We all know about the highlights of Scotland: Edinburgh, the capital city, Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye and the Mull of Kintyre to name a few. But if we consider that this country makes up around one third of the total area of the United Kingdom, and boasts more than 30,000 lakes, 750 islands, and 250 peaks which are over 1,000 metres above sea level, we’re forced to admit that our knowledge of the area is quite severely limited. How can we remedy this? Well, unless you have a spare couple of years to explore the Scottish landscape by road, rail and foot, the only way to start building a picture of what’s out there is seeing Scotland from the air - from the cabin of a helicopter, no less.

When it comes to taking a tour of a wide area and enjoying views that take in the deepest valleys and tallest mountains, and stretch from one horizon to the other, there’s nothing like a helicopter. With a minimum of fuss, they lift you directly into the air, before carrying you comfortably at speeds of over 100 miles per hour, before hovering in place to allow contemplation of the most breathtaking sights in the area. Here that could include historic city skylines, natural and geographical wonders, or even more specialised attractions like golf courses or whiskey distilleries. Flights depart from helipads around the country, and each one will leave you with something to talk about or years to come - whether it’s the sights, the thrills, or the value for money!

Where are the best places to take a helicopter flight in Scotland?

• Edinburgh: The ancient Scottish capital is a city in 3 dimensions. From the shores of the Firth of Forth, the city rises up through Georgian and mediaeval districts to Edinburgh castle, which sits on a rocky promontory in the centre. To the south, the extinct volcano of Arthur’s Seat overlooks the city, while to the north, the engineering triumph that is the Forth Bridge crosses the water.

• Glasgow: This the largest city in Scotland and owes much of its significance to its position on the River Clyde, the most important navigable waterway in the country. Apart from the river and the docks, you’ll want to keep your eyes open for the stadiums of the city’s famous football clubs: Celtic and Rangers.

• Falkirk: Between the two great cities of this region, Falkirk is a key point on the infrastructure that connects them. The Falkirk Wheel is something like a rollercoaster-cum-roundabout for canal boats travelling between the two, it’s a beautiful structure and the only one of its kind in the world. The city also hosts some of the most striking modern sculptures in the country - the Kelpies, two 30 metre high horses heads. Nearby Stirling, with its iconic castle, is also worth a look.

• Perth: Known as the Fair City, Perth is well located for flights over the ancient kingdom of Fife, the historic university of the St Andrews, and north past Kinross towards the Cairngorms. This national park is the location of some of the most dramatic scenery in the highlands.

• Loch Lomond: A favourite for visitors from all over the United Kingdom and beyond since the Victorian Era, the majestic landscape of the Loch Lomond and the surrounding mountains has inspired artists, writers and adventurers for centuries. Discover what all the fuss is about - while avoiding the crowds - by taking a helicopter tour here.

• Fort William: The Everest Base Camp of the Highlands region, Fort William is at the foot of Ben Nevis. But it’s not just this mountain that makes a tour here unforgettable - the long arm of the sea, Loch Linnhe, filming locations from the Harry Potter series, and the rugged paradise of Glencoe, will all leave you speechless. It’s also possible to fly along the Great Glen from here to reach the world famous Loch Ness.

• Isle of Arran: With Ayrshire and Galloway in one direction and the Mull of Kintyre in the other, views from the Isle of Arran are fantastic from ground level. But if you’re in the air, you can also look down on this precious island from above as well as enjoying the surrounding sights.

• Isle of Skye: Skye is like Scotland in miniature. It has it all - mountains, lochs, castles, golf links, and more. And as it is set in the Inner Hebrides, you just have to lift your gaze a fraction to see the vistas of this archipelago off the wild Atlantic coast.

• Orkney Islands: Some of the most remote inhabited islands in the country, Orkney is fascinating for its natural and man made aspects. Orkney is a group of 70 islands at the meeting point of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Standing stone circles and burial complexes are evidence of ancient cultures that lived here, whilst signs of conflict from the First and Second World Wars are also visible.

• Themed: You can also arrange a helicopter tour in Scotland that will indulge your special areas of interest. Whether you’re a golf fan, a whiskey connoisseur or fascinated by the history of Scottish Clans and Castles, you can see where they all started.

Options for organising this experience

- Depending on what you want to see, the duration of your flight will vary - as will the starting point. There are panoramic or pleasure flights that last just 15 minutes on offer in Scotland, which are perfect for seeing a medium sized area, like a city and its surroundings. To get a bigger idea of the lay of the land, a 30 minute or 1 hour long tour might be a better idea. There are also companies that run full day excursions, in which you’ll complete a large circuit, stopping at several heliports on the way and taking in great swathes of the Scottish landscape.

Most large cities in Scotland have helipad facilities, including Aberdeen and Perth as well as the largest settlements, Glasgow and Edinburgh. And there are more far flung places where you can start tours of the most remote parts of the country, like Alladale in the northern Highlands, and Kirkwall on Orkney.

- Finally, we have good news for the budding pilots among you. It’s possible to take trial flights in Scotland where you’ll get to experience controlling the craft yourself. These can be found in the bigger cities, or you can try piloting the unique aircraft known as gyroplanes in Inverness. Trial flying lessons tend to last 30 minutes or 1 hour.

Are these experiences suitable for groups?

In most cases, you can book a place on a helicopter sightseeing tour as an individual or a group. If you’re travelling alone, you’ll probably share the cabin with other sightseers, but a group booking might mean getting an exclusive pleasure flight. Most helicopters working around the country have four or five seats. That means they can take 3 or 4 passengers - so choose your companions carefully!

Fly higher than the highest mountains, and swifter than Scotland’s golden eagles. This chance of a lifetime is just a couple of clicks away.