• Spot wildlife in Scotland's more sparsely inhabited areas. Red deer, golden eagles, peregrine falcons and wildcat are some of the creatures inhabiting mountainous regions, while the lower slopes of the central Highlands provide sanctuary for red squirrel, capercaillie (grouse) and pine marten.

• Whet the cultural taste buds in Glasgow at the world-famous Burrell Collection (website: www.glasgowmuseums.com), where more than 9,000 assorted paintings, tapestries and antique furniture are on view. For a more modern approach, the Glasgow Science Centre (website: www.glasgowsciencecentre.org) features interactive attractions and the 127m (416ft) revolving Glasgow Tower. 

• Admire Stirling Castle (website: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk), a former home of Mary Queen of Scots, while the nearby Old Town Jail (website: www.oldtownjail.com) gives an unpleasant insight into life in a Victorian prison.

• Commemorate ‘Braveheart' William Wallace, 13th-century scourge of the English, at the imposing Wallace Monument (website: www.nationalwallacemonument.com), just outside Stirling. Climb the spiral staircase to the top for wonderful views across the Forth Valley.

• Wonder at the scenery of the Highlands - perhaps the most famous region in Scotland. On their southern fringes at Callander, the Rob Roy Visitor Centre (website: www.robroyvisitorcentre.com) tells the story of another Scottish folk hero. The views from the road north out of Callander are also among the finest in the country.

• Look up at Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, from Fort William (website: www.visit-fortwilliam.co.uk).

• Try and catch a glimpse of the infamous Loch Ness monster. You can learn all about ‘Nessie' at the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, Drumnadrochit (website: www.loch-ness-scotland.com).

• Step aboard the Discovery (website: www.rrsdiscovery.com), docked at Dundee, on which Captain Scott made his ill-fated Antarctic voyage.

• Be sure to see Dumfries in southern Scotland, former home of Robert Burns, Scotland's most celebrated poet. See his very own chair at the Globe Inn (website: www.globeinndumfries.co.uk) in the centre of town.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.