AMA Insider Summer 2018/ UNDER 55 | Page 31

n Scotland, hiStory isn’t some far-off notion reserved for school books—it’s something you inhabit with every step you take, especially when you step into one of the country’s countless castles. When the Normans conquered England in the 11th century, Scotland’s King David I invited them to settle on Scottish land. They did—and they brought their castle-building tech- niques with them. It’s estimated that thousands of cas- tles were built here over the next few hundred years. More than a thousand are still standing today as picturesque ruins, hostels and luxury hotels, or fully functioning places of residence. Kick off your castle-hopping journey in the capital city of Edinburgh. The dramatic Eilean Donan Castle Edinburgh Perched high atop a 350-million-year- old volcanic crag, Edinburgh Castle, occupies a huge tract of land. It includes St. Margaret’s Chapel—built around 1130 and considered the oldest building in the city—plus Scotland’s National War Museum and the Crown Room, which houses the Scottish Crown Jewels. Pack a lunch and hike up Arthur’s Seat, a 250-metre-high hill in the cen- tre of the city. Formed by an extinct volcano, it’s a gentle climb and leads to a panoramic view of Edinburgh. If you prefer to go the cultured route, visit the Scottis