Scotland Welcome

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Your Local Guide! Scotland Welcome helps you find hotels, pubs and activities in Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland.

04/04/2025

From your local guide:

Bonnie Dumfries and Galloway, also known as “The Spain of Scotland,” is where you can find some of the best weather in Scotland.

For stargazers, this area boasts some of the UK’s best (and first) dark parks, perfect for watching the night sky and making a wish on a shooting star. 💫
📸 Michael Cummins

02/04/2025

Edinburgh is the perfect starting point for your next Scotland adventure!

With frequent and reliable public transport, it is easy to travel to other key historic landmarks across the country.

For a quick and easy day trip, we would recommend:

🧙‍♀️ North Berwick: A lovely seaside town with a dark connection to Scotland’s infamous Witch Trials.

⛪️ Rosslyn Chapel: Fans of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code will recognize this iconic landmark as a key filming location.

👑 Linlithgow: The birthplace of the one and only Mary, Queen of Scots!

Where will you visit first?

31/03/2025

From your local guide:

The University of Edinburgh was originally established as a theological college in 1583 to train clergy members of the Church of Scotland.

Today, the University of Edinburgh has around 21 schools, ranging from Humanities to Veterinary Medicine

29/03/2025

Do you know the history of your clan’s tartan?

28/03/2025

From your local guide:

Whisky isn’t just a drink; it’s a Scottish experience!

From breathtaking distilleries, like here at the Lagavulin Distillery, to the smoky taste of iconic single malts, you really can’t separate Scotland from whisky!

With five whisky regions dotted throughout the country, you're sure to find the perfect whisky for you!
📸 B K

14/03/2025

From your Local Guide:

The Pentland Hills! Steeped in natural beauty, history, and... an Alpine Coaster?!

Yes, that’s right!

The Pentland Hills, located on the outskirts of Edinburgh, have their very own Alpine Coaster!

The coaster operates all week, running from 10 AM to 4 PM Monday to Thursday and 11 AM to 4 PM Friday to Sunday.

An unusual, adrenaline-filled activity to add to your next Scotland adventure!

📸 Journeys with Sean

10/03/2025

From your Local Guide:

Stirling Castle has long been a symbol of freedom and independence within Scotland.

Throughout The Wars of Independence, the castle changed ownership from Scottish to English.

Many bloody battles have been fought under its battlements.

Most notably, the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, led by Scottish rebel William Wallace, and the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, led by Outlaw King Robert the Bruce.

Learn about both of these icons in the Castle Grounds or visit the nearby Wallace Monument to see William Wallace's sword, or visit the Battle of Bannockburn Experience to learn about medieval warfare and take part in your very own virtual medieval battle. ⚔️

📸 neostgic

09/03/2025

Snapshots from our beautiful capital! 📸

What’s your favorite thing about Edinburgh?

Comment below with your favorite pastime in our beautiful capital city.

08/03/2025

Third up: Maggie Dickson

Also know as “Half Hangit Maggie”

Maggie Dickson was a young woman from Musselburgh in the 1720s when she became pregnant out of wedlock after her husband left her. She sadly had a stillbirth and buried her baby by herself. She was later arrested under the Concealment of Pregnancy Act, found guilty, and sentenced to hang. However, after her ex*****on, as her body was being carted off for the funeral and wake, a knocking was heard from her coffin. It turned out Maggie was very much alive and had somehow cheated death. Due to a legal technicality, when she was taken back into custody, officials claimed she had already carried out her sentence, as her sentence had been 'to be hanged' rather than 'to be put to death.' Maggie escaped the hangman’s noose for a second time and gained her infamous nickname, 'Half Hangit Maggie.'
You can now enjoy a pint or a dram of whisky at Maggie Dickson’s in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket and learn more about the woman who cheated death!

08/03/2025

Second up: Flora MacDonald

The young Scottish rebel, Flora MacDonald, has now been forever immortalized in the classic “Skye Boat Song,” made famous by the Outlander series. Flora MacDonald is a Jacobite hero who risked her life to help Bonnie Prince Charlie escape English capture after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden! To help Bonnie Prince Charlie escape, MacDonald dressed him up as an Irish maid to avoid English attention.

You can read more about Bonnie Prince Charlie and the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden in the short novella Nothing Left to Fear from Hell by Alan Warner, which gives a fictional retelling of Bonnie Prince Charlie fleeing English detection.

You can also learn more about the real history of Outlander in the Edinburgh Historical Gems tour or the Timberbush Outlander, Palaces & Jacobite Experience.

07/03/2025

In honour of the upcoming International Women’s Day tomorrow, we are sharing some of our Scottish female heroes.

First up: Lilias Adie.

Lilias Adie, also known as the Torryburn witch, was a woman who was wrongfully accused of witchcraft during the witch-hunting craze of the 1600s. Despite being "questioned" under horrific circumstances, she refused to name any other "accomplices" to her "crime"—which was sadly very rare at the time. Her strength and dignity saved other women suffering a similar fate at the hands of corrupt power. She was buried near Torryburn beach, and the stone that marks her grave can still be seen on the beach today. This makes Lilias Adie the only witch in Scottish history with a known grave.

You can learn more about Lilias' story on the in Edinburgh.

28/02/2025

Mar urram do Sheachdain Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, bha sinn airson cuid de na prìomh abairtean eadar-theangachadh a dh’ fhaodadh tu a chleachdadh air do thuras a dh’Alba!

(In honor of National Gaelic Week, we wanted to translate some of the key phrases you might use during your trip to Scotland!)

25/02/2025

This or that Tuesday…Hill Edition!

Did you know Edinburgh is built on 7 hills? 😱

Which hill do you think gives the best views of the city?

Calton Hill or Arthur’s Seat?
📸Edoardo Bortoli

23/02/2025

From your local guide:

A bench with a view! 🗻

Fancying having a sit down on this bench on our iconic Ben Nevis?

As our tallest Munro you will definitely get some breathtaking views bagging this Munro.

Trying to bag Munros?

Let us know in the comments what munros you’ve managed to climb.
📸 Nitin Matthews

21/02/2025

From: Your Local Guide

Behold the beautiful Granite City- Aberdeen!

This seaside town is home to many firsts being the home of one of the oldest Newspapers in the world!

Why not send a letter to loved ones from Aberdeen?

You’d be in a good place to do so since Aberdeen was the birth city of the self-sealing envelope!

Why not pop to Aberdeen whilst you are exploring Scotland’s East Coast?

Just make sure you watch out for the seagulls when you are having your fish and chips! 🐦
📸 Daniel Olaleye

16/02/2025

Hello from Your Scotland Local Guide! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
📸Claire Gloud

14/02/2025

From: Your Local Guide

Happy Valentine’s Day! 💙

Did you know that Glasgow is the true city of love?!!

Glasgow’s connection with the holiday and St Valentine began in 1868 when a wealthy French family donated a box labelled “Corpus Valentini Matyris” or “the Body of St Valentine” to the Franciscan order. Monks then brought St Valentine’s bones to the city of Glasgow and placed them at the St Francis Church in the Gorbals as they were impressed by the faith of the locals.

Since then his bones (namely forearm) have been moved to Blessed St John Duns Scotus Chapel in Glasgow where the casket is left on proud display by the church entrance.

Now many young lovers get engaged in the shadow of the casket and statue of St Valentine which is normally decorated with flowers this time of year!

Move over Paris there is now a new City of Love!
📸 Paulina B

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Snapshots from our beautiful capital! 📸 What’s your favorite thing about Edinburgh? Comment below with your favorite pastime in our beautiful capital city. #scotlandwelcome #edinburgh #localguide

Want something to remember your Scottish adventure? Why not check out the Tron Kirk Makers Market and fetch yourself a handmade Scottish gift? #buylocal #scotland #handmade #giftideas The Scottish Design Exchange

With the warmer weather just around the corner, we are excited to have some picnics in our beautiful city centre! Where is your favourite picnic spot in the Edinburgh? #scotland #picnic #GreenSpaces #edinburgh

Let the past come alive through captivating performances and delicious food! #spiritofscotlandshow #highlandmagic #scotlandadventures #edinburghactivities

Did you know that we have a magical Harry Potter Tour? Two hours of everything wizardry. If you’re lucky enough to be nearby why not take your daily exercise down Diagonal Alley 🪄⚡️📚 #scotlandwelcome #familyfriendly #culturevulture #hogwarts #seeyousoon Check out the website for details 👇🏻 https://www.scotlandwelcome.com/ 🎥 @pandeyrr

Our friends at Auld Reekie have made a short video outside one of our ticketing and information hubs. We can’t wait to get back in the Tron Kirk soon 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙 Auld Reekie available for private weekend tours 👻 https://www.scotlandwelcome.com/ 📸Instagram 📸👇🏻 https://www.instagram.com/p/CIAXq-ajm8S/?igshid=15r9ww6m16dt6 📽 @auldreekie

Are you in Edinburgh Sunday and not sure what to do? Join this tour & get a true taste of Scotland by visiting Stirling Castle, the magical Kelpies and the stunning Loch Lomond at the start of the Highlands 😍☃️🏞 Limited spaces! Get your today on our website: https://edinburghwelcome.com/venue/1313-loch-lomond-stirling-castle-the-kelpies-by-highland-explorer-tours

Glenkinchie Distillery tour

A short drive from Edinburgh, Glenkinchie Distillery offers a unique and historic insight into the production of 'the water of life'. Take a tour through the process. 💰-> £10 adult / £8 concession ⏰-> 90 minute guided tour 🥃-> Whisky samples included 🗺-> Pencaitland, near Edinburgh 🎫-> https://bit.ly/2ISwr0D

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