Frommer's Scotland 8th Edition - To Parent Directory

The Best of Scotland1Scotland is permeated with legend and romance. Its ruined castles standingamid fields of heather and bracken speak of a past full of heroism and struggleand events that still ring across the centuries. Its two great cities—the ancientseat of Scottish royalty, Edinburgh, and even more ancient Glasgow, boastingVictorian splendor—are among Europe’s most dynamic centers. Equally asthrilling is the country’s awesomely beautiful outdoors, with Highlands, mountains,lochs, salmon-filled rivers, incomparable golf courses, and so much more.1 The Best Travel Experiences• Checking Out the Local Pub:You’re in a Scottish pub, talking tothe bartender and choosing from adizzying array of single-maltwhiskies. Perhaps the wind isblowing fitfully outside, causingthe wooden sign to creak abovethe battered door, and a fire isflickering against the blackenedbricks of the old fireplace. As theevening wanes and you’ve establishedcommon ground with thelocals, you’ll realize you’re havingone of your most authentic Scottishexperiences. We list ourfavorite pubs in the destinationchapters that follow.• Visiting Edinburgh at FestivalTime: The Edinburgh InternationalFestival has become one ofEurope’s most prestigious arts festivals.During 3 weeks in August,a host of performers descends onthe city, infusing it with a kind ofmanic creative energy. If you’replanning to sample the manyofferings, get your tickets well inadvance, and make your hotel andflight reservations early. Call& 0131/225-1188 or go to www.eif.co.uk to check schedules andpurchase tickets. See “SpecialEvents & Festivals” in chapter 4.• Haunting the Castles: The landof Macbeth numbers more castlesthan anywhere else in the world.Many are in evocative ruins, butdozens of the foreboding royaldwellings are intact and open tothe public. Some of these castles,such as Culzean (p. 206), built byRobert Adam, are architecturalmasterpieces filled with paintingsand antiques. Travelers who can’tget enough of Scotland’s castlesshould consider booking a nightor two in one of the many relicsthat have been converted intocomfortable, although sometimesdrafty, hotels.• Horseback Trekking Throughthe Highlands & Argyll: There’snothing like riding a sturdy ponythrough the Highlands’ fragrantheather and over its lichen-coveredrocks. One of Scotland’sbiggest stables is the HighlandRiding Centre, Drumnadrochit(& 01456/450-220); see “AlongLoch Ness” in chapter 10. For scenicequestrian treks across themoors, Highlands, and headlands