Despite the fact that Scotland is part of the UK, it does not look like it at all. This is the land of lakes, mountains and castles. Among the lakes, the most famous is Loch Ness. where, according to legend, the monster Nessie lives. The most spectacular scenery in Scotland is the Highlands, with its snow-covered mountain peaks and deserted valleys, popular with mountain hikers.
Aviemore is a ski area in Scotland. Situated on the only Arctic plateau in Britain, this area is home to rare animals such as the pine marten, wildcat, red squirrel, osprey (especially near the Boat of Garten) and deer. Salmon fishing is very popular in the clear mountain water of the Spey River and in the nearby lakes. And the Rotiemurchus estate and Glenmore Forest Park retain acres of pine and spruce plantations with specially laid walking routes and trails, as well as a number of reservoirs.
The most interesting cities in Scotland are Edinburgh, its capital, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Glamis Castle first belonged to the family of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and from 1372 was the royal residence. It is where Queen Elizabeth was born. The castle is now the property of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. Tourists can see the castle itself and the surrounding gardens, but keep in mind that the castle is usually closed from December to March.
Scotland also includes 787 islands, some of which have preserved wildlife oases. The largest islands are the Hebrides, Shetland and Orkney.
Hebrides consist of 521 islands, 105 of which are inhabited. They are one of the largest centers of subsistence farming and Celtic culture. On the Hebrides, monuments of ancient times have been preserved. Calanais is a megalithic structure, sometimes called the “Stonehenge of Scotland”, created 5000 years ago, which is a building in the form of a circular fence of stone blocks. Stone pyramids were also found here. In the coastal waters of the islands, you can see whales, dolphins, seals, and on the shores covered with white sand, a variety of sea birds.
Shetland Islands make up 100 islands. 15 of them are inhabited by people. They got the name “islands of the Vikings”. The Vikings came here in the middle of the 9th century. and significantly influenced the culture of the population. The capital, Lerwick, has a fort, a museum, an exhibition dedicated to the Viking Age, and a fortified tower dating back to the 7th century. BC e. The former capital of the Shetland Islands, Scalaway lies 11 km to the east. It is a bustling fishing village with castle ruins and an interesting museum of the Norwegian resistance movement from World War II. Musa Island is home to the amazing double-walled fortified tower Musa Broch, the best-preserved building of its type in Britain. Other islands include deserted and heather-covered Yell, as well as Britain ‘s northernmost island. – Unst. Faheah Island is the most remote island in Britain, and its attractive patterned knitwear is still produced by the island’s co-operative society.
The Orkney Islands are 70 islands, 20 of which are inhabited. They amaze with the wealth of cultural and historical heritage, unique wildlife and the highest cliffs in the UK.. There are no forests and never have been, the islands are covered with moorlands, grasses and mosses growing on peat bogs. The capital of the islands is the city of Kirkwall. In it you can see the Cathedral of St. Magnus (XII century) and the ruins of the Bishop’s Palace. Skara Bra, a monument of ancient culture, is located 13 km north of the city. This is a village that has survived from the Stone Age and is a labyrinth of houses built of neatly stacked stones, with corridors closed from above. Even the stone furniture in the houses has been preserved.
Unique monuments are Maes Howe – a funerary structure, created in 2900 BC, and widely known for the fact that sunlight enters through its entrance during the winter solstice; Brough of Gurness – well-preserved ruins of a tower built in the Iron Age; Ring of Brogar – a building in the form of a circular fence with a diameter of up to 100 m from huge boulders, built 5000 years ago from 60 boulders; The Knap of Hovar – a two-house complex created earlier by Skara Bra; the Mid Howe tower is not only a defensive structure, but also a house with separate rooms, with preserved interior furnishings, including a water storage tank and a fireplace; Mid Howe Tomb – a chamber burial of 27 representatives of a small group of people who lived during the Stone Age; Isbister Tomb – a chamber burial of 342 people of various age groups who lived during the Stone Age; most of those who died were just over 25 years old, and only a few, mostly men, reached the mature age of 50 years. On the tiny island of Papa Westree is the oldest building in Europe – created in the VIII century. Church of Saint Boniface. Orkney is a birdwatcher’s paradise and is home to two seabird sanctuaries – Marwick and Old Man of Hoy.
