The Highlands and the North of Scotland

Edinburgh reveals itself as one of Europe's most dramatic capitals, poised between volcanic rock and ever-changing skies. Its Old Town and New Town together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, two souls separated by a green valley, the Princes Street Gardens. Atop the crag stands Edinburgh Castle, a fortress guarding the Honours of Scotland and offering breathtaking views; from here the Royal Mile descends, the backbone of the old town, down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the sovereign's Scottish residence. Along the way open narrow alleys, the characteristic closes, St Giles' Cathedral with its stone crown, and shops of whisky and tweed. The airy, elegant Georgian New Town lines up neoclassical façades and stately George Street. Walkers can climb Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano giving panoramas over the whole city and the Firth of Forth, or Calton Hill with the monuments that earned Edinburgh the nickname Athens of the North. The National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden round out the cultural offer, while in August the city erupts with the famous Festival Fringe. The cuisine ranges from historic pubs and traditional haggis to seafood and Scotch distilleries. Within easy reach await the coastal villages of Fife and the bridges over the Forth. Edinburgh blends history, mystery and refinement in an atmosphere unlike any other.

Aviemore is the lively sport-and-adventure capital of the Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park in the United Kingdom, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Ringed by the imposing Cairngorm mountains, it is Scotland's main ski resort in winter, while in the other seasons it becomes a paradise for hikers, cyclists and nature lovers. All around stretch ancient Caledonian pine forests, tranquil lochs such as Loch Morlich with its beach, and rich wildlife of reindeer, red squirrels and eagles. The historic Strathspey Railway offers romantic steam-train journeys, while nearby there is no shortage of Speyside whisky distilleries and castles. Aviemore is the perfect base for immersing yourself in the wild nature of the Scottish mountains, among trails, outdoor sport and landscapes of rare grandeur in every season.

Thurso stretches along the northernmost coast of mainland Britain, the last town before the open sea towards the Orkney Islands. Buffeted by Atlantic winds, it is renowned among surfers for the powerful waves breaking across its bay. The centre keeps the ruins of old St Peter's Church and the plain-spoken air of a far-northern port. From here the Scrabster ferries sail to Stromness, while the surrounding Caithness countryside reveals rocky shores and vast skies. On clear nights the northern lights can set the winter sky aglow. Thurso is the end of the Scottish land, where Britain bids farewell to the mainland.

Fort William earns the title of Outdoor Capital of the UK, a town set between the sea and the highest mountains in Britain, in the heart of the West Highlands. Behind it rises Ben Nevis, the island's highest peak and a coveted goal for hillwalkers, while all around stretch deep glens, waterfalls and crystalline lochs. From here departs the spectacular Jacobite Steam Train, made famous by the Harry Potter films, crossing the majestic Glenfinnan Viaduct in a curve above Loch Shiel. A short way off open the scenic Glen Nevis and the dramatic valley of Glencoe, one of Scotland's most striking, laden with history and legend. The region is a paradise for those who love trekking, climbing, fishing and mountain biking, but also for anyone simply seeking breathtaking scenery and whisky distilleries. Fort William is the ideal base for plunging into the wild nature of the Highlands, where every horizon takes your breath away.

Glasgow pulses with an energy all its own, Scotland's largest city and its creative, musical soul. Once an industrial engine of the Empire, it has turned its Victorian warehouses into galleries, bars and restaurants, earning a reputation as a cultural capital. The medieval Glasgow Cathedral and the nearby Necropolis reveal its oldest face, while George Square anchors the centre with monumental architecture. Not to be missed are the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a free treasure house of art and curiosities, and the works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, master of the Glasgow Style who designed the celebrated School of Art and many interiors. The West End, around the University of Glasgow and the Botanic Gardens, mixes bohemian cafés and markets, while Buchanan Street is the shopping heart. The city shines after dark among pubs, live music and a lively dining scene, from curry houses to reinvented Scottish cooking. Along the regenerated River Clyde rise the Riverside Museum of transport and the modern SEC auditorium. Glasgow is also a gateway to the Highlands and the western isles, a handy base for exploring Loch Lomond just beyond the centre. Frank and welcoming, Glasgow wins visitors over with its humour, its music and a warmth that lingers.