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Scotland at a Glance

Scotland (Gaelic: Alba) 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 consists of over 790 islands including the Northern Isles and the Hebrides.

Scotland is the most politically independent of the four home nations of the United Kingdom, boasting its own legal and educational systems, and since 1999, has had its own separately elected devolved government which deals with exclusively Scottish affairs.

The capital is Edinburgh; the largest city is Glasgow. Edinburgh, the country's second largest city, is one of Europe's largest financial centres. Edinburgh was the hub of the Scottish Enlightenment of the 18th century, which transformed Scotland into one of the commercial, intellectual and industrial powerhouses of Europe.

Apart from these and several other cities, the popular image of Scotland for most travellers, of course, centres on the "Highlands and Islands" - a wonderfully diverse land, Scotland has much to offer virtually any traveller.

Scotland has rich and strong culture, one of which its people are fiercely proud. Scotland has a great tradition of festivals, art and literature. It has produced some of the greatest literary personalities, actors and writers of the world. Irvine Welsh has made a heavy impact on the international literary scene and the prestigious Edinburgh Festival is a hotspot on international arts calendars. Do not to refer to Scotland as England, or to Scottish as English - it is very likely to cause serious offense!

Contact Romantic Planet Vacations today to inquire more details about your destination wedding or romantic getaway in Scotland.

Regions in Scotland

Administratively, Scotland has been divided into a large number of traditional counties and (currently) 32 modern unitary authorities. These are of only limited use to the traveller, however, and an alternative regionalisation — based on culture and geography — is far more practical. From south to north:

Borders

The eastern two-thirds of the districts north of the border with England, dotted with ruined abbeys and battlefields.

South West

Home of Rabbie Burns and the Solway Coast ("Scotland's Riviera").

Central Belt

Scotland's most urbanised region around and between the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Highlands

Scotland's spectacular, mountainous north-west, encompassing the Great Glen and Loch Ness and John o'Groats.

North East Scotland

The centre of two of Scotland's most important industries, oil and whisky, with the Grampian mountains at its heart.

Northern Isles and the Hebrides

Hebrides are the many islands off the north-west Scottish coast, and Orkney Islands & Shetland Islands to the north of the Scottish mainland.

 

Resorts in Scotland

all information contained herein is subject to change

 

THE BALMORAL - Edinburgh A luxury hotel in the true sense of the word, Rocco Forte Hotels' Balmoral, with its majestic clock tower, is a stylish five-star property in the very heart of Edinburgh. While many Edinburgh hotels claim to have Edinburgh's landmarks on their doorstep, few can say their doorstep is a landmark.

THE GLASSHOUSE - Edinburgh Five star boutique hotel The Glasshouse is ingeniously designed to meld the modern and the medieval in the most creative way imaginable. Merging 150 year old façade crafted from the once Lady Glenorch Church, with a modern hotel where clean contemporary spaces are bathed in natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows.

HILTON GLASGOW HOTEL - Glasgow The centrally located Hilton Glasgow hotel is only minutes away from Glasgow's shopping district and 8 miles from Glasgow Airport. Situated just off the M8 motorway at the edge of the city centre, the Hilton Glasgow hotel is within easy reach of popular Glasgow attractions such as the Glasgow Science Centre and Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.

TURNBERRY RESORT - Ayrshire The Turnberry Resort (also called The Westin Turnberry) in Scotland enjoys a spectacular coastal setting with breathtaking views of Isle of Arran, Ailsa Craig and the Irish Sea. Surrounded by Scotland's most beautiful scenery, every visit is unforgettable. This is a luxury resort very much in keeping with the particular demands of the modern world.

OLD COURSE HOTEL, GOLF RESORT & SPA - St. Andrews The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa at the Home of Golf has a location like no other. The Old Course Hotel offers some of the most luxurious accommodation in Scotland. Guests can expect to enjoy either the priceless view of the Old Course and the St Andrews coastline, or the fields and hills of Fife.

ACKERGILL TOWER - Caithness Award winning, totally private and purposely low profile; Ackergill Tower is one of the worlds most sought after exclusive use retreats. This magnificent 15th century Scottish Castle is a 25 bedroom home beyond 5 stars offering unrivalled peace and seclusion combined with an irrepressible spirit of adventure.

FENTON TOWER - North Berwick Fenton Tower is a fortified 16th Century tower located just 20 miles east of Edinburgh between Gullane and North Berwick, which has been meticulously restored to provide a luxury accommodation for up to 12 people. Fenton Tower is a 5 Star exclusive use venue that combines state-of-the-art facilities with the informality of a private home.

DALMUNZIE CASTLE - Blairgowrie, North Perthshire Dalmunzie Castle is a stunning quintessential Lairds mansion turreted in the Scots Baronial style & standing proudly at the head of a 6500 acre estate dating back to 1510. Enjoying magnificent mountain scenery, Dalmunzie is located in a hidden part of Highland Perthshire, yet is less than two hours from Edinburgh airport.

 

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