The Commonwealth Games will begin in Glasgow on July 23rd, meaning it’s game on for trips to Scotland. To show just how much there is to see at the Games, and throughout the country, Sykes Cottages have produced a definitive infographic about what spectators have to look forward to – and top attractions to visit throughout Scotland.
The Commonwealth Games – vital statistics
The Commonwealth Games will run for ten days from July 23rd to August 3rd. They will take place at some of the city’s most prestigious sports venues, with most of the action concentrated in three site clusters.
The Opening Ceremony will be hosted at Celtic Park, which is next to the specially designed Athletes’ Village. Dating back to 1892, the park has a long history and, following a complete redevelopment and upgrade, is now one of the top football venues in the UK.
The custom-built Emirates Arena and adjoining Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome will host a number of competitions, including badminton, across its courts and cycle track.
Playing host to the Track and Field Athletics competitions, as well as the closing ceremony of the Games, Hampden Park was once the world’s largest stadium.
Ibrox Stadium, the Royal Commonwealth Pool and Scotstoun Sports Campus are just a few of the other venues ready and waiting to receive international sporting heroes this July.
More than 6,500 athletes are expected to compete across 17 kinds of event, including athletics, cycling, lawn bowls, weight lifting, gymnastics, judo and wrestling.
A total of £524 million is expected to be spent on the Games.
Top 5 attractions to visit in Scotland
The Commonwealth Games is the perfect time to visit Scotland and discover its many and varied attractions. Charlotte Stamper of Sykes Cottages says: “The Commonwealth Games is one of the most exciting events taking place in Scotland this year, and a great reason to visit this stunning country.
“But I think that whether you’re planning to go to the Games or not, it’s an excellent reminder that Scotland is an amazing place for a holiday – everything from wonderful walks and atmospheric castles to world-class golf courses and whisky tastings can be found just across England’s border.”
Among the country’s top attractions are:
• Loch Ness: The largest lake in Scotland by volume, Loch Ness is most famous for being the home of the mythical Loch Ness Monster. It’s possible to find out all about the history of both Nessie and the Loch at the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition Experience.
• The Scotch Whisky Experience: Scotland and whisky go hand-in-hand, so naturally learning more about the production process and tasting different varieties is one of the top things to do in Scotland. Those visiting Edinburgh can kill two birds with one stone at the Scotch Whisky Experience.
• Golf: Scotland is famous for its golf courses, and this year it will host the 2014 Ryder Cup at its prestigious Gleneagles course in Perthshire.
• Castles: The country is also well-known for its castles, which are best discovered by following the Castle
Trail. Based in Aberdeenshire, this trail takes visitors to 17 of the area’s finest castles.
• Walk the Kintyre Way: Thousands of people head to Scotland to tackle its walks each year. The Kintyre Way, which runs from Tarbert to Dunaverty, spans 87 miles and takes between four and seven days to complete.
