| Scotland | |
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The HIGH life Scotland is famous for its dynamic cities, stunning countryside and thriving cultural scene. Justine Vaisutis provides a guide to one of the most vibrant regions in the UK |
| Perched at the top of Western Europe and lapped by the
northern hemisphere’s fresh weather, Scotland is a country
of contrasts; ancient and modern, wild and tame, rugged and
serene.The enigmatic landscape has trapped hearts for centuries,
from the tips of its soaring mountains, to the cliffs of its rugged
coastline and the depths of its majestic lochs,where people still
yearn to spot mythical sea monsters. Of course to discover this
you'll have to step outside the limits of Scotland’s thriving
cities, where the freshest tips of contemporary culture are
devoured quickly and infused into a dynamic society in a constant
state of renewal. Scotland is peppered with remnants of its rich history, from the feast of archaeological sites and mystical Celtic ruins to the profusion of grand castles hewn out of rocky precipices. Some of these still dominate cities – from their elevated positions, the castles of Edinburgh and Stirling have observed the hum of city life beneath them for over a thousand years. Their counterparts elsewhere in Scotland are numerous. Spectacular Glamis Castle, just north of Dundee, was the centrepiece of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and the lavish building has remained in immaculate condition thanks to centuries of royal habitation. Overlooking an inlet at the gateway to the Isle of Skye is Eileen Donan Castle, the star of countless Hollywood movies and postcards. Its interior was reconstructed less than a hundred years ago, but you can get a taste of the authentic at Loch Leven Castle, in lush Perthshire, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567. A past punctuated with battles for independence has left an indelible mark on Scotland’s psyche and today you’ll encounter an overwhelmingly friendly population proud of its traditions. Long before tartan was used by designer Vivien Westwood, it was worn in the kilts of Scottish clans to distinguish them. The bagpipes’ haunting lilt sustained Celtic songs for many years before it inspired men into battle, and the words of Auld Lang Syne, a New Year’s anthem the world over, were written by Scotland’s most famous bard, Robert Burns. Burns’ literary genius has been continued by other famed Scots including Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island and creator of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and Sir Author Conan Doyle, who introduced the world to Sherlock Holmes. Modern culture has also been seasoned by Scottish writers such as Iain Banks and Irvine Welsh, whose debut Trainspotting became a cult classic both in print and on screen in the mid 1990s. Scotland’s historic remains are certainly profuse, but by no means do they encompass all the country has to offer. Adventure travellers flock to these wide open spaces to scale the dizzying heights of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain (1,344 meters), and conquer the West Highland Way (153 kilometers), a walking trail that traverses the magnificent highlands from Glasgow to Fort William. In central Scotland, ski and snowboard addicts can indulge their habits in the peaks of Glenshee, and the multitude of lochs provide perfect surfaces on which to glide a canoe or kayak. Fanatical wilderness lovers will also be rewarded by Scotland’s diverse fauna. Red deer congregate throughout the country and the prolific birdlife ranges from the masterful peregrine falcon to the unbearably cute puffin. The good news is you don’t have to exert yourself to witness all of this. Scotland’s network of roads and towns is easily accessed by a comprehensive transport network or even better, by car. Wilderness and history are certainly intrinsic to the country’s culture, but they are complemented equally by a dynamic society which continues to break new ground in the arts and music. Absorbing the heady confluence of culture during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest festival of performing arts, is an unforgettable experience. During its annual lifespan every August, every crevice of the city is occupied by performers of all genre and calibre. Several months later the city is flooded again with revellers during Hogmanay, Europe’s biggest winter festival which peaks with a massive street party on New Year’s Eve. While these two festivals celebrate the glut of global artistic talent in splendid fashion, Scotland’s cities nurture local talent in the depths of small venues and on the stages of grand auditoriums year round. Musical greats such as Deacon Blue, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Texas, Travis and more recently, Franz Ferdinand and Snow Patrol all call Scotland their original stomping ground, and their protégés can be found belting out their musical wares any night of the week. |
