Page 119 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

SC O TLAND REGION B Y REGION  117

CENTRAL

SCOTLAND

Central Scotland is a contrast of picturesque countryside and
major urban centres, where a modern industrialized coun try meets
an older and wilder landscape. Historically, it was here that the
English-speaking Lowlands bordered the Gaelic Highlands, and
there is still a strong sense of transition for anyone travelling north.
The Highland Boundary Fault is a geological Because Central Scotland is so compact,
feature running through Central Scotland the opposing characteristics of Highland
from Arran in the southwest to Stonehaven and Lowland, industrial and pre-indus trial,
on the northeast coast. The Fault divides exist side by side. Stirling Castle, parts of
the Highlands from the Lowlands, making which date from the 16th century, is sited
Central Scotland an area of contrasts, close to the petro-chemical plants and
with both mountainous areas and green power plants on the upper reaches of the
farmland. For hun dreds of years, this line was Forth. The tran quillity of the Trossachs and
also a meeting place, or border, between the hills of Arran are easily accessible from
two very different cultures. To the north and Glasgow, Scotland’s largest, and largely
west was a Gaelic-speaking people, who felt industrial, city. The country’s first coal-run
loyalty to their local clan chiefs. This way of ironworks was built at Carron in 1759,
life began to be marginalized in the late very close to Falkirk, where Bonnie Prince
18th cen tury, as the more Anglicized Charlie had enjoyed one of his last military
Lowlands established their dominance. suc cesses as claimant to the British throne
In the Lowlands, Scotland’s industry 13 years earlier. Perth and Dundee are
developed, drawing on coal reserves in important centres of commerce just a
districts such as Lanarkshire and the short distance from the rela tive wildness
Lothians, while the Highlands were of the southern Highlands. From gritty
depopulated and eventually set aside cities to the great outdoors, the region
for sporting estates and sheep farming. displays huge contrasts.

The view from the Goatfell ridge, near Brodick, across to the spectacular mountains of Arran
Canal through the Argyll and Bute countryside

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