See & Do: Cities & Towns

From Tighnabruich to Tranent and Maggieknockater to Maud, Scotland abounds in fascinating place names hinting at past events or the surrounding landscape.

Most names come from Gaelic either as an English translation, as in the common mountain name Ben More, A’Bheinn Mhór – 'the large mountain' or in some much corrupted forms such as Lesmahagow in Lanarkshire, Lios Mo Chuda – 'the garden of St Mo Chuda'.

Stirling is a very new city but a city, which also has a very long history. Awarded city status in 2002 as part of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the city has undergone lots of redevelopment. However, it is the ancient heart of the city, clinging to the craggy, rocky slope, which continues to attract visitors aplenty.

Occupying one of the finest City locations, on the north bank of the River Tay, Dundee City is perfectly placed as a tourist destination.

The only south facing City in Scotland, Dundonians enjoy more hours of sunshine and more green spaces than any other Scottish city dwellers.

Edinburgh, Robert Louis Stevenson’s “own romantic town”, is dominated by the ancient castle perched on its rock.

The romantic Old Town, running down the ridge of the Royal Mile from the Castle to the Queen’s Palace of Holyroodhouse, is the historic heart of the capital where many of the buildings known by Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie still survive.