One Week in Scotland (II). Glasgow, Highlands and Lowlands

Church of Saint Mungo, Glasgow

In 643 there was a religious site established by Saint Mungo. Glasgow became a major religious centre, the town was given a bishop in 1115. Mungo's original church was destroyed during the wars, the church was replaced by a cathedral in 1136. The cathedral burned in 1172 and it was built again. Today's cathedral was established in the 12th century.

Stirling Castle

 Situated on a volcanic outcrop guarding the lowest crossing point of the River Forth, Stirling Castle is a great symbol of Scottish Independence and a source of enduring national pride. The castle’s long, turbulent history is associated with great figures from Scotland’s past, such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. It has seen many royal dramas and witnessed the lives and deaths of almost every Scottish monarch up to the Union of the Crowns in 1603.

 

 

Scottish Highlands

Loch Ness

Loch Ness  is a large, deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately 37 km (23 mi) southwest of Inverness..

More than a thousand people claim to have seen the bulbous back of an unidentified creature briefly break the glassy surface of Loch Ness, then disappear. This legendary body of water is the country's second largest loch, slightly smaller in surface area.

Scottish Lowlands

Alnwick Castle and Garden

http://www.alnwickcastle.com 

http://www.alnwickgarden.com 

 Rosslyn Chapel

www.rosslynchapel.org.uk

 Roslin, Scotland

Whisky Distillery

Producing Scotch whisky is a proud national tradition. In fact, the word "whisky" comes from the Scottish Gaelic uisge beatha, an adaptation of the Latin phrase aqua vitae, meaning "water of life." Scotland has more than a hundred distilleries, and each strives to produce its own distinct flavor. 

Glenkinchie distillery

http://www.scotlandwhisky.com/distilleries/lowlands/Glenkinchie 

The Scottish Thistle is probably one of the most well-known symbols of Scotland, and is widely used to represent Scotland at home and around the world. It's a beautiful, yet dangerous, plant that grows wild and abundantly in the Scottish Highlands, and it's origin as a national emblem is legendary.