Scotland is blessed with stunning scenery and its mountains, glens and lochs are spectacular. Many of the place names are derived from Gaelic, Old Norse and Pictish:

Aber = river mouth
Ben = mountain
Burn = stream
Cèilidh = informal celebration, party
Firth = estuary
Glen = valley
Strath = vale
Kyle = narrow strait of water, sound (Kyle of Sutherland)
Loch = lake
Lochan = small lake, pond

The Outer Hebrides, is a beautiful, unspoilt chain of islands is made up of Harris; the east coast of which is a dramatic moonscape of volcanic rock, and the west coast has miles of golden sands. This is the home of the famous Harris Tweed material and it is still made here.

Lewis’s capital Stornoway, is the largest town in the Western Isles. The smaller islands of North and South Uist, Barra and St. Kilda make up the rest of the chain.

The islands of the Inner Hebrides lie closer to the mainland. The largest of which is Skye, which has long been one of Scotland's most popular island destinations and is now connected to the mainland by a bridge. The larger islands of Mull, Islay and Jura lie further south and are surrounded by smaller islands.

Mull is home to Iona Abbey and cemetery, where many of Scotland's early Kings are buried.

Islay is famous for its whisky, with no fewer than eight distilleries on the island, and is now owned by the islanders.

Jura is home to thousands of deer, and is the place where George Orwell wrote his masterpiece, 1984 at Barnhill House.

Gigha is a beautiful island, also owned by the islanders, and is famous not only for its cheeses, but also for the beautiful gardens at Achamore.

Argyll and Bute includes the Mull of Kintyre, and the Kintyre Peninsula and is situated on the west coast of Scotland. It is one of Scotland’s undiscovered treasures and is one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. There are no less than 21 gardens open to the public, as well as castles. The Argyll Forest and the little explored Kilmartin Glen are part of Scotland’s ancient past.

Other places well worth visiting are Inverary Castle, Inverary Jail which is a fascinating museum, Loch Fyne, Oban, Lochgilphead, and the Crinan Canal.

Rothesay is the capital of the Isle of Bute and is a very popular destination, being close to Glasgow. One of the most popular attractions is Mount Stuart Castle and Gardens.

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park covers some 1,865 sq km (720 sq miles) and has a boundary length of 350km (220miles). Loch Lomond is almost 39 km (24 miles) long and 8 km (5 miles) wide and at its deepest point is almost 183 metres (600 feet).

There are 20 Munros (mountains above 3,000ft) in the Park and the highest is Ben More at 1,174m.

There are 20 Corbetts (mountains between 2,500ft and 3,000ft).

There are 22 larger lochs, with numerous smaller lochs and lochans and About 50 rivers and large burns.

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park has an astonishing diversity of landscapes, from the high country of Breadalbane to the sea lochs of Argyll. The Highland Boundary Fault cuts through the Park, dividing the gentle Lowlands from the rugged terrain of the Highlands. The Park is divided into four distinct areas: Loch Lomond, Argyll Forest, The Trossachs, Breadalbane. The Trossachs is situated between Callander and Aberfoyle and is often referred to as the miniature Highlands because of its topography.

Breadalbane is a climbers paradise. Ben Lui, Ben Challum, Ben More and Ben Vorlich, which are some of Scotland’s finest Munros, line the route from Tyndrum to Killin and down through Glen Ogle.

The Highlands is a diverse area to the north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault. It is mountainous and has good ski runs at Aviemore and Glenshee. Inverness is the largest town and is regarded as the capital.

The Great Glen Way runs some 117 km (73 miles) from Fort William to Inverness and takes just about a week to walk. It is quite challenging but the dramatic scenery makes you forget your blisters and the midges.

Before leaving, you should visit Loch Ness and try to catch a glimpse of Nessie, the loch’s most famous inhabitant. There is a well stocked information centre at Drumnadrochit. The area around Loch Ness is really beautiful and if time permits, Glen Affric, Strathglass, Beauly, and Inverness should be on your itinerary.

Scotland’s capital city on the east coast is also a World Heritage site and is home to the world famous Edinburgh Festival which is actually 9 separate festivals which take place every August for 5 weeks. Edinburgh Castle which looks down on the city was built on an extinct volcano, and the other famous landmark Arthur’s Seat sits atop another. The city is a vibrant cosmopolitan one and there is a great deal to do and see. The best way to first explore the city is by open topped bus, and then on foot.

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and third largest in the UK, and was European City of Culture in 1990. The city underwent a major facelift and is now one of Europe’s most lively and cosmopolitan destinations. The city reflects modern style and vitality which is set against a backdrop of outstanding Victorian architecture. Art and culture are important in Glasgow, where galleries and museums are in abundance - most with free admission. A choice of over 20 includes the world's first Museum of Religion and the renowned Burrell Collection in Pollok Park.

No visit would be complete without experiencing the city's shopping centres and the first class cafe culture around the Italian Centre, Merchant Square, Gallery of Modern Art or the Buchanan Galleries.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 – 1928) is to Glasgow what Gaudi is to Barcelona. Mackintosh became an eminent architect, designer and artist. He is celebrated around the world today as one of the most significant talents to emerge in the period from the mid 1890s to the late 1920s. Most of his surviving work can be found in or around Glasgow and it is as modern today as it was to his contemporaries.

Mackintosh took his inspiration from Scottish traditions and blended them with the flourish of Art Nouveau and the simplicity of Japanese forms.

He was part of an artistic group called The Four, along with fellow art students from Glasgow School of Art, James Herbert McNair (1868 – 1955) and sisters Margaret (1864 -1933) and Frances Macdonald (1873 -1921). They collectively created what is now known as The Glasgow Style.