 Scotland lies to the north of England and is the northernmost part of the United Kingdom. Numerous islands lie to the north and west coasts of Scotland such as the Shetlands, the Hebrides and the Orkneys. To the east of Scotland is the North Sea and to the west and north of Scotland lies the Atlantic Ocean.
When?
The main tourist season in Glasgow runs roughly from early spring to late summer, although Glasgow is still popular during the winter months.
How to Reach
?
Direct flights are available from cities worldwide, including Atlanta, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and more. There are over 40 flights a day from London to Edinburgh and many more from other English airports.
Visa
There are different types of Scotland visas but the most common for touring Scotland is a single entry tourist visa, which is valid for up to 6 months. US citizens do not require a visa to enter the United Kingdom for stays of up to 180 days.
Currency
Pound (£) = 100 pence. Notes in denominations of £50, 20, 10 and 5. Additional notes issued by Scottish banks are legal tender in all parts of the UK. Coins in denominations of £2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence.
Things To Do in
Scotland
Edinburg
The city is mainly divided into the medieval Old Town, and the Georgian New Town. Both contain a variety of stunning architecture, which has been beautifully preserved. Edinburgh is also famous for its historical landmarks, attractions, galleries and museums.
Nelson Monument
Perched high on Calton Hill in the east end of the city centre, is the monument to Admiral Lord Nelson's victory, and death, at the battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. The upturned telescope was designed by the architect Robert Burn, and was built between 1807 and 1815.
Edinburgh Castle
This most famous of Scottish castles has a complex building history. The oldest part, St Margaret's Chapel, dates from the 12th century; the Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War.
Craigmillar Castle
The castle of Craigmillar is one of the most perfectly preserved castles in Scotland. Even today, the castle retains the character of a medieval stronghold.
Mercat Tours - Engage, Enthral and Entertains!
Join us on a journey into the past. All of our guides are passionate historians with a talent for storytelling. Let them introduce you to the characters who lived in the Old Town of Edinburgh in times gone by and perhaps still do...... We have exclusive access to dark underground vaults reputed to be the most haunted place in Britain.
Scott Monument
On the death of Sir Walter Scott in 1832, the great and good of the city came together to agree on a fitting monument to this outstanding Scottish literary figure. In 1836, an architectural competition was launched, inviting designs for an appropriate memorial. Two years later, the trustees approved the design submitted by George Meikle Kemp, and construction began in 1840.
Belhaven Bay
Belhaven Bay is a glorious, extensive beach within the John Muir Country Park. The beach stretches from Belhaven to the north of the River Tyne. Low, sheltering sand dunes, rich salt marsh and colourful grasslands fringe it.
Glasgow
Glasgow has undergone a complete rejuvenation in recent years, and this is reflected in the city winning the European City of Culture and European City of Architecture & Design titles. The city also regularly tops polls as the ‘coolest city in the UK’. Glasgow’s culture and design is expressed in its museums and galleries.
Glasgow Cathedral & Necoropolis
Glasgow Cathedral is built on the site where St Kentigern, or Mungo, the first bishop within the ancient British kingdom of Strathclyde, was thought to have been buried in AD 612. The present cathedral was built during the 13th to 15th centuries and is the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the 1560 Reformation virtually complete.
Glasgow Science Centre & Tower & IMAX
Glasgow Science Centre is one of the most exciting and challenging projects in Scotland in recent years. The Centre aims to promote public awareness of the importance of science and technology - and we can only succeed through the efforts and expertise of staff.
Pollok House and Country Park
Pollok Estate has been the home of the Maxwell family since the mid-13th century. The current house is an impressive 18th century mansion, filled with wonderful collections of Spanish art, antique furniture, silverware and ceramics, and an impressive library. A visit to Pollok House offers a snapshot of life in a country house, yet only minutes away from the city.
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art
This unique museum explores the importance of religion in people's lives across the world and across time. The building, which stands on the site of the medieval Bishop's Castle, was opened in April 1993. The aim of the museum is to promote understanding and respect between people of different faiths and none.
Provand’s Lordship
At Provand's Lordship you can step back into Glasgow's past in the only house to survive from the medieval city. Now open to the public, Provand's Lordship has been extensively restored to give a real flavour of life in medieval Glasgow. Andrew Muirhead, Bishop of Glasgow, built the house in 1471 as part of St Nicholas’s Hospital and you can still see the bishop's coat of arms on the eastern side of the south gable.
Rail Network
Scotland has a rail network extending all the way up to Thurso and Wick, the most northerly stations in the British Isles. Many routes in Scotland run through very scenic countryside, especially the west coast lines from Glasgow to Oban, and further north to Fort William and Mallaig, often serviced by the Jacobite Steam Train – famously known as the ‘Hogwarts Express’ in the Harry Potter movies!. The rail route from Inverness west to Kyle of Lochalsh near Skye is also very beautiful. Oban, Mallaig, Ullapool and Kyle of Lochalsh are all gateways to the west coast islands, and from here your clients can catch ferries (or cross the bridge in the case of Kyle of
Lochalsh).
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