From castles to UNESCO World Heritage sites, churches and cathedrals to eco-friendly designs, Scotland boasts some prolific architectural credentials.

For an in-depth education, Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture The Lighthouse in Glasgow is a good place to start; it was also Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s first public commission.

You’ll come across castles at most turns. The decadent Royal Apartments of the Palace of James V at Stirling Castle have recently benefited from major restoration work and are one of the finest examples of Renaissance buildings in Britain.

For something a little unusual, The Scottish Crannog Centre at Loch Tay is well worth the jaunt out of town - you’ll be stunned by the design ingenuity of this replica iron-age homestead. For more recent eco-friendly architecture, The Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh is a must.

Wherever you head, you’ll be following in the footsteps of our country’s greatest architects and designers.

Year of Creative Scotland is helping to spotlight, celebrate and promote Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths on a world stage. Find out all that this special year has to offer at www.visitscotland.com/creative.