Scotland, which is about two-thirds the size of England and Wales, is surrounded on three sides by sea - there is the Altantic Ocean to the west and north, and the North Sea to the east. To the south, there is the 60-mile border with England along the Cheviot Hills.

There are just over 5 million inhabitants. Glasgow, the largest city, has about 620,000, and the capital Edinburgh has just under 450,000. Aberdeen, the third largest city, has 219,000.

Scotland is generally divided into three geogrqphicql areas: the Highlands, the Lowlands and the Southern Uplands. The Highlands are bisected by the fault line of the Great Glen, which is occupied by a series of lochs (lakes). Loch Ness is the best known of these. The Lowlands consists of a series of hills such as the Sidlaws, the Ochills, the Campsies, and the Pentlands. The Southern Uplands is characterised by narrow, flat valleys separating table mountains. These various geographic features means Scotland is a land of stunning scenery - windswept landscapes, dramatic glens and lochs, sandy beaches, and impressive mountains, including the UK's tallest, Ben Nevis.

Lifestyle

Edinburgh is a modern, dynamic capital city renowned for its festivals which attract the world's leading performers, its galleries which display cutting-edge art, and bars, restaurants and clubs that have a cosmopolitan atmosphere with a distinctly Scottish twist.

Among the lanes and sweeping terraces, Edinburgh has distinct 'urban villages', each with their own unique flavour. This includes the secluded Dean Village, Stockbridge with its speciality shops and Leith where stylish bistros and bars draw a young, international crowd.

After wining a string of accolades in recent years, includng European city of culture and UK city of Architecture and design, Glasgow has come out from behind the shadows of Edinburgh to build a reputation as a destination in its own right. As home to the Scottish Opera, the Scottish Baller, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and many unique galleries such as the Lighthouse, Glasgow has a vibrant cultural life.

You can shop at everything from flea markets, such as Barras, to high street chains to exclusive chic boutiques, and stroll through the pedestrian shopping and covered malls. Glasgow also boasts some of the freshest local Scottish produce and innovative regional cuisine.

Aberdeen, Scotland's third largest city, boasts golden sandy beach and a harbour. Aberdeen is known to many as the City of Roses, and frequently wins the Britain in Bloom award. Around 12,000 different types of roses cover Duthie Park's Rose Hill.

Outside of these cities, the landscapes range from gentle rolling hills to rugged coasts and towering peaks. For those wanting to get away from it all, the Socttish countryside and islands, such as the Orkney islands, the Isle of Skye and the Shetlands, promise various degrees of seclusion, peace and