Rosslyn Chapel is only one of the locations and attractions in Scotl

and to have become wildly popular after being used as a setting in a book or movie.

Previously popular mainly to tourists interested in architecture, history and religion, after being used in the Da Vinci Code as the setting for the Rosslyn Chapel has achieved worldwide fame.

Rosslyn Chapel and Dan Brown’s Da Vinci

Edinburgh’ s Hogmanay The origin of the word Hogmanay i

s quite controversial.

Some say that it comes from either from Old Gaelic, Anglo-Saxon, Old French or Flemish so no one really knows.

There are many traditions connected to Hogmanay but the most revered one, going back first

to set foot in a house after midnight should be a tall, dark stranger, and not fair like the Vikings were, who could bring good luck by bringing fruit cake known as black bun.

Few visitor destinations around the world can pride themselves with such an amazing historical attraction in the heart of the Edinburgh City Centre but even fewer can say that number one

attraction sits on an extinct volcano.

The C astle is

an impressive fortress w

aiting to be explored, a hub of history and has splendid views

of Edinburgh.

The panorama from the castle gives visitors a chance to appreciate Edinburgh’s geological variety: hills, sea and extinct volcanoes as well

as its man-made skyline.

Few o ther outdoor events in Scotland are set in a venue as stunning as

the Esplanade of Edinburgh C astle and no other event sells out

as far in advance as the Ed

inburgh Military Tattoo.

The Edinburgh Tattoo is a world-famous military parade showcasing music, dance and marching, an unmissable event if you’re in Scotland’ s Capital for the fir

st time.

The Tattoo does have a strong Scottish focus, the Pipes and Drums (military pipe bands) from the Scottish regiments being the most popular feature of the show (nothing quite matches the sound and look of not one, but several pipe bands) but the Military Tattoo traditionally features international military bands and performers from all over the world,

Its magnificent architecture shifts from the lofty tenements and narrow closes of its medieval Old Town as they tumble down the spine of the Royal Mile, to the grace and geometric precision of the Georgian New Town. Above it all, in its towering splendour, stands the Castle. Every step is a revelation – an alleyway which reveals an ancient courtyard, or a wynd which opens up a new panorama.

And yet within this sweeping elegance is a compact city, a bustling

city, and above all a city which rewards every visitor.

Beyond the city, the Lothian countryside provides a beautiful setting for the rich gems of the capital.

This in history, filled with castles, great houses and battle sites.