Home > Uniquely Unspoilt Magazine > Issue 15 > Top ten

~~ Ten things to do in Scotland ~~

1.   Visit the Willow Tearoom:

If you're ever in Glasgow, you can't leave without visiting one of its Willow tea rooms, designed in the style of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The Willow name comes from Sauchiehall, the street where one of the tearooms is situated, which in Scottish Gaelic means alley of the willows and the theme of willows featured throughout the building.

2.   See the Cuillins:

This dramatic mountain range dominates Skye and has attracted walkers, climbers and artists for centuries.  It is divided into the Red and Black peaks and whether you want to just take in the view or do the full two day trek, they will not fail to impress.

3.   Take the West Highland railway to Mallaig:

This is Scotland's most famous railway line taking in Britain's highest mountain (Ben Nevis), deepest loch (Morar) and longest canal (Caledonian) in its 164 mile (264 km) route through glens, past lochs and along the coastline. A museum at Glenfinnan station is dedicated to the line's history.

4.   Visit Plockton:

An idyllic Highland hamlet lying at the end of Loch Carron, Plockton is arranged in rows of painted cottages with manicured lawns and palm trees in front and magnificent mountains behind. It has been described as what
would happen if God was a Highland town planner, and was immortalised in BBC series Hamish Macbeth.

5.   Drive through Glen Coe:

This is one of Scotland's best known Highland glens and its name, literally meaning "Valley of Weeping", seems very appropriate considering it was the site of a notorious massacre in 1692. The spectacular valley is often wreathed in clouds making it look even more dramatic.

6.   Christmas shopping in Edinburgh:

The flood lit backdrop of the Castle and fairy lights in Princes Street Gardens make this a shopping experience like no other. A seasonal market in the gardens with hot food and drink is a recent and very welcome addition to the experience, as is the branch of Harvey Nichols.

7.   Go Nessie hunting:

First reportedly sighted in 1871 and mentioned as far back as the seventh century, Nessiteras rhombopteryx continues to fascinate visitors from around the world. Famous encounters include one in 1961, when thirty hotel guests apparently saw a pair of humps break the water's surface and cruise for about half a mile until disappearing underwater again.

8.   Try a Fisher and Donaldson custard slice:

Based in St Andrew's, this French style patisserie started out in 1919 and is now established as a tradition - as much as golf, Chariots of Fire and its student population. It's not certain whether the heir to the throne has tried out the legendary custard slice, Scotch pies or oatmeal skirlies - but if he hasn't, he should.

9.   Visit Melrose Abbey:

Robert the Bruce's heart is said to be buried among the pink and red sandstone ruins of this Cistercian abbey which was repeatedly destroyed by the English in the fourteenth century.  The ruins are notorious for
their riverside surroundings and decorative artwork - including one gargoyle of a pig playing the bagpipes.

10.   Try an Arbroath smokie:

The most famous product of the seaside town on the east coast, smokies, are line-caught haddock cured over smouldering oak chips.  They are still made in various smokehouses in the town and have been described by chef
Rick Stein as a "world class delicacy".

The following holiday cottages are situated within easy reach of the locations mentioned above:    

Willow Tearoom 

Cuillins

West Highland railway

Plockton

Glencoe

Christmas shopping in Edinburgh

Nessie

St Andrews

Melrose

Arbroath