chimpanzees and monkeys in their interactive enclosures, and visit the only koalas in the UK. Grab a good spot and watch penguins waddle along as part of their very popular parade. ■ Edinburgh Zoo, 0131 334 9171, www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
Q IS FOR QUEENS Glamis Castle has seen kings, queens and
earls come and go, so soak up the historic atmosphere in the castle, the setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth, or roam its expansive gardens and grounds. ■ Glamis Castle, Angus, 01307 840393, www.glamis-castle.co.uk
R IS FOR RIVER-BUGGING Get strapped into an inflatable armchair
masquerading as a ladybug and splash your way down the river with Splash White Water Rafting, based in Perthshire. ■ Splash White Water Rafting, 01887 829706, www.rafting.co.uk
S IS FOR SCULPTURE WALK The gardens of the Scottish Gallery of Modern
Art are well worth a visit even if you don’t venture inside the building, hosting, as they do, modern sculpture including the famous fusion of turf and art that is Charles Jencks’ ‘Landform’ (pictured, below). ■ Belford Road, 0131 624 6200 www.nationalgalleries.org
BACKPACKER’S DELIGHT MacBackpackers
M IS FOR MONKEY AROUND Make like Tarzan and swing through the trees at the Go Ape adventure courses. With two locations in Scotland (Stirlingshire and West Lothian) and one of them featuring the two longest zip wires in Britain, each stretching 400m long and set over a 90ft waterfall, there’s plenty to keep anyone busy. ■ Go Ape, 0845 643 9215, www.goape.co.uk
There’s much to be said for flinging a pack on your back and heading off for a few days. And fortunately, Scotland has just the people to help make your life that little bit easier
MacBackpackers are one of the most popular providers of backpacker tours around Scotland, going to many Scottish destinations from Edinburgh. Check out their five-day Skye & Highland Fling (£125), which serves as an introduction to Scotland beyond Glasgow and Edinburgh. Tour highlights include Glen Coe, Ben Nevis, Loch Ness and the Wallace Monument. Other tours include the three- day Myths and Monsters tour (£79), which delves into the many legends surrounding Scotland’s history. They guarantee accommodation at hostels, which although not included in the tour price, shouldn’t cost you anymore than £13–£17 per person, per night. See www.macbackpackers.com for more.
Elsewhere, Wild in Scotland specialise in offering comprehensive tours of Scotland on a budget, with accommodation options including a hostel set in a real Scottish castle. Alongside shorter tours, they operate a nine-day Island Hopper tour (£259), which introduces the islands of Skye, Harris and Lewis, Bernera and Orkney. All costs outside of the tour price come under their ‘kitty’ system, which is a flat sum paid at the start of the tour, covering accommodation, food and other costs. Meals are cooked and shared by the group. Check them out at www.wild-in- scotland.com
Haggis Adventures (see Winning Ticket panel) also operate their signature Hop-on Hop-off Scotland tour (£99), which allows you more flexibility than a regular guided group tour. If you want to go off and explore on your own, you can. Travel for as long as you like, and stop off as often as you want. Also worth a look are their five- day Orkney Raider (£169) and seven-day Island Explorer (£269) options. See www.haggisadventures.com
16 THE LIST 10–24 Jun 2010
N IS FOR NEVIS Climb up to the summit of ‘The Ben’ for
amazing views of the surrounding Highlands. The Pony Track provides an easy way of getting to the top, but if you prefer to stay on flat ground, head to nearby Loch Linnhe or the popular Ben Nevis distillery. ■ Ben Nevis Distillery, 01397 700200, www.bennevisdistillery.com
O IS FOR OSPREY The Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve is one
of Scotland’s most popular sites for watching ospreys, and covers 98 hectares. Situated just 16 miles north of Perth and 2 miles north east of Dunkeld just off the A923 Dunkeld to Blairgowrie road, it’s the perfect hangout for wildlife lovers. ■ Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve, near Dunkeld, 01350 72733, www.swt.org.uk
P IS FOR PANDA Edinburgh Zoo is currently planning to expand
its family by bringing in Giant Pandas from China. Elsewhere in the zoo, visitors can spend time with
River-bugging