Places of interest

Edinburgh /pop. 439, 000/ is the administrative and cultural capital of Scotland. In the 18^th century Edinburgh began to emerge as an intellectual capital of Europe. The Golden Age included such literary figures as Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott. Old Town is of great historic interest. The Castle-Fortress /1076/ dominates the city from atop Castle Rock. The Castle has been occupied by both Scottish and Eng­lish rulers. Inside are the Crown Room with the Honours of Scotland, older than the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. In the Royal Apartments Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI in 1566. The Scottish National War Memorial commemorates some 100, 000 Scots who died in World War II.

New Town is characterised by Georgian architecture. Princes Street marks the division between the old and new.

A particularly enjoyable time to visit the city is during the Edinburgh International Festival. The Festival takes place the last two weeks in August. The official program includes opera, ballet, symphony concerts, plays, movies and art exhibitions. The Military Tattoo, staged by Scottish regiments is one of the most spectacular events.

City Art Center is the home of Edinburgh's fine arts collection. Edinburgh Zoo is one of the finest zoos in Europe. National Gallery of Scotland contains paintings by Scottish and European masters from the 14^th to 19^th centuries. Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the Queen when she is in Scotland. Among its occupants were Mary, Queen of the Scots, who lived in the palace in 1561-7 and Bonnie Prince Charlie, a resident in 1745 during his attempt to win the Crown. Royal Museum of Scotland is ranked among the finest of Britain's museums. Scott Monument has a marble statue of the author at its base. Scottish National Portrait Gallery displays portraits of individuals who have contributed to Scottish history. The Writer's Museum contains manuscripts and relics of literary greats Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Luis Stevenson.

Aberdeen /pop. 211, 100/ is a noble northern city which bristles with history. Its motto is " Bon ac­cord". A number of buildings in Aberdeen are of historical interest. A Statue of Lord Byron in front of Ab­erdeen Grammar school recalls that this poet attended the school 1794-98. Aberdeen lies near the most " castled" part of Scotland. Balmoral Castle is a summer residence for the British Royal Family. They have come to Balmoral each summer traditionally since 1853.

Ayr /pop. 56.000/ is principal among the vocation towns. It also has connections with the poet Robert Bums. The Brig o'Doon of Tarn o'Shanter fame still spans the river. Here also is Kirk Alloway, where the poet's father is buried. The castle Allowav is best known as the birthplace of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns. Burn's cottage is the thatched house where Robert Burns was born in 1759: it is now a museum. On the grounds is Burn's monument, built in 1823.

Braemar /pop. 400/ is a village popular with summer visitors. The Royal Highland gathering, an exhibition of Scottish sports held in September, is usually attended by the Royal family. Balmoral Castle is 6 miles east from Braemar.

Callander /pop. 2, 500/ represents Scotland in its romantic best. In the 18^th century, outlaw Rob Roy roamed here. Sir Walter Scott immortalized the benevolent bandit in his well-known novel. Scott also wrote of the Lady of the Lake, the lady Douglas and her lake, Lock Katrine.

Dumfries /pop. 31, 600/ is best known as the home of Robert Burns from 1791 to his death in 1796. Here he wrote some of his finest songs, including Auld Lang Syne. His statue graces High Street. Burn's House, on Burns Street, is where Robert Burns died in 1796. Memorials and personal relics are on display. Burns Mausoleum is a Grecian temple that is the burial site of die poet, his wife Jean Armour and their five sons.

Fort William /pop. 11, 100/ is a point of departure for touring the Western Highlands. The history of the region is kept alive in the West Highland Museum. Local folk traditions are revived in the Highland games each August. Events include " putting the stone " and " tossing the caber ". They say that games started in the 11^th century to find the strongest men to fight the Normans. Ben Nevis /4, 406 ft/ is the tallest mountain in Britain. Only experienced climbers should attempt to scale the dangerous northern flanks.

Glamis /pop. 697, 000/ is historically interesting town. Glamis Castle is the celebrated home of the Earl of Strathmore. The present Queen Mother is the daughter of the 14^th earl. According to William Shakespeare's Macbeth, Duncan was murdered at this site.

Glasgow /pop. 1, 049, 000/ was founded by the missionary St. Mungo about 550 A.D. It is a manu­facturing and shipping center. Glasgow is architecturally a product of the 19^th century. Provand's Lordship was built in 1471 and is the oldest domestic building in Glasgow. It now contains a museum of Flemish tapestries and historical paintings. University of Glasgow was established by papal order in the 15^th cen­tury. Burrell Collection was opened in 1983 by Queen Elizabeth II. On display are Chinese bronzes, Turk­ish pottery, Near Eastern rugs and carpets.

Inverness is a country town steeped in British history. Inverness has reminders of such historical figures as St. Columba /521-97/, who preached Christianity to the Picts, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Oliver Cromwell. Culloden was the scene of a 1746 battle that was the last Scottish bid for independence. Here Bonnie Prince Charles, the last hope of die Scottish Stuarts, was defeated by the English Duke of Cumberland. The Battlefield Museum contains collections of historical relics. Urquhart Castle was once Scotland's largest castle. It was built in die 14^th century on the banks of Loch Ness. The lake is famous for " Nessie", the Loch Ness monster. The official Loch Ness Monster Exhibition tells the legend of the monster from 565 A.D. to the present, and demonstrates the latest technology employed to " solve" the mystery.

Kilmarnock is famous for the world's largest whisky-bottling concern. Robert Burns published his first book of poems in Kilmarnock. The town's museum, within a monument to Burns, contains a copy of that book.

Kinross lies in a scenic countryside. Loch Leven Castle is on the island in the lake. Mary, Queen of Scots, was a guest in the castle – much against her will- in 1567.

Melrose is the center of the region associated with the great Romantic Sir Walter Scott. Abbotsford House, 2 miles west, was Sir Walter Scot's home from 1817 until his death in 1832. It contains mementoes of the writer and collections of rare books, armor and weapons. Scott is interred 5 miles south east at Dryburgh.

Orkney Islands were settled by Vikings in the 9^th century and ruled from Norway and Denmark until 1468. A Norwegian king gave them to Scotland in lieu of a dowry for his daughter, who married James III. Though politically part of Britain, the island seem different – Norse crafts and traditions are ob­vious everywhere. Earl Patrick's Palace in Kirkwall, the capital of the islands, was built in 1607 by Patrick Stewart. The megalithic tomb dates from 1800 BC. Viking carvings and runes are visible.

Perth was once the capital of Scotland. Just north of the city is Scone, where Scottish kings were once crowned. The Stone of Scone is said to have been brought from the Holy Land in the 9^th century. In 1296, the English, Edward I took this stone of Destiny to its present home in London.

Stirling lies between two of Scotland's most famous battlefields. Bannockburn is where in 314, Robert the Bruce led the Scots to victory against an English army three times their size. Bannockburn Cen­ter has audiovisual programs on the battle.