Scotland Things to Do

Sprawling off the northwest coast of Scotland, the vast archipelago of the Hebrides Islands is made up of over 500 islands and islets, divided into the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Inhabited since the Mesolithic period, the islands’ unique cultures and inimitable topography have long inspired visiting artists and geologists, offering up some of the world’s wildest and most untamed scenery.

At the heart of Scotland’s world renowned Scottish Highlands region, the Cairngorms National Park is not only the largest national park in the UK, but is home to the UK’s highest Mountain range – the Cairngorms.

In a country renowned for its sweeping glens and vast moorlands, scaling Scotland‘s highest mountain makes a welcome change of pace for hikers, as well as affording some spectacular views from its summit. Reaching a height of 1,344 meters (4,408 ft) above sea level, Ben Nevis is part of the Grampian Mountain Range near Fort William in western Scotland and is widely acclaimed as Britain‘s ultimate ascent.

With freezing temperatures and pouring rains, Scotland might not be most people’s first choice to spend the festive season, but with some of the most riotous New Year’s celebrations in Europe, it’s well worth braving the changeable weather. In the month leading up to Christmas, the country’s major cities host a series of events and activities, with pop-up ice rinks, huge Ferris wheels, carnivals and Christmas markets.

Although the official opening ceremony is not until Friday, the footballers are ready to get things started and will begin the first games on July 25th and 26th.

The Women’s teams go first and the opening competition whistle to blow for the 2012 London Olympic Games will be heard at 4pm on Wednesday, July 25th in Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales when Great Britain meets New Zealand.