Scottish beauty

I've been in Scotland the last couple of weeks. If I had to sum up Scotland in two words, I'd choose beauty and history.

Although all of the countryside is beautiful, the most amazing areas were in the Highlands of Scotland, which include the Island of Skye (above). With its lochs (lakes), the rolling hills covered with sheep, and the stark Cuillin mountain range in the background, every turn in the road unveils another gorgeous view.

Another area famous for its beauty is Glencoe (right and below). Heather is everywhere! In the past, heather was used for thatched roofs and in mattresses. (Historically, heather beds were considered to be as comfortable as feather beds.) It is used for aromatherapy and for natural medicines.

The peaks that surround the glen include Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. The area is very popular with mountain climbers and hikers. Here, it is possible to bag (climb) several Munros. A Munro is a mountain in Scotland with a height over 3,000 feet. Munros are named after Sir Hugh Munro, who produced the first list of such hills in 1891.