Cycling World Magazine December 2017 | Page 39

December 2017| 39 Things to See and Do in Scotland Where do we start?! There are probably a million and one ways to Park, or the UK’s only giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo to the resident fill your holiday with incredible things to do in Scotland. giant sea turtle at the SeaLife Loch Lomond Aquarium. Many of our top So, how about grand castles? Train rides through majestic land- scapes? Discovering whisky distilling secrets? An island hopping attractions have animals and reptiles from all over the world, as well as the rare local species from Scotland. adventure? An afternoon in a gallery or a museum? Coastal It’s safe to say that when it comes to attractions in Scotland, you are explorations? Cycling Tours? Night at the theatre? Munro bagging? bound to find many that you love. Take your pick from the country’s Following a literary trail? White-water rafting? Shopping expedition? variety of incredible attractions and soak up a bit of culture, find things We literally could go on, and on, and on, and on… but Scotland is to keep the kids entertained, or immerse yourself in Scotland’s past. certainly the place to do all of these amazing things! Scottish Attractions Here are just some of the categories that you can explore on your travels! When it comes to places to visit, Scotland has some mighty fine op- tions indeed. We wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted to experience them all. So what’s on offer? Hear tales of kings and queens, see striking cliff-top castles and discover science’s latest inventions. Whether you want to step on board a Royal yacht in Leith, climb over 240 steps up the National Wallace Monument for views over a National Park or try your hand at keyhole surgery in Dundee, there are countless ways to fill days, weeks and even months at Scotland’s attractions. Wildlife Attractions Keeping the whole family happy on holiday can be hard work, espe- cially if you’re juggling teenagers, toddlers and squabbling siblings. What better way to create harmony than by coaxing the family out for an animal-themed excursion? Happy memories await you at the many wonderful wildlife attractions across Scotland. Into the wild Become an intrepid explorer at National Nature Reserves, vast wildlife parks and forest trails which are teeming with wild things, allowing you the chance to come face-to-face with Scottish animals and experience their natural habitat first-hand, including lions, tigers and bears! History and Heritage: Ships, abbeys, monuments, ancient stone circles, brochs and forts. Parks and Gardens: Green spaces in towns and cities, castle grounds and botanical gardens. Museums: Fascinating artefacts and fun interactive displays. Architecture: Victorian tenements, Georgian country houses and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Food and Drink: Distilleries, breweries, farm shops, cookery schools, markets and speciality shops. Arts and Culture: Art centres, heritage centres, art studios, historic theatres and much more. Free Attractions: Museums, galleries, beaches, historic sites, parks and gardens. Galleries: Incredible artworks, touring exhibitions and beautiful architecture. Castles: fortresses, tower houses and crumbling ruins. Family Attractions: Play areas, zoos, safari parks, science centres, museums and farm parks. Nature Reserves, such as Deep Sea World, Blair Drummond Safari, Highland Wildlife Park, Scottish Seabird Centre, Scottish Deer Centre, Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World, just to name a few! Whatever your reason for your visit to Scotland, there is certainly something for everyone, so why not take a look for yourself. If you would like any further information about Scotland, places to stay, things to do, cycling events and trails You can see lots of exotic species in Scotland, visit Highland Wildlife please visit www.visitscotland.com