Small Boutique hotels in SCOTLAND

Remote castles overlooking still lochs, mossy lowlands becoming craggy outcrops, isolated is-lands, abandoned cottages, bagpipes, haggis and whisky... Although the Scottish would show only disdain for such romantic notions, the fact is their country is a land of startling landscapes and quirky traditions.

Two cities dominate Scotland. The capital, Edin-burgh, is a beautiful city with over 4,500 listed buildings: many of its Georgian townhouses have now been converted into small luxury hotels. Famed for the ancient Edinburgh Castle and the annual Edinburgh Festival, the city understandably attracts over one million visitors each year.

Glasgow could be considered Edinburgh's opposite. An important centre of engineering and shipbuilding during the Industrial Revolution, it has never been considered a pretty city. However, recent attempts to rejuvenate its image mean today it has a cutting-edge cultural energy that is in many ways more alive than its respectable twin.

The best of Scotland, however, is not found in its cities but on the edges of inland lakes, on the cliffs of dramatic coastlines or walking across stunning highlands. The potential of these places has now been recognised by numerous boutique hotels, which offer a quiet escape within Scotland's rugged beauty.