Topic: Scotland

An expert's guide to Scottish slang

When it comes to slang in the United Kingdom, it has to be said that the Scots do it best.

Scottish foods you should try before you die

A look at what Scottish food is all about. Think Scottish food is all haggis and potatoes? Well, you wouldn’t be far wrong...

Touring the history of tweed in the Outer Hebrides

In the Outer Hebrides, they make cloth the old-fashioned way to the highest quality in the islands off Scotland.

Exploring the magical Isle of Iona

The isle of Iona is one of Scotland's best-kept secrets and most stunning tourist attractions.

Scotland's mysterious Rosslyn Chapel

Long the focus of folklore and legend, including Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, what about an email from Mary Magdalene? Why not?!

Inside Balmoral Castle - where Queen Elizabeth passed away

The late Queen Elizabeth II passed away at her Scottish residence, Balmoral, near Aberdeen. Now we look at the magic of why we love the historic residence.

A Scottish road trip in search of Brigadoon

Dana Huntley went on a 715-mile road trip through the Western Highlands and discovered the most spectacular landscape he’s ever seen.

The cradle of Scottish Christianity - from Whithorn to Wigtown

From the archaeological wonders of St. Ninian's priory to Scotland's book capital - a journey of exploration and education.

Last of the great stately homes - The Edwardian Manderston House

Manderston House in the Scottish Borders, almost completely rebuilt in Edwardian times, is described as being the swansong of that era.

On This Day: Robert Louis Stevenson author of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde" was born

Today, Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson whose classic tales include "Treasure Island", "Kidnapped" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde" was born in Edinburgh.

Where do the Royal Family go on vacation in the United Kingdom?

From the Scottish highlands to the Norfolk coast, travel like the Royal family, as we explore where King Charles and co spend their holidays.

England, Wales, and Scotland...The impossible joy of picking favourites

England, Scotland, and Wales...Which is your favorite? Join us as we take a look into what makes each one so special.

Britain's best known myths and legends and where to visit them

The most well-known and forgotten myths and legends of Britain's favorite holiday locations. How many of them do you know? 

Living history reveals a time capsule of long-forgotten Scottish life

Walk back in time at Newtonmore’s Highlands Folk Museum.

John Knox - the Scottish religious reformer

Martin Luther is synonymous with Protestantism in Germany. In France, John Calvin led the reform movement. Scotland, too, had its giant of ecclesiastical reform in John Knox.

Watch: The Royal Family in Scotland in 1955

The Royal Family has always shared a special relationship with Scotland and its people and this British Pathe footage from 1955 shows just that.

Scottish Crown Jewels' history is an incredible one that starts in Rome

The Scots have placed their affections in some strange places throughout their battle-worn history

All Aboard the Falkirk Wheel, in central Scotland

The only rotating boat lift in the world, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.

A Scottish treasure, Elgin and its biblical garden

A gem of a visit on the Grampian Line, in Scotland.

Teeing off across the UK: Exploring the best golf clubs

The United Kingdom is a golf lover's paradise, home to some of the most iconic and challenging golf courses in the world.

Taking a cruise around the Northern Isles of Scotland

A British Heritage report from the stern of the Bridge Deck - seeing Britain from a cruiseliners luxury.

The Scottish Borders - five days in paradise

Scotland is a country filled with some incredible sights. The Scottish Borders in particular offer up some stunning views.

Fife’s secret bunker - how Scotland planned for nuclear war

Aspiring travel writers are invariably advised to avoid the clichéd opening: “This well-kept secret” but, in this particular instance, it is 100 percent appropriate.

Exploring bonnie Scotland by train

Do Scotland by train and leave the driving. Elegant Edinburgh, the floral city of Aberdeen and west to the Highland capital of Inverness.

Denizen of the deep - the Loch Ness Monster

Urquhart Castle is surely one of the most picturesquely situated castles in the Scottish Highlands. Located 16 miles south-west of Inverness, the castle, one of the largest in Scotland, dominates a sandstone bluff overlooking much of the length of Loch Ness.

Watch: Archive footage of the Royal Family at Balmoral

Remarkable British Pathé footage shows the Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth and newborn Prince Andrew, arrive at their Scottish castle in 1960.

Have you seen this footage of the Royal Family at Braemar?

The Royal Family's love for Scotland is very well documented and this footage at the Highland Games illustrates that wonderfully.

From outdoor sculpture parks to museums - Terrific free things to do in the United Kingdom

See! Some of the best things in life are free! We take a look at the tourist attractions around the United Kingdom that are free... gratis! Imagine that!

Aberdeenshire, Scotland where the quality of life is best

What really makes life so great in Aberdeenshire, this sprawling rural county in the far northeast corner of Scotland? Inquiring British Heritage readers want to know.

Five Cathedral cities in England to visit by train

The East Coast mainline connects London and the Scottish capital of Edinburgh with a ribbon of steel linking five of Britain’s most historic provincial cathedral cities.

Planning a vacation to Scotland and don't know where to start?

If you’re intrigued about visiting Scotland but don’t know where to start let this be your guide.

Where lovers run to wed - a history of Gretna Green

Forbes Inglis takes a look at Gretna Green, the little Scottish village of love.

Kirkwall: the bustling capital of the Orkneys

Though separated from the Scottish mainland by only 10 miles across the Pentland Firth, Orkney is one destination that really feels a world away.

Dumfries House - A modern success story for a house steeped in Scottish history

A house fit for an Earl! The history of Dumfries House in south-west Scotland largely revolves around two men, separated in time by almost 250 years. 

William Wallace's adventure through time in Mel Gibson's movie

The Academy Award-winning film Braveheart managed to propel Sir William Wallace through nearly seven centuries. Through the magic of Hollywood, the infamous 13th-century Scottish hero has returned to his homeland and has once again created quite a stir.

“Scotland in miniature" - the Isle of Arran

If you're looking for a single whistle-stop tour take a trip to “Scotland in miniature”, the Isle of Arran.

The gilded cages of Mary Queen of Scots

Follow in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots by visiting the houses, castles, and areas she stayed in while imprisoned by her cousin Elizabeth I. 

Gateway to the Scottish heartland - River Tay

In the early part of the 13th century, an English cleric wrote; “Great Tay, through Perth, through towns, through country flies, Perth the whole Kingdom with her wealth supplies.”

On This Day: Sir Alexander Fleming, the Scottish discoverer of penicillin was born and changed the world

Sir Alexander Fleming's accidental discovery of penicillin changed the course of medical history, propelling humanity into the antibiotic era. His relentless pursuit of scientific knowledge and determination to improve human health set an example for generations to come.

Scottish pirate William Kidd's last voyage

"A man neither very good nor very bad, the fool of fortune and the tool of politicians, a pirate in spite of himself."

On This Day: J.M. Barrie author of "Peter Pan" was born in 1860

J.M. Barrie was born in the tenements of Kirriemuir in Scotland on this day in 1860. We take a look at the tragic back story of his famous "Peter Pan" and his birthplace now a museum honoring the great writer.

On This Day: the Union Flag became the official flag of Britain in 1606

The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the official flag of Britain. It was first created in Apr 12, 1606.

Celebrate New Years like the Scottish and follow the traditions of Hogmanay

On New Year's Eve about 200k people celebrate Hogmanay on the streets of Edinburgh. Here's everything you need to know about the ancient traditions of Hogmanay.

King Charles III stars in "Grand Designs" docu on decade-long renovation of Dumfries House

A new documentary, to air this week, "A Royal Grand Design" follows the United Kingdom's new monarch over a decade-long project to renovate Dumfries House, a Palladian country house in Ayrshire, Scotland.

Lord & Lady Macdonald of Skye - Highland heritage and hospitality

Lord Macdonald leads the far-flung Clan Macdonald as High Chief, and he and Lady Macdonald also preside over their own fair and hospitable corner of the “Garden of Skye.”

Traveling through Outlander's Scotland

This is  Outlander country! Forbes Inglis delights Outlander fans with a visit through the spots used in the popular drama.

Celebrate Scotland's Burn's Night online this year

This Jan 25th, lovers of Scotland and the bard Robert Burns are being invited to enjoy a very different Burn's Night, using #BurnsNightIn and #VirtualBurnsNight.

A day visiting Arbroath, a harbour town and Scotland's cradle of independence

Its fascinating history, with links to the Declaration of Arbroath, makes Arbroath a wonderful town to explore.

Aberdeenshire: Scotland's Enchanted Northeast Kingdom

Aberdeenshire has something for everyone.

The Declaration of Arbroath and Scotland's claim to independence

The Declaration of Arbroath is of huge importance to Scottish history and at the time was called "the most eloquent case for a nation’s claim to freedom produced anywhere in medieval Europe”. Forbes Inglis takes a look.

Take a virtual tour of Britains top tourist attractions during quarantine

As the coronavirus pandemic is really hampering our British travel plans in 2020 we decided to pull together some ingenious virtual tours of Britain's top attractions.

Ahead of the times in the mill town New Lanark

It took people with real vision to change life for our ancestors, a case in point can be found at the New Lanark mills in southwest Scotland.

Amazing places to add to your Britain must-see list

Our expert British travel writer's nine places that ought to be on every must-see list for anyone planning a trip to the United Kingdom.

Forget Danish hygge, this year we're practicing Scottish coorie?

Move over hygge, the Danish term referring to coziness and comfort, this year we’re all about Scottish coorie.

A room with a view - taking in the historic Scottish city of Edinburgh

Welcome to Edinburgh, Auld Reekie, the Athens of the North, the seat of Scottish culture and center of its history for the past 600 years.

Awesome Aberdeenshire!

Have you been to Aberdeenshire?

In the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie

Taking the High Road from Inverness to the Isle of Skye.

Dateline

The utopian cotton-spinning factory of New Lanark

Decent homes, fair wages and the first nursery school in the world

Harry Potter's Scotland

'There are black slugs everywhere!' My 6-year-old daughter gleefully exclaimed as we combed a steep grassy slope hunting for traces of wizards and magic. Harry Potter film crews had just dismantled the hut of the giant, Hagrid, and we were hot on their trail in the mountains of Glencoe, Scotland. 'Ron Weasley must have been throwing up all over the place,' she added with delight.

Drumnadrochit: Caught between the Loch and a Hard Sell?

Plans to upgrade visitor facilities at Urquhart Castle have put the castle's caretakers at odds with the wishes of the nearby townspeople.