Friday 23 April 2010

HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Destination-Tips The Scottish Borders By Tom Sangers Platinum Quality Author

Many people, when thinking about travelling to Scotland either for a day trip or a holiday, will at first think of the famous cities, such as Glasgow or Edinburgh, or one of the other famous areas such as the Isle of Skye in the Hebrides. They may even think of more general areas such as the highlands or lowlands, or near a loch or glen. It's even possible that they'll simply have an area such as "coastline" in their minds. What many people do not think of when considering a Scottish holiday or day trip is staying in the Scottish borders. This area has a wealth of hotels, cottages and other types of accommodation for visitors, as well as a huge amount of things to see, do, and find out about.
Firstly, the area is excellent for those who like trekking or walking, without some of the much harder routes that the more northern areas of Scotland possess. The gentler slopes provide gradual ascents and descents, rolling valleys and pleasantly gurgling rivers and streams, and, especially during summer, a much warmer outing. There's also the possibility of crossing into England, where there are plenty of other places to walk and things to do.
The second thing that many visitors travel to the Scottish borders for is the history. The battles between the native Celtic peoples of Britain and the Anglo-Saxon invaders have a lot of history here as the Celts were driven up past the current Scottish borders. The battles continued when the Romans conquered Britain, and resulted in the construction of Hadrian's Wall, which attracts a huge amount of holiday makers interested in exploring the history of the Romans on the British Isle. Hadrian's Wall is one of the most iconic and long-lasting examples of the Roman occupation, rivalling that of the Roman baths at Bath.
The third thing that people might travel to the Scottish borders for is the piece and quiet. Whilst there, you can easily find a place that's miles away from any towns or cities, main roads or anything else you might find loud and annoying.
With all of this contained within one area, it's surprising that more people don't consider the Scottish Borders when thinking of a holiday, but then again, if they did, it might ruin the peace and quiet element of it.
This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of Hamster Cottages, a of Self catering in Scotland and Argyll cottages.
Tom Sangers - EzineArticles Expert Author

HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Destination-Tips RSS Feed XML RSS Feed RSS feeds allow you to be notified whenever brand new articles are released by your favorite authors. Google Yahoo NewsGator Bloglines MSN AOL Explore the Scottish Highlands By Dipika Patel Platinum Quality Author

Whether you are after a city break, a seaside jaunt or idyllic views and mythical legends, the Scottish Highlands have something to offer everyone. From a base in the lively city of Inverness you can explore the surrounding area, including the famous tourist attraction Loch Ness.
While you may not be lucky enough to spot Nessie, the mythical monster, you are likely to see bottlenose dolphins and leaping salmon. Inverness is a friendly, bustling city and whether you want to experience a bit of retail therapy in its many shops, browse through the Victorian market or relax in a city-centre cafe you won't be disappointed.
With a number of great bars, restaurants and clubs, evenings are never dull in the Scottish city. The impressive Inverness Castle is a big draw for visitors, as is St Andrew's Cathedral and the historic buildings in the Old Town.
Just a short walk down the river through the Ness Islands, you leave the centre behind and will be greeted with impressive views of the Highlands. If you want to experience the outdoors then there are a number of walks in the nearby area that will suit both the beginner and experienced hikers.
Inverness is a great base from which to explore the surrounding area; Loch Ness and Nairn are both just a short drive away and nearby attractions include Beauly, Fort George and the Culloden Battlefield. Loch Ness, famed for its beauty and the mythical monster that supposedly lives beneath its shores, is a big draw for visitors.
Taking a walk around its shores is a good way to appreciate the scenery and also to try and get a glimpse of Nessie. But if you fail to spot her then there are a number of visitor centres in the area where you can learn more about the myth and legend.
Nearby, Nairn is a great place to enjoy the Scottish coastline. The seaside town has been a holiday resort since Victorian times and with its riverside walks, sandy beaches and golf courses it is still a popular destination. It is also a great base for exploring the nearby area including Cawdor Castle and the Cairngorm Railway.
Whether you are looking for castles to rent in Scotland, a Scottish mansion or just after Scottish holiday accommodations in general, look no further than Scotts Castle Holidays.
Scotts Castle Holidays is an independent agency formed in 1988 to offer holidays in private castles and manor houses in Scotland. From this original concept, the agency has steadily grown and now handles bookings for a huge variety of private castles, castle hotels, large houses, mansions and lodges primarily in Scotland.