Territory of Scotland. Early New Age. Borderland and eastern lands

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Dal Riata

Kingdom of the Picts (Fortriou)

Lorne

Kintyre

Scotland (Scotland) is now an administrative and political part of Great Britain, its historical province, whose inhabitants cannot forget that over a huge historical period it was an independent country. The area of ​​Scotland is 78.8 thousand km 2. Population 5 million 54 thousand (2002). Since 1999, the country has had its own parliament. Most believers belong to the Presbyterian Church.

Scotland. foothills.

Scotland occupies the northern part of the island on which Great Britain is located, as well as smaller islands in the neighborhood: the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. The main territory of Scotland is surrounded from the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean, from the east by the North Sea, and from the south the territory of England adjoins it. The highest mountains are the Grampian Mountains, stretching in the north of Scotland, where the highest peak of Scotland, and of Great Britain in general, Ben Nevis (height 1343 m) is located. There are a lot of mountain lakes in Scotland, among which are such famous ones as Loch Lomond and Loch Ness. It is simply impossible not to hear about the latter - this is how the legend of Nessie glorified him. I must say that in Scotland, just like in Ireland, there are countless legends about various local monsters. Nessie, on the other hand, managed to become famous in those days when dinosaurs had just begun to be discovered, so the story about her acquired a “scientific” connotation. That is why this lake still attracts crowds of those interested. Other lakes are in no way inferior to it in beauty.

Scotland. Loch Ness.

Scotland is a rather harsh land compared to England. There are many corners of untouched nature, mountains, groves. Numerous islands are scattered among lakes and bays. Ancient castles have also been preserved. In Orkney and Shetland, thanks to the Gulf Stream washing them, the climate is relatively mild. The Shetland Islands are rightfully famous for their woolen clothes (especially the sweaters and shawls from Fair Isle, a small island at the southern tip of the Shetland Range).

Scotland. Ayrshire. Neo-Gothic Kalzin Castle.

Scotland. Fountains in Kalzin Castle Park.

Scotland has become for many Europeans a real discovery of the 20th century. Tourism is one of the main sources of income here. In just one year, over 30 million tourists visit Scotland, which is 6 times the number of all inhabitants of Scotland. Scotland is no less popular than England as a country of educational tourism. The most visited are Edinburgh, Aberdeen, St. Andrews, Stirling, castle tours. Dundee and Glasgow are major industrial centers. A unique monument is the village of New Lanark.

Scotland. Edinburgh.

Scotland. Lochleven Castle. Here, in 1567, Mary Stuart signed her abdication.

The history of Scotland is closely connected with the English and yet it is the history of another people and another country. The most ancient population is the Picts, a mysterious ethnic group, whose representatives were, apparently, of small stature. The legends about the Picts are known to us from the ballad of Robert Stevenson "Heather Honey" translated by S.Ya. Marshak. The Picts as a people disappeared after the spread of Christianity, most likely, they simply assimilated. Later, the Picts were settled here by the Gaels - the Celtic people. The Gaels and Picts successfully defended themselves from the Romans, but the Roman Empire did not extend its power here, mainly due to the fact that these places were too cold and harsh for the Romans. In the 5th-6th centuries. the Celtic tribe of Scots came here, displacing the Gaels into the mountainous regions. The Gaels (now their language is spoken by no more than 80 thousand people in the Highlands and the Hebrides) are called Highlanders or simply Highlanders in a different way. And if you immediately remembered the series about the "immortal" highlander Duncan MacLeod, then you are right - he originates from the mountain Gaelic clans.

Scotland. Glemis Castle (17th century), built on the site of the old one, whose ruler in the 11th century. was Macbeth. A striking example of the so-called "baronial castles".

Scotland. Braemar Castle. 1628.

The Scotts, who gave their name to the country, converted to Christianity and actively carried out missionary activities. There was a clan structure of society. The clans, named after their semi-legendary founders, jointly owned land, were responsible for their members according to the rules of mutual responsibility, and fought wars according to the rules of feudal allegiance (i.e. if the head of the clan swore allegiance to someone, then all members of the clan had to support). Each clan had its own colors of clothing. Homespun wool - tartan - from which the outfits of clan members are sewn, usually has a checkered pattern. In modern Scotland, a men's suit with a skirt (kilt) is preserved, which is worn by members of the clan on solemn occasions, as well as soldiers of Her Majesty's Scottish regiments. Despite the clan system, kingdoms also formed in Scotland. The oldest Pictish kingdom had its center in Scone. From here comes the coronation stone, which now belongs to the British crown. A single kingdom was formed by the 10th century. W. Shakespeare's tragedy "Macbeth" just tells about one of the episodes of the struggle for power. True, in reality, Macbeth was not such a villain, he killed his enemies not in bed, but on the battlefield, but he was an opponent of the British, and therefore became in their eyes a villain for all time. England has provided political life Scotland's defining influence. The Scottish kings were repeatedly forced to fight for the independence of their homeland. Edward I of England conquered Scotland, but a huge uprising broke out there under the leadership of Sir William Wallace (early 14th century). After the execution of Wallace, a new uprising was raised by Robert the Bruce, who returned the country's independence and founded a new dynasty, which continued in Russia. King Bruce had a reputation in Scotland as a sorcerer, and subsequently his descendant in the Russian service had the same fame, which lasted for centuries. The descendant of another great Scot, the bard Thomas Lermontov, laid the foundation for the Lermontov family in Russia. By the way, Lermont was considered a seer and predictor, like his descendant Mikhail Yurievich. In the Middle Ages, the Scots were often employed in the service of foreign kings, the Scottish detachment was at the French court. Periods of confrontation with England gave way to peace. The reign of the Stuart dynasty, related by family ties to the English royal house, ended with the establishment of their power over the united Britain. But for Scotland, the personal union of 1603 was replaced by the accession to England in 1651-52 with the elimination of the trappings of independence. The English and the inhabitants of the valleys gradually pushed back the highlanders, whose life became more and more difficult. This sparked the biggest rebellion of Robert MacGregor, better known as Rob Roy. After the suppression of the uprising, Scotland forever went to Britain. Late 18th - early 19th century was the time of the real Scottish Renaissance. James Macpherson, having processed the ancient legends, passed them off as the writings of the legendary bard Ossian. The true singer of Scottish history was Walter Scott, thanks to whom the whole civilized world learned about the heroes of this northern country. The poet Robert Burns, the writer Robert Louis Stevenson and many others maintained interest in this country. Russia remains today the only country after Scotland, where Burns' birthday is celebrated. Many prominent British figures have Scottish roots - from economist Adam Smith to actor Sean Connery, by the way, a passionate fighter for the country's independence.

Scotland. Belmoral Castle is the current residence of the Queen in Scotland.

Scotland. Blair Castle. Erected in the 13th century. Hereditary possession of the Dukes of Atholl.

For a long time, Scotland's lagging behind England in economic development was depressing, but in recent decades there has been a gradual leveling off. Nevertheless, the tendency for the migration of the most educated part of the population to England remains, and in mountainous areas the population gradually migrates to the valleys. The most populated area of ​​the city of Glasgow and the Clyde Valley, where high-tech industry is developing. Agriculture, fishing, whiskey production, etc. are widely developed in Scotland. About a quarter of the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe country is cultivated or is under pastures. The main Scottish crop is oats. No wonder Scotland is called the "Land of Cakes". This name is given to the country because it is known for its famous "oatmeal cakes" (oatmeal cakes). In Scotland, you will be offered other national dishes, first of all, haggis. This is a tripe-like offal dish. Meat puddings are also common here.

Scottish piper.

Inverness. Inverness Castle.

Basic moments

Traveling in Scotland is a storm of emotions. It strikes with the majesty of its untouched nature: emerald hills and mountains, whose peaks are hidden in a misty haze, endless valleys dotted with flowering heather, ascetic rocky islands. Scotland is famous for its ancient castles with priceless works of art, endless beaches, golf courses, and excellent cuisine. More than 2 million people come here every year to admire this distant and slightly gloomy beauty. Holidays in Scotland belong to the category of expensive, and most of the tourists are representatives of wealthy countries of Western Europe and Americans. Many of them own real estate here.

The birthplace of whiskey and golf, bagpipes and checkered kilts is incredibly original. The Scots themselves today feel their individuality, have a special system of values, own history and traditions different from English. You can see for yourself, because no matter what time you come to Scotland, you will certainly witness one of the festivals, theatrical performances or traditional sports, the exact number of which is unknown even to the Scots themselves.

History of Scotland

It is known that already in the first centuries of the 1st millennium AD. e. most of the modern territory of Scotland was inhabited by Celtic tribes who penetrated here from Ireland. Having exterminated and partially assimilated the aboriginal population, they formed a nationality, which is usually called the "Picts". So this well-organized warlike tribe was called by the Romans, who unsuccessfully tried to conquer the northern lands of the island of Britain. "Piktus" in Latin means "painted": the Pict warriors who fought without armor tattooed their bodies with patterns.

Ever since the 11th century, England, the southern neighbor of Scotland, tried to conquer the kingdom, but the Scots managed to defend their independence for a long time. Hostilities between countries either subsided, then flared up again, which was greatly facilitated by the internal struggle of the Scottish clans for the throne. Pretenders to the crown often publicly or secretly tried to enlist the support of England, which skillfully pushed their foreheads together, using civil strife to invade, and sometimes initiated alliances based on marriages between the English and Scottish royal dynasties.

In the 16th century, Scotland was shaken by religious strife. The local nobility and the bourgeoisie supported the leader of the Scottish Reformation, John Knox, a student of Calvin. However, the monarchical Stuart dynasty was still devoted to Catholicism. The iconic victim of the religious confrontation between Protestants and Catholics was Mary Stuart, who refused to change her faith. In 1603, her son, the Scottish monarch James VI, took the English throne, however, despite the common ruler, the two countries were still unfriendly towards each other.

During the 17th century, attempts were made by the parliaments of Scotland and England to unite both states, but only in 1707, during the reign of Queen Anne, the last representative of the Stuart dynasty on the English throne, the Act of Union was adopted, which approved the formation of a single kingdom of Great Britain. The Scottish Parliament has ceased to exist. But the document contained such important postulates for the Scots as the priority of the Presbyterian Church and the independent status of the legal system.

In 1998, the British Parliament passed an Act that returned Scotland the right to have its own parliament and government.

Scottish character

According to the English writer George Orwell, the most striking features of the British are "ostentatious composure, politeness, respect for the law, suspicious attitude towards foreigners, sentimental affection for animals, hypocrisy, emphasizing class and class differences and a passion for sports." The people of Scotland will not fail to notice that these words apply chiefly to the English. The English themselves, to the displeasure of the Scots, are not inclined to recognize the difference between the words "British" and "Englishman", although the inconsistency of the Scottish national character, which combines gloominess and humor, prudence and generosity, arrogance and tolerance, sensitivity and stubbornness, often lead them into confusion. While the English can be affable depending on the circumstances, the Scots are characterized by sincere courtesy and hospitable hospitality. English literature is heavily spiced with witticisms against the Scots, who, in turn, often refer to the union of the two countries as a forced wedding. Unlike the English, the Scots have never been under either Roman or Franco-Norman rule, and this is an additional point of pride for them.

The establishment of Protestantism here, unlike in England, was often accompanied by tragic events, which hardened the character of the adherents of the Reformation, largely making them dogmatists. In remote parts of Scotland, cooking, cleaning or reading the press on Sundays are still considered the most serious sins. Scottish Catholics are also significantly more orthodox than English ones.

Keenly aware of their national identity, the Scots, however, are well aware of the economic benefits of their union with England. A vivid confirmation of this is the results of the independence referendum held in 2014 at the initiative of the Scottish National Party: 52% of the Scots supported the preservation of a single country.

The spirit of independent Scotland is especially felt in its northern regions, inhabited by Gaels - Scottish highlanders. They have their own way of life, in which there is still the concept of clan system, which was established here in the Middle Ages. Echoes of the old tribal system are still preserved in the surnames of the Scots of Gaelic origin, which begin with the word "Mack" (in Gaelic - "son"). Many residents mountain villages and today they share a common surname.

During national holidays, the Scots, wanting to emphasize adherence to traditions, dress up in ceremonial Gaelic clothes: smart white shirts with turn-down collars, plaid skirts with a large pleat (kilt), short cloth jackets and plaids that are thrown over one shoulder. The kilt and plaid are made from a special checkered fabric - tartan. Each Scottish clan had its own color of this fabric. At the end of the 18th century, these clothes became the uniform of the Scottish Guards regiments. Today, kilts are worn by teenage boys, adult men, and even officials.

National currency

Despite the fact that the official currency of Great Britain is the English pound, Scotland has the right to issue its own money. This is also a pound, but the bills have differences in design. However, it is guaranteed to spend Scottish pounds only in Scotland, in other regions of the UK they may not be accepted in stores. Such an exotic banknote is a good souvenir from this mountainous region.

Geography

Scotland "captured" a third of the country's territory and three archipelagos - the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland Islands. Its northern and western coasts are washed by the waters of the Atlantic, and the eastern shores face the North Sea. Scotland is separated from the island of Ireland by the North Channel, which connects the Irish Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. The west and east coasts of Scotland are connected by the Caledonian Canal, of which famous lake Loch Ness.

Highland Scotland has long been divided into two regions: the historical regions of Lowland and Highland. Lowland is located in the southeast, includes the South Scottish Highlands and the Scottish Lowlands. However, this territory can be called flat only conditionally: in its center lies a chain of hills volcanic origin, hundreds of small rocky ridges are scattered everywhere. Only river floodplains occupy lowlands with fertile land and lush pastures. About two-thirds of the population lives in Lowland, and most of the large farms and industrial enterprises are concentrated here. Here are the largest cities in Scotland - the capital of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

In the northwest is the Highlands, or the Scottish Highlands. This is a special world with endless expanses of wild land, chains of rocky mountains crossed by narrow valleys with rivers, waterfalls and lakes, deep fjords leading to the sea. Exposed to the ocean winds, the western mountain slopes are devoid of tree vegetation, while the eastern ridges are sheltered by luxurious Scottish pines, spruces and deciduous trees. Above the forest line, moorlands, swamps and ferns dominate. In the southern part of the Highlands lie the Grampian Mountains, the highest in Britain, with the peak of Ben Nevis (1343 m).

tourism seasons

Due to the fact that Scotland has unlimited opportunities for a wide variety of recreation, the tourist season here lasts all year round. But massively travelers "occupy" it from May to August, as well as during the New Year and Christmas holidays.

May, when the season officially opens, is the sunniest month of the year. By noon, the air in the flat part of Scotland warms up to +15 ° C, in the northern regions it is slightly cooler. In summer, even on the warmest days, the air temperature does not exceed +23 ° C, cooling often occurs. If you decide to go to the mountains, dress warmly: here it is usually no more than +15 °C.

Summer is the time when the valleys and highlands are covered with bright carpets of flowering heather, and the west coast, washed by blue ocean waters becomes comfortable for a beach holiday. Scottish beaches with white sand that go beyond the horizon are some of the most beautiful on the planet, but keep in mind that the water temperature near the coast never exceeds +20 °C. Summer is also the height of the fishing season.

In September, it is still quite warm (about +15 °С), but it starts to rain, however, for a short time. In October, the weather deteriorates sharply: the sky is covered with rain clouds, it becomes damp and windy. However, surfers believe that the best waves on the coast are in October. November brings increased winds and storms. The temperature on the Scottish plains is about +8 ° C, and in the mountainous regions the first snow falls, frosts occur.

Winter in the flat areas is quite mild, but damp and windy: the air temperature usually ranges from -2 to +4 ° C, it often snows with rain. In the mountains at this time it is snowy, the temperature can drop to -10 ° C. The ski season starts in December in Scotland and lasts until April.

Lowland

This historical region clearly divided into eastern and western parts, not only geographically, but also due to the nature of its inhabitants. Easterners consider themselves refined people with good taste. The Scots living in the west, including in Glasgow, are not pretentious and believe that their main advantage is good-heartedness and realism.

Edinburgh

In the east of Scotland, along the picturesque coast of the Firth of Forth, there is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe - Edinburgh, which became the capital of the Scottish kingdom during the reign of David I (1124-1253). Whichever way you arrive in this city between the sea and the hills, the first thing that will appear to your eyes is a castle towering over a basalt ridge.

The castle finials seem to pierce the sky, and the peaked roofs, spiers and towers of the old city form a broken line of the horizon. It stretches from the battlements of the stronghold to the palace of Holyroodhouse, hiding under a green mountain called "King Arthur's Throne". At its top is the best observation deck in Edinburgh.

On the territory of the castle is the oldest building in the capital - a tiny chapel of Queen Margaret of Scotland. It was built at the beginning of the 12th century. The Scottish crown, scepter and sword are kept here - one of the oldest royal regalia in Europe.

The Royal Mile (Royal Mile), stretching from the wide esplanade in front of Edinburgh castle To royal palace Holyroodhouse was the center of city life until the end of the 18th century and still remains quite lively. Here, during the famous summer Edinburgh festival, a spectacular theatrical military parade takes place. Going down the street, you will see wonderful buildings - examples of British architecture of the 16th-18th centuries. Narrow alleys fan out from the Royal Mile. In their spans you can see flickering between tall buildings The Pentland Hills to the south, the North Sea to the east, and the silvery waters of the Firth of Forth to the north.

At the end of the Royal Mile is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the residence of Her Majesty the Queen during her stay in Scotland. The palace, founded by James IV in 1498, was completed under James V and Charles II. Wonderful French and Flemish tapestries hang in the official apartments, and 18th-century furniture is arranged. In the throne room, the Queen of Great Britain appoints senior officials and rewards the deserving.

Going down to the foot of the hills, you will find yourself in the heart of Edinburgh - on Princes Street, one of the busiest streets in Europe. She will take you to New town, spread out under the shadow of medieval buildings at the far end of the valley. This graceful complex of streets and circular squares is a fine example of 18th century urban planning.

It is pleasant to spend time in the capital, leisurely examining the numerous museums and galleries, where works of art created from the Middle Ages to the era of postmodernism are stored.

Edinburgh is not only the administrative, historical, but also the gastronomic center of Scotland. Here more restaurants per capita than any other UK city. In the lively cafes on the Royal Mile and in the spacious Grassmarket near the castle, you can enjoy a meal accompanied by music. The Royal Mile is home to the Deacon Brodie tavern featured in Robert Stevenson's eerie work The Story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Rose Street is famous for its pubs, where after rugby matches fans have fun or feel sad. On the same street is one of the best cafes in Edinburgh - Abbotsford.

Borderland and eastern lands

Heading south from Edinburgh along the road through the picturesque hills, you will find yourself in the border areas with England. This part of Scotland was always the first to repulse the Romans and the British, holding back their attempts to break through to the north. Today it is a peaceful pastoral land with undulating ridges of green hills and clear river flows. The main occupation of the locals is farming, making tweed and knitwear. The Tweed River flowing here is an excellent place for trout and salmon fishing.

On the south bank of the river is Abbotsford Manor, built in the early 19th century by Sir Walter Scott according to his own design. A pretty house, built in the old Scottish style, seems to look at the river and looks incredibly romantic. Abbotsford, which is still owned by one of Scott's descendants, is filled with memories of the famous writer. Here is a museum that houses a fine collection of historical relics, armor and weapons, among them - the gun of Rob Roy, the sword of Montrose and the cup of Prince Charles Edward.

Drive 3 km further south to reach the charming town of Melrose, nestled at the foot of the triple ridge of the Eildon Hills. On one of the eastern slopes stands a Roman fortress, from where there is a delightful view of the hills running west towards Galloway. In the city itself, the ruins of the Melrose Abbey of the 12th century, which are still an architectural poem, are most impressive. The fame of the city was also brought by the invention by the local sports club of a kind of rugby "play with seven", which has become famous all over the world. In the cities of the border regions, rugby has a special passion. Nearby are picturesque medieval monasteries: Dryborough, where Walter Scott is buried, Kelso and Jedborough.

In the south of Scotland there are some particularly impressive stately estates, where you can admire the outstanding collections of paintings and furniture. Among them are Flores Castle, the residence of the Duke of Roxborough, one of the castles of the Duke of Buckleigh - Bowhill, the house of the Earls of Haddington - Mellerstein, built in the 18th century by the famous Scottish architect Robert Adam.

To the east of Edinburgh, south of the Firth of Forth lies the historical site of Lothian. The local hills and fields are covered with lush vegetation, and the golf courses located in these places are considered among the best in the UK. Aberlady Bay offers excellent birdwatching, as well as wonderful dune-lined sandbars and many castles.

10 km from the coast, near the city of Haddington, is located Lennoxlaus - the residence of the Duke of Hamilton. The city itself, with carefully restored buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, also deserves a visit.

On east coast St. Abbs Head Nature Reserve is located. It is located on a picturesque rocky cape jutting out into the North Sea. This is a bird's paradise: colonies of guillemots, cormorants, fulmars, herring gulls and auks nest here on the rocks. These places are the best for snorkeling in all of Scotland. Divers must obtain permission from the reserve ranger.

On the north side of the wide, silvery Firth of Forth lies the county of Fife. There are mines and industrial enterprises everywhere, but the life of the local cities and towns is distinguished by its originality and charm. In the western part of this land, at the head of the river, is the village of Culross, here you can see the best preserved and most picturesque houses of those that were built in the cities of Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries.

To the east is the ancient capital of the Scottish kingdom of Dunfermline. Its main attraction is the beautiful 12th-century cathedral, where one of the greatest kings of Scotland, Robert the Bruce, was buried in 1329.

To the north of Dunfermline, on the coast of Fife Ness, there are picturesque fishing ports - Earlsferry, Sket Monance, Pittenwim, Anstruther and Crail. Nearby you will see Falkland Palace, the hunting lodge of the Stuarts, the elegant Tarvit House with a fine collection of furniture, tapestries, paintings, and Kelly Castle of the 14th century.

The most famous city in Fife is St. Andrews. This is the birthplace of golf, here is the famous Old Course, which has been played for 800 years. One of the oldest British universities, founded in 1412, is also located in St. Andrews. There are many magnificent buildings in this city, and it is also famous for the fact that for a long time it was the religious center of Scotland. Church reformer John Knox read his first sermon here.

Western lands

On the banks of the River Clyde, 22 km from its delta, is the largest city in Scotland - Glasgow. During the Middle Ages, it was an authoritative religious and educational center of the kingdom, and the industrial revolution of the 18th century turned it into one of the most economically developed and densely populated cities in Great Britain. Glasgow grew rich due to shipbuilding and heavy engineering, and at the end of the 19th century became the second largest city in Scotland. Its solid industrial base was destroyed during the economic recession of the 70s of the last century. True, the recession was followed by the economic and cultural flourishing of the 90s, and not so long ago, the EU recognized Glasgow as a “city of high culture”.

Not everything in Glasgow's cultural make-up is the achievement of recent decades. The 12th-century cathedral in the Old City is the only Scottish medieval temple that escaped destruction during the Reformation. Opposite it, you can see the three-story Provence Lordship building - this is the oldest secular building in the city (1471), which has now become a museum. The old part also houses the Glasgow School of Art, the west wing of the building was built by the architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928), one of the founders of the Art Nouveau style. In Glasgow, you should definitely visit the University Museum and the Art Gallery, which is second only to London's Tate Gallery in terms of the number of visitors. An impressive collection of paintings is exhibited here, including works by a group of artists from the end of the century before last, the Glasgow Boys, who worked in the style of impressionism and post-impressionism, as well as Scottish painters who worked in the post-war years.

The highway, passing through the center of Glasgow and then crossing the River Clyde, will take you to Ayrshire. This is the birthplace of Robert Burns and the district famous resorts such as Large, Troon, Prestwick and Gerwan. From Wemes Bay there is a ferry to the Isles of Bute and Millport, and from the city of Ardrossan to Arran, a favorite Sunday holiday destination for Scots living on the West Coast. Ayrshire has some of the best golf courses in Scotland. Among them are three venues for the Open Championship, where it first took place in 1860.

Not far from the coastal town of Ayr, in the provincial Alloway, stands the house where the iconic Scottish poet Robert Burns was born in 1759 to a peasant family. Next to it is a modern building, which houses a museum dedicated to the author of immortal ballads.

On the coast near the town of Kerkoswalda rises Kalzin Castle - one of the greatest creations of the architect Robert Adam. Here you can admire a fine collection of paintings, weapons, furniture and porcelain.

South of Ayrshire along the Solway Firth are Dumfries, Galloway and other pretty towns and villages. Further they are replaced by wild moorlands. This piece of land ends in the Galloway peninsula, which is shaped like a hammer. The upper part of the "hammer" is separated from the sea by Loch Ryan Bay, famous for its oysters. Stranraer, the main port of departure from Scotland to Ireland, is located in the harbor of the bay.

Eight kilometers to the north, towards the city of Dumfries, lie the imposing ruins of Sweetheart Abbey. Dumfries itself, located on the river Nith, chosen by trout, is the largest city in the south-west of Scotland. Robert Burns moved here at the end of his life. His house has been preserved and turned into a museum. A monument to the poet stands on High Street.

12 km south of Dumfries, on the banks of the Solway Firth, you will see the remains of the triangular fortress of Caerlaverock surrounded by a moat with water. It was a powerful fortification on the border lands with England. In the 17th century, the Earl of Nithsdale built a classical mansion inside the ruins, thus creating one of the most extravagant architectural complexes in Scotland.

Between Glasgow and Edinburgh is the city of Stirling, which claims to be the true capital of Scotland. Its whole history is an illustration of the struggle of Scotland for its independence. Stirling Castle, the most important defensive stronghold of Scotland, seems to grow out of a high rock, personifying the rebelliousness and courage of the Scots. Several times it was captured by the British, but they could not hold out for a long time. From 1307 to 1603 the castle was the residence of the Stuarts. Here we also recommend visiting the Church of the Holy Cross and the Abbey of Cambaskennet.

At the time of the confrontation between Scotland and England, it was believed that the side controlling the castle was the owner of the entire Kingdom of Scotland, and today the ancient city of Stirling is called the brooch that holds the southern Lowlands and the northern Highlands together.

highland

The historical Highland region occupies almost a third of the territory of Scotland, but hardly more than 10% of its population lives here. There are so many picturesque corners on this earth that one can spend a lifetime to look into each of them.

The southern border of the Highlands, bordering the Lowlands, divides Scotland diagonally, starting from the Mull of Kintyre, a narrow strip of land stretching from the county of Argyll, which is west coast, to Stonehwein, lying on the east coast, south of Aberdeen - the third largest city in Scotland. After large oil reserves were discovered in the North Sea in the 1970s, the center of the UK oil industry developed here.

The convenient strategic location of Aberdeen in the Middle Ages turned the city into a royal domain, which contributed to its economic and cultural development. The local university, founded in 1495, is one of the five oldest in the UK. Aberdeen is often called the "Silver City" due to the fact that the quartz crystals in the granite, from which the city buildings were erected, sparkle expressively in the rays of the sun.

80 km east of Aberdeen, on the Royal Deeside, is Balmoral Manor, founded in the 15th century. Since 1848, it has been owned by the royal family, whose members spend part of the summer here. The castle is closed to the public, but when the crowned persons leave it, the castle park becomes available to the public. On the way to the royal estate, you will see many magnificent castles. All of them are distinguished by their original style and furnishings, beautiful stucco ceilings, and valuable collections of works of art.

Traveling through the northwestern lands of the Highlands is more convenient to start from Glasgow. The highway leading from this city to the north almost immediately leads to the highlands, and stretches along the shores of Loch Lomond, the largest freshwater reservoir in Great Britain, 37 km long and 8 km at its widest. The local places are illuminated with amazing soft light, which gives magical mystery to medieval castles and steep hills surrounding the lake. Behind Loch Lomond rises the eternal challenge to climbers Ben Lomond - one of the Munroes, as 282 Scottish peaks are called "three-thousanders" (3000 feet \u003d 914 m).

To the northeast of these places lies the city of Fort William with its magnificent fortifications of the 17th century. Fort William is a busy crossroads of the Highlands, from where tourists set off on a journey along a wide variety of routes. One of them is laid to the popular corner of the Scottish Highlands - Glencoe. This deep, incredibly picturesque valley stretches for 11 km from Loch Leven to the wasteland of Rannoch Mawr. In Glencoe there is a historical area - Wailing Valley. Here, in 1692, the troops of the English King William III attacked the MacDonald clan, slaughtering the entire population as punishment for the slowness shown by the head of the clan in expressing allegiance to the English king.

Rannoch-more is 155 km² of peat bogs, moorlands, lakes and meandering river streams. The inhabitants of the plain are waterfowl, larks, plovers, red deer, and fat trout are found in local brown peat lakes. A beautiful panorama of these places opens up to tourists traveling by rail, laid at an altitude of 400 m above sea level.

Departure from Fort William bus tours To the legendary lake Loch Ness, where tourists flock in the hope of meeting the famous Scottish monster. Most likely, you will never be able to see serpentine contours on the smooth surface of the lake, but you can always admire the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle, located in these parts.

To the northeast of Fort William is a historic area - the plain of Culloden Sea, where in 1746 a battle took place between the Scots under the leadership of Charles Edward Stuart, the pretender to the British throne, and government troops under the command of the Duke of Cumberland. The Scots were defeated, and today stones rise along the road leading to these places, marking their graves. The battle was fought near the Old Lenach farm. It exists today, becoming the Culloden House Museum.

To the west, along the Spey River, lie the rich lands of the Lai of Morea. Distilleries are located here, where most of the malt whiskey is produced. Some of them are open to visitors. Here you can watch the process of making the Gaelic "aqua vitae", and even skip a glass at the end of the tour.

The road leading from Fort William west to the city of Mallaiga passes through places where stunning panoramas will open up to your eyes. Passing Loch Shiel, you will find yourself in Lochalorth with its magnificent views of the sea and rocky islets in the clear waters of Loch nan Wam. Then you will see how its rocky shores give way to the silver, dazzling sands of the coastal regions of Morar and Arisaig. Further from the shore, mountains are reflected in the dark waters of Loch Morar, deepest lake Great Britain, whose depth exceeds 300 m. Here, they say, a monster lives no less mysterious than the Loch Ness reptile.

Mallaig itself is a small but picturesque port from where ferries run to the Hebrides. Heading further north from Mallaig, you will see one of the most beautiful lakes in Scotland - Loch Mary, wonderful gardens in Inverie on Loch Eve, watch how landscapes change, gradually acquiring the harsh outlines of lunar landscapes.

The road north leads to Inverness - administrative center Highlands and the largest city in Northern Scotland. It is known to Shakespeare fans as the birthplace of King Macbeth, but this is not true, but the medieval Inverness Castle, built on a rock, described by the poet, is quite real. Occupying a strategic position at the mouth of the Ness River, it survived more than one siege and witnessed the most important historical events.

Today Inverness is big shopping mall, the port from where ferries leave for the far north of Scotland - to the Orkney and Shetland Islands.

Islands

In the very north of Great Britain, between the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, there are two archipelagos: Orkney and Shetland. The first from the northern tip of Scotland is separated by 10 km, the second - 150 km. A significant part of the islands and islets belonging to both archipelagos is uninhabited.

On this primeval land, open to the sea and the sky, the owners are rocks, hills and mountains. The shores of the islands, which are often hit by high, powerful waves, are steep, indented by deep fjords and bays. Rocks on some islands rise more than three hundred meters. Nature demonstrates a variety of rocks here - red and gray granites, black labrador, pink and brown quartz, gray and white limestones.

There are also low, gently sloping shores, which are slippery, overgrown with algae, randomly piled up boulders and slabs. In some bays, swampy shores suddenly turn into luxurious beaches with white sand.

Due to the continuous winds, the weather here is unstable, but thanks to the warm sea current, it cannot be called harsh. The most comfortable time is June-July. At this time, it is light 19 hours a day, during the day it is mostly clear, but the wind can bring a cold snap or thick fog at any moment. Going to the islands, you should take care of waterproof clothing and shoes.

In late spring and early summer, everything is in bloom here, and numerous birds that have chosen these places hatch and raise their offspring. In July, the birds change plumage and prepare for a journey to warmer climes. Watching them through binoculars is a very interesting activity.

The largest among the Orkney Islands is Mainland, where 75% of the population of the archipelago lives. The cities of Stromness and Kirkwall are located here. The coast to the north of Stromness will give you one of the most exciting trips to the seaside cliffs of Britain. In Kirkwall, it is interesting to see the ruins of buildings of the Norman period and the earl's palace - one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in Scotland.

On the east coast of the Mainland, one can see a well-preserved Neolithic settlement dating from about 3000 BC. e. and the huge burial mound Mes Howe.

The Shetland Islands have only one city, Lerwick, but there is an airport connected to most Scottish airports, and the frequency of flights is quite high due to the oil wells located here. New oil fields in the North Sea for some time significantly curtailed the opportunities for tourism, but today it has revived, and Shetland antiquities have regained the attention of travelers.

Wander 10 km west of Lerwick among the picturesque ruins of Skalloway Castle. On the small island of Mausa, see the well-preserved Iron Age building - the "broch" (tower-fortress). On the island of Unst, admire Manes Castle.

The Hebrides are widely spread in the ocean off the northwest coast of Scotland. The archipelago includes about 500 islands, large and very tiny. It is often cloudy and rainy here, and lead waves crash on the coast. But the weather here is changeable, and quickly changes anger to mercy, pleasing with the sun and calm sea, which suddenly acquires a piercing blue, "tropical" color.

The largest island in the archipelago is Skye. From the fjords in the east to steep mountains Cullin and the rocky coast to the east, Skye is the personification in miniature of the wild Celtic spirit that pervades all of Scotland. Cullin Ridge is a 10 km chain mountain peaks, 15 of which exceed the mark of 900 m. At the foot of the massif lies the Glen Sligahan valley, 13 km south of it is Lake Log Skavaig. These places are located romantic castle Armadale.

In the northwest of the island stands the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland - Dunvegan. The heads of the MacLeod clan have been in charge here for more than 800 years. Now the family of the 30th head of the clan, Hugh Macleod, lives in the castle. Visiting the castle with a walk in its gardens - £ 10. The entrance for guests is open from 10:00 to 17:00.

In the town of Dunvegan, a mile south of the castle, book a boat trip. The vessel sails to the habitat of sea seals, you can go fishing from the side.

On the island of Lewis there is a mysterious structure of vertically placed stone blocks forming a circle. This megalithic complex is believed to have been built in the Late Neolithic and is associated with the cult of the Moon.

Leisure

The Scots love sports. Golf, rugby, curling, football, mountain climbing, sailing regattas, surfing, scuba diving are especially popular here. Scotland has created an excellent infrastructure for outdoor activities, which has become a reliable support for the tourism industry, which was originally focused on historical sites.

For lovers of hiking, an incredible number of trails have been laid that stretch along the coastline, along the slopes of steep cliffs and territories of reserved wild corners. Some difficult routes can only be followed by guides.

Fans of cycling will also be pleased. For cyclists, special paths have been laid here in the forest and countryside, along the sides of the railway track and highways where the traffic is not very busy.

There are over 500 excellent golf courses scattered throughout Scotland. The best of them are on its east coast.

The intricately indented coastline of Scotland, its rivers, lakes, islands make this region one of the best places in the world for water sports. Fans of recreation on the water can only choose between yachting, rafting mountain rivers, water skiing, diving, surfing.

Horse riding is also popular here. On noble horses and strong Scottish ponies, you can take short walks along the coast or go on a long tour of the interior regions of the country.

In Scotland 5 ski areas with resorts of different price categories, where all conditions are created for both professionals and beginners, even the smallest ones. Here you will find not only skiing, but also snowboarding and freeriding. In addition, the resorts are constantly hosting interesting events, such as the “dog rally” (“Aviemore Husky Sled Dog Rally”), where you can take part in dog sled races.

Educational tours

In Scotland, as in England, often go for the sake of education English language and immersion in the language environment. Schoolchildren and students, people of middle and older age go on educational tours. Education here lasts all year round, the minimum course duration is a week.

It is better to send your children to educational centers-schools focused on children from 8 to 16 years old during the holidays. This provides an excellent opportunity to combine learning with outdoor activities and educational excursions.

The cost of a 2-3-week educational tour to Scotland, depending on the chosen program, is from £ 2000 to £ 5000.

Scottish cuisine

Scotland has always been famous for the quality of its beef. Cattle raised on mountain pastures make excellent steaks. Their taste is well emphasized by cream, oatmeal sauce and whiskey. Salmon from the lakes and rivers of Scotland is also famous all over the world, as is the local seafood.

Lamb dishes are popular in Scotland. Among them, of course, is the legendary "haggis" - a lamb's stomach stuffed with oatmeal and generously seasoned with spices and giblets with visceral fat. Game dishes are no less famous, partridge and pheasant are especially good, they are cooked with raspberries, currants, wild berries.

Tourists like local sweet dishes - oatmeal flavored with cream and honey, puddings with dried fruits, ice cream made from natural fresh milk.

As in all of Europe, there are apparently international fast food chains in Scotland, but for a quick and inexpensive bite, it is much more pleasant to go to a cafe or pub that serves homemade food. In addition to the popular beer, sherry, brandy and port wine, pub menus usually include dishes such as soups, pies with beef and kidneys or pork, lard casserole, scrambled eggs, rolls and the ever-requested "Plowman's Lunch" of bread, cheese, pickles and lettuce.

The Scots love their national product - whiskey. There are more than 100 distilleries here, each of which produces its own elite varieties of this drink. Those who enjoy tasting this fiery product should go on one of the whiskey tours offered by most travel agencies.

What to buy

If you want to buy a solid and beautiful piece of Scottish memory, buy a stylish woolen sweater from well-known local manufacturers with a history (from £90) or silver jewelry (the best are sold in the northern, "Celtic" areas). A great purchase is a kilt or plaid (from £90 to £190), or something more modest - a soft and cozy checkered scarf (up to £20).

Popular souvenirs from Scotland are crafts made of metal and wood with national symbols, leather belts, stylish belt buckles. Delicious gifts - oatmeal cookies, heather tea and, of course, real Scotch whiskey.

Where to stay

All over Scotland offers a wide choice of places to stay, from chic rooms in modern hotels and ancient castles to cozy rooms in family houses on farms, where you will be served on the basis of bed and breakfast. Modern hotels here are expensive and often faceless, unlike rural cottage-hotels, where you can enjoy comfortable accommodation with a charming interior. Many of them are located in old houses. The cost of living varies depending on the location and the range of services provided, but a daily room rental is unlikely to cost less than £60.

Visit Scotland and not spend at least a night in one of medieval castles, it would be a shame. If you want to dine by candlelight in a knight’s hall or a dungeon, take part in quests based on detective novels, and at dawn, open the window, let in a muffled ghostly light into your monastery, breaking through the fog and intoxicating the air with its freshness, you will have to pay for a double room at least £160 per day.

Some medieval castles host youth hostels and English language training centers. Old buildings also often host hostels and apartments. The minimum price for staying in a hostel is £ 30 (room with 8 beds and facilities on the floor).

Safety

Crime in Scotland is quite low, which is facilitated by CCTV cameras placed everywhere. But, as in any other country, pickpockets are not uncommon in crowded places, so you should not keep large amounts of cash with you. Some areas of Glasgow have a bad reputation, but in the Highlands, locals often do not even lock the doors to the house, and leave the car keys in the cabin.

In case of an unpleasant incident, you need to call the single number 999 (police, ambulance, firemen).

Transport

All settlements in Scotland are connected by bus and rail. But if a bus ride from Edinburgh to Glasgow costs only £4, then a 50-minute journey on the Edinburgh-Glasgow train will cost £13-22 (tickets in Class I compartments are 50% more expensive). In the cities of Scotland, buses predominate on public routes, but tram lines have survived in some places. Ticket price - £ 1.2-1.5.

Black old-fashioned Scottish taxis are copies of spacious London cabs. On free cars, the yellow beacon on the roof is lit. The fare is recorded by the meter, converting the yards and miles traveled into pounds. The first kilometer is £3.75. Then 60 pence are added to them for every 169 m.

You can go to any of the 60 Scottish islands by sea ferries. The cost of a trip up to 1 hour is £ 5-8. Small planes fly to the remote Shetland and Orkney Islands.

In the remote mountainous provinces and on the islands, passengers are transported by Royal Mail minibuses, which can take from 2 to 6 fellow travelers. Car rental provides complete freedom of movement. The cost of renting an economy class car is from £ 23 / day. The traffic here is left-handed, and you should be aware of the nuances of local traffic rules. For example, the maximum speed in the city is 48 km/h (in Edinburgh it is 30 km/h). The speed is controlled by automatic recorders installed everywhere. The fine for exceeding is £1,000, for not wearing seat belts (including passengers) is £500, and for extra per mille of alcohol in the blood, you need to pay £5,000, and you can even go to jail.

Glasgow has one of the oldest subways in the world. The first metro stations opened at the end of the century before last. After the modernization of the subway, streamlined orange trains appeared here, moving with the accuracy of a chronometer. The townspeople nicknamed their subway "A Clockwork Orange". A single ticket will cost you £1, a day ticket will cost you £1.90.

How to get there

There are no regular direct flights from the Russian Federation to the cities of Scotland. However, you can get to the airports of Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh with a transfer in London or international airports other European capitals.

The lowest cost of a flight to Glasgow from Moscow and back is offered by low-cost airlines. For example, the British discounter easyJet regularly operates flights from Domodedovo airport to Glasgow with a transfer in London (a/p Heathrow). The ticket should be booked in advance, it is convenient to make an application on the Internet. The cost of a ticket with a return flight in economy class on an Airbus A-321 is 309 € (taxes are included, meals are paid on board at will). Distance: 2546 km, travel time - 4 h. 20 min.

If you take the initiative and take full advantage of the possibilities of the World Wide Web, you can fly to Scotland even cheaper. Book your tickets months in advance, prices will increase as your desired flight date approaches.

High-speed trains run from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Travel time is 4.5 and 5 hours respectively. Railway ticket will be expensive, around £100.

By car from Moscow to Scotland shortest route you need to overcome about 3,650 km. On this journey, you will drive along excellent European highways through Belarus, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France, use the tunnel under the English Channel (50 km, the car will be transported by train), cross Britain from south to north.

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