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Islands of Scotland
Of the many islands belonging to Scotland, each of which is unique, we chose four, allowing to fully feel the history, enjoy nature, enjoy seafood delicacies and taste the real Scotch whiskey.
For history buffs: Island Mainland
The island is one of the most important UNESCO World Heritage Site - a group of monuments of the Neolithic Animals in Heart of Neolithic Orkney (literally "Neolithic Heart"). Their age - about 4-5 thousand years. Among the major facilities it is worth noting stones Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. The first is a four-preserved stone from the original 12 that were installed between 3100 and 2900 BCE and are arranged in an elliptical shape with a diameter of about 30 meters. The height of the largest surviving stone reaches 5, 7 meters.
Ring of Brodgar - another ceremonial circle of stones with a diameter of 104 meters. At the moment, 36 of them are preserved pieces. On the perimeter of the ring is wide trench about ten and a depth of about three and a half meters. In the area of the ring is also 13 tumuli of the Neolithic and Bronze Age. It is believed that the stones in the rings were the souls of the dead ancestors and were used for ritual ceremonies.
If you want to get acquainted with the Neolithic closer worth visiting Skara Brae settlement that existed around 3100-2500 years BC. e. It was discovered in 1850 after a strong storm. If the existing "home" to add a roof - they can live well, except that it is necessary to give up modern conveniences.
And, of course, can not forget about Maeshowe - a mound of seven meters in height and 35 meters in diameter, which was built about 5,000 years ago and was used as a huge burial chamber. The weight of some stones used in its construction reaches thirty tons. Barrow is surrounded with impressive moat as wide as fourteen meters and the depth - two.
For walks: Isle of Arran
Arran - it is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde in the west of Scotland. In the central part of the island are the mountains, the height of the largest of them - Mount Gotfel - reaches 874 meters above sea level. And along the coast stretches coastal plain. Arran called 'Scotland in miniature "is a combination of downhill and flat terrain. The biggest settlement of the island is the village of Brodick, and that is where most of the tourists stops. The path from the top of the Brodick Gotfel takes about five hours and requires a level of physical development "above average". But those who still decided to go to this little hike, offers simply stunning views and wonderful fresh air. In clear weather from the top of the mountain you can easily see Ireland.
On the other hand, if the mountain does not pull, it will go very well for walking coast of the island, whose length is about one hundred kilometers. Walk along the coast in the middle stretch of five or six days - during which time you can freely enough of all the natural attractions of the island, and they do not have time to get bored.
For gourmets: Isle of Skye
Isle of Skye is one of the most famous islands of Scotland, due in part to the castle Eilean Donan, where the shooting took place, "Highlander", in part - a unique alpine mountains. But the island also became known for his "gourmet" inclination: delicious clams, quality meat and tasty cheeses - that these things can boast Isle of Skye.
The best restaurant of the island Three Chimneys is known far beyond its borders, and has twice been included in the top 50 restaurants in the world professional British magazine Restaurant Magazine. A small building on the beach side does not look promising, but did not go inside - is to commit embarrassing mistake, because only here you can find, such as scallops the size of a fist. The restaurant serves only the freshest seafood: oysters ordered dinner an hour ago was in the water.
In addition to the well-known restaurant located on the island of pubs and steak houses, which you should definitely taste the classic fish & chips (fish fried with fries), which perfectly blend with the local ale. Concluding a small gastronomic tour around the island, do not overlook the distillery Talisker, located on the west coast. It was there that was born one of the best smoky whiskey in Scotland. And even if you're driving, be sure to grab a copy of the 20-year-old with him as a reminder of what should be the whiskey.
For connoisseurs of whiskey island of Islay
Yet, a paradise for lovers of whiskey - not Skye and Islay. On this island, there are many famous distilleries, among which stands out Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig. The last three offers a detailed tour, during which you can watch as it turns out the famous Scottish smoky whiskey. It is worth noting that only in Scotland malt is dried using smoke, so do not miss the opportunity to look for a unique process. Doing the best tasting drink whiskey bar Ballygrant Inn, which offers a choice of about 300 species of this noble alcoholic beverage.
For history buffs: Island Mainland
The island is one of the most important UNESCO World Heritage Site - a group of monuments of the Neolithic Animals in Heart of Neolithic Orkney (literally "Neolithic Heart"). Their age - about 4-5 thousand years. Among the major facilities it is worth noting stones Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. The first is a four-preserved stone from the original 12 that were installed between 3100 and 2900 BCE and are arranged in an elliptical shape with a diameter of about 30 meters. The height of the largest surviving stone reaches 5, 7 meters.
Ring of Brodgar - another ceremonial circle of stones with a diameter of 104 meters. At the moment, 36 of them are preserved pieces. On the perimeter of the ring is wide trench about ten and a depth of about three and a half meters. In the area of the ring is also 13 tumuli of the Neolithic and Bronze Age. It is believed that the stones in the rings were the souls of the dead ancestors and were used for ritual ceremonies.
If you want to get acquainted with the Neolithic closer worth visiting Skara Brae settlement that existed around 3100-2500 years BC. e. It was discovered in 1850 after a strong storm. If the existing "home" to add a roof - they can live well, except that it is necessary to give up modern conveniences.
And, of course, can not forget about Maeshowe - a mound of seven meters in height and 35 meters in diameter, which was built about 5,000 years ago and was used as a huge burial chamber. The weight of some stones used in its construction reaches thirty tons. Barrow is surrounded with impressive moat as wide as fourteen meters and the depth - two.
For walks: Isle of Arran
Arran - it is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde in the west of Scotland. In the central part of the island are the mountains, the height of the largest of them - Mount Gotfel - reaches 874 meters above sea level. And along the coast stretches coastal plain. Arran called 'Scotland in miniature "is a combination of downhill and flat terrain. The biggest settlement of the island is the village of Brodick, and that is where most of the tourists stops. The path from the top of the Brodick Gotfel takes about five hours and requires a level of physical development "above average". But those who still decided to go to this little hike, offers simply stunning views and wonderful fresh air. In clear weather from the top of the mountain you can easily see Ireland.
On the other hand, if the mountain does not pull, it will go very well for walking coast of the island, whose length is about one hundred kilometers. Walk along the coast in the middle stretch of five or six days - during which time you can freely enough of all the natural attractions of the island, and they do not have time to get bored.
For gourmets: Isle of Skye
Isle of Skye is one of the most famous islands of Scotland, due in part to the castle Eilean Donan, where the shooting took place, "Highlander", in part - a unique alpine mountains. But the island also became known for his "gourmet" inclination: delicious clams, quality meat and tasty cheeses - that these things can boast Isle of Skye.
The best restaurant of the island Three Chimneys is known far beyond its borders, and has twice been included in the top 50 restaurants in the world professional British magazine Restaurant Magazine. A small building on the beach side does not look promising, but did not go inside - is to commit embarrassing mistake, because only here you can find, such as scallops the size of a fist. The restaurant serves only the freshest seafood: oysters ordered dinner an hour ago was in the water.
In addition to the well-known restaurant located on the island of pubs and steak houses, which you should definitely taste the classic fish & chips (fish fried with fries), which perfectly blend with the local ale. Concluding a small gastronomic tour around the island, do not overlook the distillery Talisker, located on the west coast. It was there that was born one of the best smoky whiskey in Scotland. And even if you're driving, be sure to grab a copy of the 20-year-old with him as a reminder of what should be the whiskey.
For connoisseurs of whiskey island of Islay
Yet, a paradise for lovers of whiskey - not Skye and Islay. On this island, there are many famous distilleries, among which stands out Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig. The last three offers a detailed tour, during which you can watch as it turns out the famous Scottish smoky whiskey. It is worth noting that only in Scotland malt is dried using smoke, so do not miss the opportunity to look for a unique process. Doing the best tasting drink whiskey bar Ballygrant Inn, which offers a choice of about 300 species of this noble alcoholic beverage.
