Great BritainGreat Britain

I would like to tell you about I would like to tell you about my favorite country. It’s Great my favorite country. It’s Great Britain. It’s an English-speaking Britain. It’s an English-speaking country and I would like to go country and I would like to go to Britain.to Britain.

I would like to visit many I would like to visit many beautiful and interesting beautiful and interesting

places. And I would like to tell places. And I would like to tell you about these places now.you about these places now.

The United The United Kingdom of Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain and Northern and Northern IrelandIreland

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Great BritainGreat BritainScotland

Wales England

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ScotlandScotland

Great Britain is a Great Britain is a very beautiful very beautiful country, but best country, but best of all I like of all I like ScotlandScotland

A thistle is a symbol

of Scotland

Introducing ScotlandIntroducing Scotland

As an old Scots saying has it, ‘guid gear comes in sma’ bouk’ As an old Scots saying has it, ‘guid gear comes in sma’ bouk’ (good things come in small packages). And despite its small (good things come in small packages). And despite its small size, Scotland certainly has many treasures crammed into its size, Scotland certainly has many treasures crammed into its compact territory. There’s something for all tastes. For the compact territory. There’s something for all tastes. For the history buff, few cities compare with Edinburgh and Glasgow; history buff, few cities compare with Edinburgh and Glasgow; for the hungry, try haggis if you must but don’t miss the for the hungry, try haggis if you must but don’t miss the Aberdeen Angus beef or smoked salmon from Dumfries & Aberdeen Angus beef or smoked salmon from Dumfries & Galloway or, for the thirsty, the peerless malt whiskies of the Galloway or, for the thirsty, the peerless malt whiskies of the Isle of Islay or Oban await. There is wild mountain scenery of Isle of Islay or Oban await. There is wild mountain scenery of the Highlands & Northern Islands and cold, sparkling seas the Highlands & Northern Islands and cold, sparkling seas washing against the Outer Hebrides. Wildlife watchers will washing against the Outer Hebrides. Wildlife watchers will find otters, eagles, whales and dolphins, while hill walkers find otters, eagles, whales and dolphins, while hill walkers have almost 300 Munros to bag.have almost 300 Munros to bag.

Fast Facts about Fast Facts about ScotlandScotland

First Minister Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party)First Minister Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party) GDP (per head) GDP (per head) : £16, 332 (2004)GDP (per head) GDP (per head) : £16, 332 (2004) Value of haggis sold for Burns Night £1.2 millionValue of haggis sold for Burns Night £1.2 million Unemployment 4.8% (2007)Unemployment 4.8% (2007) Amount of whisky exported annually 1 billion bottlesAmount of whisky exported annually 1 billion bottles Number of seats in Scottish parliament 129Number of seats in Scottish parliament 129 Area 78, 722 sq kmArea 78, 722 sq km Inflation 2.5% (2007)Inflation 2.5% (2007) Population 5.1 millionPopulation 5.1 million Number of times Scotland has won the football World Cup Number of times Scotland has won the football World Cup

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Welcome to EdinburghWelcome to Edinburgh

Welcome to Edinburgh, where the buzz of Scotland's capital Welcome to Edinburgh, where the buzz of Scotland's capital city sits in perfect contrast to the peaceful tranquility of the city sits in perfect contrast to the peaceful tranquility of the surrounding Lothians region. surrounding Lothians region.

Edinburgh has one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the Edinburgh has one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the world, making it the ideal city break destination. With world, making it the ideal city break destination. With Scotland's most famous castle dominating the city skyline, Scotland's most famous castle dominating the city skyline, there is plenty to see and do with the perfect balance there is plenty to see and do with the perfect balance between all things traditional and contemporary. between all things traditional and contemporary.

Discover world-class museums and galleries, take a tour on Discover world-class museums and galleries, take a tour on an open-top bus or even visit the city's own zoo. From the an open-top bus or even visit the city's own zoo. From the world famous Festivals to top-class restaurants and bars, not world famous Festivals to top-class restaurants and bars, not to mention fabulous shopping, you'll be spoilt for choice.to mention fabulous shopping, you'll be spoilt for choice.

EdinburghEdinburgh

Balloch CastleBalloch Castle The original Balloch Castle was the The original Balloch Castle was the

historic home of the Earls of Lennox historic home of the Earls of Lennox during the early medieval period. during the early medieval period. These "Lands of Lennox" are now These "Lands of Lennox" are now known as Dumbarton district. known as Dumbarton district.

Situated nearer the water than the Situated nearer the water than the present day castle, it was abandoned present day castle, it was abandoned around 1390 in favour of stronghold on around 1390 in favour of stronghold on the island of Inchmurrin which was the island of Inchmurrin which was considered to be more secure against considered to be more secure against both the spread of disease and attack both the spread of disease and attack by hostile forces. by hostile forces.

The present Balloch Castle, replacing The present Balloch Castle, replacing one that dated from 1238 was one that dated from 1238 was designed by English architect, Robert designed by English architect, Robert Lugar and constructed in 1808 for John Lugar and constructed in 1808 for John Buchanan of Ardoch, who was a ship Buchanan of Ardoch, who was a ship banker. Built in the "castle-gothic" banker. Built in the "castle-gothic" style, this listed building was designed style, this listed building was designed firstly as a status symbol and firstly as a status symbol and residency and turrets and 'slitted' residency and turrets and 'slitted' windows are purely decorative. windows are purely decorative.

LinlithgowLinlithgow Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh located Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh located

in the central lowlands of Scotland in the central lowlands of Scotland - about 20 miles from Edinburgh - about 20 miles from Edinburgh and under an hour from Glasgow and under an hour from Glasgow by train or car.by train or car.

It is the birthplace of Mary Queen It is the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and the preserved ruins of of Scots and the preserved ruins of the Royal Palace can be visited in a the Royal Palace can be visited in a picturesque setting next to picturesque setting next to Linlithgow Loch.Linlithgow Loch.

The town has many other The town has many other attractions and facilities for attractions and facilities for visitors.visitors.

Linlithgow is also a great base from Linlithgow is also a great base from which to explore central Scotland, which to explore central Scotland, with excellent road and rail links.with excellent road and rail links.

To many people, their first sight of To many people, their first sight of this glorious medieval castle can this glorious medieval castle can seem foreboding, and certainly its seem foreboding, and certainly its history lacks nothing in drama and history lacks nothing in drama and intrigue. Some of you may intrigue. Some of you may recognise us as a film location, for recognise us as a film location, for everything from Harry Potter to everything from Harry Potter to Elizabeth to Becket to Blackadder.Elizabeth to Becket to Blackadder.

Today Alnwick Castle is very much Today Alnwick Castle is very much a living castle, at the heart of a living castle, at the heart of thriving estates and businesses; thriving estates and businesses; and is still a family home, as it has and is still a family home, as it has been for nearly seven hundred been for nearly seven hundred years.years.

There is so much to see and do - There is so much to see and do - history, art, landscape, fun for the history, art, landscape, fun for the children, dining, shopping, children, dining, shopping, exploring - and I hope these pages exploring - and I hope these pages give you a taste of our 'Windsor of give you a taste of our 'Windsor of the North'. Do enjoy this virtual the North'. Do enjoy this virtual visit and we hope you can soon visit and we hope you can soon join us in person.join us in person.

Alnwick Castle Alnwick Castle

Welcome toWelcome to

ScotlandScotland