Scotland Travel Guide

Edinburgh Castle towers on its rock above the city—a grand old fortress, Edinburgh's top landmark and witness to Scotland's history and glory. High on a steep extinct-volcano rock (Castle Rock), it was a stronghold guarding the city, central to Scottish history. Through wars, sieges and royal drama, it holds the Honours of Scotland (the crown jewels, Britain's oldest) and the Stone of Destiny (coronation stone); the small St Margaret's Chapel (Edinburgh's oldest building); and the daily One O'Clock Gun. From the heights, the city panorama: medieval Old Town, Georgian New Town, the Firth of Forth. In summer, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the esplanade. Exploring Edinburgh Castle is the city's top sight.

Calton Hill is a city hill with superb panoramas and classical monuments—an easy, well-viewed hill famed for its Greek-style monuments and city views, Edinburgh's most photogenic viewpoint. Calton Hill, east of the center, is low—easy steps or path to the top—with superb city views. On top stand unique classical monuments, earning Edinburgh the 'Athens of the North': the National Monument (modeled on the Parthenon, unfinished—a few great Doric columns, hauntingly incomplete); Nelson Monument (telescope-like tower, climbable); and the Dugald Stewart Monument—forming Calton Hill's skyline. From the top, Edinburgh's classic panorama: the castle, the Old Town's Royal Mile, the elegant New Town, the blue Firth of Forth and Arthur's Seat—best at sunrise/sunset. Exploring Calton Hill is an Edinburgh sight of great views.

The Royal Mile is the historic spine of Edinburgh's Old Town, linking castle and palace—a stone-paved medieval street of ancient stone houses, the heart and soul of the Old Town, full of history, character and street life. About a mile long, one end at the castle on the rock, the other at Holyrood Palace—hence 'Royal Mile.' Along the castle rock ridge, the axis and essence of the (World Heritage) Old Town. Strolling it, ancient tall stone buildings line both sides; hidden narrow closes and wynds (Old Town alleys) hold old courts and stories. Along the way, history and life mingle: St Giles' Cathedral, Scottish historic buildings, Scottish shops (wool, tartan, whisky, souvenirs), pubs, restaurants and street performers. Walking the Royal Mile is a not-to-be-missed Edinburgh sight.

The Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park in Glasgow is Scotland's only national football museum, with artifacts from the 19th century to today — jerseys, trophies, photos and interactive exhibits, a pilgrimage for Scottish football fans.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum was built for the 1901 Glasgow International Exhibition; its Spanish Baroque red sandstone houses over 8,000 objects — from Darwin's specimens to Dali's 'Christ of Saint John of the Cross'. Both an art temple and Glaswegians' favourite weekend spot. Families linger for hours, making it a true city living room.

Glasgow Cathedral, also St Mungo's, is a 13th-century Scottish medieval church and the only medieval cathedral in Scotland to survive intact. Dedicated to the city's patron saint Mungo, its deep crypt and soaring nave remain the foremost example of Scottish ecclesiastical architecture. From the tower you overlook Glasgow's old town and the Clyde.