DK Travel : Scotland

Scotland has an overwhelming abundance of natural beauty, hundreds of castles stand proud from its long and turbulent past, and an innate flair for enterprise and travel has endowed the nation with artistic treasures from around the world. The culture remains vibrant today, and there’s much to celebrate. Here’s a distillation of Scotland’s best.

Atrium

The Atrium garners its huge popularity from well-honed cooking, displayed in dishes such as a ragout of pigeon with foie gras, and roast halibut with a red pepper sauce (see The Atrium) .
Auchindrain Township

A novel outdoor museum of restored thatched cottages and outbuildings, showing the past styles of West Highland life.
Aviemore

Where better to spend a fantastic White Christmas than in Aviemore? Skiing, beautiful scenery, whisky - and the locals are friendly too!
Aviemore Kart Centre

Children just seem to love noisy engines and burning their way round race tracks. For all budding Grand Prix champions, this is the place. There are courses and machines to suit all ages, and safety helmets are provided. The Bullit is the fastest kart.
Ayrs & Graces

A beautiful family-run guest house on the outskirts of Alloway, birthplace of Rabbie Burns.

Costing less than a £100 per night, our room had an en suite bathroom and a small television lounge where you could have a free nightcap.

The inclusive breakfast was sumptuous to say the least. The owners were friendly and made us feel totally at home.
Babbity Bowster

Stout white building with a welcoming Scottish interior that evokes a distant rural life. Great pub and restaurant with rooms (see Babbity Bowster) .
Backpackers, Royal Mile

The smallest of the hostels, with room for 38 in simple, clean dormitories. Backpackers also has the Castle Rock hostel (0131 225 9666) if other branches are full.
Bagpipes

No sound is more evocative of Scotland than that of the bagpipes. The great highland pipes are played by pipe and drum bands, and by individuals playing for competition or dancing. Over the last two decades bagpipes have also emerged onto the stage of world music alongside every other conceivable instrument.
Balfour Castle, Orkney

An extraordinary retreat, its hospitality overseen by the remarkable Zawadskis (see Balfour Castle, Orkney) .
Balfour Castle, Orkney

A castle with real home comfort, completed in 1848 to a slightly eccentric calendar design (it has 7 turrets, 12 entrance doors, 52 rooms and 365 panes of glass). This family-run hotel has style, class and great service. There are four-poster beds, open fires, a library and even a private chapel. A garden and locally-produced food with flavour add to the mix (see Balfour Castle, Orkney) .

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under £15
- £15–£25
- £25–£35
- £35–£50
- over £50
Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under £50
- £50–100
- £100–150
- £150–200
- over £200