Scotland

Scotland is a country that conjures up a thousand images but is full of surprises too. Its stunning scenery of lochs, islands, craggy hilltops and green valleys is ideal for head-clearing hikes. Historic Scotland boasts ancient castles laden with legends and bloody memories of revolt and revenge, while the vibrant cities of modern Scotland, like Glasgow and Edinburgh, combine history and tradition with a new energy, seen in a buzzing youth scene, stylish restaurants and some of Europe's most innovative arts festivals. To top it off, you can eat loch-fresh salmon and organic Aberdeen Angus steaks, sample whisky from more than one hundred distilleries, and tee off on some of the world's best golf courses. This guide includes practical travel advice; over 850 hand-picked places to stay; over 800 restaurants, bars & cafes; 25 maps; stunning color photography and touring map sections; essential information on the best loch - and sea-fishing locations. (5 1/2 x 8 1/2, 618 pages, color photos, maps, illustrations)Miers, Richenda is the author of 'Scotland', published 2002 under ISBN 9781860118661 and ISBN 1860118666.