Perched above the city of Stirling on a chunk of volcanic rock, this mighty Scottish fortress has seen it all, from attacks by Robert the Bruce to the coronation of the infant Mary Queen of Scots to the premiere of the movie “Braveheart” in 1993. In addition to the impeccably recreated Royal Palace interiors and the sheer amount of history held within its robust walls, the castle also offers superb views over Stirling and Scotland’s green hills and valleys. Stirling Castle ranks high on the agenda for visitors to Scotland. Many visitors explore the castle on day trips from Edinburgh and Glasgow, which typically also visit other Scottish Highlands highlights such as Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Loch Ness, Glen Coe, and whisky tasting experiences.

Official name: Scotland, Alba

Form of government: constitutional monarchy

Capital city: Edinburgh

Largest city: Glasgow

Population: around 5.2 million

Monetary unit: Pound sterling (GBP)

Official languages: English/Gaelic/Scots

Area: 78,772 km² (30,414 sq mi)

Major mountain ranges: Southern Uplands, Central Lowlands, Grampian Mountains, North West Highlands

Major rivers: River Tay, River Spey, River Dee, River Tweed, River Clyde

Haggis is Scotland's national dish and the crowning glory of a traditional Burns Supper, and although it's an object of Scottish culinary fascination around the world, it certainly is not a beauty queen. But take our word when we say that what haggis lacks in appearance it certainly makes it up in its taste! Intrigued yet?

This enduringly popular dish is a type of savoury pudding that combines meat with oatmeal, onions, salt and spices. Often served with the classic sides of bashed neeps and mashed tatties (that's Scots for turnip and potatoes), haggis is traditionally cooked in a sheep's stomach (a historic way of preserving meat), but most haggis nowadays is sold and cooked in a synthetic sausage casing. We agree that it may not win the title of the most elegant dish on the planet, but it really is undeniably delicious! Need more convincing?

With so many habitats, there’s plenty of fascinating wildlife to see in Scotland. You’ll find river dwellers such as otters, salmon and trout and red squirrels and birds, such as capercaillies, find refuge in the thick forests.

Out on the mountains and in the moorland you might spot majestic red deer or mountain hares while the islands are the perfect place to spot seals and seabirds, such as puffins.

Many animal species are protected in Scotland and there are two National Parks – the Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park – as well as numerous beautiful nature reserves, that have been set up to protect the land and the wildlife that lives there.