Glasgow used to be a black city on black waters, but it is now a place of color as cinema, rock and theater have developed. It is a vital place, a city of art and a city of a hundred parks. In 1990, it was given the title of the European Cultural Capital. It is now a trendy place worth visiting, with shops and friendly bars, and where tourists are greeted with warm smiles.
The capital of Scotland is a beautiful city that is essentially a rock crowned by a castle. The castle overlooks Princes Street Gardens, a beautiful park where shoppers and tourists can eat lunch and enjoy the colorful flowers and the hustle and bustle. It possesses a superior aristocratic style, with its museums, galleries, and Georgian architecture. One can visit Holyrood Palace, where the Royal Family have their Scottish residences, or John Knox's House on The Royal Mile. The Royal Botanical Gardens include fascinating landscapes of exotic plants. Edinburgh Zoo, which sits on the side of a hill, is another must-see, where one cannot miss the parade of penguins. The highlight of anyone's visit to Edinburgh has to be the famous Military Tattoo, which takes place in late summer. While sitting in the ramparts of the castle, one can see and hear the magnificent bagpipers as they strut into the castle courtyard.
St. Andrews, situated on the eastern coast of Scotland, is the mecca of golf. This is where the film Chariots of Fire was filmed. The old course of St. Andrews created in 1774 is the oldest course in Scotland. It is not a private course and, with advance planning, makes it possible to play a dream round there.
Pitlochry lies almost in the center of Scotland. It is a popular holiday resort. During the summer it holds presentations of drama, music and art. Pitlochry dam is situated only a 10-minute walk from the center of town, and here the avid fisherman can view, through observation chambers, salmon returning upstream to spawn.
Stirling is known as the Gateway to the Highlands. It is a very pleasant town with a shopping center and lovely gardens. The town is dominated by Stirling Castle, but there are many other remarkable historic buildings. The Wallace Monument lies just to the north of Stirling. More than 200 steps lead up to the top of the monument, from where there are magnificent views of the surrounding land.
Inverness is the Capital of the Highlands. The river Ness flows past Inverness Castle, and it is in this deep, narrow loch where the monster Nessie supposedly lives. Handloom weaving can be seen at a workshop in the town, and at Holm Mills, tartan and tweed spinning and weaving can be watched. During the summer months, one can listen to pipe band concerts and watch Highland Scottish dancing. There is also a fine theater and a museum and art gallery.
