A Quick Visitor's Guide to Scotland

Rolling hills, wilderness, forests, beautiful old market towns, picturesque islands... that's Scotland for you. You can reach Scotland via air, by rail (from London), or by sea (ferry from Belgium).

Edinburgh: The capital and the largest city of Scotland, Edinburgh is probably best known for its castle. Not only does it have a fascinating history, the castle provides breathtaking views in every direction.

Another must-see in Edinburgh is the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, which allows you to experience whisky sights, sounds and smells, and lets you see firsthand how whiskey is made.

One more place to visit is the Writers Museum built in 1622. It's dedicated to the lives and work of Scotland's great literary figures, such as Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Other Edinburgh attractions include the National Library of Scotland, the Royal Museum the Edinburgh Dungeon, the Real Mary King's Close, Ghost Tours, the Palace of Holyrood, Our Dynamic Earth, the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Glasgow: Glasgow is full of museums and art galleries renowned for their high quality displays. These are some of them: The Burrell Collection, Fossil Grove, Gallery Of Modern Art, Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Martyrs' School, McLellan Galleries, Museum Of Transport, People's Palace and Winter Gardens, Pollok House, Provand's Lordship, Scotland Street School Museum, and St Mungo Museum Of Religious Life And Art

Shopping: Another feature of Glasgow that attracts the traveler is its shopping; it offers some of the finest shopping in the UK. The three main streets that you need to focus on are Sauchiehall St, Buchanan St and Argyll St. Besides these, you can also look at Byres Rd in the west end, and Braehead shopping center.

Music: For the lover of live music, there are several great live music venues in Glasgow: The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, The Barrowlands Ballroom, King Tut's, The Garage, The SECC,the Clyde Auditorium and the Carling Academy Glasgow among others.

Sports: If you are a sports fan, then you probably know that Glasgow is home to the two biggest football teams in Europe: Rangers and Celtic FC. You can visit both grounds, Ibrox & Parkhead (Celtic Park). Besides these, you can also visit Scotland's national football stadium, Hampden. Glasgow Rugby is another attraction for the lover of sports.

Fife: St Andrews, in the east of Fife, is the golf lover's arena. In order to play on the turf, visit the Old Course at St Andrews, or the newly developed St Andrews Bay complex, among others.

Crail, the picturesque little harbor, is known as much for its delightful pottery, as it is for the crabs and lobsters that can be bought in season. Also visit the Secret Bunker, the fishing villages, Anstruther and Pittenweem, the town with a safe beach, Elie, Falkland, Dunfermline and Culross.

This quick guide should get you started on your adventure to the many-faceted and beautiful country that is Scotland. Enjoy your trip!