Advantages: Good choice of courses at all levels, for all abilities
Disadvantages: In first year, book availability poor, first year tutors not always as good as in later years

..., and that all the Scots in my class would have an advantage, but this was far from the truth! The course I took in first year was a survey course – covering events from the 12th to the 18th century, and including political, social, religious and cultural developments. The first module, entitled “Mediaeval Scotland, 1100-1542: Independence and Nationhood” focused on the independent Scottish nation in the middle ages. It began with the impact of the Anglo-Normans on Scotland, and then went on to deal with the struggle against England in the Wars of Independence. It made some use of primary sources (for example, the Declaration of Arbroath) – useful preparation for honours level, though personally I would have liked to have used documents a little more – compared to medieval history for example which had a lot of texts... Read review

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Advantages: Too many to mention.
Disadvantages: Too few to worry about.

...I travelled to Scotland from my old home in England 16 years ago and loved it – so much so that within a year, I had moved house to live here! I’ve toured my new home country with my family quite a few times now, and I never tire of the scenery, the people and the fascinating history. When most people think of Scotland, they think of the bagpipes and kilts of St. Andrews, but there is much more to the country than that. Here’s one of a series of “ESSENTIAL SCOTLAND” guides to this amazing place… What We Mean By The “North and North East” The North and North East of Scotland usually refers to the area around Aberdeen (my home!) on the second “bulge”... Read review

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Advantages: So much to see and do.
Disadvantages: So much to see and do!

...I travelled to Scotland from my old home in England 16 years ago and loved it – so much so that within a year, I had moved house to live here! I’ve toured my new home country with my family quite a few times now, and I never tire of the scenery, the people and the fascinating history. When most people think of Scotland, they think of the bagpipes and kilts of St. Andrews, but there is much more to the country than that. Here’s one of a series of “ESSENTIAL SCOTLAND” guides to this amazing place… Where is Fife? Fife is the area of Scotland just north of Edinburgh across the Forth road bridge. Probably it’s most famous town is St. Andrews – “the home of golf”. But just like there's a lot more... Read review

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Advantages: A great getaway place for relaxation
Disadvantages: Is a small island so is limiting

...folk. **Where Is It?** Islay is in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland. So basically it is on the west coast of Scotland. It is close to the Isle of Bute, Rothesay and Jura. If your still a wee bit stuck, its West of Glasgow! **Islays History** It is believed that the first inhabitants of Islay was an amazing 7000 years ago and where drawn to the fishing and land. So settling along the coasts. So as thousand of years went past and the bronze age and iron age had past, Came the Vikings. This played a huge part in Islays history and changed it forever. Converting all the islanders to Christian and the church. A total of 7 viking burial grounds have been found. Then later on as the Clan wars started and Islay was claimed by the Campbells. That of course has all changed now and is looked after by the Duke of Argyll. Islay also... Read review

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Advantages: Plenty to do all the time
Disadvantages: Rain

...I used to holiday in Scotland a lot but eventually hoidays were not enough so I came to live here. Eleven years on and I still chose Scotland for my holidays. Scotland has just about something for everyone, fantastic scenery, a wealth of history and dozens of outdoor activities. Yes, it does rain some of the time but its also warm and sunny for much of the year. May, June and September are reputed to be driest months, they are also often the quietest but you can have good weather at any time. July and August are the warmest months. Having got that out of the way – if you are thinking of going to Scotland, here are just a few ideas about where you can go. The borders area around Peebles are quiet and peaceful. The same can be said for Dumfries and Galloway. There is some gorgeous scenery around Galloway. If you want a city... Read review

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Advantages: Culture, history, friendly, scenery.
Disadvantages: Weather, midges.

...a new pride in its identity. If you are visiting Britain then you should make sure and visit Scotland. History, scenery, culture and friendly down-to-earth people makes for an excellent holiday destination. The best time to visit if you want good weather would be between June and September. However if the weather doesn't bother you (and it gets really cold and wet) then you will find it less busy and easier to explore during the rest of the year. Many people also visit Edinburgh specifically for the Hogmanay or New Years celebration which includes many outdoor stages with live music, street performers and a joyous and welcoming atmosphere. However it gets very busy so book well in advance.... Read review

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Advantages: history that is accessible and entertaining, well presented
Disadvantages: none except for my poor make up thanks to the woad incident

...that is patriotic without being denigrating. It was written in 1905 by Scottish educator H. E. Marshall (the H stands for Henrietta), and was the first of her history books. All her books were written in a similar vein, forsaking dry renderings of history with mere timelines and dates of battles for the stories of the places themselves, and detailing the people and battles as stories. The other history works include Scotland's Story: A History of Scotland for Boys and Girls (1906), Our Empire Story (1908), History of France (1912), History of Germany (1913) , The Story of the United States (1919, though in 1917 published in the US as This Country of Ours) and Kings and Things (1937). Each of these unabashedly mixed legend, magic, and historical fact to weave positive portraits displaying great pride for the history and achievements of these nations... Read review

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Advantages: Lots to see and do, good food, Great scenery
Disadvantages: Children will get bored very quick

...What a place is Scotland. My partner and myself have just got back from spending a week in Scotland, and we had a great time. There is so much history in Scotland that you are never stuck for something to do or somewhere to go. We made the effort to visit most of Scotland’s famous places such as Ben Nevis, Fort William, and of course the most famous Loch Ness. Loch Ness for me was the highlight of the trip, we went on two boat trips upon the Loch and got different information from each skipper, the second however seemed to be the best our skipper was the person who found the deepest part of the Loch, he has been there all his life and has studied the Loch and her mysteries since he can remember, from him there is no talk of a Monster but rather a Mammals who has adapted themselves to become completely aquatic. But as I began... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful scenery, friendly people.
Disadvantages: Ummm.......

...I travelled to Scotland from my old home in England 16 years ago and loved it – so much so that within a year, I had moved house to live here! I’ve toured my new home country with my family quite a few times now, and I never tire of the scenery, the people and the fascinating history. When most people think of Scotland, they think of the bagpipes and kilts of St. Andrews, but there is much more to the country than that. Here’s one of a series of “ESSENTIAL SCOTLAND” guides to this amazing place… Where are the Orkney Isles? The Orkney Isles are an archipelago of about seventy islands off the northernmost tip of Scotland. They are famed for their stunning natural beauty and abundance of wildlife, including its grey seals... Read review

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Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...In a time pre-dating the Romans, Britain and Ireland was inhabited by a race of people that are known to history as the Celts. Gradually displaced by the incursions of Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans, these people were either intergrated or marginalised by the later cultures and became only a shadow of their former self. We hear some much about Celtic heritage, but who were they and what remains of them today? On the Atlantic borders there is still whisper of them, Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the English west coast all contain evidence for these people, and Alistair Moffat has set out to find out about these people in The Sea Kingdoms. One of the reasons that these people are so hard to trace is that subsequent invaders have either converted them or changed their virtues to vices and encouraged their downfall... Read review

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