Visit Scotland - that beautiful rugged land, home of the ancient Picts and Celts, where deer roam the heather covered hills, whisky distilleries ply visitors with their fine spirit and salmon leap in the rivers.  That's just one image, but there are numerous facets to Scotland and its people:

List of self-catering cottages in Scotland

What to see and do in Scotland during your self-catering holiday, let us guide you on what Scotland has to wow you on a self catering holiday with some top tips:

• Historic Scotland with its castles, palaces and battle grounds.  The land of Braveheart, Bonnie Prince Charlie..

• Scotland's lochs and rivers where leaping trout and salmon challenge fishermen.  Tayside, Deeside and Speyside are popular destinations as are Scotland's lochs including the well-known Loch Lomond, Loch Ness. View cottage rentals near Loch Ness.

• Scotland for nature lovers  where animals inhabit the forests and wide open spaces.  Find otters, deer, seals, osprey, wild cats, owls, red squirrels, adders around Inverness, ... dolphins in Spey Bay.

• Peaceful isolated islands off of Scotland's west coast, including the Isle of Skye.

• Scotland is a paradise for bird watchers.  There are numerous bird sanctuaries and nature reserves. Try the north east of Scotland for coastal birds and inland for osprey and other birds of prey.

• The land of munros and hills to conquer for climbers and hill walkers.  Acre upon acre of splendid countryside, forest and fresh air.

• Aberdeen, in Aberdeenshire, the oil capital of the UK and granite city, leading to Donside and Royal Deeside with their beautiful and peaceful countryside, castles, and gardens. Take a short break in Aberdeen combined with theatre trip.

• Scotland is a whisky connoisseur's delight, following  the whisky trail to sample one malt after another.

• Golfer's paradise with more golf courses per acre than any other country in the world. View accommodation for golfers, especially at the prestigious Gleneagles golf course in Auchterarder, Perthshire..

• Glasgow, which stands out, not only a city of Arts and Culture, but a city with a warm welcome, special humour and life.  You will adore the architecture, the fine art, the people and the nightlife.

• Scotland for skiers with ski centres in Glenshee, the Lecht and Aviemore. Best times to go are January to March. All of these ski centres offer alternative summer amusements.

• Scottish music for a real Highland fling.  Go to a ceilidh for a real party Scottish style and throw yourself into those eighthsome reels. Listen to Scottish music played by the Scots band 'Geordie Jack and Caledonia'. Find out more about the Highlands.

• Scotland for thrills with white water rafting and canoeing. Numerous outdoor centres await to give you an exciting experience - safely.

• Scotland for family days out with some of the finest sandy beaches in the UK, adventure and wildlife parks galore, bicycles to hire to explore the countryside along quiet roads and cycle ways, lochs to row across, rivers to paddle in, and the Loch Ness monster to re-discover. On the right, a long sandy beach at St. Cyrus, in Kincardineshire, Grampian.

• Romantic and literary Scotland; home to Rabbie Burns and Shakespeare's Macbeth.

• Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, with its castle, exhibitions, museums, theatre, shopping and excellent zoo. Plus the annual military tattoo and Fringe festival.

• The islands of Scotland for peace and tranquillity, complete relaxation where time almost stands still.  The Isle of Skye is ever popular - view holiday cottages on Skye.

• Spiritual Scotland to refresh the soul and draw closer to God.  Follow in St. Columba's footsteps and retreat to Iona.

• Scotland for the hunting, shooting, fishing set with grouse on the hills and pheasants at every turn. Stay on a  Highland estate shooting lodge complete with ghillie, near Inverness, north Scotland.

• Royal Scotland, with the Queen's summer residence at Balmoral, her childhood home at Glamis Castle, and Scone Palace.

• Coastal Scotland with its picturesque fishing villages and harbours, small pubs offering traditional fare and a dram, the nets hung out to dry and the shriek of circling gulls.

• The Scottish Borders with their wooded hills, old-fashioned towns with squares and gentle manners. View self-catering cottages in the Scottish Borders.

Scotland is all this and more.  You will find lots of places to stay; hotels, guest houses, self-catering cottages and apartments, bed and breakfast establishments just about everywhere, even in the depths of the countryside.  Preparation is the key to a good holiday in Scotland - read our recommendations.

Useful Scottish Links:

• Self-catering in Scotland

• Holiday cottages in Tayside

• Cottages and self-catering accommodation in and around Peebles in the Scottish Borders