Scotland - the land of kilts, haggis, and eye-piercing bag-pipes. It is a place with scores of things to see and do and a place that everyone should visit given the chance. It is a land of ready people and is a load of fun for anyone willing to visit. Scotland is very distinct from England and the other countries of the United Kingdom.

Scotland boasts incredible landscapes and eye-watering lochs (lakes are called lochs in Scotland). It is filled with ancient castles that tell the tales of Scotland's history and its historic rivalry with England (until they decided to join them).

What Is There To See And Do In Bonny Wee Scotland?

Scotland has many things to see and do. One of the great activities is to go on a whiskey tasting tour in Scotland. There are many historic distilleries in Scotland and maybe situated in stunningly beautiful locations - like on the isles just off the coast.

Whiskey Tours: Definitely Go On A Distillery Tour In Scotland

Castles: There Are Scores Of Must-See Historic Castles In Scotland

Scotland has many historic castles. Some of these castles were the homes of the Scottish Kings until they combined their monarchy with England at the beginning of the 1600s. Since then the British monarchs have lived in London. One of Scotland's most remarkable and rewarding living castles is Sterling Castle.

When Should I Go?

One can go anytime, the winters are often not so cold that it snows - at least in the Low Lands. Instead, it's just mostly damp, grey, and miserable during the winter. But that doesn't mean one should avoid the winter. One will be rewarded with more than 50 shades of grey from the grey and color-starved cities and castles which has an appeal of its own (of course not for everyone). Think of perpetually grey and gloomy Hogwarts from Harry Potter.

Summer: Summer is The Best Season For Most

Winter: In Winter One Can See The Castles At Their Greyish and Gloomist - It Has A Hogwarts Sort of Surrealism of Its Own

Otherwise, the best time is in the summer - although this is the Scottish summer. So don't expect roasting temperatures or warm seas for bathing.

Related: These Hidden Gems In Scotland Will Have You Rethinking Edinburgh

Are The Scottish Highlands Worth visiting?

The Scottish Highlands make up the northern half of the country. There is no universal agreement of exactly what parts of Scotland are part of the Highlands (it generally isn't thought of including Aberdeen). Some include the Outer Hebrides while others do not.

The largest city in the Highlands is Inverness and the region is very sparsely populated. Even though it includes up to half of Scotland's landmass, it only includes only a small proportion of the population. The Highland Council Area is about a third of the landmass of Scotland but has a population of only 240,000 or 4% of Scotland's population.

Population: The Highlands Are Sparsely Populated

The Highlands is where the (historically completely inaccurate) 1995 movie Braveheart was filmed and is home to Scotland's Loch Ness - the home of the phantom Loch Ness Monster.

Braveheart: Was Filmed In The Highlands

Home To: Loch Ness and Ben Nevis - Britain's Highest Mountain

The Highlands include much of Scotland's most spectacular scenery and the tallest mountain in the United Kingdom. In short, no trip to Scotland would be complete without visiting the Highlands.

Related: Guide To The Scottish Highlands & Why You Should Visit

How Long Do I Need In Scotland?

If one would like to see Scotland properly, then a few weeks would be great. It will give time to visit some of the outlying isles as well. If one is pressed for time, then just pick a couple of attractions - like Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye.

Fortunately, distances are not great in Scotland (even if the Scots tell one otherwise- many will even say England is far away).

Other FAQs About Scotland

Do Scots Wear Knits?: Generally No, But It is Not Uncommon To See Scot Prancing Around In Their Knits

Do Scots Care About Their Clans?: Nope (Generally Speaking)

Is The Scottish Accent Difficult To Understand?: It Can Be, The Accents In Glasgow Can Be One of The Strongest While in Edinburgh and Inverness in the Highlands It Tends to Be Milder

Is Scots A Language?: Depends on Who One Asks But It Is Generally Thought Of As Dialect (and One On A Continuum)

Do I Need A Visa?: Scotland Is Part of the United Kingdom And Western Passport Holders Do Not Require Visas

Is Scotland a Country?: Scotland Is A Constituent Country Of The United Kingdom - Not An Independent Country

Do Scots Speak Gaelic?: Around 57,000 Scots Are Fluent in Scottish Gaelic - Particularly in the Outer Hebrides

Next: The Best Ways To Plan Your Visit To Bonnie Scotland (For The First Time)