A thirteenth century Norse "travel guide" advised Vikings against all but essential travel to Scotland, or Skotland, as it was then known. The Vikings were warned about dangerous natives, an incomprehensible language, and terrible weather; upon arrival, Norsemen had to be prepared to suffer instant attack.

A new interpretation of the medieval Icelandic Sagas (Íslendingasögur) - a literary phenomenon of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries – reveals that Scotland as worth a trip for marauding "Icelanders who want to practise robbery". However, Vikings were warned that a jaunt to Scotland might cost them their lives.

The chronicles, which were written were written on yellowed calf vellum 800 years ago, have been interpreted by Gisli Sigurdsson, a historian at Reykjavik University, who believes the sagas – part fiction, part fact – reveal how the ancient Norse were less bloodthirsty than legend has them.

One saga tells of a Scot called Grjotgard, a kinsman of Melkolf, King of Scotland (Malcolm II), who intercepted a party of arriving Vikings in a western sea loch. He warned: "You have two choices. You can go ashore and we will take all your property, or we'll attack you and kill every man we lay our hands on".

Unsurprisingly, the Norsemen were nervous about sailing up the west coast sea lochs which they dubbed the 'Scottish fjords'. Orkney, however, is described as a useful base for Vikings wanting to pillage Scotland – as is Fort Skardaborg, which is today's Scarborough.

Orkney historian Tom Muir said: "They picked weak targets, like monasteries. Some of the monasteries were basically unguarded banks of cash with a sign above them saying 'free money'. The truth is that there were raids both ways and that the Norse had every reason to fear their Celtic neighbours."

Though recorded in the 13th century, accounts in the Icelandic Sagas are based on events that happened 200 years earlier. The chronicles served as route guides for raiders, traders, crusaders and explorers, effectively a road map of medieval Europe and the Middle East. They have proved remarkably accurate, even helping archaeologists to pinpoint the remains of a Norse village in Newfoundland.

Photo Credits: Viking by chatirygirl.

By Andy Hayes

Many visitors to Scotland come for the medieval feel and cobblestone streets of Edinburgh, the capital city. Some venture briefly into the Highlands to see Loch Ness and have a look around for Nessie, the monster. But those who make the effort to head further afield are rewarded with stunning islands with gorgeous beaches, charming villages, and a peaceful experience where time slows down.

You'll most likely need to rent a car to make the most of your time, although in a few select cases you'll be able to find a bus tour of the area. The countryside is expansive and there few public transport options, so just select a few key places to focus your attention, or otherwise you'll spend all your time travelling. To get you started, here are a few of my favourite islands which you should consider on your next Scottish tour.

ISLAY

Islay, pronounced "eye-la," is one of the best known of a groups of islands off the west coast of Scotland, known as the Hebrides. Islay is home to nine distilleries, including some of Scotland's most popular whisky exports like Laphroaig, Bowmore, and Bunnahabhain. Explore the sandy coastline and relax in one of the quiet villages. Islay has some of the best views of the snow-capped mountains on neighbouring island, Jura (see image above).

If You Go: The ferry journey is an hour and a half from the mainland; ferries depart from Tarbert, which is 2.5 hours west of Glasgow. The best time of year to visit is May or June, especially since the Islay Whisky Festival takes place at the end of May.

SKYE

Skye is one of the largest islands off the West coast of Scotland, and its popularity has increased with the construction of a car/rail bridge connecting it to the mainland, making it easy to travel to. Because of this, there are a number of tourist attractions on the island, such as estates, castles, museums, boat tours, and even a music festival in June. Don't miss the amazing landscape either, from the Old Man of Storr (probably the most famous rock formation in Scotland) to Kilt Rock and its steep waterfall.

If You Go: Tour operators run round-trip bus tours to Skye from Edinburgh. You can access the island via car directly or via rail from a connecting service in Inverness or Glasgow. Although you can visit Skye year-round, June is one of the best months to take advantage of decent weather and long amounts of daylight; keep in mind, though, that even during the nicest summer day the weather can turn sour so pack appropriately.

THE ORKNEYS

'The Orkneys' refers to an archipelago of nearly 70 small islands clustered off the North coast of Scotland where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. These islands are very quiet places (only 21 of them are inhabited), and the countryside is so remote that there's even been talk of The Orkneys devolving from Scotland and becoming its own country. The most popular tourist sights are the Neolithic structures, such as the village of Skara Brae, which dates back 5,000 years and is said to have been inhabited before the Egyptian pyramids were built. Otherwise just relax and soak up the subdued ambience of being in the wilds of nature.

If You Go: You'll need to travel across the entire mainland of Scotland – the southernmost ferry departs from Aberdeen and is a six-hour sailing. Other ferries depart from Scrabster, Gills Bay, or John O'Groats. If you don't mind dark, cold nights then you should consider visiting in January for the Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick. Up Helly Aa is the largest fire festival in Europe, celebrating the region's Viking heritage. Otherwise, head over during the summer for extremely long days and short nights.

Photo Credits: Skye Sunset by g.naharro; The Paps of Jura seen from Islay by glenfinlas; Camasunary, Isle of Skye by Simaron; Yesnaby Castle by thornypup. All images via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Andy Hayes

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, doubles in size come August as tourists descend from all over the world to enjoy the Edinburgh Fringe (7 - 31 August 2009), dubbed the world's largest arts festival. With so many people pouring down the steep slopes of the city's streets, the old world vibe of Edinburgh can start to feel distinctly crowded. Here are some top tips for surviving:

1. Book Your Tickets in Advance

Not only do many popular shows sell out, but by buying in advance you'll avoid the sometimes lengthy queues at the Fringe box office (180 High Street, Edinburgh; +44 (0)131 226 0026). If you do want to buy something later on see if you can get tickets at the venue itself – it might save you the extra trip and save time. You can buy tickets online at the Edinburgh Fringe website but get a paper copy of the entire programme (it's easier to read), then go online to search and buy.

2. Eat Early

Restaurants become a real problem during the Edinburgh Festival – few if any take reservations and the numbers of people coming through all but break many kitchens. The staff at most places do a great job coping (after all, it's a yearly event) but you'll have to wait. To ease the pain, try eating early. Otherwise, look for a restaurant further away from the city centre – great food can be found near Haymarket and Stockbridge, where there are fewer Fringe venues and subsequently fewer tourists.

3. Spend some time away from the Fringe

It's easy to come to Edinburgh and get caught up in the excitement of the event, but don't forget Edinburgh is a city full of other sights and plenty of outdoor activities. Get some fresh air up on Arthur's Seat, the highest point in the city, or check out the monuments on top of Calton Hill at the end of Princes Street. Head down to Leith and check out the harbour area. When you get back to the crowded Fringe venues, you'll feel refreshed.

There's no use hoping that your Fringe visit will not be crowded; it's part of the experience. So relax, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy Edinburgh's transformation into an arts and theatre wonderland – there's nothing like it.

Photo Credits: Crowds at the Edinburgh Fringe by freefotouk, Edinburgh desde Calton Hill by estorde via Flickr (Creative Commons).