Nexxus Scotland

Leisure Facilities

Culture

Scotland boasts a unique and vibrant culture, including many specific regions and cities renowned for their arts, history, industry, sport, and entertainment.

The city of Glasgow is second only to London as an art centre, boasting a host of theatres, galleries and museums. For information on all that is happening in the City of Glasgow see www.seeglasgow.com/ or www.glasgow.gov.uk/

Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh is cosmopolitan -- from its world-renowned festivals to its historical landmarks and stunning landscapes. For information on Edinburgh visit www.edinburgh.org/ or www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet

Beyond the central belt - with Glasgow in the West and Edinburgh in the East connected by an easy 50 minute train ride - the cities of Stirling, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness also host a wealth of highland hospitality and adventure.

Stirling, at the gateway to the Highlands, is known for its majestic castle, local historic figures including William Wallace, as well as the modern Stirling University and thriving business landscape. For more information, visit www.visitscottishheartlands.com/ or  www.stirling.gov.uk/

Dundee, historically known for 'jute and jam' has come into its own as the city of discovery, with its thriving Dundee University and life sciences research community and home to several bio-tech and medical companies. Its scenic location on the shores of the Firth of Tay and its proximity to the coast, the highlands, and some excellent golf make it an attractive location.  For more information, visit www.dundee.com/ or  www.dundeecity.gov.uk/

Aberdeen is known as 'the Granite City' with many of its imposing, impressive 19th century buildings built of local granite. The city has been a manufacturing centre for Scotland - making everything from paper to textiles, chemicals to machinery. In recent decades the city has seen an influx of prosperty as it has become the hub for many North Sea oil operations. The University of Aberdeen, a modern arts scene, and rich industrial heratige make Aberdeen a great place to explore. It is also not far to the expansive beautiful wilderness of Cairngorms National Park. For more information, visit www.aberdeen-grampian.com/ or www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/

Inverness is the capital of the highlands, on teh shores of the Moray Firth and just past the tip of Loch Ness. Tourism, commerce, and industry serving the highlands keep Inverness growing. The highland culture has a strong presence with music, festivals, historic events and highland games. For more information, visit www.inverness-scotland.com/ or www.highland.gov.uk/

Retail

Scotland has shopping opportunities to fit every need or want -- from the grand retail centre of Glasgow, the largest outside London, to the tiny shops and hidden craft workshops hidden away in small towns and villages.

To find just the right purchase for yourself or perhaps a Scottish gift, try some of these links:

Glasgow:  

Buchanan Galleries
St Enoch Centre
Princes Square
Merchant City

Shoppers' tip:  The mews and lanes of the city's bohemian West-End are a treasure trove for anyone hunting antiques and rare books while contemporary works by both up-and-coming and established artists can be found in the art galleries of West Regent Street.

Edinburgh:

Harvey Nichols
Jenners
The Grassmarket
Shops of the Royal Mile
Ocean Terminal

Shoppers' tip: The West End, Stockbridge, and Bruntsfield areas have village vibes and host one-of-a-kind boutiques, second hand shops and art galleries.
 
For handmade goods from the many talented craftspeople throughout Scotland, try exploring some of the craft workshops, independent shops and fairs throughout Scotland.

Scottish Crafts
Scottish Craft News

Still at a loss for what to buy in Scotland? (or need a break from all that shopping?) Don't forget the history-steeped Scottish tradition of Whisky!

Whisky Distilleries of Scotland
The Scotch Whisky Experience
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Sports  & Outdoor Attractions

Scotland boasts some of the best sports facilities available in Scotland, both indoor and outdoor - from the raucous crowds at Murrayfield Stadium, the home of Scottish Rugby, to the hushed intensity of competition on world-class golf courses. Football, cricket, and horse racing are also very popular spectator sports. The area is a haven for sports and outdoor enthusiasts.

With its spectacular coastline, rolling hills and beautiful countryside, the Scotland has a wide variety of outdoor pursuits on its doorstep. Outdoor attractions include wildlife reserves, numerous country parks, national parks, and heritage centres. Scotland is also the home of golf including hundreds of coastal links and inland golf courses.

National Parks:
Loch Lomand and the Trossarchs
Cairngorms National Park

Golf:
Golf breaks in Scotland

Botanic gardens and many green spaces feature in some of Sotland's urban areas, and the vast array of outdoor activities continues beyond the cities to the surrounding country side, where locals and visitors alike enjoy hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, rock climbing, diving, fishing and sailing.