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.

Speyside Way

Bordering one of Scotland’s most picturesque rivers, this path takes you from the Cairngorms to Moray’s coast (with spurs to Dufftown and Tomintoul). It is a walk full of interest, with distilleries galore, bridges, stately homes and a rich abundance of wildlife.
St Abb’s Head

A national nature reserve on dramatic cliffs packed with birds. Don’t miss the characterful town of St Abbs, with its excellent fishery museum.
St Andrews

Every golfer dreams of playing here. There are seven courses, including, most famous of all, the Old Course. Book months in advance or take your chance in the lottery for unreserved places held the day before. Fit in a visit to the Golf Museum too. The plush restaurant at the Old Course Hotel is listed on page 89.
St Andrews

The “home of golf” (see Golf Courses) has the oldest university in Scotland, and red-robed students add a colourful, carefree atmosphere to this pretty town. Once the ecclesiastical capital of the country, its cathedral is still a proud ruin, with a wealth of sculpture, and its castle has unrivalled examples of siege tunnels and a curious “bottle dungeon”. There’s also a mile of beach for fine walks, and plenty of hip cafés and bistros.
St Christopher’s Inn Hostel

A new style of hostel that provides a mix of dormitory and private rooms, some en suite. As well as laundry facilities and lockers, there are hot tubs, saunas and internet access. There’s also a bar on site.
St Columba Founds a Monastery on Iona

In 563 this fiery Irish missionary went into self-imposed exile on Iona (known as the “home of christianity” in Europe), and here he founded a monastery. Columban monks travelled widely, consolidating the Christian faith and thus unifying Scotland’s tribes into one nation.
St Cuthbert’s Way

The only cross-border route in Scotland. It starts in the abbey town of Melrose and ends on the amazing island of Lindisfarne (England). Not too strenuous a walk and a lovely mix of pasture, woodland, moor and coastal scenery. Check the tides for the last mile.
St Jude’s

Elegant retreat for Glasgow’s modish people. Loungy in the bar, while the restaurant gains plaudits by the score for its invention and exemplary quality (Pacific rim and European flavours).
St Jude’s

A small hotel with a private-club feel, its rooms (small oases of serenity in a cool, contemporary style) situated above the restaurant and wonderful bar (see St Jude’s) . St Jude may be the patron of lost souls, but this style-conscious headquarters of hedonism is no place for the downhearted.
St Kilda

Scotland’s first World Heritage Site, this archipelago of monumental cliffs was, until 1930, inhabited by a highly individual community who lived off the islands’ millions of sea-birds. Such is St Kilda’s isolation that it has its own subspecies of mouse, wren and sheep. Hard to get to, but if you can it’ll touch your soul.

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Hotel price categories

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