Posts Tagged ‘Scotland’
Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland, in relationship to populous size. Since the mid 18th century Aberdeen’s buildings have been built using local grey granite and the city has a sandy coastline. This has led to the city being nicknamed the Silver City with the Golden Sands and also the Granite City. However in recent years the city has also gained the nicknames of the Oil Capital of Europe or the Energy Capital of Europe due to the discovery of oil in the North Sea. The city of Aberdeen has benefitted greatly from the income generated by the oil industry and the support industries. Nowadays the city is thoroughly modern and immensely vibrant with a lively nighlife.
Aberdeen hotels are often booked by businessmen but also by many other types of tourists keen to enjoy the many tourist attractions Aberdeen has to offer. Below you will find details of three; Satrosphere Science Centre, Aberdeen Maritime Museum and Duthie Park Winter Gardens:
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum in Aberdeen is found near to the harbor, at the legendary Shiprow. There are astounding views of the harbour from the museum. The Maritime Museum resides in quite a few buildings, which include a former church and one of the oldest residences in Aberdeen. The museum has exhibits which include everything to do with the marine environment, from fishing boats to the oil industry. Basically, the museum tells the story of Aberdeen’s epic relationship with the sea. Some of the collections contain models, paintings, ship plans and photographs donated by the greatest of Aberdeen’s shipbuilders.
Duthie Park Winter Gardens
In 1881, Lady Elizabeth Duthie of Ruthrieston, gifted 44 acres of land, to the council. The land for the park was purchased, as a lasting memorial to her uncle and brother. In 1899, the gardens were ready, and were opened to the public. However, in 1969 misfortune occurred and the greenhouses had to be demolished and reconstructed. This was due to horrendous storm damgage. Today, the David Welch Winter Gardens at Duthie Park are one of Scotland’s favourite garden attractions, and also the largest indoor gardens in the whole of Europe. Each greenhouse has an important collection such as, the Temperate House, Japanese Garden, Fern House, Victorian House, Tropical House and Corridor of Perfumes.
Satrosphere Science Centre
One of the first science and discovery centers in Scotland was the, Satrosphere Science Center, in Aberdeen. This hands-on, interactive science center, has over fifty exhibits and live science demonstrations, and opened to the public in 1988. Even though the center is aimed at school age children, the attraction of the exhibits is universal. The center is situated in the old tram sheds, near to the sea front, on Constitution Street. The purpose is to inspire youngsters to become scientist’s, as interest in science courses in universities, is in decline. One of the best loved exhibits at the center is the famous giant soap bubble, where each child can be encompassed within a magic bubble.
There are many more visitor attractions in the Aberdeen area which are well worth a visit and those described above were chosen randomly. If you are planning to spend some time in Aberdeen, Scotland then you will discover numerous quality hotels in Aberdeen, or various other types of accommodation, available to book online.
Glasgow is the largest, and most lively, city in Scotland with exciting shopping opportunities plus an amazing night scene. For the more artistic tourist there are many places to go especially in the West End which features tea rooms, cafés, boutiques, bars, restaurants and clubs as well as some excellent Glasgow bed and breakfast. In the article below I will describe 3 Glasgow visitor attractions which should be of interest to those folk who have an interest in the artistic world; the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the House For An Art Lover and the Burrell Collection:
The Burrell Collection
Sir william Burrell and his wife gifted the Burrel Collection to the city of Glasgow in 1944 and the collection can be viewed at Pollok Country Park which is found in the south of the city of Glasgow This beautiful collection of art works consists of more than nine thousand pieces of art. The collection is incredibly cosmopolitan containing some modern sculptures as well as an Islamic art collection. Visitors are able to see paintings by a variety of artists including Cezanne and Degas. As well as paintings and sculptures one can enjoy the stunning collections of alabasters, tapestries, English furniture and stained glass. On top of all this, the Burrell Collection also contains a most important selection of medieval art and collections from ancient China and Egypt.
House For An Art Lover
House For An Art Lover is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Glasgow. The Art Nouveau House was designed, originally, by Glasgow’s most famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh plus input from his incredibly talented wife, Margaret Macdonald.
Actually the design was an entry for a competition of 1901 to create plans for a ‘House for an Art Lover’, however, the entry from Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife was disqualified because it was submitted after the closing date. Luckily, more than 100 years later the house is located in Bellahouston Park due to the hard work of the engineer Graham Roxburgh and architect Professor Andy Macmillan. Building started in the year nineteen eighty nine, halted for a short time but resumed in nineteen ninety four due to a collaboration between the Glasgow City Council and Glasgow School of Art.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
One of Glasgow and Scotland’s premier museums and art galleries, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery is home to one of Europe’s great civic art collections, but also it has been voted one of the most popular free to enter tourist attractions to be found in Scotland.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is located in the West End of Glasgow, on Argyle Street, on the banks of the River Kelvin. The gallery was constructed following the Glaswegian tradition of using red sandstone in a Spanish Baroque style. The building was designed by E.J. Milner Allen and Sir John W. Simpson and first opened its doors in the year nineteen hundred and one. The collections in the museum originally came from the old Kelvingrove House Museum and the McLellan Galleries.
If you are considering having a vacation in Glasgow, Scotland you will discover a large selection of online hotels and guest houses providing Glasgow bed and breakfast. You will discover a huge range of guest houses and hotels in Glasgow at http://www.glasgowhotelscotland.com/
The city of Stirling has featured strongly in the history of Scotland, especially during crucial times. In and around Stirling has an incredible number of excellent tourist attractions and a multitude of monuments and places to photograph. In the article below I discuss three places to visit in Stirling; Argyll’s Lodging, Stirling Castle and Stirling Old Town Jail:
Stirling Castle
Standing guard, 250 feet above the city of Stirling, and surrounded on three sides by shear cliffs is Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle is immensely important in Scotland’s history, there have been several coronations at the castle, including Mary Queen of Scots coronation in 1543. The castle was also witness to a horrifying murder in 1452. The eighth Earl of Douglas was victim to James II in 1452. Stirling Castle is home to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, even though they are, unfortunately no longer garrisoned there. However, the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, is located in the castle.
Stirling Old Town Jail
The Stirling Old Town Jail we see today is not the first jail in Stirling, for four hundred years, Stirling’s prisoners were secured in the Old Tollbooth Jail. This jail was shockingly overcrowded, and smelled dreadful, with twenty four prisoners per cell, and no sanitation. The Tollbooth jail was condemned, due to the inhuman living conditions there, and in 1847 the new jail opened. Although the jail was classed as a custodial jail, from 1888 to 1935, it was also the only military jail in Scotland. Today the Stirling Old Town Jail is a visitor attraction, and was only renovated in the 1990’s. As well as guided tours, there is a glass paneled lift that rises to a viewing platform at the top of the jail. From this superb spot one can gaze out across the Forth Valley, and enjoy the spectacular view of the Highland mountains.
Argyll’s Lodging
Argyll’s Lodging is on Castle Wynd, situated in the middle of Stirling and is Scotland’s best surviving renaissance mansion. The mansion was built circa 1630, by Sir William Alexander, originator of Nova Scotia and Viscount Canada. Sir William Alexander who became Secretary of State for Scotland, and was then appointed the 1st Earl of Stirling. Argyll’s Lodging passed to the Argyll family on his death and was extended by the ninth Earl in 1666. The rooms which include the dining room, bed chamber, drawing room and laigh hall, have all been sympathetically restored and furnished, as they would have been when the ninth Earl lived there, around 1680.
If you are in the process of planning a city vacation in Stirling you will discover plenty of online Stirling hotels and guest houses and you will find a huge range at http://stirling.hotelreservationhelper.com/
Now that Inverness is a city, Fort William is now the largest town in the Highlands. The town of Fort William is a massively popular tourist destination with countless visitors arriving to climb Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland and the United Kingdom. In the following article I introduce to you a small number of different attractions worth a visit if you are taking a weekend break in Fort William.
The Highly Educational West Highland Museum
The West Highland Museum in Fort William was founded in 1922. A group of people from Lochaber wanted to create a museum, about life in the Highlands, for the people of the Highlands. The current building was purchased in 1926 from the British Linen Bank, and can be found in Cameron Square, just off the Hight Street. Fascinating and small is how many people describe the museum. The exhibits in the museum present a delightful insight into the way of life in the West Highlands over the years. People from all walks of life are represented, through the superb collections of photograph’s, artefact’s and picture’s
The Splendid Old Inverlochy Castle
There are two Inverlochy Castle’s in Fort William, the Old Inverlochy Castle and the new Victorian, chateau-style Inverlochy Castle, constructed in the village of Torlundy (which is now a luxury hotel). The Old castle was rumoured to have been erected between 1270-1280, by John “the Black” Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lochaber, and chief of the Clan Comyn. Although the castle is in ruins, the layout hasn’t altered much since it was first erected. Lord Abinger carried out enhancements and alterations to the house, for a visit by Queen Victoria. Old Inverlochy Castle is still an important part of English and Scottish history, because of the part it played during the Civil Wars of the 1640’s.
The Exciting Jacobite Steam Train
A trip on the Jacobite Steam Train, is an exhilarating way to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Highlands. The Fort William to the port of Mallaig trip takes one on a magical trip through the glens. One of the most sensational elements of the journey is going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which most folk|people will be familiar with due to the fact that it was used in the movies about Harry Potter. The 84 mile journey takes you past Ben Nevis, Loch Morar and Loch Nevis, with a stop in Glenfinnan before arriving in Mallaig. There is about an hour and half in which to explore Mallaig, before the return journey, back to Fort William. This journey has frequently been declared, one of the Great Railway Journeys of the globe.
There is plenty of accommodation in Fort William available to book online but you will find a comprehensive list of hotels in Fort William at http://www.fortwilliamhotelscotland.com/
Air travel is constantly on the increase and an astonishing number of us would like to fly with our animals. For years families have chosen to take their family pet on vacations while leaving them at home when traveling abroad or when taking a flight. As air travel becomes cheaper the thought of taking our pet with us seems a affordable option. The following discusses Air Travel, Pets, focusing on traveling in England, Scotland and Wales.
Pet Air Travel and the Airline Rules & Regulations
One of the most important points to keep in mind in relation to air travel and pets are the rules and regulations. In the United Kingdom there are a number of laws which are applicable, such as the “Safe Air Travel for Animals Act” (2000). Recently there has been an increase in security and where you once may have been allowed to carry small pets with you on a flight this may no longer be the case. It is, obviously, crucial that you check things with the airline before booking your flight. Virtually all airlines now stipulate clearly that all pets should be transported in suitable containers in the cargo hold. This is obviously much safer than taking the risk of a pet becoming distressed and causing a problem.
Even though all small animals or pets are now restricted to the cargo hold some caring airlines will permit you to witness the pet being transferred to and from the aeroplane. However it is incredibly important that, purchasing your tickets you seek further advice about it from the airline.
Other Important Factors
1. The Pet Container
It is also most incredibly important that you choose a pet carrier of the correct size, weight and type for the animal that will be living in it for the duration of the flight. There should always be sufficient excess space for the pet to be able to move about easilyat all times. The longer the duration of the flight the more increased the amount of surplus room required.
2. Security & Safety Measures And Traveling With Pets
At every moment your pet carrier should be clearly visible to the airline staff to avoid loss, which is always possible with any air travel. All pet containers should be marked clearly with both the destination and a home address and full contact details. Furthermore it is strongly advised that you include the details of another person in case of emergencies where you are unable be contacted. As well as fixing labels on the exterior also think about the addition some to the interior. Also take measure to make sure that your pet has a collar that is close fitting with an identification tag or similar. The risk of loss is least during continuous flights.
If it is affordable it also well worth considering having your creature fitted with an electronic tag which is injected beneath the skin by a vetinary surgeon. As soon as you know when and the destination you will be taking a flight to book an appointment with your vet (or at least call) as he will be able to give important advice on what the requirements are when traveling to another area or country. Your pet may require inoculations and there may be other precautions or restrictions to consider.
Prior planning is always the wisest idea and the very fact that you are reading this article is a clever decision. By making sure you consider the pet air travel tips & hints in this article and by searching for further information online and from your vet, you can make sure that you pet travels securely and safely while suffering the smallest amount of disturbance.
The Scottish Highland city of Inverness is situated in some of the most beautiful countryside in Great Britain. In and around the city are many places associated with historic Scotland, frequently these sites witnessed a great deal of suffering and violence. Of course Inverness has a incredible collection of tourist attractions (and the number is continually increasing). In the paragraphs below I introduce you to 3 places to visit in Inverness Inverness Museum, Inverness Castle and Beauly Priory:
Beauly Priory
It was in the Thirteenth century that Valliscaulian Monks founded a community at Beauly Priory. Unfortunately nobody has the information to state the accurate foundation date but it is widely agreed that is would have been roughly sometime around 1230. At that time the landowner, and patron, of Beauly was Sir John Bisset, whose lands were almagamated with the Fraser’s of Lovat. Sir John Bisset, together with the French monks, are those who first named the settlement Beauly, from the French ‘beau lieu’ meaning ‘beautiful place’. Sadly, the priory at Beauly became derelict following the Scottish Reformation and the stone was used in the construction of other structures in the area. Today Beauly Priory (ruins) are in the care of Historic Scotland having been handed over to the state in 1913.
Inverness Castle
Throughout the centuries there have been many structures on the site of Inverness Castle, some dating as far back as 1057. King Robert I, of Scotland, almost destroyed the very first Inverness Castle. The castle you see today was built and designed , in 1836, by William Burn. The picturesque structure, of red sandstone, hold a prominent position on a cliff looking down across the the cathedral on the opposite side and the River Ness. King James I, of Scotland, conducted parliament in Inverness Castle in the year 1427, and instructed all the Northern Chieftains to attend. Shockingly three of these chieftains were later condemed to death for supporting an independent sovereignty.
Inverness Museum (and Art Gallery)
Found in Inverness’s town center is the newly renovated Inverness Museum and Art Gallery which is well worth a visit especially if the weather is wet and windy. Inside the museum one can investigate Scottish History and learn about how the Highlands are linked with the rest of the world. You can also learn about the people of the Highlands, their culture and traditions. There are several different exhibitions featuring, wildlife, archaeology, costumes, textiles, crafts and fine arts.
If you are considering a vacation in the United Kingdom this year and you hope to spend some time in Scotland, think about spending some time staying in Inverness. Finding Inverness hotel accommodation online is relatively easy as the majority of establishments have their own web site. Hotels in Inverness, small hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts are always excellent and Inverness is renowned for unrivalled hospitality, so you can be sure of have a wonderful time.
For quite a few years now several of the airlines labelled “low-cost airlines in Europe have been embroiled in a price war attempting to offer the cheapest fares to a huge number of cities throughout Europe. It’s quite normal to see that one of the major low cost carriers for example Ryanair or Easyjet has an offer of return flights from Britain to Germany, France or Spain for £1 (approx $1.45). There might be airport landing fees and taxes to be added to that, but it remains an absolute bargain if you’re keen to see a number of European cities. The downside of these cheap flights is that they often fly to the smaller local airports rather than the more well known biginternational ones. This can mean that a flight that is advertised to a major European city actually lands some 50 miles away. In fact there are a number of plus-points with this situation, the municipal airports will always offer a much slicker service on luggage and check-in because they’re catering for a much smaller number of flights. The disadvantage is that transportation to and from these airports can be scrappy at best and an extremely popular option is to hire a car from the airport. Here are some of the wonderful cities that we’ve visited with flights from the budget airlines. We’re confident that you’ll enjoy visiting any of these fine areas, they certainly have a lot to offer to visitors to their shores.
Glasgow, Scotland
Glasgow was once a particularly ugly industrial monster but the city has undergone a Renaissance and has become a wonderful, architecturally divine city supporting a vast number of tourists throughout the year. The chic West side of the city is the home of one of the oldest universities in the United Kingdom. Situated on a hill amidst the Medieval region of Glasgow, its students bring a cosmopolitan, fun loving atmosphere to the area. The budget airlines use Prestwick Airport which is approximately 51 km (35 miles) to the north east of the centre of Glasgow and there is an excellent road between the airport and the city centre. This is a popular area for sightseeing, so it is advisable to rent a car in Glasgow before setting out on your journey. A congestion free 30 minute drive from the airport terminal along the M77 motorway brings you to the city centre. Glasgow is an ideal starting point for an adventure in the Trossachs National Park. Just 20 km (13 mile) journey out of the city and you might find yourself enjoying sensational countryside seated upon a pony, whilst a 30 mile (50 km) drive east using another excellent motorway will take you to Edinburgh together with its ever popular festivals, Princes Street shopping, the historic Castle and Holyrood Palace.
Florence, Italy
Without doubt one of the most hauntingly beautiful cities in Europe, Florence is served by Pisa Airport, some 84 km (50 miles) west of Florence. Rent a car at Florence airport and you’ll be perfectly positioned to explore the leaning tower at Pisa, the wonders of historic Florence and a selection of some of the most picturesque countryside in the whole of Europe, that of the disturbingly beautiful Tuscany. It is therefore not surprising that Florence is high in the popularity stakes when looking at European cities. When you arrive in Florence you will discover that a large proportion of the centre of the city is traffic free protecting its many ancient architectural treasures and statues from the pollution and vibrations associated with heavy traffic. The traffic free status brings a sense of peace and quiet as you wander from one monument to the next. You don’t have to walk too far before being hit by the ghastly, ear piercing roar of Florence’s legion of scooter riders. Apart from the Ponte Vecchio all of the bridges leading to city centre are noisy, polluted places, thus providing a further reason to stay within the narrow alleyways and tranquil sanctuaries of Florence’s wonderful piazzas.
Tours, France
Tours is the ideal centre for discovering France’s beautiful Loire valley and its majestic chateaux The perfect centre for exploring the Loire Valley renowned for its serious array of palatial residences, the city boasts quite a number of its own charms. Although the small airport is but a few miles from town, you really need to rent a car in the Loire Valley to fully explore some of the most stunning towns and villages in the whole of France. A large number of cultural treasures will be found along the banks of the Loire. A UNESCO site, the Loire Valley offers beautiful countryside, heaps of flamboyant castles plus a good scattering of historic villages. Originally the “Retreat of Kings” back in the days of the Renaissance and the middle ages, the Loire Valley was a firm savourite of the French monarchy. Former working fortified castles were converted into palatial and elegant trophy residences and these are now the region’s main tourist attractions. The historic towns that line the river banks are a magnet to tourists from all over the world. Towns such as Blois, Chinon and Tours have lots to see and do whilst the most popular chateau is probably that on the Chambord Estate. Throughout the area you will discover little, family owned vineyards offering a variety of great wines at budget prices. Keep your eyes skinned for the word “degustation”, which means sampling I guess, and as long as ‘Le Patron’ is not enjoying a long leisurely lunch you will be made very welcome and he will be more than willing to offer you a tasting of his complete selection of wines. Of course, it is vital that you take a non-drinker as your driver, some of these tasting sessions can become extremely alcoholic!.
Vacations in Scotland are rather popular at this time due, most likely, to the strength of the US dollar against the pound making vacations to Scotland, Wales and England pretty cheap, especially if visiting from from the U.S.A.. In the article below we introduce you to three worthwhile places to visit in Pitlochry, the Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Centre, the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre and Blair Castle.
Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Centre
A power station is a pretty strange site for a visitor center, however this is just where you will find the Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Center. The visitor center is situated within the resplendent Pitlochry Power Station, and includes interactive displays which trace the development of hydro power in Scotland, starting in the nineteen forties right up to the present day. The Pitlochry Dam(constructed nineteen forty seven to nineteen fifty one) offers you the thrilling chance to observe the renowned salmon ladder through three viewing chambers. Inside the center, you will find audio-visual presentations (interactive) explaining this natural display. The turbine hall of Pitlochry Power Station can also be viewed from within the Visitor Center.
Blair Castle
Dating back to the thirteenth century is Blair Castle, which is the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. The building of Blair Castle started in the year twelve sixtynine, under the instruction of John I Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, a close acquaintance of the Earl of Atholl. The Earl was absent, fighting in the Crusade’s, when John I Comyn began the construction of his castle on his land. When he returned, the Earl bitterly complained to King Alexander III of Scotland about the interloper, and his lands were returned. Rather than pulling down the tower than John I Comyn had constructed, the Earl decided to amalgamate the tower into his own castle. A Great Hall and a series of vaulted chambers were added to the castle over the centuries, by different Earls. It was the second Duke of Atholl who, in 1740, decided to redesign the castle as a Georgian Mansion.
Killiecrankie Visitor Centre
During the Jacobite period Killiecrankie, not too far from Pitlochry, found itself full of the noise of battle. The government soldiers were utterly defeated by the Jacobites, under the the direction of Bonnie Dundee. During the bloody battle an escaping soldier leapt across the River Garry, which subsequently became known as, Soldier’s Leap. The area of the gorge and pass were a favored haunt of Queen Victoria.
To learn concerning the infamous battle one can visit the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre. The center has a collection of otherdisplays and services, which include; a natural history of the area, ranger service’s and guided walks and many more.
If you are interested in taking a Scottish vacation based in Pitlochry then you will discover Pitlochry hotels online by using the search “Pitlochry hotel accommodation” in your favorite search engine.
Perth in Scotland , a once royal burgh, stands at the head of the Tay estuary. Between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries Perth competed with Dunfermline for the title to be the capital city of the nation. In the following article I introduce three places to visit in Perth, Scotland; Huntingtower Castle, Elcho Castle and Scone Palace:
Scone Palace
These days, home of the Earls of Mansfield is Scone Palace, and a immensely popular attraction to visitors from around the world. The palace of Scone is an important part of the history of Scotland, as the Scottish kings were once crowned there. Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone Palace, in 1306, as was Charles II when he took occupancy of the Scottish Crown in 1651. There is a mysterious and beautiful feel to the palace, which is rightly so.Once upon a time the site served as an important gathering place of the Picts and there was also a very early Christian church there.
Elcho Castle
situated roughly three miles from the city of Perth, with stunning views across the River Tay, is Elcho Castle. Elcho Castle is one of the prime examples of Sixteenth century architecture in Scotland today. The Wemyss family authorized the building of the castle in the 1570’s. The land had been in the family since 1468, when it was granted to them by King James III. In 1633, the leader of the family was given the titles of Earl of Wemyss and Lord Elcho. Elcho Castle and it’s lands stayed in possession of the Wemyss family until 1929. It was then, the 11th Earl of Wemyss, granted the castle to Scotland. The castle has recently been restored and is now in the charge of Historic Scotland.
Huntingtower Castle
Situated just west of Perth is the medieval pile of Huntingtower Castle. Although the castle is originaly medieval, it has been significantly redeveloped throughout the majoprity of it’s history. The Ruthven family were in possessison of the castle and lands from the C12th to the C17th. During this time the castle consisted of 2 separate towers, built three meters apart. When the Murray family took possession, later on in the C17th, they decided to amalgamate the two towers, making the house appear more like a regular country mansion. The bridging work between the two towers is still rather visible today, on both the interior and exterior.
If you are considering a city break in Perth you will find a large selection of online Perth hotels and guest houses and you will discover a massive selection at http://www.perthhotelscotland.com/