Hotspots for summer fun

Inspiration’s on offer in A-Z guide to Scotland

FROM Munros and museums to castles and canyoning, fine food, festivals, family fun and the most spectacular landscape in the world, there’s nothing to rival a Scottish summer.

And there’s no need to worry about your wallet – many activities and attractions are free of charge.

Our A-Z guide to the Scottish summer is full of inspiring ideas to help you have fun in the sun – from adrenaline-fuelled activities to beautiful beaches, the Callanish Standing Stones, Edinburgh Festivals, Highland Folk Museum, Loch Lomond, North Coast 500, paddle steamers, striking shorelines, the V&A Dundee and zoos.

How about touring our collection of castles? Each boasts a rich history as well as a dramatic setting. From the fairytale Dunrobin Castle in Sutherland – which also boasts magnificent gardens and falconry – to Floors Castle in Roxburghshire, these fine fortresses stand all across the country, and many are open only during the summer months.

Remaining on the history trail, don’t miss the Callanish Standing Stones on Lewis, among Scotland’s most magnificent and bestpreserved Neolithic monuments.

At the Highland Folk Museum, in Newtonmore, Inverness-shire, you can learn how Highlanders lived and worked from the 1700s until the 1950s. Further south, follow the line of the Antonine Wall from the Clyde to the Forth and visit Roman remains.

Once you have stepped back in time, enjoy some modern marvels. Head to Helix Park in Falkirk to see the Kelpies – the two 100ft horse head sculptures are a true feat of engineering.

There is also a visitor centre, watersports, cycle paths and a play park.

If adventure is more your style, there are a number of activity centres offering everything from archery to abseiling, canyoning, gorge walking and Zorbing.

Most places cater for all ages but please check ahead so you don’t miss out. You’ll find more exciting ideas in our A-Z Summer in Scotland eBook, available at:

SMALL but dynamic, Dundee is the UK’s first Unesco City of Design – and it’s easy to see why.

There’s impressive architecture, an artistic buzz, refurbished waterfront and the highly anticipated V&A Dundee, pictured with the RRS Discovery, due to open on September 15.

The V&A is Scotland’s first design museum and will showcase the nation’s design heritage through both exhibitions and its permanent galleries.

The opening exhibition will be Ocean Liners: Speed and Style, looking at the history of steamships and how they came to be such an important symbol of the 20th century. Elsewhere, Dundee boasts shopping centres, museums, art galleries, theatres, creative cafés and gorgeous gardens, so there is plenty to see and do.

Get the best views of the city and River Tay from the top of Dundee Law and, as night falls, see the wonders of the night sky in more detail at Mills Observatory in Balgay Park – the UK’s first purpose-built public observatory.

The Gothic McManus Art Gallery & Museum, now 150 years old, combines art, history and culture to give visitors more insight into Dundee.

Look out for dolphins along the shore of Broughty Ferry, or hop aboard the RRS Discovery at Discovery Point to experience what life was like in the Antarctic with Captain Scott and his crew.

Learn about their living conditions and see objects and artefacts that belonged to these brave men. No visit to Dundee is complete without focusing on food. Home to marmalade and Dundee cake, there is exquisite local produce on offer.

From quirky, cool cafes and secret bars to the unique RRS Discovery beer, there’s lots to try, including Castlehill Restaurant, the Jute Café Bar inside the Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, Italian Grill and The Bach.

Find out more about Dundee at: visitscotland. com/destinations-maps/dundee/