Cottage near Durness
Scotland is divided into three main regions; the Highlands, the
Midland Valley
and the Southern Uplands. The cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow
and Dundee together
with numerous towns, most of the population and the
majority of Scotland's
industry is located within the Midland Valley. This
broad valley averages 50
miles across and runs West-Southwest to
East-Northeast across the center of
the country. It is geologically distinct
from the surrounding regions, being
composed of Devonian Old Red Sandstone,
peppered with ancient volcanoes, as
against the older sedimentary rocks
forming the Southern Uplands or the
ancient metamorphic melange, comprising
the Highlands to the North.
Edinburgh Castle
Scotland includes 787 islands, of which most belong to groups
known as the
Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. Only 62 exceed three square
miles in area.
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Of 26 rivers flowing
directly into the sea, the most significant are The
Rivers Clyde, Forth and
Tay open into significant estuaries and support three
of the major cities of
Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee respectively).
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The Firth of Forth
Scotland is well known for its mountainous and beautiful scenery.
Much of the
upland within the UK is contained within the borders of
Scotland, along with
the highest peaks.
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Eilean Donan Castle
Kyle of Lochalsh
Scotland is also noted for its lochs (this name is generally used for lakes
in
Scotland). Much of the West coast of the country is intersected by Sea
Lochs,
the longest of which, Loch Fyne, penetrates more than 40 miles
inland. Notable
freshwater lochs include Loch Ness (the one with the
Monster)!
Urquhart Castle on Loch
Ness
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Inverary Castle Strathclyde
Stoer Head
Sutherland
