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.

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Gretna retail outlet

Just a few miles north of the England-Scotland border, not far from Carlisle. Loads of outlets including M&S, Cadbury's, sports shops, shoe shops and cafes. Even the local tourist information centre.

All well worth a visit. Plus free parking.
Hanedan Turkish restaurant

Looks like a cafe from the outside. The menu is small but the quality of the food will make you go back again and again till you have sampled everything on it...then you go back again because it is so good it would be criminal not to.
Harvey Nichols

The Scottish outpost of the London designer department store.

Several floors of designer names in ladies & menswear, footwear, designer accessories and bags as well as beauty.

The top floor has a high quality food market and a bar & restaurant with fab views of the Edinburgh skyline.
Hebridean Jewellery

A lovely little place on the Hebridean Isle of South Uist, where you can have a latte and some homemade soup and browse the locally made jewellery
Hermitage of Braid & Blackford Hill

The countryside in the city! A beautiful local nature reserve between Morningside and Liberton. There are many varied habitats - mixed woodlands, a stream, a duckpond, steep rocky slopes, wild flower meadows. Climb up to the grassy summit of the hill for an unbeatable view of the city. There are walks to suit all levels of fitness - there's even a carpark next to the observatory at the top of the hill if you want to see the view without the climb! A visitor centre in the middle of the Hermitage provides information on the wealth of wildlife in the reserve. The reserve is easy to get to by local buses.
HMY Britannia

Visit the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia at Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh. Easily (and cheaply) reached by several frequent buses from city centre.

The Audio guide tour is just the right amount of detail, and you can have a snack or light lunch on board. Entrance is reasonably priced but the tearoom is not the cheapest place to eat, but is excellent quality.

And you can even use Tesco Day Out clubcard vouchers for the entrance fees.
Howie's

Scottish Modern cooking at a reasonable price. There is a chain of these around Scotland http://www.howies.uk.com/

Unpretentious wholesome food. Do try the steak if they are on - one of the best I have had in a while!
Ichiban

This informal Japanese restaurant is in the heart of glasgow. Long tables and a no booking policy are part of what makes the relaxed atmosphere as well as great service and quality food.

A varied menu includes everything from sushi to tempura, curries and the speciality noodle dishes. Reasonably priced you must also try the plum wine or japanese beers on offer.

Ichiban also has another restaurant in the West End of Glasgow.
Illuminati

This gift shop located in Princes Square in the city centre specialises in cards for all occasions and some unusual gifts.
Inversnaid Hotel

This hotel is situated right on the Loch Lomond shore line. It is fairly isolated on the East side of the loch and other than a water borne arrival (By launch from Talbert or hotel launch) is approached by car, on a very narrow road single track with passing places, from Aberfoyle (14miles). The hotel is owned by 'Lochs and Glens' who own 6 hotels, all near water and other than the Highlander in Fort William are all fairly remote. The company mainly caters for coach tours. That said they do an unbeatable 2 for 1 self-drive £199 (FOR TWO) for 4 nights dinner bed and breakfast. I belong to this catergory. Having visited all of their hotels, which are all teriffic value, the Inversnaid views are outstanding, with natural waterfalls at the side of the hotel and Rob Roy's Cave a two mile walk along the loch shore. Walkers from all over visit the hotel car park just to enjoy the walks available in the area. The friendliness of the staff staff is outstanding. All rooms have tea/coffee making facilities and a small flat screen tv. The view from our room across the loch was something worth waking up to. There is a varied menu including a vegetarian option, which hits the spot. The public rooms are comfortable and include a quiet room with games available and a small library. We have just arrived back. Best value which will appeal to many.