With six months to go until the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the year-long Homecoming 2014 celebrations under way, it’s a good time to think about visiting places which have helped capture the nation’s identity.
These can reflect Scotland’s natural beauty, historic landmarks, iconic sporting fields of play or its connections with the games themselves.
Why not consider visiting:
St Andrews
Renowned as a haven for golfers, historic St Andrews also has a great deal to offer visitors, situated as it is on the beautiful eastern coastline. It is also home to St Andrews Botanic Gardens, with 18 acres of beautifully landscape gardens and glasshouses containing exotic plants and flowers, the St Andrews Aquarium – nestled on St Andrews’ dramatic north-facing cliffs, with stunning views of the famous west sands and St Andrews Bay, and the Museum of the University of St Andrews, which is a testament to the legacy of Scotland’s oldest university.
Angus
Also located on the east coast and famed for its championship golf course at Carnoustie Links, Angus will host Glasgow 2014’s shooting competition at nearby Barry Buddon. While in the area, visitors can enjoy much more, including wildlife-watching at Crombie Country Park, a journey through history with visits to Arbroath Abbey and Broughty Castle, and the Carnoustie Gala Week, which is a highlight of the summer season.
Loch Lomond
Steeped in legend, folklore and history, Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and the Forth Valley have some of the best sights and most exciting places to explore in all of Scotland, including the site of the Battle of Bannockburn, which will mark its 700th anniversary in 2014.
Glen Etive
Now a memorable location for James Bond’s recent adventures, Glen Etive in the Highlands is among the most striking visions of the Scottish landscape. Quiet and secluded, it is ideal for adventurous walking types looking to escape. The Glen Etive road meanders for 14 miles to the head of Loch Etive, where there are boats to take visitors on cruises of the loch, allowing them to soak up the scenery.
Dundee
Scotland’s fourth-largest city has transformed in recent years into a lively, modern city. The RRS Discovery is one of the city’s must-see attractions, where visitors can follow in the footsteps of Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton aboard the Royal Research Ship Discovery and experience one of the greatest stories ever told. Also in the area and worth seeing are the Dundee Science Centre and Dundee Contemporary Arts.
For information on the Commonwealth Games visit www.glasgow 2014.com and for information and events in Scotland visit www.visitscotland.com/ natural