Scotland

All points north

Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen; a five-pointed star adorning the top of Great Britain and the five landing airports for travellers from Birmingham International Airport into Scotland.

Each of the five Scottish cities served by Birmingham has something unique to offer. With flights taking little more than an hour (and no passport control to clear) they’re a quick and easy choice for a spontaneous getaway.You don’t even have to change any money, so what’s stopping you?

Edinburgh

Built on a series of long extinct volcanoes, the rocky crags of Edinburgh’s foundations lend the city a primeval air. Rising and falling from street to street, the Scottish capital’s landscape is architectural in its own right and only enhanced by the spectacular buildings that dress it.

Edinburgh Castle dominates the city for miles around. From the battlements visitors can survey the city’s intricate medieval alleyways and regal terraces, punctuated by a gleaming expression of contemporary architectural brilliance. A millennium of mystery, intrigue, invention and flair are laid out in an undulating cosmopolitan sprawl before your eyes.

The city is indeed cosmopolitan, packed with a diverse mix of cultural gems, not least the annual Edinburgh International Festival, claimed to be the largest annual cultural event in the world.

Outside the city, the countryside of the Lothian region is a beautiful setting for the glittering jewel that is the capital.The area is infused with history, dotted with ancient castles, grand houses and battlefields to explore.

This land is home to the ancient game of golf and you have access to some of the finest links and parkland courses anywhere. The tracks, parkland and sweep of majestic coastline in Lothian open up the landscape for everyone to enjoy - from strolls on the fine golden beaches, to hiking the Pentland Hills.

Glasgow

Bursting with energy, Scotland's most populous city offers a mix of high culture and vibrant nightlife.The city has a constant buzz, drawing partygoers from across the UK and beyond, drawn by the fashionable bars and club scene. Glasgow is also paradise for shoppers, second only to London for breadth of choice.

Glasgow was City of Architecture and Design in 1999 and the buildings make a big attraction in themselves, especially the impressiveVictorian structures and the world famous masterpieces of architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Around Glasgow lies some of Scotland's best scenery, whether the gentle hills along the ClydeValley or serene walking country in East Dunbartonshire on the south western hem of the Highlands. Move just a little way from the city and you’ll discover many great day trips to towns like Hamilton, Greenock and the New LanarkWorld Heritage Site.

Dundee

The fourth largest city in Scotland, Dundee has undergone a makeover in recent years, emerging as a lively, cosmopolitan town, increasingly popular with city-break visitors.

The city's growing artistic quarter includes the applauded Dundee Rep Theatre and Dundee Contemporary Arts centre, as well as an impressive breadth of galleries and museums.There’s also a host of events across the calendar, including the yearly summer street entertainment festival, plus the Guitar and Mountain Film Festivals.

Dundee’s lengthy maritime and manufacturing history are remembered in the textile heritage centre atVerdantWorks, while on the banks of the River Tay the Discovery PointVisitor Centre is home the RRS Discovery, arctic expedition ship to the ill-fated Captain Scott.

Beyond the city, the Angus glens are a treasure trove for hikers, or if sea air is your thing, the Angus coastline has miles of sandy beaches and rugged outcrops to explore. A range of fascinating visitor attractions explore the country's roots, from the tribal pre-history to the modern day, including the ancestral home of the late Queen Mother at Glamis Castle.

The region is also home to the championship golf course at Carnoustie, as big a name as any course in the world and enough to make any fan turn a little dewy-eyed.

Aberdeen

Known as the 'Granite City', Aberdeen is a prosperous, cosmopolitan town with a diverse population and a roaring North Sea industry.The city revels in impressive architecture, fascinating museums, a rich reservoir of art and culture and a buzzing nightlife.

The city’s renowned 'Granite Mile', Union Street, is a nexus of more than 800 shops, restaurants and bars, or visitors can relax in fragrant flower-dressed parks - Aberdeen has been crowned winner of Britain in Bloom no fewer than 13 times.

Union Street connects to the lively West End, where much of the city's nightlife pulsates.The harbour in the south jostles with boats working in the fishing and oil industries, while north of the centre the picturesque village quarter of Old Aberdeen is home to King's College, St Machar Cathedral and an energetic student population.

In its gleaming granite buildings Aberdeen can boast one of Scotland's most romantic skylines, while the Old Town has a magical air ripened by centuries of heritage.

Outside the city, the magnificent Grampian Range imposes on the skyline to the west, flanked by miles of unspoiled and stirring coastline to the east. An equal treat for the senses, you can taste the 'water of life' in the eight distilleries and cooperage on the unique Malt Whisky trail.

Inverness

As the prosperous hub of the Highlands region, Inverness enjoys an enviable location on the River Ness at the end of the Great Glen.The bustling city offers plenty of shops, eateries, bars and hotels.

Take the air by the river at the charming Ness Islands; shop for a tartan memento to take home; and enjoy the nightlife atmosphere.

There are many visitor attractions in Inverness: see the famous battlefield of Culloden, applaud the spectacle of a Highland Games (Inverness hosts amongst the largest) and even see a wild of dolphins at play in the Moray Firth.

However attractive Inverness is, it will always be overshadowed by the land it centres. In many respects the Highlands are the real Scotland and they don’t disappoint. Soaring mountains, sweeping valleys and mysterious lochs; wild, ancient and untamed, the landscape deserves its reputation as some of the most stirring in the world.

Head north from the city to the wild and windy Cape Wrath, at the mainland’s northwest extremity, it’s precipitous cliffs and sandy bays weathering the ferocity of the ocean. South lies the stirring sweep of Glen Coe and the Great Glen, while the ‘road to the Isles’ runs to the west, leading to Mallaig and the magical Isle of Skye.

Whatever your idea of a great short break – high culture, or highlands, a round in a designer bar, or on an epic links – these destinations are an easy way to treat yourself to weekend with something extra.