WHAT TO DO ON YOUR HOLIDAY IN SCOTLAND

Some ideas for what to see and do on your holiday. 

Historic Scotland  is the country's largest operator of heritage attractions, with 78 sites, including the world-famous Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness.  The Explorer Pass gives you the opportunity to see the best of Scotland's history and make savings on admission charges.  

The Stirlng Castle Palace Project will return the palace to how it may have looked in the mid-16th C and will re-open in the summer.  A must-see visit for you!  Entrance will include audio guide, the Palace apartments, interpreters to bring history alive, a Renaissance Gallery (with the Stirling Heads) and a new display to tell the story of the Castle.  Check www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk 

The HS yearly membership is great value for money - unlimited entry to properties and events, plus a magazine and half-price entry to properties in England and Wales.  www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/member 

Many of Historic Scotland's properties are open throughout the year.  Call 0131 668 8600 for a brochure. Or go to www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

The National Trust for Scotland has many castles, gardens, historic houses and wilderness areas in its care  Their properties are open in the autumn, but the houses close down during the winter to allow for maintenance and restoration to take place.  Their visitor centres, including the new Robert Burns Heritage Museum, are open.

You can pay for entry to Trust properties, but  why not become a member and benefit from making savings - by visiting just a few proprties, you'll find the full membership is more than worthwhile. www.nts.org.uk

Scotland's Wildlife
Scotland's wildlife is varied and fascinating whatever the seson - in the autumn and winter you may spot red deer and seals, mountain hares and grouse, but the best way to make sure that you do  and to learn about the wildlife is to take a trip with an expert; check out www.wild-scotland.co.uk for companies with guided tours. Or ask the local visitor information centre for excursions near the park.

The Countryside Comes to Town
If you enjoy fresh produce straight from the farm, visit one of the many farrmers' markets which take place in small towns during most the year. You'll find a range of produce for sale - cheese, honey, meat, vegetables, all of the best quality. The markets usually take place on a Saturday morning so wherever you are, there may be one near you.  Check out http://www.scottishfarmersmarkets.co.uk/

Be Green
Wherever you go, make sure that you "go green" and take home your litter. You may also find that the caravan park has recycling bins. Some parks on this website are members of the Green Tourism Business Scheme, and several have been given an award by David Bellamy, the well-known environmentalist, for the work they do to ensure that their park is wildlife-friendly.

Castles, gardens, houses, museums to visit in Scotland