Scotland is a land rich in lore, scenery and culture. Although it has been part of the United Kingdom, Scotland was independent for centuries with its own monarchs and has a fascinating history of its own.
Although Scotland’s attractions are spread throughout the country, its population is concentrated in two cities: Edinburgh, the capital, and Glasgow, to its west. Edinburgh was originally built atop a volcano as a means of fortifying the city. Today, it is still marked by Edinburgh Castle, one of Europe’s most famous and impressive castles. It is the second most-visited city in the UK after London, and it draws thousands each summer for a popular city-wide festival.