Wild Scotland

Natural History, April, 2001 by Stephanie Fekety

Nowhere else can you enjoy so many special experiences.

SCOTLAND PROVIDES A WONDERFUL opportunity to enjoy wild and untamed scenery, fascinating history and culture, and friendly people who are waiting to show you their own special version of this treasure on the edge of Europe.

Scotland is a small country and traveling around is easy. Begin your vacation by flying directly into Glasgow Airport in the west of Scotland. Glasgow is particularly well served by transatlantic flights. Continental Airlines operates a year-round, non-stop service to Glasgow via Newark, and from May to October, American Airlines operates a daily direct service to Glasgow from Chicago O'Hare. Within Scotland you can fly to main airports in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness.

Glasgow is one of Europe's great cultural destinations. Its museums and galleries, coupled with its architecture and culture, offer a veritable feast for visitors. Alexander Thomson designed some of the most original Victorian architecture in Glasgow. Discover his many buildings including the recently opened Holmwood House, or follow one of the heritage trails and self-guided walking tours available. Glasgow is also the headquarters of many cultural organizations, including Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, all of which have regular performances in venues around the city.

After thoroughly getting a feel for Glasgow and its environs, head toward the West Highlands and Islands, Loch Lomand, Stirling, and Trossachs. Here the lowlands meet the mountains of the north and west. Both the Trossachs and Loch Lomand have intrigued visitors since Sir Walter Scott's writings first made the area well known in the early nineteenth century.

IN THE OLDEN DAYS, ALL ROUTES LED to Stirling. Whoever held Stirling Castle controlled the entire Scottish nation. The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, the last conflict of the Scottish Wars of Independence, was fought within sight of its walls. Led by King Robert I, the Scots defeated the English occupying forces and gained almost three centuries of independence. Close by is the National Wallace Monument, a tribute to Scotland's first freedom fighter, Sir William Wallace, whose struggle to free Scotland from England's occupation was portrayed in the movie Braveheart.