INTRODUCTION: WHY WE GO TO SCOTLAND—
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        Scotland has more than 25% of the landmass of Britain but less than 10% of the population. It is famed for its fierce northern Celts, Vikings and Highlanders. It is also famed for its equally wild, romantic landscape of high, barren mountains, mysterious black lochs, and hidden glens. Castles in all states of repair are scattered across Scotland. Its traditional economy of sheep and agriculture is bolstered by a modern economy of oil and hi-tech. Modern Scotland is semi-autonomous, hardworking, and prosperous. Per capita, Scotland is the wealthiest of the British states. Its old cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, are rejuvenated, revitalized, chic, even hip cultural centers of modern Europe. More than ever, a visit to Scotland will fulfill your dreams of its traditional past and surprise you with a nation not standing on past glories and romantic legends alone.

PIPER AT THE DUKE'S PASS,
CENTRAL SCOTLAND
 Michael Mullen Photo
© Home At First.

(CLICK ON EACH DESTINATION TITLE TO GET FULL TRAVEL PROGRAM DETAILS & PRICES)

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        This is our most popular Scottish program, set in a romantic landscape of stunning beauty, the lochs and mountains of Central Scotland. Our cottages here are set in picture postcard villages and towns away from tourist throngs. This destination's central location makes it ideal for exploring the most of Scotland in a series of day trips from your cottage. This is our fully serviced program area in Great Britain — especially valuable for first-time visitors — providing airport welcome and assistance services, Orientation, a guided outing, a fun dinner party, and full-time back-up and support staff. And, for those not wishing to drive, we offer a guided one-week program in the spring and fall of each year.

CENTRAL SCOTLAND INDEPENDENT SELF-DRIVE PROGRAM DETAILS

CENTRAL SCOTLAND GUIDE-ESCORTED PROGRAM DETAILS-

BALQUHIDDER GLEN, CENTRAL SCOTLAND,
HOME OF ROB ROY MACGREGOR.
HOME AT FIRST IS HERE, TOO!
Photo © Home At First.

DRAMATIC (& EMPTY!) ROADS AWAIT YOU
IN THE NORTHERN HIGHLANDS.
Photo © Home At First.

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-        The north of Scotland is wild and sparsely populated, except for its regional capital, Inverness. Home At First has modern apartments in central Inverness as well as rustic cottages in the beautiful rural Highlands near Dingwall about 30 minutes north of Inverness. The region is ideal for castle exploring, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, golf, and touring from Loch Ness to the south, John o' Groats to the north, the Isle of Skye to the west, and Aberdeen to the east.
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NORTHERN SCOTLAND PROGRAM DETAILS
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        The Scottish Borders with England is a region for centuries in dispute, fought over by Celts, Romans, Vikings, Angles, Normans, English, and Scots. Here Scotland is a pleasant landscape dotted with small villages and larger market towns. Agriculture is the way of life. The many walking paths, fishing streams, and golf courses offer tranquility. The numerous abbeys and castles are curiosities standing as mute witnesses to a much less peaceful history. Home At First's cottages are in/near the pretty market town of Melrose, a perfectly central base for touring Scotland south of Edinburgh to and across the English border.

SOUTHERN SCOTLAND PROGRAM DETAILSA

JEDBURGH ABBEY — ONE OF THE
GREAT, NOBLE, MEDIEVAL RELICS
OF THE SCOTTISH BORDERS.
Photo © Home At First.

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        Scotland's largest city is a cultural center, with noted
art museums, gardens, theater, attractive shops, restaurants, pubs, and rail stations with connections all over Britain. Our comfortable Glasgow apartments are ten minutes from the city center by bus or subway. Good public transportation here means visitors can explore the city as well as parts of Scotland and England without needing a rental car.

HOME AT FIRST'S GLASGOW APARTMENTS
SET ON AN ELEGANT GEORGIAN CRESCENT.
Photo © Home At First.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND PROGRAM DETAILS

 
-        Scotland's capital is an ancient, historic, royal city and a lively, cultured, modern city. Visitors come for the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, the Castle, the Tattoo, the Festival, tweeds & tartans, restaurants, kilted guards, and a rail station with connections all over Britain. Our Edinburgh apartments are within walking distance of the city center. Good public transportation here means visitors can explore the city and parts of Scotland and England without needing a rental car.
 

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND PROGRAM DETAILS
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EDINBURGH CASTLE, PERCHED ABOVE THE
 FASHIONABLE NEW TOWN, LOCATION OF
HOME AT FIRST'S APARTMENTS.
Michael Mullen Photo
© Home At First.