. In fact Aberdeen has been banned from the big Britain garden contest called “Britain in Bloom” because they kept winning.

No matter what your dream Scotland vacation entails, you need to visit at least one of these cities and spend some time exploring urban Scotland for yourself.

Above photo “(Union Terrace, Aberdeen, Scotland) (LOC)” from the Library of Congress

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