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This sandstone pinnacle rising 150 m (500 ft) from the sea is the most famous stack in Britain. It seems constantly to change colour as the light varies, and never fails to mesmerize. Impressively, climbers have scaled its precipitous face. The Scrabster– Stromness ferry deviates to give passengers a view, but its best angle is from land. Hire bikes at Moaness and cycle to Rackwick Bay (on the way visit the Dwarfie Stane, a hollow rock), then it’s a 2-hour round-trip on foot.

Housed in a spiked tent, this electrifying exhibition is a great mix of education and entertainment. You travel through all sorts of environments, from volcanic eruptions to the Ice Ages. Stand on shaking floors and get caught in a real tropical downpour – lots of interactivity, powerful images and the full experience of television’s Walking With Dinosaurs (see Our Dynamic Earth) .

Every bit as exciting and illuminating for adults as it is for kids, Our Dynamic Earth takes you on a journey through time from the Big Bang to the present. Amid this rapid evolution, environmental concerns are brought to the fore (see Our Dynamic Earth) .

This tartan-and-tweed town has a long history of serving visitors. Its proximity to Perthshire’s beauty spots and sporting estates was the original draw, but now it boasts a fine theatre, as well as a fish ladder, where salmon leap up a series of pools to reach their spawning grounds. A perfect introduction to the joys of Scotland.

The striking patterns and symmetry of the formal Great Garden is like no other. Originally laid out in 1675, the elaborate floral designs were meticulously recreated. The effect is stunning. Also here are idyllic pond and wildlife gardens, and a Museum of Farming Life (see Pitmedden Garden) .

By virtue of its age, design and deep-water moat (one of only two remaining in Scotland), this is a remarkable medieval castle. Built around 1098 in the days of Norse occupation, it was restyled in the 13th century and fitted with high curtain walls and drum towers. Its circular courtyard is a curious feature and unique in Scotland. Bute itself is a mere 35-minute crossing from Wemyss Bay – north of Largs on the A78 – to Rothesay Bay; an even shorter crossing is from Colintraive to Rhubodach, on the north coast of the island.

Scotland’s premier garden with trees, shrubs and flowers from around the world. Everything from hothouse palm trees and gigantic lilies to dwarf cacti and orchids. Look out for special events, and the guided tours will feed a curiosity you may never have realized you had (see Royal Botanic Garden) .

Two adjoining museums in radically different styles and with very diverse contents. Yet together they present the nation’s most treasured historical artifacts. Worth visiting for the Lewis Chessmen alone, but don’t expect to escape in under four hours (see Royal Museum and Museum of Scotland) .

From 1953 to 1997 this was the Queen’s floating home, the honeymooning hotel of her children and Britain’s roving Royal court. Now you can wander the decks and cabins of this fabulous ship with an audio tour that tells of the life and times of Britannia.