You may be a fan of the Olympics and simply not have got your mitts on tickets, or perhaps you can’t even stand the thought of the eleven billion pound event and want to get as far away from it as possible. If you’re looking to attend something that is not the London Olympics – but still has plenty of sporting action – there are a number of other, more unusual sporting events taking place in the UK this year, where you can guarantee there won’t be half as many people and you might actually be able to get tickets!

The BMX World Championships Series 2012 (http://www.bmxworldchamps.co.uk) takes place between 24^th and 27^th May at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham and is a great event for those looking for some exciting sporting action on two wheels. Competitors come from all over the world to race their BMX bikes and it’s a far cry from watching the local kids trying to do wheelies in the park as these guys are the professionals. More than 2,000 competitors from 40 countries from around the world compete for the coveted championship and the event is the biggest annual prize in the sport. Tickets to the different days vary in price, but are generally around £21-25 for adults for a day.

The World Bog Snorkelling Championships (http://www.bogsnorkelling.co.uk) are held each year in the town of Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Mid Wales and if you’re looking for an unusual sporting event then this certainly fits the bill. Competitors kitted out in flippers and wetsuits have to do two lengths of a 55-metre peat bog in the fastest time possible without using conventional swimming methods. The Championships have been going since 2004 and have developed to include a Bog Triathlon – a 7.5 mile run and a 19 mile mountain cycle in addition to the boggy swimming – which this year will be run as part of the World Alternative Games. There’s no charge to watch the bog snorkelling but you might want to invest in a good waterproof.

The Canoe Slalom World Cup 2012 (http://www.canoeslalom.co.uk) takes place from 8^th – 10^th June in Cardiff and is another unusual sporting event, without an athletics track in site. The course is based around a 300 metre rapid, down which canoe enthusiasts from all across the world hurl themselves trying to achieve the fastest time. The course is dotted with obstacles and there are 25 gates for the competitors to make it through, as well as having to contend with the local tides, so this kind of competition is not for the faint hearted (but makes great entertainment). Tickets for the event are £9.50 in advance and £13 on the day for adults and £7 and £10 for concessions.

The European Taekwondo Championships (http://www.etutaekwondo.org) are due to take place on 3^rd – 6^th May in Manchester with more than 40 national teams competing to win the coveted title of champions for this exciting South Korean martial art. If sport for you is all about contact, then these championships have plenty to offer – you might even be able to pick up some moves. Tickets for spectators at the Manchester Regional Arena cost £11 per day for adults and £6 for children.

Cheese rolling (http://www.cheese-rolling.co.uk) might not sound quite as glamorous as winning the 100 metres but it’s an event that has become as ingrained in UK culture as fish and chips. The rolling takes place this year on the 4^th June on Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire and is organised and funded by local ‘unnamed enthusiasts.’ Cheese rolling begins when a large, round cheese is sent rolling down Cooper’s hill and is then chased by competitors – first to the bottom wins the cheese. Much tastier than a gold medal! (Main photo shows the 2006 event, taken by Mike Warren)

Whilst all the hype this summer is focused firmly on the London Olympics, there are other unusual UK sporting events out there that promise just as much entertainment and much less organisational hassle. Book in for one of these alternative events and you’ll have far better stories to tell.

The North of England has some of the most serene and scenic landscapes in the country and boasts some of the most famous Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Most of the rural North was bypassed during the industrial revolution and mass urban migration lead to the countryside being left open for Mother Nature to reclaim. Not since the times of the Romans or even earlier have most of the Northern landscapes been touched by urbanisation and the rich history left by these processes make the area ever more interesting to visit.

To make the most of your time in the North of England and really soak in your surroundings why not take a stroll on one of the famous walk routes, where you will find various articles of historic interest and cultural significance. To heighten your emersion into nature, instead of finding a hotel, consider one of the area’s camping sites. Searching online at sites such as Pitch-up can give you a real feel for what options are out there!

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland

Northumbria has some of the most amazing coastline in the country, steeped in history that goes back as far as the Vikings! The Dunstanburgh Castle walk leads you through farmland tracks and winding country lanes. Views include: Dunstanburgh castle itself, the legendary Bamburgh Castle, sandy beaches and amazing countryside. The relatively unchallenging route takes you from the small fishing port of Craster along scenic coastline and cliffs. This walk is a great start for inexperienced walkers looking for a good view.

Holy Island, Northumberland

Holy Island, Northumberland

Holy Island, part of Lindisfarne, is a centre for pilgrimage for Christians and the place where Christianity was said to have been born in this country. Gaining access to the island is dependent on a tidal causeway leading from the mainland. The signposted walk circles the ancient island, leading you around the breath taking scenery, not only of the island itself but of the Northumbrian coastline where the Farne Islands and Bamburgh castle can be spotted. Take your time on this easy walk and make the most of the history that can be found on this famous island.

High Force and Upper Teesdale Walk ANOB

This walk takes you on a remote route through the Pennines and as is the nature of the landscape, it’s a little more challenging but should be managed quite easily by any eager walker. The route along the Tess introduces you to some stunning wildlife and picturesque waterfalls. There are differing terrains to contend with along this walk, from lush woodland to barren hillsides. Starting at Bowlees Nature Reserve this really is a stunning part of the country and as part of an AONB you will not be disappointed!

The golfing season is now in full swing – pardon the pun! – following The Masters and many people will be inspired by the recent exploits of players like Bubba Watson in Augusta to head away on a short break to play a few rounds in unfamiliar surroundings.

Wales is regarded as a popular country to visit for golfing getaways, especially after Celtic Manor successfully staged the Ryder Cup in 2010. Celtic Manor, though, is just one of many fine Welsh courses and here we profile six of the best golf break destinations in Wales.

Ashburnham

Located on the coast a short drive from Llanelli, Ashburnham is thought of as one of the oldest and finest links courses in Wales. As with most links courses, it can be a tricky track to play on depending on weather conditions as players are open to the elements.  

Celtic Manor

Celtic Manor Golf Course

The undoubted jewel in the crown of Welsh golf, Celtic Manor is a five-star resort boasting two hotels, a luxury spa and three championship courses, as well as a two-tiered driving range and the latest technology to help players work on every aspect of their game.  

Machynys Peninsula

Overlooking Carmarthen Bay, Machynys Peninsula offers stunning golfing facilities as well as breath-taking views of the surrounding areas. Be particularly mindful of the water hazards here as there is an array of salt and fresh water lakes waiting to catch you out if concentration levels dip.

Nefyn & District Golf Course

Nefyn & District

Another course offering fine sea vistas, Nefyn & District has a unique 26-hole layout, meaning players can mix and match to enhance their visitor experience. Many of the holes are perched precariously on the cliff tops so it requires full respect at all times.

Pennard

Pennard is a short drive from Swansea and like Nefyn & District has plenty of rugged terrain to contend with, especially on the back nine. The land all around Pennard on the Gower Peninsula is a designated area of natural beauty, making it an ideal spot for some picture-perfect golf.

Pyle & Kenfig Golf Course

Pyle & Kenfig

Steer clear of the towering dunes and out of the unforgiving rough and you’ll be sure to have a round to remember at Pyle & Kenfig, which is often referred to as ‘P&K’. Keeping your eyes on the course and not the extraordinary surrounding landscape is also easier said than done. ‘P&K’ consists of two loops of nine holes and is a par-71 course in total, spanning 6,860 yards.

It’s the only city in Britain with natural hot springs, and like any city with an important geological phenomenon it was shaped around this unique feature – which also apparently has healing properties. Legend has it that the city was founded on the hot springs in 836BC when Bladud, the 9th King of the Britons, was cured of leprosy after bathing in the hot muddy waters.

The great Roman town

However, the city is more well known for the its Roman influence. In 43 AD the romans built the “Aquae Sulis” for rest and relaxation, and on 70 AD they built a reservoir and hot springs, as well as temples and hot springs dedicated to Sulis Minerva – a hybrid goddess of Sulis the Celtic goddess of healing and sacred waters , and Minerva the Roman goddess of wisdom. People visited from all over Britain and Europe, and even after the Romans left in 410 AD and the sanctuary fell into disrepair, its waters and those of other baths in the area continued their use on-and-off by ruling invaders, kings, holy men, healers and wounded soldiers for more than 1500 years.

The Roman baths are one of the biggest tourist draws to the town, so now at the Thermae Bath Spa you can enjoy the mineral rich waters the Celts and Romans enjoyed 2000 years ago. Visitors come here and spend hours being pampered with two-thousand-year-old therapies in the only natural thermal spa in Britain.

World renowned architecture

Its Roman heritage and baths have justifiably had the City of Bath designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it’s not just the history of health and relaxation that are significant to the ancient town. Here you’ll find some of the most striking architectural wonders in Europe, such as the Royal Crescent. Built between 1767 and 1774 it’s considered one of the crowning achievements of 18th century urban architecture. Not all Bath hotels have such an exclusive address, but one of the 30 houses is the Royal Crescent Hotel and No.1 Royal Crescent, the first of the 30 superb houses to be built is open to the public, each room illustrating the finest in authentic Georgian interior design.

Bath, the Roman Baths

England’s vineyards

Believe it or not, the south of England has growing renown as a wine producing region, even rivalling Champagne, the world heavyweight in sparkling wines. This is of course another left-over from Roman occupation, the white grape Bacchus, created in 1933, and named after the Roman god of wine, has found prime growing conditions here.

Taking the train from Bath to Avoncliff you’ll have a pleasant hour long walk to whet your appetite for when you arrive at Quoins Vineyard, one of only seven commercially producing organic vineyards in England. Slightly further away near Bradford-on-Avon is the ward winning Avonleigh Organic Vineyard and Orchard. Its fruit was planted in 2005 and by 2006 it had achieved fully organic status.

A day touring and tasting at a vineyard sounds like a pretty decent way to end a weekend of spa pampering – and at least the walk through the countryside will be the exercise quota to justify the indulgence, not to mention the increasing number of reports suggesting that a little drop of wine may have one or two potential health benefits. So there’s no excuse not to go. History, pampering and award winning wine, sounds like a safe bet to me!

The architecture of London forms a fascinating patchwork. Central London is not a planned city, like New York or Paris. In London, each successive generation builds something new that adds to the city’s patchwork. The following is a survey of five of London’s most iconic buildings.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of The Queen. It is situated in the City of Westminster district of London. The original building was constructed in 1705 and was enlarged on a number of occasions over the next two centuries. It has been the London home of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria took up residence in 1837.

Situated at the top of The Mall, Buckingham Palace is traditionally the focus of national celebrations and other state occasions.

The Houses of Parliament

Houses Of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament or, to give the building its more correct title, the Palace of Westminster, is the UK seat of government. It is home to the nation’s two Houses of Parliament: The Commons and The Lords.

The Houses of Parliament are situated in central London beside the River Thames, close to Downing Street, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. The current building was constructed between 1840 and 1870 in the Perpendicular Gothic style. The building’s clock tower, commonly known as Big Ben, forms one of London’s most recognisable images.

The Lloyd’s Building

The Lloyd's Building, London

The Lloyd’s Building is situated in the heart of London’s financial district. It is one of London’s most highly regarded examples of modern architecture. Designed by Richard Rogers and opened in 1986, the Lloyd’s Building bears some similarities to the Pompidou Centre in Paris, principally in the fact that its service and access systems are located on the outside of the building.

The building is home to Lloyd’s of London, Britain’s major insurance broker.

The South Bank Centre / Festival Hall 

The South Bank Centre

The South Bank Centre is London’s foremost complex of arts venues. The site, on the South Bank of the River Thames, was originally developed for this purpose as part of the Festival of Britain event in 1951.

The South Bank covers more than 20 acres and centres on the Royal Festival Hall, one of Britain’s premier concert venues. It also includes a number of other venues and galleries and receives more than three million visitors each year.

The Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre London

The Globe Theatre was the London home of William Shakespeare’s theatre company and the venue where his plays were originally performed. The original Globe Theatre, sadly, was destroyed in 1644.

However, as a labour of love led by the American actor, Sam Wanamaker, the Globe Theatre was recreated from the original plans and re-opened close to its original site in 1997. The new building is a stunning recreation, made entirely from English oak, and it regularly stages Shakespeare’s plays.

These are just five from many hundreds of iconic buildings London has to offer for the enjoyment of both Londoners and visitors.

When you’re looking for a great place to enjoy a roast dinner in London, there are a number of inviting locations that can provide you a fantastic meal. Roast is one of the United Kingdom’s traditional Sunday meals, dating back to the medieval ages when loyal serfs would be rewarded with a side of oxen for demonstrating their battle techniques in the Sunday games. When you want a great tasting roast dinner, here are five of the best places to enjoy a roast in London.

1) The Holly Bush Country Pub

The Holly Bush Country Pub

Dine in a 17th Century pub house when you visit the Holly Bush Country Pub in the St. Albans province of London. This country public house is reminiscent of an old world pub and is designed with timber framing and antique furnishings. The pub features a very tender and traditionally made roast dinner that is very popular with its clientele. For more information, go to: thehollybushpub.co.uk

2) Cheneston’s at the Milestone Hotel

Cheneston's at the Milestone Hotel

If you want to experience a great traditional roast dinner in a five Star hotel restaurant, then make sure you dine at Cheneston’s at the Milestone Hotel. Cheneston’s offers a sumptuous pot roast meal and has an extensive wine list as well as a Conservatory room to make your dining experience even more memorable. Dining at Cheneston’s will offer you the opportunity to partake of a classic English meal in a luxury atmosphere. For more details, visit: Milestonehotel.com.

3) The Roast Restaurant

The Roast Restaurant London

This restaurant is so proud of its great style of preparing and serving roast that it is named for the delicious entree. The Roast Restaurant is located just south of the London Bridge in the Southwark section of London. Boasting itself to specialise in deliciously British food, the Roast Restaurant is a classic destination that even includes a Roast Miles Club where you can earn rewards points each time you dine in the restaurant. For more details, go to: Roast-restaurant.com.

4) Altitude 360 Restaurant

Altitude 360 Restaurant London

When you want to combine a classic British meal with a fantastic view of London, check out the restaurant at Altitude 360. As the tallest skyscraper on the Thames River, Altitude 360 offers a complete 360 degree view of the city from the comfort of your dining table while you feast on a traditional roast dinner in this amazing restaurant in the sky. When you want a truly unique experience, check out this dining venue. For more details, go to: Altitudelondon.com

5) Bateaux London

Bateaux London

Experience a delicious traditional roast dinner while cruising down the rivers in London on a Sunday Roast Boat Trip with Bateaux London. You will enjoy a leisurely cruise down the river while you dine on a complete roast meal including boiled new potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. The two and a half hour cruise features a three course set menu and live entertainment performed by a jazz band. Draught beers and alcoholic drinks are also available for you during the cruise as well as a selection of soft drinks. For more details about the cruise, go to: Bateauxlondon.com.

Roast dinners are a popular meal in London and throughout the whole of the UK but with such a wide mix of people calling London their home, there dining options are as varied as you’d expect. There is also a 24-hour culture in London meaning you can enjoy great food at any time of day or night.

Mountain biking is currently the most popular type of cycling in the UK, with MTB sales outnumbering all other bicycle types combined.  In recent years, a number of purpose built trail centres have been built featuring cycle routes crossing a variety of terrain, from downhill race tracks and cross-country courses to jump parks and free-ride trails.

Trail centres are usually built by a group of local enthusiast groups who construct features from fallen trees, rocks and other locally sourced materials. Many UK locations now feature ski resort-style colour-coded trails designating the difficulty of each route – a great help if it’s your first visit to the area!

1. Swinley Forest, Berkshire, England

The whole family can ride here as the terrain is so varied, from wide open fire roads (ideal for a leisurely ride) to tight singletrack that twists and turns through dense woodland. There are also plenty of short, sharp downhill sections and even a ‘jump gully’ for the kids!

2. Afan, Neath Port Talbot, Wales

Afan is a fantastic location for a wide range of abilities and ages. Trails are plentiful and testing with rocky sections, sweeping berms, north shore timber and rooty singletrack. Even non-riders can chill out and enjoy the Welsh sunshine on the excellent Dropoff Cafe terrace!

3. Cwmcarn, Caerphilly, Wales

This is one of the best downhill-orientated trail centres in the UK with switch backs, berms, a tunnel, rock steps, a timber bridge and jumps-a-plenty. Best of all, you don’t have to ride uphill – there is a minibus service (CwmDown) that takes you and your bike to the top in a minibus with a custom built trailer every half an hour.

4. Glentress Scottish Borders, Scotland

Glentress is one of the most well-rounded trail centres in the UK and has seen some serious investment in recent years with a £6 million visitor centre and several new trails. It’s a great location for absolute beginners to learn new skills but also for more experienced riders to have a total blast.

5. Fort William, Inverness Shire, Scotland

Dubbed ‘The Outdoor Capital of the UK’, Fort William is a fantastic location for all abilities. You can often feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere but actually be just 15 minutes from the nearest café. Once a year, Fort William hosts the UCI Downhill World Championships.

6. Brechfa, Carmarthenshire, Wales

An underrated Welsh location, Brechfa features fantastic man made trails within an area of Forestry Commission woodland. It consists of Green, Blue, Red and Black graded routes from flowing singletrack to massive jumps and wall-rides. This location is guaranteed to put a smile on every mountain bikers face.

7. Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England

From the carpark located in Coleford, you’ll find a wide range of mountain biking trails to suit all, from short technical tracks to longer cross country routes, not forgetting of course the numerous top class downhill routes that will suit most ages and abilities. There is even an uplift service (FlyUpDownhill) that will take you and your bike to the top!

8. Coed y Brenin, Gwynedd, Wales

Opening in 1999 close to Snowdonia, Coed y Brenin was one of the first purpose built trail centres in the UK. It features tracks that were hand built by local people using local materials and there’s a cafe, bike shop and visitor centre on site. It has several cross country routes varying in length from 7 to 23 miles and a dual slalom course.

9. UK Bike Park, Dorset, England

The UK Bikepark is a rider built non-profit club modelled on bike parks found in the USA. Run by it’s members, it caters for riders of all abilities with 7 short downhill courses, a four-cross track and north shore trails.

10. Chicksands, Bedfordshire, England

Chicksands is a small area of woodland that packs a huge number of features. There are short cross country trails, a freeride area, northshore balance sections, downhill runs, a dual course and huge ladder drops. Not forgetting the national standard 4X track that hosts a number of races throughout the year.

The Edinburgh Fringe is a 3 week festival that happens in Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh, every August. It is the world’s largest arts festival. In 2011 the festival lasted 25 days, with over 2,500 international shows from 60 different nations, spanning across 258 venues. It shows no signs of slowing its pace or decreasing its volume in 2012, with people from all over the globe pulled towards the city’s magnetic charm.

How did it all begin?

The Fringe festival’s story dates back to 1947, when it was established as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, which was created as an initiative to celebrate and enrich cultural life in Europe in the wake of the Second World War. That year 8 theatre groups turned up, even thought they were not officially on the programme. They set themselves up to do their shows nonetheless, and they were not stopped or opposed by the International Festival. As a result in the following years more and more theatre groups from all over the world followed suite, and it gained momentum and popularity until finally in 1959 the Festival Fringe Society was born, which still the body that organises and runs the Edinburgh Fringe Festival today. It continues to growing and broaden.

It is not just theatre groups that make this unique festival; they have comedy, dance, physical theatre, musicals, operas, music, exhibitions and events to name a few. It is such a diverse festival, and you really do see things that you would not find in any other festival. For example last year you had acts like the Ladyboys of Bangkok, Ukulele Cabaret, and comedies such as ‘Waiting For Bono’ by Miss Hypnotique and John Callaghan. It also still attracts a multitude of amazing street performers, simply being in the city around the time of the festival will leave you wandering around in awe. In 2012 some of the amazing acts are Alan Davies performing ‘Life is Pain’, the musical comedy ‘Axis of Awesome’ and the fantastic stand up Andrew Lawrence.

How has the Edinburgh Fringe been going so long?

The reason it has managed to retain its diversity is because the festival has still to this day remained ‘unjuried’. This means that there is no selection committee, so any kind of act can perform. This means you will find much more experimental acts and things that would never be booked based on how commercially viable. The event now has a street fair, and a lot of the shows within the festival are free.

The festival had the biggest crisis in its history back in 2008, when the computerised ticket system failed. Unfortunately this resulted in Jon Morgan resigning after just 1 year as Fringe Director. The financial backlash suffered by the Fringe Society has been estimated at over £300,000. It attracted a lot of attention from the media and mass criticisms from every direction. However nothing of the sort has ever hindered the festival being an artistic success, even in the year of the said crisis. The Edinburgh Fringe remains untainted, and keeps growing and exceeding itself each and every year.

For full listings for this years Edinburgh Fringe go to http://www.edfringe.com/

The UK is well known for its ales and for its nightlife. that’s good news when it comes to finding an interesting place to drink. The UK is rife with exciting pubs, and if you are traveling in the UK you should be sure to sample a few of these highlights. We’ve been up, down and across the UK in search of some of the British Isles most unique and interesting pubs and bars (its a tough job, but someones got to do it!) – here’s some of our favourites: (if you’ve got a suggestion for a unique pub or bar you think we should include please leave it in the comments)

The Birdcage pub in Thame

The Bird Cage (Thame): Thame is a town/village just out of Oxford, and it’s a quiet and pleasant place to spend a day. You might not expect to find a great pub here, but that would be to overlook The Birdcage. Not only is this pub fascinating because of its rich history (it used to be a prison, hence the name, and is said to be haunted), but also because of its great drinks list and interesting menu. Only here can you drink Japanese Number 1 beer while eating an alligator that you cooked yourself on a stone slab.

Fab Cafe in Leeds

Fab Café (Leeds): Fab Café is one of the most interesting and exciting pubs in Leeds. Here you will be able to enjoy drinking from a bar that is decorated like some kind of cave on Mars – fully of rocky wall plastering and unusual paint work. You can also marvel at the collection of comics and toys, the huge Darlic and Chewbacca models and the computer games built into the tables. Alternatively order an old fashioned gob stopper with your drinks and then play some old-fashioned pinball.

Ty Coch Inn - Porthdinllaen, Wales

Ty Coch (Porthdinllaen): You can tell by the number of ‘l’s that ‘Porthdinllaen’ is a place in Wales. Specifically it is a small village with a very ‘small village in Wales’ feel to it. Any pub in an isolated village in Wales would provide you with a fantastic experience that you wouldn’t get anywhere else, but the Ty Coch is one of the ones with the very best views and location being situated right on the sea front and with the hills in the backdrop

Sherbet in Bournemouth

Sherbet (Bournemouth): Sherbet is a bar in Bournemouth (which makes for a fantastic night out by the way) which has a very strange décor. Here you will find things like phone boxes, fish and skeletons to keep you company while you enjoy a drink from the bar, and later on you can dance the night away as the bar expands into a club with a dance floor. It has a very artistic feel to it and is perfect for students. Start the night here then finish it in Aruba which is a bar right on the pier that would make you think momentarily you were in Spain.

Redruth Meadery in Cornwall

Redruth Meadery (Cornwall): Come to this old fashioned pub to try mead and feel like you’re a Viking or Chris Hemsworth in Thor. There are lots of great ‘Ye Olde’ pubs in Cornwall, so it’s well worth a weekend of drinking.

Are you planning a relaxing trip to Scotland sometime in the near future? Rather than following the crowd and visiting all the tourist traps, why not take the opportunity to see the real Scotland and experience its natural beauty? Here are our tips for an itinerary perfect for a bit of Scottish R&R.

1. Cairngorms National Park

If you are looking for a natural outdoors destination big enough to keep the entire family occupied for a day or more, then Cairngorms National Park fits the bill. The Park stretches across more than 4,500 kilometres, encompassing part of the Strathdon/Glen Buchat and Glevlivet estates and bordered by Grantown-on-Spey, Angus Glens, Ballter and Dalwhinnie. It’s twice as big as the famous Loch Lomond.

What you’ll find within Cairngorms National Park is a rich multitude of native wildlife, arctic mountains, pine forests, wetlands, rivers and lakes. In addition to ample opportunities for cycling, hiking, four-wheeling and picnicking, visitors can also tour castles and whisky distilleries.

New Lanark

2. New Lanark

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located south of Glasgow in the Lanarkshire countryside. Best known for its cotton mills and the influence of famous social reformer Robert Owen, New Lanark is quite picturesque. The remains of the eighteenth century village, which depopulated following the closing of the last cotton mill in 1968, follow the banks of the River Clyde. There is a wildlife reserve, the Falls of Clyde, within walking distance.

3. The Coastal Kingdom of Fife

Along the south-eastern coast of Scotland, between Forth and Tay Firths, you will find Fife, easily accessible from Dundee to the north or Edinburgh to the south. Although you may not recognize this region, you will surely know the name St. Andrews, the “Home of Golf”. Fife is also home to the country’s oldest university. But more than these historic landmarks, you will find beautiful beaches and bucolic villages. North Queensferry is an exciting destination where you can take an underwater safari at Deep Sea World.

Scottish Highlands

4. The Scottish Highlands

When it comes to truly experiencing the geography of Scotland, the Scottish Highlands are a must. This large, historic area extends across the north-western part of the country, with Inverness considered the capital of the region. The Highlands provide plenty of opportunities for fun and adventure year round with snow skiing, snowboarding, hiking, island hopping, fishing, bird watching and boating just some of the more popular activities. There are also plenty of castles and whisky distilleries to explore.

5. Fort William

In the north-eastern section of the Highlands you will find Fort William. It’s best to reach this destination via car or bicycle; these forms of transportation allow you to best see the beauty of your surroundings on your own schedule. There are plenty of scenic mountains and lochs along the way, with Ben Nevis peak and Loch Leven some of the better known points of interest. Once there, the West Highland Museum in the town’s centre is a good place to find out about the area and its surroundings and history. Afterward, you may want to take a ride on the local steam train or enjoy a gondola ride up to Aonach Mòr, in the Nevis range. Simply hiking through the forest is also an option perfect for families or couples.

When you want to really experience the natural beauty and splendour of Scotland, plan a vacation in self catered accommodations and use this suggested itinerary as a guide for a memorable trip.