EILEAN DONAN CASTLE, SCOTLAND

Scotland

"If you don't like Scottish weather, wait 30 minutes, and it is likely to change."

- Raymond Bonner

Food to eat when in Scotland

Full Scottish Breakfast

Food in Scotland is somewhat similar to Ireland, but one particular dish that is purely identified as Scottish is the haggis. That is something you have try, besides seafood. Whether traditional or not, you can't go wrong with your choices when eating in Scotland. Click on the link to find some of the delicious food we had while traveling in Scotland.

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Cities & Towns

Scotland covers the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It borders the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast and the North Sea to the east, and it borders England on the south. Scotland's landscape is comprised of mountains and hills formed by glaciation during the ice ages.

The earliest settlement in Scotland is a preserved village, a stone-built neolithic settlement, dated to about 6,000 years ago, found in the Orkney Islands. There are over 7,000 historic towns and villages in Scotland today; each has its own charm and beautiful setting.

Stirling

Stirling is located on the right bank of the River Forth. It is the strategically important "Gateway to the Highlands". On top of a high volcanic plug on Castle Hill sits the famous Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's grandest castles.

Aberfoyle

Aberfoyle is an ideal place to explore the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park and cruise the Loch Katrine. There are many hiking trails and fishing opportunities here.

Cairndow

The village of Cairndow is located at the head of Loch Fyne, near the mouth of the River Kinglas. In the center of the village is the Stagecoach Inn, one of the oldest inns in Scotland. Queen Victoria changed horses here in 1875.

Inveraray

Inveraray is located on the western shore of Loch Fyne, Scotland's longest sea loch. The town is a former royal burgh and ancestral home to the Dukes of Argyll (Chiefs of the Clan Campbell) whose family have resided in Inveraray since the early 15th century. Nearby is the impressive Inveraray Castle.

Oban

The seaside town of Oban is known as the "Seafood Capital of Scotland". Located on the west coast, the town is surrounded by miles of beautiful seashore. It is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William. Here, you can explore castles and the surrounding islands.

Fort William

Fort William is described as the "Outdoor Capital of the U.K. Located in the West Highlands, this town lies south of Inverness, west of Stirling and north of Glasgow. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the U.K. is located north east of the town.

Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus is located at the southwest end of Loch Ness, halfway between Fort William and Inverness. Here, boats travel the Caledonian Canal which cuts through the center of the village.

Beauly

Beauly is located along the River Beauly, renowned as a salmon fishing stream. It is a thriving and bustling Highland village. Here, you will find the ruins of Beauly Priory founded in 1230 by John Byset of the Aird, for Valliscaulian monks.

Inverness

Inverness, which means "Mouth of the River Ness", is the capital of the Highlands. It is one of the oldest towns in Scotland with a history dating back to 6th century. The River Ness flows out of Loch Ness, home of the famous Loch Ness Monster.

Elgin

Elgin is located south of the Moray Firth, between Inverness and Aberdeen, on the banks of the River Lossie. In the northern part of town, you will find the beautiful ruins of Elgin Cathedral, once considered Scotland's most beautiful cathedral.

Stonehaven

The harbor town of Stonehaven, located south of Aberdeen, is famous for its Hogmanay Fireballs ceremony. Two miles to the south is an impressive ruined fortress sitting on top of a craggy cliff, Dunnottar Castle.

Pitlochry

Pitlochry is a Victorian Town located in the very center of Scotland. It became a tourist resort after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the area in 1842 and bought an estate at Balmoral.

Dunkeld

Dunkeld is located on the north bank of the River Tay. The Dunkeld Cathedral can be found here. The houses within the town, about twenty of them, have been restored by the National Trust for Scotland. It is the most complete 18th century town in Scotland.

Aberfeldy

Aberfeldy is a small town located on the south side of the River Tay, Scotland's longest river.

Aberfeldy is associated with the poet Robert Burns who wrote a poem about The Birks in 1787. You will find his statue when you go hiking on the trail to the Falls of Moness.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is Scotland's capital city, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.K. The Old and New Towns are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

The Edinburgh Castle sits on top of an extinct volcano, the Castle Rock, dominating the city skyline. It is home to Scotland's crown jewels, as well as the Stone of Destiny used in the coronation of Scottish rulers.

South Queensferry

The town of South Queensferry is located west of Edinburgh, on the shore of the Firth of Forth. In this town you will find the impressive Forth Rail Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built between 1883 and 1890.

Village of Blackness

The village of Blackness was once a port for the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow, one of the main residences of the Scottish monarchs. The village is located on the harbor of Balckness Bay, on the south shore of the Firth of Forth. Here, you will find Blackness Castle, a 15th-century fortress, often referred to as "the ship that never sailed".

Linlithgow

Linlithgow is a royal burgh, or town, located 15 miles west of Edinburgh. The town has a rich ancient history. Here, you will find the ruins of Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots.

The town retains some of its character even after a series of developments in the center of town removed parts of its history.

Hiking/Walking

They say one of Scotland's best assets is the "Great Outdoors". Indeed, hiking in Scotland, or as they call it, "Hill Walking" is a different experience. For one, it can be quite windy, but if you can take it, you will be rewarded with the beautiful landscape. Check the link for some of the hikes we did traveling in Scotland.

Link on photo:

Ben A'an

The Birks of Aberfeldy, Pitlochry

Dun Na Cuaiche Walk, Inveraray

Ancient Sites

Clava Cairns

Charming Old Bridges

Castles of Scotland

Scotland has over 2,000 castles, not all having protected status, built as both fortifications and residences. The original wooden motte-and-bailey structures in Scotland were replaced by stone castles in the late Middle Ages, from simple tower houses to grander scales. Later, private houses of aristocrats incorporated some of these castles' features into their own homes, thus producing the Scots Baronial Style, built mainly for comfort and not for defense.

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's grandest castles, is located on top of an extinct volcano surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs. Fortified since ancient times, this castle was the home of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Balloch Castle

Balloch Castle is a Tudor Gothic building located on the southeast shores of Loch Lomond, part of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. It was built in 1808-1809 by John Buchanan of Ardoch. Today, the private estate is a Balloch Country Park.

Inveraray Castle

Inveraray Castle is located on the shores of Loch Fyne, in the county of Argyll. The 18th century castle is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Argyll, chiefs of the Campbell Clan.

Eilean Donan Castle

The Eilean Donan (Island of Donan) Castle is a 13th century castle located on an island where three great sea lochs meet - less than a mile from the village of Dornie. The ruined castle was restored by Lt. Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap, completed in 1932.

EILEAN DONAN CASTLE, SCOTLAND

Scotland

"If you don't like Scottish weather, wait 30 minutes, and it is likely to change." - Raymond Bonner

Food to eat when in Scotland

Full Scottish Breakfast

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Cities & Towns

Hiking/Walking

Link on photo:

Link on photo:

Ben A'an

The Birks of Aberfeldy, Pitlochry

Dun Na Cuaiche Walk, Inveraray

Ancient Sites

Clava Cairns

Charming Old Bridges

Castles of Scotland

"If you don't like Scottish weather, wait 30 minutes, and it is likely to change."

- Raymond Bonner