• Winter in ScotlandWinter scene, Harris, Scotland image by Trowie from Fotolia.com
  
  Scotland was settled by the Gaels, a people who came from Ireland to settle the Northwest part of the country. Their language was called Gaelic. One of the most picturesque countries in the world, Scotland is a popular destination for travelers. The country is a winter wonderland offering visitors a variety of activities to enjoy.
  
  

Ski Scotland

• Scotland has five winter sports centers that have skiing and snow boarding for the novice to the expert. They are fully equipped with ski and board rentals, instructor facilities and ski lifts. The centers are Nevis Range, Glencoe, Glenshee, Cairngorm and The Lecht. At Nevis, there is skiing up to 3,900 feet on Mount Aonach Mor, Scotland's eight highest range. After skiing, mountain biking or hiking, you can explore the town of Fort William and have dinner at Crannog Seafood restaurant and explore the many shops. Glencoe Mountain is the country's first commercial ski resort. It has seven lifts and 19 runs and hiking trails, and it is popular with risk-loving snowboarders and skiers. Glenshee which means "glen of the fairies" in Gaelic is the largest resort in the UK with 2,000 acres across four mountains. There are 21 lifts and 36 runs. CairnGorm Mountain is a short distance from the A9 highway between Perth and Inverness and has train service to the resort and a terrain/fun park for freestyle skiing and a sledging part for children.
  
  VisitScotland,
  Level 3, Ocean Point 1
  94 Ocean Drive,
  Edinburgh EH6 6JH.
  ski.visitscotland.com
  
  Crannog Seafood
  Town Pier
  Fort William
  PH33 6DB
  +44-01397-705589
  www.crannog.net
  
  

Hiking and Mountain Climbing

• The winters in Scotland are mild in the western part of the country with temperatures in the low 40's. In the Grampian Mountains, however, the weather can be quite a bit colder. Hiking can range from lowland walks just to enjoy the landscape to mountaineering in the Southern Uplands and the Highlands. The weather can change at a minute's notice so be prepared for your environment. If your are climbing rock faces, be familiar with basic techniques and equipment needed such as carbiners, crampons, ice axes and ropes. You can take mountain and rock climbing courses at the Scottish Sports Council and the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
  
  Mountaineering Council of Scotland
  Perth
  +44-01738-493-942
  www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk
  
  

Winter Festivals

• There are winter festivals in Scotland that allow you to celebrate with the residents. The Radiance Festival of Light in Glasgow uses visual arts to transform the city's architecture into a grand light display. Visitors walk through Glasgow Green, the Merchant City and continue on to the Commercial District and the Strathclyde University Campus. At the Duntrune Demonstration Garden in Dundee, the Winter Wildlife Festival allows visitors to find out how to help wildlife survive the winter. Activities include bird feeder and hibernation home making and talks about the area wildlife. Admission is free.
  
  http://www.glasgowswinterfestivals.com/glasgow-radiance-festival.html