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at first glance
the scottish landscape is harsh for
boating fortresses atop hills and cliffs
the desolate moors but spend some time
here
and you'll quickly realize scotland has
its own
unique beauty breathtaking highlands
just made for hiking and strolling
craggy coastlines monuments that are
proud reminders of long ago battles
and blue lakes just made for fishing
scotland is a land of legends and
romance
from robert the bruce and macbeth to
lake monsters
and the tragic mary queen of scots
here's a look at the best places to
visit
in scotland
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number 10 orkney
70 islands including 20 that are
inhabited
make up the orkney islands an
archipelago
off the north coast of scotland it has
some of the best preserved and oldest
neolithic
sites in europe the prehistoric ring of
brodgar
a circle of stone formations used in
rituals
is a must-see the islands are a good
place to see
seals and puffins as well as a variety
of local art
in galleries and museums the capital
kirkwall
is the largest town in the islands
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number nine glasgow
now the largest city in scotland glasgow
dates back to prehistoric times
the largest seaport in britain it was
once an important hub for shipbuilding
and trade with north america you'll find
historic medieval buildings such as
the glasgow cathedral and the old
antonin wall
a shopaholics paradise with more than
1500 stores to tempt your pocketbook
and a variety of sporting events the
city also offers
excellent parks and museums and easy
access to the scottish highlands
and islands
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number eight elon donnan
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located at the point where three locks
meet elon donnan in scotland
is truly blessed when it comes to its
spectacular setting
while the original castle is thought to
have been built on the small island
sometime in the 13th century the current
romanticized and reimagined
reincarnation
only dates to the 20th century although
its crumbling gray walls and
undistinguished features may not look
quite as impressive as many other
castles
it is its gorgeous surroundings that
really set it apart
having featured in countless films and
television shows over the decades
aylin donnen is certainly one of the
most famous and recognizable castles
in the whole of europe
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so
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number seven saint andrews
saint andrews is most well known for
being the location of the third
oldest university in the
english-speaking world
the town is an attraction in itself with
historic sites
dotted throughout its streets on the
coast there's the spectacular cliff top
ruins
of 13th century saint andrews castle
complete with dungeons
and secret passageways elsewhere there's
the now ruined 12th century cathedral
the largest church ever built in
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scotland
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number six loch lomond and the trosseks
whether it is the tranquil waters of
loch lomond or
the forest-filled realms of the trosseks
this
national park is a magical experience
just
waiting to be discovered the lake
contains more than 30 islands
including the largest freshwater island
in the british isles
in 2002 it was combined with trossics
a small woodland glen to make the loch
lomond and trossack's national park
outdoor activities abound beginning with
fishing
golf and easy walks and ending with
camping
bicycling and climbing
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number five sterling
with an impregnable position atop a
mighty crag
sterling's beautifully preserved
medieval town is a treasure trove of
historic buildings
and cobbled streets winding up to the
ramparts of its impressive castle
which offer views for miles around
clearly visible
is the brooding wallace monument a
strange victorian gothic creation
honoring the legendary freedom fighter
of braveheart fame
nearby is benneckburn scene of robert
the bruce's pivotal triumph
over the english in 1314.
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number four glencoe
one of scotland's best known glenns or
valleys
glencoe is stunningly beautiful in its
sometimes harshness
located 16 miles south of fort william
glencoe is nestled between
velvety green hills and mountains their
tops often
wreathed in clouds as you travel through
this u-shaped valley
be on the lookout for the monument
commemorating the 1692 massacre
when government forces ambushed the
mcdonald's
beyond the small village of glencoe at
the western end of the valley
the glenn itself is virtually
uninhabited
and provides outstanding climbing and
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walking
number three sky
undoubtedly the most renowned of
scotland's innumerable islands
the irresistible isle of skye boasts
lots of spectacular scenery
with majestic mountains and phenomenal
views wherever you look
the largest and most northerly of the
inner hebrides
it lies just off the west coast of
scotland and is actually connected to
the mainland by a bridge
as it is often shrouded in mist its
dramatic landscapes look all the more
mystical
with fabulous photos to be had of its
craggy peaks
rock formations and sea stacks
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number 2 edinburgh
set in a scenic spot overlooking the sea
edinburgh is one of the united kingdom's
most beautiful cities moody and magical
in equal measures its grand georgian
buildings
gothic churches and of course edinburgh
castle
sprawl dramatically atop of rocky hills
and craggy cliffs
it is this epic landscape that makes it
so fascinating
to explore with the lively royal mile
attracting
lots of visitors due to its many cafes
shops and restaurants edinburgh is a
city
famous for its many festivals including
the fringe
the world's largest international arts
festival
and the military tattoo
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number one loch ness
most travelers visit loch ness with one
thing in mind
they want to see messi the legendary
lady
of the lake you probably won't see the
loch ness monster
but a cruise on the lake is a fun way to
search
loch ness is quite deep more than 750
feet in some places
offering plenty of hiding places for
nessie
it's huge too holding more fresh water
than all the lakes in england and wales
combined
take a stroll along the lake or visit
the ruins of ercut castle on the western
shore
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you