Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/471499
14 Scotland Wild, rugged and austere, yet sophisticated, this proud region north of England has every right to be so. Birthplace of the revered game of golf and home to over 400 spectacular and challenging courses, as well as original national cuisine and lingo to match, Scotland's traditions have endured, its character becoming—like their globally-acclaimed whisky— even richer with time. Cities like Edinburgh, the nation's capital, and Glasgow in the Lowlands are as steeped in culture and architectural marvels as the Highlands and Loch Ness are in legend. In Edinburgh, the castle; Palace of Holyroodhouse, where Mary, Queen of Scots lived, and National Museum of Scotland provide a taste of history, while the reportedly haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults sink you right into it. For lighter entertainment, you'll find vintage boutiques in Stockbridge, luxury shopping at Harvey Nichols in St. Andrews Square, endless variety on the Royal Mile and historic Grassmarket, and five of the country's 16 Michelin-starred restaurants. Easy-to-navigate Glasgow, the only Scottish city with a subway system in place, features Victorian architecture differing from the Gothic style of Edinburgh; the world's oldest surviving music hall, the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall; People's Palace and Winter Gardens on Glasgow Green, demonstrative of life here from 1750 to present; and the annual Celtic Connections folk, roots and world music festival each winter. Just north, you'll find St. Andrews, where Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton met—home to Scotland's largest church, a beautiful aquarium, and, naturally, fantastic golf. SCOTLAND 20 17 18 19 16 21 22 23 26 27 28 25 24 St. Andrews North Sea AT L A N T I C O C E A N The Minch Loch Ness Glasgow N O R T H E R N I R E L A N D S C OT L A N D E N G L A N D Edinburgh Aviemore Inverness North Channel H I G H L A N D S L i ttl e M i n c h 0 30 miles 0 30 km