Visitors’ Guide to Scotland
The Visitors’ Guide to Scotland extends to nearly 800 pages and includes 1250 colour photographs – a perfect “coffee table” book to dip into and browse, keep as a wonderful souvenir of a memorable holiday in Scotland, or even use it as a reference book as it is so informative covering twenty four sections, summarised as follows:
ACTIVITIES
A wide range of information on mountaineering, hiking, walking, cycling, zip wire experiences, canoeing, kayaking, winter sports, white water, sailing, indoor climbing and outdoor swimming.
ARCHITECTURE
Key focus is on Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928), a world class architect and designer who has left a considerable portfolio of his work in the Glasgow area.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Here can be found a listing of principal galleries around Scotland plus information on local craftspeople.
CASTLES
Scotland is home to over seven hundred castles dating from the 12th century onwards. Here can be found summary information on a selection of the most important and popular buildings.
DRIVING TOURS
Here can be found outline itineraries covering a selection of driving tours plus the popular North Coast 500 route (‘NC500’).
EVENTS AND CULTURE
Here can be found information on such famous events as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Highland Games. Separately, there is a section on Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.
FAMILY HISTORY
Here can found information to assist visitors who wish to connect with their Scottish ancestry.
FAMOUS PERSONS IN HISTORY
Rob Roy MacGregor, Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Victoria are associated with Scotland. Here can be found information to enable visitors to connect with these famous persons.
FILMING LOCATIONS
Scotland has become increasingly popular as a setting for such popular films at Outlander, Harry Potter and James Bond. In this section can be found information on specific sites used for filming.
GARDENS
Scotland is home to about one hundred gardens which are open to the public. Here is summary information to assist the visitor together with specific information on Inverewe Garden the Highlands.
GEOLOGY
The origins of the modern science of geology can be traced to Scotland in the 18th century. Here is information on the geology of Scotland in general and Isle of Skye in particular.
HINTS AND TIPS FOR VISITORS
Here can be found a wide range of information on clothing, climate, currency, etc.
HISTORY
Scotland offers a wide range of material for the student of history stretching from the Neolithic period through to the Iron-Age, the Romans, the Vikings, Medieval battle sites and the early industrial period. Here is a wide range of information to assist visitors with their research.
HOUSES
Within Scotland can be found an extensive range of grand houses. Here is information on Dumfries House and Kinneill House.
ISLANDS
Scotland is famous for its wide range of islands which principally comprise the Inner and Outer Hebrides plus the Northern Isles. Here is information on fourteen specific islands.
LOCHS (LAKES)
Scotland is home to over thirty thousand lochs. Here can be found information on Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and Loch Tay.
NATURE
Scotland has much to offer visitors with interests in wildlife. Here is information on wild animals and bird life.
PLACES
Here can found information on popular cities, towns and villages (thirty seven in total) many of which have histories dating back about fifteen hundred years.
SCOTTISH BORDERS
This fascinating region is often overlooked by first-time visitors. Here can be found information on the famous Border Abbeys (romantic ruins) plus sites associated with Clan Armstrong.
SCOTTISH FOOD
Here is information on a wide range of unfamiliar dishes which the visitor may encounter. There is also a selection of recipes from Arisaig in the Western Highlands.
STEAM TRAINS
For visitors who wish to connect with the steam era, there are a few train lines which operate steam locomotives during the summer period.
TEXTILES
Here is information on the textile industry with which Scotland has an association dating back to the 18th century.
TROSSACHS REGION
Here is information on this popular region which benefits from rolling hills, numerous lochs and wooded landscapes.
WHISKY DISTILLERIES
Whisky is Scotland’s single largest export. The industry now extends to well over one hundred active distilleries. Here is information on the whisky industry and distillery tours.
If you can tear yourself away from this fascinating book, it would also make a delightful gift.