Top highlights of any city trip to Scotland

SCOTLAND is without doubt one of the places any visitor to these shores must visit.

There is an almost surreal beauty to vast swathes of the country, which ranges from snow-capped mountain peaks, clad in brooding cloud, to the gentle sounds of one of the many lochs washing up against a pebbled shore. Finding accommodation is not a problem as when it comes to luxury hotels UK cities, towns, and even the most remote areas of countryside, host some wonderful establishments. This is especially true of Scotland which has some amazing hotels, many of which are located away from the country's major settlements, set amid the backdrop of stunning Scottish countryside.

Any visit to land the Romans once christened Caledonia must arguably begin with its two key cities, and although they are separated by a few miles of motorway, and are similar in many ways, there is actually a huge difference between the two major cities of Scotland; Glasgow and Edinburgh.

For many, Glasgow is viewed more as a working, functional city, rather than a tourist gem. The city enjoys a reputation for innovation, hard work and gritty industrialism, stemming from its time as one of the major ship-building centres in the world. This idea that Glasgow is all function and no form is an erroneous one. Glasgow has worked hard to reinvent itself over the past few decades and is now as welcoming to the visitor as any other major tourist destination.

Glasgow boasts some of the finest shopping to be found in the country and it has a thriving and popular theatre community, hosting some of the top shows that have played to audiences on Broadway and in London's West End. The city is particularly blessed with museums, including the outstanding Burrell Collection, Provand's Lordship, Gallery of Modern Art and the spectacular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

The city is also home to the country's two biggest football teams, Rangers and Celtic, and a visit to either Ibrox or Parkhead to take in a game involving either side will give visitors the chance to experience how important football is to the residents of the city. Heading out into Glasgow for an evening is also a particular joy with a myriad of fantastic restaurants and bars available in the city, proving that Glaswegians know how to enjoy the leisure time that they work so hard to earn!

Certainly, if you are considering a city break in Scotland, Glasgow is a terrific choice with plenty to entertain and occupy any visitor and it is worth remembering that you are just a short drive from the 'bonny bonny banks of Loch Lomond' if you would enjoy a little scenery on your break too. Alternatively, another city lies down the short stretch of M8 motorway that offers a very different break to that offered in Glasgow.

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and has been labelled the 'Athens of the North'; a city that is dominated by the magnificent castle which sits atop the largest hill and dominates the city. The castle is a central part of the city and is a living embodiment of Edinburgh's long history as one of the most important cities not just in Scotland, but in the UK.

The city boasts some outstanding Medieval and Georgian architecture and fantastic historical sites; indeed, the Old Town and New Town districts are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Attractions such as the castle, which hosts the annual Military Tattoo as well as Hogmanay celebrations at New Year, the Edinburgh Book Festival, Burns Night and the world-renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival, attract many millions of visitors to the city each year.

There is plenty more to Edinburgh than just fringes, festivals and fanciful buildings, though. The city boasts some of the finest shopping in Europe, with a host of designer shops and attractions at home in the city. Similarly, eating out is a truly outstanding experience as there is any number of quality restaurants in the city that offer a range of cuisine from all over the world, not forgetting some traditional Scottish specialities that you would be hard pushed to find anywhere else in the world.

In recent years, Edinburgh has earned a reputation as a major player on the nightlife scene thanks to its thriving pub and club culture and visitors to the city seeking thrills late of an evening will have plenty to choose from, including some of the best clubs and friendliest pubs, you will find in the world.

Therefore, for a city break, Scotland offers two destinations of excellence, the cities are contrasting in some ways, but similar in others and each offers the visitor the chance to experience and enjoy this magnificent country in a wealth of different ways.