Holidays - Ireland & Scotland

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the southwest. In addition to the mainland, Scotland includes over 790 islands including the Northern Isles and the Hebrides.Scottish music is a significant aspect of the nation's culture, with both traditional and modern influences. A famous traditional Scottish instrument is the Great Highland Bagpipe, a wind instrument consisting of three drones and a melody pipe (called the chanter), which are fed continuously by a reservoir of air in a bag.Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.The city is built upon a jumble of hills and valleys. Edinburgh is named after Edwin, a king of ancient Northumbria; it has been a Royal Burgh since at least the twelfth century, and has been recognised as the capital of Scotland since the fifteenth. The Island of Skye, situated off the West coast of Mainland Scotland, is the largest and best known of the Inner Hebrides. Skye is a perfect location for walkers/hillwalkers and mountaineers. It is a compact island with a wide variety of walks and climbs to suit all abilities, from mountains and hills like the Red Hills, the Storr and Quiraing to more gentle walks such as the walk to Talisker Bay, the Portree Forest walk and the walk to Eas Mor waterfall.