As one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom, Scotland is represented by Members of Parliament at the Parliament of the United Kingdom at Westminster, London. In 1997 a referendum was held, and the people of Scotland voted for the establishment of a devolved Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. The new parliament has the power to govern the country on Scotland-specific matters and has a limited power to vary income tax. The United Kingdom Parliament retains responsibility for Scotland's defence, international relations and certain other areas. A Scottish independence referendum was held in September 2014, at which time independence was rejected. Population up for third consecutive year". General Register Office for Scotland. 27 April 2006. Archived from the original on 25 April 2007 . Retrieved 17 August 2007. a b "Review of Scotland's cities – the analysis". Scottish Government. January 2003 . Retrieved 17 August 2007. Bodies of Water: The UK contains many significant bodies of water and river systems. The River Severn, originating in Wales and flowing through western England, stands as the longest river at 354 km (220 mi). Another important river, the Thames, flows through southern England, including London, and is a vital waterway for commerce and navigation.

Scotland has over 900 islands, over 100 of which are inhabited. [16] Most of the islands are located off the northern and western coast of the country. [18] The northern and western islands of Scotland can be found in three main groups: Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides which can be divided into the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides. Shetland and Orkney, together with Fair Isle and Stroma are referred to as the Northern Isles. With a total land area of 860 square miles (2,200km 2) Lewis and Harris (referred to as two islands but actually just one) is the largest Scottish island.

Shetland: Lying roughly 100 miles off the northeast coast of Scotland, the Shetland Islands are the northernmost tip of Scotland. The islands separate the Atlantic Ocean, on the west, from the North Sea on the east. With a population of just over 22,800 people, the Shetland Islands are closer to Norway than to the rest of mainland Scotland.

Aberdeen& Aberdeenshire: From pristine beaches to crumbling castles, exciting cultural attractions to ancient maritime heritage, Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire is one of the most vibrant regions in Scotland. At its heart, the city of Aberdeen is a cosmopolitan hub and bustling commercial centre. Widely regarded as the ‘Oil Capital of Europe‘, Aberdeen’s proud heritage in the oil and gas industries has propelled it into the spotlight as a city of excellence where people worldwide come to explore and do business. The Lowlands, situated in the southern and eastern parts of Scotland, are characterized by rolling hills and fertile valleys. This region contains the majority of the country's population and agricultural activities, including the cultivation of crops such as barley and wheat. The Central Lowlands, also known as the Midland Valley, are particularly significant as they encompass the country's two largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh. A vision for the future of energy in Scotland". Speech by the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Jim Mather. Scottish Executive. 23 May 2007 . Retrieved 24 August 2007. [ permanent dead link]The Highlands: Home to ancient landscapes, highland clans, majestic mountains and haunted glens, the Highlands make up Scotland’s most fabled region. Visitors can take part in outdoor pursuits, witness unique wildlife or set off on the famous Malt Whisky Trail; with a unique heritage and seemingly boundless supply of natural beauty, the expansive landscapes of the Highlands have a way of making you feel at one with nature. I myself prefer the use of paper roadmaps when I’m on the road in Scotland as they have the best detailed information and they also work without a smartphone, or a phone with a dead battery, or when there is no internet connection. There are a few good quality paper roadmaps available, I recommend using the Philip’s Navigator Scotland: (A4 Spiral binding) or the Visit Scotland Touring Map. If you go for the highest detail in localised maps there is nothing better than the Ordnance Survey Landranger Maps. These maps are super detailed, are great for exploring areas and are perfect for when you’re walking too. a b "Days of Snow Lying Annual Average". Met Office. 2001. Archived from the original on 9 August 2007 . Retrieved 20 August 2007. Scotland is made up of magnificent mountains, atmospheric glens, dramatic coastlines, picturesque lochs and rivers and fabulous forestry: no wonder Scotland’s scenery has a reputation for being among the most spectacular in the world. Major sea lochs include Loch Fyne, Loch Long, Loch Ryan, Loch Linnhe, Loch Torridon, Loch Ewe and, on the Isle of Lewis, Loch Seaforth.

A heady mix of wild places and culture, Scotland is more than the sum of its parts: idyllic island beaches; raw and beautiful glens; untamed wildlife; historic cities. Whether you want to let your hair down at a folk music festival, sample oysters at Loch Fyne or seek solitude on a Munro, use our map of Scotland to start planning your trip. It is often yet incorrectly stated that John o' Groats is the most northerly point of mainland Scotland. The pre-Union phrase "John o' Groats to Maidenkirk" was the Scottish equivalent of the British Land's End to John o' Groats.

OS Tour

Lowland areas, in the southern part of Scotland, are flatter and home to most of the population, especially the narrow waist of land between the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth known as the Central Belt. [8] Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, although Edinburgh is the capital and political centre of the country. [9] While the Lowlands are less elevated, upland and mountainous terrain is located across the Southern Uplands. National Statistics (2004). UK 2005. The Official Yearbook of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. London: The Stationery Office. p.279. ISBN 0-11-621738-3. This Scotland road map is ideal for planning travel either for business or pleasure. Motorways, primary routes, “A” roads and many “B” roads are displayed on a green map base with full relief colouring (to give you an idea of hilly or mountainous areas). Regarding islands, besides the two main islands, Great Britain and Ireland, where the majority of the UK's landmass is found, there are numerous smaller islands. Off the Scottish coast, the Hebrides, divided into the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Shetland, and Orkney all feature rugged landscapes and a harsh climate. The Isle of Wight, off England's southern coast, and the Isles of Scilly, southwest of England, have milder climates due to their southern locations. Administrative Map of The United Kingdom In August 2010 the initial clean-up started. Category B-listed status was secured for the map in 2012. In September of the same year it was the subject of a debate in the Scottish Parliament sponsored by Christine Grahame MSP