Scotland is United Kingdom’s northernmost country. Since 1999, when legislative powers were entrusted to a reconstituted Scottish Parliament, the country has enjoyed a high degree of independence.

Despite its small size the country boasts many treasures in its territory; dramatic landscapes and seascapes, a rich colourful history, vibrant culture and spectacular wildlife. Scotland is also the ‘home of golf’, typified by the 16th-century Old Course at St Andrews.

Scotland has a rich, multilayered history, a place where every corner of the landscape is steeped in the past. The country’s cultural exports are appreciated around the world every bit as much as whisky, tweed and tartan. Museums such as Glasgow’s Kelvingrove, Dundee’s Discovery Point and Aberdeen’s Maritime Museum recall the influence of Scottish artists, engineers, explorers, writers and inventors in shaping the modern world.

Its major cities are Edinburgh, the capital, loomed over by its iconic castle, and Glasgow, famed for its vibrant cultural scene.

Edinburgh is the largest tourist destination in Scotland and the second largest in the United Kingdom after London. The city’s’ major tourist attractions include Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Our Dynamic Earth and the Royal Mile. It has four universities including the University of Edinburgh founded in 1583. The old and new towns of the city constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Glaslow on the other hand is the largest city in the country, and the second largest tourist destination after Edinburgh. Its attractions include the Burrell Collection, Glasgow Cathedral, the Glasgow Science Centre and the Kelvingrove Museum. In addition to this many tourists come to Glasgow for its renowned Victorian architecture and Gothic architecture as well as its shopping.

Tourism is one of Scotland’s key economic contributors with overnight visitors generating in excess of £4.5bn annually and day visitors contributing a further £6.2bn, giving a total spend close to £11bn. Tourism accounts for over 200,000 jobs, many in rural areas, helping less populous communities to prosper. Across 20,000 different tourism-related businesses, feed into other sectors such as food and drink, retail, transport and construction.

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