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Presiding over the nation’s capital, the castle is Scotland’s pre-eminent sight, a truly inspirational historical and cultural landmark (see Edinburgh Castle) .

Ancient geology scarred Scotland, and the Great Glen is its deepest cut, a swath that splits the land in two. A course of water runs through this great valley, forming charismatic lochs, such as notorious Loch Ness (see Loch Ness and the Great Glen) .

Close to Glencoe and at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis (1,343 m; 4,406 ft), this seaside town provides an ideal base for walkers. The scenery is faultless, and almost every direction offers enticing terrain. The less active can scale Aonach Mor by ski gondola or take the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig.

This world famous castle wears the nation’s history. Here you’ll find the Scottish Crown, Sword and Sceptre, and the legendary Stone of Destiny. The Royal Mile treads a straightish but diverting path from the Castle to Holyrood-house (see Edinburgh Castle) .

Rising above the town, Calton Hill is crowned by a gathering of Classical buildings: the Pantheon-like National Monument for the dead of the Napoleonic Wars, the Nelson Monument, commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar and the Old City Observatory.

Britain’s highest mountain is 1,343m (4,406 ft) high and makes a great walk under good conditions (see Ben Nevis) . But the peak is frequently shrouded in mist, and the drive up Glen Nevis offers a more reliable reward, taking you to a lovely waterfall. Fort William lies below the mountain and is a major shopping town with plenty of attractions (see Fort William) . Its West Highland Museum has many Jacobite relics, and Treasures of the Earth exhibits glittering heaps of gems.

No one manages to drive past this castle without leaping for their camera. Small, beautiful and magical, the restored 13th-century fortress of clan Macrae stands on an island in magnificent scenery on the road to Skye (see Eilean Donan Castle) .

A commanding rock-top castle, concealing architecture of an exceptional quality, most notably the restored Great Hall and the Royal Palace (see Stirling Castle) .

The broad, friendly mountains and poetic scenery of Scotland’s first national park are ideal for the casual walker and watersport lover. Luss is the prettiest village. It hosts a popular Highland Games (see Highland Traditions) in June and has a welcoming tea shop or two. Cruises run from here, and from Balloch, Tarbet and Balmaha.

Ice Age glaciers gouged out a deep trench along a split in the land mass of Scotland, and the resulting valley is known today as the Great Glen. Loch Ness is its cause célèbre , with arresting views, the mystery of its reclusive monster and the evocative ruins of Urquhart Castle. Do not eschew a visit to the great loch! (see Loch Ness and the Great Glen)

A city in name but a bustling town by nature, Inverness is redeemed from the blight of its shamefully dull modern architecture by the majestic red sandstone castle (now the court house), fine old houses and the beauty of the River Ness. Inverness Museum and Art Gallery invites “hands on the Highland Heritage” (but you have to leave the artifacts behind), and the Aquadome is a fun-packed swimming centre. The Islands Walk is sublimely peaceful.

The greatest castle in a land that’s full of them, not only prized for its crowning position in the capital’s heart, but also for its important history and the national treasures it holds (see Edinburgh Castle) .

One of Scotland’s most photographed castles because of its incredible setting – huddled on an island off the mountainous shores of Loch Duich. This 13th-century stronghold of the clan Macrae was a ruin until its restoration in the 1930s (see Eilean Donan Castle) .

Dramatically perched on crags overlooking the plains where some of Scotland’s most decisive battles took place, this castle was one of the nation’s greatest strongholds and a key player in her history. The gatehouse, Great Hall and the Renaissance Royal Palace are outstanding. Check out the programme for special events, from tapestry weaving to sword fights (see Stirling Castle) .

Britain’s highest mountain at 1,343 m (4,410 ft). A long, winding path takes you up to the top. The summit is seldom clear of cloud, but if you strike it lucky you’ll enjoy unsurpassed views. In poor visibility take great care on the summit ridge as it’s easy to lose the path, which borders a precipice.

Rising proudly from the wooded banks of its namesake loch, Ben Lomond’s tall mass dominates the panorama. One of the smallest munroes at 973 m (3,192 ft), it has a well-used track, which is steep in places. Tremendous views over the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Best to start at Rowardennan, where there’s a hotel and hostel.

The largest surface of fresh water in Scotland, Loch Lomond’s beauty is celebrated in literature, song and legend. Now the country’s first National Park, in conjunction with the Trossachs, the loch is revered for its islands, lofty hills and shoreside leisure facilities.

Probably Scotland’s most charismatic loch, this deep body of water is a major draw because of the scenic splendour of the Great Glen, Urquhart Castle and the as-yet-unexplained sightings of monster Nessie (see Loch Ness and the Great Glen) .

Could there be a hostel grander than this? Once home for the exiled King of Norway, the castle was built as a Romantic folly in 1914, with ballroom, library, marble fireplaces and a staircase of epic proportions. The art may not be the best but it looks the part, and sometimes there are more statues than guests.

No one knows why Highlanders adopted this distinctive mode of dress or exactly when clans adopted a family “pattern” or tartan. The oldest tartan is dated at around AD 245, and by 1746 there were enough clan tartans to be prohibited for 38 years in a purge on Highland culture. Today, with over 2,000 registered designs, tartans are flourishing.

Cloning – producing an identical organism from a single cell of one “parent” – has been used to manipulate plant life for centuries. In 1997, scientists at Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute produced the first successfully cloned mammal, Dolly, propagated from a single udder cell of a sheep.