The official animal of Scotland is the Unicorn

Scotland has approximately 790 islands, 130 of which are inhabited.

The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae (pictured below), on the island of Orkney, is the oldest building in Britain,
dating from 3100 BC.

Like Rome, Edinburgh (pictured below) was built on seven hills and the capital has more listed buildings than
anywhere in the world.

The highest point in Scotland is Ben Nevis, (pictured below) at 4,406ft (1343m)

The motto of Scotland is Nemo me impune lacessit, or: "No one provokes me with impunity". It is used by the
Order of the Thistle and on later versions of the Royal coat of arms.
It is home to the oldest tree in Europe (pictured below), a twisted yew which has stood in Fortingall for 3,000
years. According to local legend, Pontius Pilate was born in its shade and played there as a child

Scotland has three officially recognised languages: English, Scots and Scottish Gaelic, with just one per cent of
the population using the last.

The longest river in Scotland is the River Tay, at 120 miles in length
 Places of interest:

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, both historically and
architecturally. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is
surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position. Its strategic location, guarding what was, until the
1890s, the farthest downstream crossing of the River Forth, has made it an important fortification from the earliest times.
Most of the principal buildings of the castle date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. A few structures of the fourteenth
century remain, while the outer defences fronting the town date from the early eighteenth century.
There have been at least eight sieges of Stirling Castle, including several during the Wars of Scottish Independence, with the
last being in 1746, when Bonnie Prince Charlie unsuccessfully tried to take the castle. Stirling Castle is a Scheduled Ancient
Monument, and is now a tourist attraction managed by Historic Environment Scotland.Stirling Castle is one of Scotland's most
historically important sites and was once a favoured residence of the Stewart kings and queens who held grand
celebrations at the castle.
Knights, nobles and foreign ambassadors once flocked to Stirling Castle to revel in its grandeur with its superb sculptures and
beautiful gardens. It was a favoured residence of the Stewart kings and queens who held grand celebrations from christenings to
coronations. There is a restaurant, the Unicorn Caf, which offers a range of hot and cold drinks and food. Marvel at the
spectacular views from the roof top terrace while you enjoy a freshly-prepared Scottish meal.
There are three gift shops which stock a wide selection of gifts and souvenirs.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British
monarch in Scotland, Queen Elizabeth II. Located at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, at the opposite end to Edinburgh
Castle, Holyrood Palace has served as the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since the 16th century, and is a
setting for state occasions and official entertaining.
Queen Elizabeth spends one week in residence at Holyrood Palace at the beginning of each summer, where she carries out a
range of official engagements and ceremonies. The 16th century Historic Apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots and the State
Apartments, used for official and state entertaining, are open to the public throughout the year, except when members of the Royal
Family are in residence.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a museum and art gallery in Glasgow, Scotland. It reopened in 2006 after a
three-year refurbishment and since then has been one of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions.
The gallery is located on Argyle Street, in the West End of the city, on the banks of the River Kelvin (opposite the
architecturally similar Kelvin Hall, which was built in matching style in the 1920s, after the previous hall had been destroyed by
fire). It is adjacent to Kelvingrove Park and is situated near the main campus of the University of Glasgow on Gilmorehill.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Scotland's most popular free attractions and features 22 themed, state-of-the-
art galleries displaying an astonishing 8000 objects.