The region at a glance: Scotland is definitely a country of tradition—tartan, whisky and Gaelic, to name but a few. But Scotland's main cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, are incredibly vibrant, with unique cultural scenes of their own.a

Where is it? You can reach Edinburgh in four and half hours from London by train. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are great walking cities with excellent public transport, and there are a number of incredible train itineraries covering the spectacular Highlands.

Hungry? Smoked salmon and single-malt scotch are two of Scotland's tastiest products.

Famous for: Castles & heritage, golf, tartan, Loch Ness, the Edinburgh festival, friendly, welcoming people.

But also don't miss: island-hopping in the Hebrides, kayaking off the west coast, mystical Glencoe, Glasgow's Piping Live festival.

Travel easier: A BritRail pass will get you from London to Scotland in a flash—and the scenery is fantastic. Learn more in our Online Shop.