Scotland is a place full of History and natural beauty, with hundred of castles scattered through the landscape and also the many jagged peaks of 3,000ft Munros shaping the backdrop to a magnificent country.

There are many castles that date back hundreds of years and each has a unique story and its own place in the rich history of Scotland. The popular castles of Eilean Donan near Skye and Urquhart on Loch Ness offer fantastic photo opportunities as two of the most picturesque castles in Scotland.
 
When you are visiting Scotland you will need accommodation and you will find many different types to suit all budgets across the country. The cheaper accommodation in Scotland tends to be outside the main cities, in surrounding towns or on the outskirts of a major city. 
 
If you are looking for a good base to explore Scotland then Perth offers excellent transport links to the main cities in Scotland. From here you can get direct train services to Edinburgh, Inverness and Glasgow. The accommodation here is also reasonably priced with a good selection of bed and breakfasts and some of the best priced hotels in Scotland.
 
If you are looking for a luxury hotel in Scotland then St Andrews and Edinburgh offers some of the best choices in Scotland. The Balmoral Hotel or the Scotsman in Edinburgh, both have five star ratings and excellent locations in the city centre of Edinburgh. 
 
In St Andrews the Old Course Hotel overlooking the most famous golf course in the world and again offers five star luxury accommodation in Scotland as does the Fairmont Hotel which also overlooks a golf course and offers excellent spa facilities.
 
If you are travelling to Scotland on a budget then you may want to consider staying in a hostel. There are hundreds available throughout the country and these offer cheap accommodation, usually in a city or town centre location. The accommodation is usually basic but it does give you a great opportunity for meeting fellow travellers, ideal if you are travelling by yourself.

By: Niall Buchanan

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Valerie asked:


I plan on studying abroad next year in Scotland, but I’m not sure whether I should go for the Fall/Autumn or Spring semester. I’m interesting in photography, and so plan to take lots of pictures of the scenery. I also want to go see lots of the castles in Scotland. Can anyone who lives in or has visited Scotland give me some feedback on which would be a better time to go? Thank you!
Oh, and should I go to the University of Glasgow or Edinburgh? Thanks!