From the romantic capital to the far-reaching highlands, its beauty is sometimes gentle,
and sometimes as gorgeous as an epic …
Scotland, located in the north of Great Britain, was historically an independent kingdom that resisted England’s war to unite the island of Great Britain, and was eventually incorporated as a part of the United Kingdom in 1707.
Different from England’s refined and classic flair, Scotland presents a natural, passionate and wild beauty. In the north, the vast wilderness, coastal cliffs, and rolling hills create an epic highland landscape; in the center, the two charming cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow are rich in history, culture and art, with ancient castles, museums, universities, and green parks, linking history and modernity. In addition, the bagpipes, the kilt, the whiskey and more form a distinct Scottish charm.
Romantic Edinburgh
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world, where the breath of profound history, culture and art flow in the air.
The Old Town is home to well-known attractions such as Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. The New Town is a collection of gourmet restaurants and high-end stores, as well as Arthur’s Seat, which adventure seekers won’t want to miss. To explore the cultural side of Edinburgh, visit galleries, museums, and watch theater and cabaret performances. If it’s August, you’ll be lucky enough to attend the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture in the world.
Perched atop an extinct volcano and overlooking the city, Edinburgh Castle is undoubtedly a calling card. It can be reached by following the slope of the Royal Mile all the way up. The castle displays the oldest crown in Europe – Honours of Scotland, and the Stone of Destiny, on which the ancient Scottish kings sat for their coronation. Listen as you walk with the castle steward or rent an audio guide to learn about the castle’s glorious history and architectural features. The audio guide is available in eight languages. On the outdoor terrace, the “One o’Clock Gun” still fires at 1 p.m. every day (except Sundays). At one time, ships on the Firth of Forth calibrated their time pieces by the sound of the gun.
As you walk around Edinburgh and look up, in addition to Edinburgh Castle, another presence that is hard to ignore is Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano inside Holyrood Park, which rises 251 meters above sea level and offers a stunning view of Edinburgh and the Lothians. It’s not easy to get to the top of the volcano, so if you decide to take on the challenge, pack a picnic and enjoy a meal on the “best seat” when you reach the top. The landscape of Holyrood Park is diverse, with cliffs, marshes, and lakes creating beautiful scenery. Different hiking routes and trails are available.
Scotland is known for its changeable weather, so if it happens to be rainy and not suitable for outdoor activities, why not go to visit museums and galleries? The National Museum of Scotland is free to enter and houses over 20,000 rare artifacts. From Egyptian tombs and natural wonders to modern technology, there is something for the whole family. If the rain stops and sun comes out, head up to the roof terrace for a panoramic view. The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art houses a collection of masterpieces from the 20th century to the present, with works by Matisse, Picasso, and contemporary Scottish artists all on display. After admiring the masterpieces, you can enjoy the signature coffee and cake at the gallery cafe.
Green trip in Glasgow
Seventy kilometers west of Edinburgh lies Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow. Bordered by the bay, it became a trading hub in the 17th century, but today Glasgow is trying to shed its image as an industrial city and create a new modern city impression.
While the city is known for its industrial heritage and landmarks, the name Glasgow actually means “green open spaces” and, true to this name, the city has over 90 parks and urban green spaces! It’s also a city that’s strongly committed to sustainable development. When you come to Glasgow, apart from visiting the famous attractions and experiencing its vibrant nightlife, consider trying a low-carbon green trip as a “responsible traveler” to help reduce the burden of the planet.
Pick a vegan restaurant or cafe and savor plant-based delights in a cozy atmosphere. Recommended: “Serenity Now” on the west side of the city, “The Hug and Pint” in downtown, “Honey & Salt” and “Milk Café” on the south side.
Visit the educational exhibition. The Riverside Museum’s ‘Going Green – The Drive for Energy Efficiency’ exhibition explores the new future of electric vehicles.
Stay in green hotels. From eco-friendly bedding to local food, many hotels in Glasgow are joining in the carbon reduction practice, such as the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow Marriott Hotel and Jurys Inn.
Eliminate plastic packaging and food waste. Many organic grocery stores in Glasgow adopt a measure of zero plastic and zero waste. You can also use your own containers to carry your food purchases. We recommend The Good Choice on Cathcart Street, Ecomart on Dumbarton Street, and Locavore Café and Greengrocer in the city center.
Dance to support low carbon endeavor. SWG3, a space alive with art, design, music, fashion, food, shopping and nightlife, uses the energy generated by dancers’ body temperature to power the club. It is estimated to save up to 70 tons of CO2 per year. So come and dance the night away on the dance floor.
And of course, don’t forget the many parks and green spaces throughout the city and immerse yourself in nature!
Escape into the Scottish Highlands
There is a large fault in the land of Scotland with the western and northern sides of the fault being higher, and the area of which is called the Scottish Highlands. The region featured by rugged mountains, endless sea breeze, starry lochs, vast meadows, exposed rocks, and the Glenfinnan railway viaduct, a classic scene in Harry Potter, is uniquely beautiful and cannot be found anywhere else on earth.
A 1.5-hour drive from Edinburgh takes you to Loch Lomond in the southern Scottish Highlands, the largest freshwater lake in the UK, surrounded by majestic mountains. Stroll along the lochside paths, watch swans play on the water and pigeons fly low; take a boat ride on the water and enjoy the mountains and the loch, and listen to the chanting of nature.
Eilean Donan Castle, one of the world’s most famous castles, is located about 3 hours to the northwest of Loch Lomond. The castle itself is not very grand, but the beauty of the surrounding landscape is what makes it stand out, and it is not surprising that it was used as the filming location for “The World Is Not Enough” and “Braveheart”. The castle is surrounded by water on three sides and is connected to the land by a stone bridge. The quiet lake and the old castle are framed in a poetic picture. Follow your guide into the castle, walk through the courtyard, living room and kitchen, and get close to a story of over 8 centuries. At night, the exterior of the castle will be beautifully illuminated.
The Isle of Skye in the north of the Highlands is a pure and mysterious paradise and has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The beautiful coastline, the sparsely populated wide highlands, and the mysterious castles perfectly present the wild atmosphere of the Scottish Highlands. The island offers a wide range of inexpensive seafood and Scotland’s famous Haggis, and you can hear the islanders singing ballads in the old Gaelic language.
The seaside town of Portree, the capital of Skye Island, is particularly impressive with a row of colorful houses standing along the bay, offering B&B for tourists. The town is small and you can explore the central area in an hour. Want more exercise? Wander along the coast of about three kilometers.
When looking at the Old Man of Storr, everyone will be amazed by the nature’s masterpiece. It is a huge and sharp rock standing on the mountain north of Portree, facing the sea, named after its resemblance to the head of an old man. Most visitors will look away from the foot of the mountain and find a good angle for photos. If you’re a hiker, try spending 3 hours climbing to the top to get a closer look, and if it’s sunset time, you’ll be greeted by a stunning picture – lush mountains, majestic rocks, blue water and a colorful gorgeous sky…
Staffin is another charming town in Isle of Skye with a great view of the sea. A group of cliffs majestically stretches out towards the Atlantic Ocean and is called Kilt Rock because of its resemblance to the Scottish kilt.
Isle of Skye is 402 km from Edinburgh and it takes about 6 hours by car to reach.
Loch Ness, a household name due to the movie “The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep”, is hidden in the grand canyon in the northern part of the Scottish Highlands. The lake is not frozen all year round, and the mountains on both sides of the lake are lush and wooded. Probably you won’t have the chance to meet the monster, but you can enjoy the large scenic spot featuring a Loch Ness Monster Museum, as well as a speedboat tour on the lake, and the surrounding castles and towns.
Wellness experience
From spas to yoga, from forests to farms, the vast Scottish land offers a rich variety of wellness and healing possibilities.
Located in the north of Edinburgh, the Spa at Gleneagles Hotel blends European, Eastern and Ayurvedic wellness philosophies to offer a range of body and facial treatments and promotes a “farm to spa” practice, using ingredients from local plantations, freshwater lakes and the rolling hills of Perthshire.
Stobo Castle Spa, at the south of Edinburgh, is Scotland’s only destination spa and is famous for the “ice crystals” in its crystal steam room. The healing master offers Reiki therapy to help guests reduce stress, boost energy and regain a positive mindset. Other signature experiences include marine therapies, Caudalie facials, and stress management programs.
Eco-footprint is at the heart of the Portavadie Spa in Glasgow. The spa is sustainably powered by a woodchip biomass generator; and the ingredients used in the treatments are sourced from Scotland, such as the antioxidant-rich seaweed from the Hebrides.
The 10,000 square foot luxury Spa at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow, combines organic and bioscience to heal the body and mind through a holistic approach. The hydrothermal area combines wet, dry, hot and cold experiences to stimulate body circulation and enhance wellness. The spa offers nine treatment rooms, two spa relaxation pools, a lounge and a café.
Scotland also offers many opportunities for yoga enthusiasts. The Roulotte Retreat in Melrose offers a series of yoga classes and retreats lasting several days. Saorsa 1875 in Perthshire is known for its vegetarian menu and eco-friendly philosophy, and offers regular yoga retreats on site. On the shores of a tranquil lake in Argyll, EcoYoga offers forest bathing and eco-retreat experiences in addition to yoga classes.
Weekend farm tours are one of the most popular activities for local residents in Scotland, and wellness travelers are encouraged to try them out. Glen Kerran Farmhouse, a 150-year-old farm on the Kintyre peninsula on Scotland’s west coast, is a great place to spend the day fishing, horseback riding, walking, tending to farm animals and pruning plants. If you want to learn new skills, take part in arts and crafts classes, or if you don’t want to do anything else, immerse yourself in the stunning countryside, listening to the wind, birdsong and streams, and after dark, lie in a comfortable hot tub and look up at the stars.
Uist Forest Retreats in the Hebrides is a luxurious wellness destination, offering a pleasant escape where the lush forest is joined by the stretch of white sandy beach, rocky shoreline and flowering meadow to create a picturesque setting. Your neighbors will be sea eagles nesting in the trees and adorable horse deer. When the weather is bad, stay inside in the warmth and watch the leaves swaying in the wind and the waves lapping in the distance through the floor-to-ceiling windows; when the weather is fine, go out and explore, walk on the beach with the salty sea breeze, or watch different flowers and insects up close.
