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SCOTLAND
Scotland is a land of mystery and beauty, dating back long before the
Roman conquest. The country is divided into three main regions: the Highlands,
the Midland Valley and the Southern Uplands, with the majority of the
population centered within the Midland Valley. Scotland has 787 islands,
including the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.
 Scotland is also noted for its lochs, or lakes, with most of the west
intersected by Sea Lochs, the longest of which penetrates more than 40
miles inland. The most famous loch, Loch Ness, is not only beautiful it
also comes with a monster.
GLASGOW
Glasgow, founded in around 1175 AD, is Scotland's largest city. Situated
in west-central Scotland, Glasgow is just an hour away from Edinburgh
and an ideal base from which to explore the Highlands. Once known for
its heavy industry, Glasgow has reinvented itself and is now famous for
its art scene and innovative architecture. The Glasgow School of Art is
renowned for its architecture, design and craft, and fine arts programs.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery holds one of the UK's finest art collections and
was the only UK stop on the recent world tour of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls.
A wealthy industrialist named Sir William Burrell amassed the Burrell
Collection, housed in the Pollock Country Park. It includes everything
from Chinese porcelain and medieval tapestries to French Impressionist
paintings.
A replica of Foucault's Pendulum is the centerpiece of Princes Square
a must see mecca of shops and restaurants.  The range of upscale outlets
can be overwhelming, so be sure to devote plenty of time for this shopping
excursion. The Virginia Galleries offer vintage clothing and the vibrant
street fashions of enterprising local designers. Merchant City, a funky
neighborhood lined with shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants, used to be
the center for Glasgow's sugar and tobacco traders, who once brought the
city its prosperity. At the northern end of Merchant City lies the Italian
Center. This compact hub of boutiques and cafés attracts the Versace,
Sisley, and Armani-clad residents of Glasgow.
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh is the jewel in Scotland's crown. It offers classical architecture,
tree-filled valleys, sweeping Georgian crescents, medieval closes, graceful
bridges, green parks, gorgeous views of the sea from street corners, and
the strikingly beautiful Edinburgh castle.
 The castle is Edinburgh's best known and most popular attraction, offering
a magnificent panorama of the city and surrounding terrain. The castle
was the seat of Scottish kings, and the royal apartments are on view to
the public include a tiny room in which Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth
to King James VI of Scotland, who was also James I of England. The ancient
Honors of Scotland - the crown, scepter and sword of state - are on view
in the Crown Room, and the oldest building in all Edinburgh, St. Margaret's
Chapel, has stood within the castle for more than 900 years.
The Royal Mile is a fascinating string of historic streets, which linked
Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. It was the thoroughfare of medieval
Edinburgh, and the place where one could find taverns, royal processions,
thieves, street entertainers, beggars, public hangings, riots, soldiers,
merchants, homes of the nobility, and the law courts. Today, the Royal
Mile retains its distinctive character, with streets filled with retail
stores, pubs, cafes, churches, museums, and historical sites. Side streets
have spectacular views and offer opportunities to explore interesting
diversions, and the Castle yards at the top of the road host various events
and entertainment.
ABERDEEN
 Aberdeen, located in Northeast Scotland, is that country's third largest
city. It is the offshore oil capital of Europe, yet it retains an enchanting
combination of well-preserved history, majestic granite architecture,
street markets, modern shopping centers, hip nightclubs, and flower filled
streets and parks. Aberdeen is a very desirable seaside resort attracting
visitors from all over the world. The beach, within the city itself, offers
four miles of beautiful sun-filled fun.
Aberdeen has a number of restaurants to choose from, offering a variety
of Scottish culinary styles that utilize the local produce, world-renowned
beef and fresh fish. However, there are plenty of American, Chinese, French,
Indian, Italian, Mexican and Turkish restaurants as well.
The award-winning Bon Accord center is the largest shopping mall in the
city. Previously voted the Best Shopping Center in Scotland, it has parking
for hundreds of cars and a childcare area with trained staff to look after
your little ones while you shop. Other shopping centers include The St
Nicholas Center and the Trinity Center. The Aberdeen Academy, due to open
soon, houses several more exclusive shops.
FOOD
Scotland has a distinctive cuisine, and the following is a list of some
of the more traditional Scottish foods.
Arbroath Smokie - A wood-smoked haddock still produced in small family
smokehouses in the east coast fishing town of Arbroath.
Bannocks (or Oatcakes) - A barley and oat-flour biscuit baked on a griddle
and often eaten with cheese.
Scotch Broth or Hotch-Potch - A rich stock is traditionally made by boiling
mutton (the neck is best), beef, marrowbone or chicken (for a chicken
broth). Included are various diced vegetables like carrots, garden peas,
leeks, cabbage, turnips and celery. A handful of barley is a wonderful
addition.
Black Bun - Black Bun is a very rich fruitcake, made with raisins, currants,
prunes, chopped almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger. The name is
derived from its very dark color.
Colcannon - A dish found in the Western Islands of Scotland and also
in Ireland. It is made from boiled cabbage, carrots, turnip and potatoes.
This mixture is drained and stewed for about 20 minutes in a pan with
butter, salt and pepper.
Crowdie - A simple white cheese, made from the whey of slightly soured
milk seasoned with salt and a touch of pepper. The seasoned whey is squeezed
in a muslin bag to remove excess water, left aside for two days and then
rolled in oats and served.
Haggis - Haggis is perhaps the best known Scottish delicacy and is not
for the faint of heart. Haggis is made from sheep's offal (or pluck).
The windpipe, lungs, heart and liver of the sheep are boiled and minced,
and then mixed with beef suet (fat) and lightly toasted oatmeal. This
mixture is placed inside the sheep's stomach, which is sewn closed. The
resulting haggis can be boiled (for up to three hours), although the partially
cooked haggis can be baked in the oven, which prevents bursting and spoiling.
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