| | SELECT
REGION |
The
real Scotland starts right at the Scottish Border. A swathe of lush landscapes,
castles and abbeys, small textile towns and historical houses, fishing communities,
farming lands and a great source of links courses for the golfer.
Different
accents in the shops and different names for beer in pubs are just two ways in
which Scotland stamps its own personality straight away. Even
the Gretna Green Visitor Centre right at the border is a reminder that Scotland
is different - this was the former destination for eloping couples who took advantage
of Scotland's more lax marriage laws.
In
scenery, too: the hazy blue hills running out to a wide horizon have lifted the
hearts of generations of travellers at the border on the A68 at Carter Bar. Then
there are the forests and wild moors of upland Galloway and the vivid greens of
Ayrshire's pastures, with the mountain profile of the Isle of Arran as a backdrop.
Wherever you travel here, you can be sure of a real Scottish experience.
Ayrshire and the Isle of Arran
In Ayrshire
& the Isle of Arran, the Western edge of southern Scotland that
dips into the Atlantic, you can enjoy the visual contrasts between
island and mainland life while still exploring the region's culture
through the many visitor attractions. These include historic castles
and country parks, forty four golf courses including world famous
championship courses at Royal Troon, Prestwick and the two championship
courses of the world renowned Westin
Turnberry Hotel. There is also superb walking amid the
forests and mountains of Arran. The main peak on Arran is the Goat
Fell - the highest peak in the South of Scotland.
This
region has many award winning museums and heritage centres, several associated
with Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet. Ayrshire is the land of Robert Burns,
particularly associated with the town of Ayr. His birthplace, now Bums'
Cottage and Museum, at nearby Alloway, is within the Bums National Heritage Park,
where you can visit other Burns attractions. These include, for example, the Tam
o' Shanter Experience. This exciting audio-visual experience is based on the poets
great comic narrative poem Tam o' Shanter, telling farmer Tam o' Shanter's encounter
with witches, on his way home from a long evening in the local alehouse. Ayr is
the starting point 0f the Burns Heritage Trail, which traces the life of the poet
from his birthplace in Alloway south to Dumfries.
Northwards,
the story of Scotland's seagoing past is told in the Scottish Maritime Museum
at Irvine. Inland, a major display of early musical instruments and armour can
be seen at Kilmarnock's Dean Castle, a restored 14th century fortress. Also
within easy reach, in the coastal town of Largs, is Vikingar! - the Viking Heritage
Centre. The Viking role in Scotland's story is explored through film, live interpretation
and displays.
Culzean
Castle, the masterpiece of the architect Robert Adam, has an impressive cliff-top
setting. Its spacious grounds form a country park. Children can enjoy plenty of
fun at other country parks, including the Secret Forest at Kelburn Country Centre,
an adventure and discovery trail in the woodlands of the Kelburn Castle estate
near Largs. From the estate there are views to the islands of Great Cumbrae and
Little Cumbrae; Great Cumbrae, which is easily accessible from Largs, is a haven
for cyclists.
The spectacular mountain profile of the Isle of Arran fills the sea horizon as
viewed from the Ayrshire coast. Playground for generations of outdoor enthusiasts,
Arran is easily reached by ferry from Ardrossan. In addition to its adventurous
walking, and its forest trails and coastal walks, the island is also noted for
the Isle of Arran Heritage Museum, as well as prehistoric sites, and standing
stones. Brodick Castle and Country Park are major attractions - a magnificent
castle built over many centuries and displaying a very fine collection of art,
porcelain and silver.
Outdoors,
there are rare shrubs and plants and world-famous rhododendron displays. Yet
another attraction is the Balmichael Visitor Centre, offering something for all
the family, from a motor museum to craft workshops. Because of its summer ferry
service to Kintyre on the west side, Arran makes an important stepping stone on
any tour of the western seaboard.
Dumfries and Galloway
Soft green
hills roll down to pastures and dark woods and, in turn, give way
to rich farmlands and a sunny south facing coast. Scotland's southwest
is blessed with a mild climate - lots of gardens to visit - and
offers plenty to entertain the visitor, from photogenic villages
to dramatic castles to the delights of such first class hotels as
Knockinaam
Lodge at Portpatrick.
The
main town of Dumfries is an important local centre with places to visit associated
with Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet. Other towns are small with the typical
Galloway layout of painted pastel colours on pretty houses along wide main streets.
Kirkcudbright has for long attracted artists and you can visit Broughton House,
associated with the Scottish painter F. A. Hornel, and also the Tolbooth Arts
Centre.
The ferry port of Stranraer is within easy reach of Port Logan and Logan Botanic
Gardens. In these famous Gardens Australasian tree ferns thrive in the mild air.
Newton Stewart is the gateway to the Galloway Forest Park, where lochs, woodland
and craggy hill slopes create grandeur and a wilderness experience to march the
Highlands further north. Nearby is Wigtown, the recently nominated book town of
Scotland.
« back | 
