Scotland Location Guide

The battles, the clans, some even come to trace their ancestry, visit the numerous castles including the world-renowned Edinburgh Castle right in the middle of Scotland’s capital city. 

The diverse scenery from the Scottish lowlands to the Scottish Highlands and Islands; amazing beaches, rugged mountains, stunning lochs, with the attraction of bagging a few Munros on holiday such as climbing Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in the British Isles), marvelling at the amazing wildlife; golden eagles, puffins, otters, red squirrels, red deer, wildcats, these are just a few animals that you might spot on your travels. 

If you like buildings, then visit the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen to see some stunning architecture; Glasgow City Chambers, Riverside Museum, V & A Museum in Dundee or a walk down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile are worth putting on your list. 

Some tourists come to enjoy the food; to eat salmon and haggis, try a deep-fried mars bar, enjoy a ‘chippy’ in Anstruther and of course… visit a whiskey distillery or two! Last but not least, many tourists comment on the welcoming, down to earth Scots with their sarcastic wit and dry sense of humour as well as being an unbelievably generous nation.

Interesting info on Scotland

Scotland is part of the United Kingdom (UK; Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Wales) and covers the northern area of the island of Great Britain with a population of approximately 5.4 million and is bordered by England to the southeast (which has a population of approx. 55 million in comparison!). 

The Atlantic Ocean (to the north & west), The North Sea (to the northeast) and the Irish Sea (to the south) surround Scotland and as well as the 790 Scottish Islands (which include the Hebrides and the Northern Isles).

The word “Scotland” comes from Scoti, the Latin name for the Gaels. English is the native language in Scotland, but Gaelic is also still spoken mainly in the Highlands & Islands. 

A wee bit of Scottish History

The history of Scotland is a long and bloody one starting with the Romans invading Britain in the 1st century AD and claiming southern Britain as an addition to their empire known as Britannia. 

The Romans couldn’t tame the scary fierce kilt wearing folk in the north (Scotland) and therefore, a wall was built to keep them out on Emperor Hadrian’s orders.  This wall stretched from Segedunum at Wallsend on the River Tyne, via Carlisle and Kirkandrews-on-Eden to the shore of the Solway Firth.  The majority of this wall is no longer visible but there is a path that runs for 135km so you could always go on a walking holiday!

Thereafter, in 1066, The Normans conquered England and many Anglo-Saxons then settled in the Lowlands of Scotland bringing growth to towns and increasing trade. However, there were still many bloody battles ensued between the Scots and the English; William Wallace Stirling Bridge, Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn, Mary Queen of Scots….it wasn’t until the early 1700s when the parliaments of these two nations, Scotland and England, formally agreed to the Act of Union and established the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Scotland in Spring (March/April/May) – temperatures during this season range from between 7°C to 13°C.  Easter time is lovely time to visit and see nature in bloom as well as the wee lambs springing around in the fields.  If the rain stops you from having outdoor adventures, then there is still plenty that you can do indoors; museums, galleries, fun at the escape rooms, restaurants, cafes, live music, theatres, concerts…the choice is yours.

Scotland in Summer (June/July/August) – these are classed as being the warmest months in Scotland with temperatures of around 15°C up to 17°C (but we have had over 20°C before during these months – maybe just for a few days!)

As it doesn’t get dark until nearly midnight in summer, this gives you plenty of time to enjoy your summer holiday and have fun filled days and nights; touring Scotland and seeing the many lovely towns and villages that Scotland has to offer, visiting Scotland’s many attractions and landmarks, taking trips to see the Scottish lochs such as Loch Lomond or Loch Ness, plenty of daylight for climbing Munros in the summer too! Usually a lot less rain during the summer months also.

Scotland in Autumn (September/October/November) – temperatures during this season start to fall again to around 8°C to 14°C (although we have been known to have spells of freak hot weather over past years!). 

It can be quite windy in October and November but again, still a great time to take a trip to Scotland and enjoy the every changing colours autumn as you go for walks and hikes through forests and countryside such as the Cairngorm National Park, just be sure to have your camera at the ready.

Scotland in Winter (December/January/February) – Scottish winters are surprisingly quite mild compared to other countries that lie at the same latitude.  We do get snow but not lots of it; mainly on hills/mountains and Highlands of Scotland. 

However, thanks to science and technology, the ski centres in Scotland have snow making machines (if they need to use them), so you can still come for a skiing holiday to Glenshee or Cairngorm Ski Centres. Temperatures are pretty cold though with the average temperature sitting at around 5°C – so make sure you pack your woolly jumper, hat, scarf and gloves!