Shining Jewels and Hidden Gems

VIVIEN DEVLIN PICKS HER FAVOURITE SCOTTISH TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND REVEALS SOME HIDDEN GEMS

Why do people choose to visit Scotland? Perhaps for its history, culture, scenery, golf, family roots; or perhaps its magical, sensual air of romance.

There is something extraordinarily distinctive about the spirit of the place; its stunning untouched beauty: feel the raw, open landscape, breathe the sweet air of the wild, windy hilltops and catch a glimpse of distant islands, silhouetted in the soft mist.

Stroll on empty beaches curving along the rocky coastline beneath an ever-changing sky – from dark, brooding clouds to a rich, pure light with sudden bursts of sunshine.

From around the 18th century, artists, writers, romantic poets and, later on, photographers and filmmakers, have been inspired and captivated by Scotland's timeless beauty. Even they find it difficult to encapsulate the true experience, that unique and enigmatic sense of place.

Scotland, especially in our imagination, is a rich tapestry of mountains, lochs, glens, forests, islands and moorland, everywhere enriched by ancient castles, abbeys, country houses and gardens.

Travel on to the cityscapes which juxtapose the old, bold grey stone architecture with gleaming modern buildings of glass and steel, each city with its own distinct character and culture.

Scotland's colourful history and heritage is today celebrated and preserved through such national organisations as Historic Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland and the National Galleries, as well as enterprising local council and private corpor...

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• By : Vivien Devlin
• In : Destinations
• Issue : 7
• Page : 59
• Words : 2,475