Overview
According to topschoolsintheusa.com, Scotland’s natural surroundings offer an unforgettable backdrop: the interior is defined by imposing mountain peaks, breathtaking lochs and remote glens, while the coast features white sandy beaches, sheltered coves and rocky cliffs. Romantic ideas have long been associated with Scotland. However, the country’s proudly displayed Scottish history and lively cultural scene are as impressive as the country’s natural scenery. Scotland’s best urban attractions can be found in the two largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh: galleries, museums, architecture, shops, restaurants and a lively nightlife. Glasgow hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Prehistoric forts, stone circles and burial mounds can be seen mainly in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also in other parts of the country. Nature lovers flock to the Highlands and Outer Hebrides to see eagles, whales and dolphins.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
British Airways (BA) flies to Glasgow and Edinburgh from Germany, Austria and Switzerland with a stopover in London. Direct flights to Scotland are operated by the following airlines: Lufthansa (LH) from Frankfurt/M to Edinburgh and from Munich to Glasgow; Ryanair (FR) from Frankfurt/M. and Berlin to Glasgow; easyJet (U2) from Munich and Berlin to Edinburgh; Eurowings (EW) from Berlin, Düsseldorf and Zurich to Edinburgh and Glasgow and from Cologne/Bonn to Edinburgh; Edelweiss Air (WK) from Zurich to Edinburgh. Loganair (LM) from Düsseldorf to Glasgow and from Hanover to Edinburgh.
Flight times
Frankfurt – Edinburgh: 1 hour 55 minutes; Berlin – Edinburgh: 2 hours 20 minutes; Dusseldorf – Edinburgh: 1 hour 50 minutes; Munich – Edinburgh: 2 hours 25 minutes; Zurich – Edinburgh: 2 hours 15 minutes; Vienna – Edinburgh: 3 hours 35 minutes (pure flight time, without stopover). Frankfurt – Glasgow: 2 hours; Berlin – Glasgow: 2 hours 20 minutes; Dusseldorf – Glasgow: 1 hour 45 minutes; Munich – Glasgow: 2 hours 25 minutes; Zurich – Glasgow: 3 hours 5 minutes (pure flight time, without stopover); Vienna – Glasgow: 3 hours 55 minutes (pure flight time, without stopover).
Arrival by car
There are excellent road links from England to Scotland. Main connecting roads are the A74 (Carlisle to Glasgow), A696/A68 (Newcastle to Edinburgh) and A1 (Newcastle to Edinburgh along the coast). Motorways (highways) connect almost every region within Scotland. The A9 connects Perth with Inverness and Thurso. In general, the road network on the east coast is better developed than in other areas. North of Inverness there are often only single lane country roads. Highland roads are often impassable during the winter months. Drivers should check weather conditions and heed advice from locals. When driving into more remote areas of Scotland, particularly in the north, it is advisable to check with the local tourist information office or petrol station for information on the service station network in the Highlands. More information online at VisitScotland. Tolls: There are no toll roads in Scotland. Rental cars can be rented in all major towns. Bus: Discounts on Scottish Citylink buses are available with the European Youth Card (EYCA), available to young people aged 11-25 and members of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA). Timetables and ticketing at Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd. Check with the local tourist information office or at a petrol station for information on the service station network in the Highlands. More information online at VisitScotland. Tolls: There are no toll roads in Scotland. Rental cars can be rented in all major towns. Bus: Discounts on Scottish Citylink buses are available with the European Youth Card (EYCA), available to young people aged 11-25 and members of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA). Timetables and ticketing at Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd. Check with the local tourist information office or at a petrol station for information on the service station network in the Highlands. More information online at VisitScotland. Tolls: There are no toll roads in Scotland. Rental cars can be rented in all major towns. Bus: Discounts on Scottish Citylink buses are available with the European Youth Card (EYCA), available to young people aged 11-25 and members of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA). Timetables and ticketing at Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd.
Note on arrival by car
Distances: London – Edinburgh 663km / Glasgow 654km / Aberdeen 884km / Inverness 923km / Fort William 828km / Perth 696km / Thurso 1066km. Edinburgh – Glasgow 72km / Aberdeen 211km / Inverness 261km / Fort William 231km / Perth 70km / Thurso 439km.
Arrival by train
There are two main routes from England to Scotland: – from Euston Station in London to Glasgow, Perth and Inverness and – from King’s Cross in London to Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. For rail information in Scotland, National Rail Inquiries +44 (20) 7278 5240 (international), (03457) 48 49 50 (UK) and First Bus. Edinburgh and Glasgow have good connections to other Scottish cities. Numerous railway lines lead through the Highlands (e.g. from Perth to Inverness, from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh or from Glasgow via Fort William to Mallaig). The route network extends as far north as Thurso and Wick. On Scotrail Caledonian Sleeper trains, tel.
rail passes
There are various BritRail passes, such as the BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass or the BritRail Central Scotland Pass. Full information on the various passes can be found under the UK – Local Transport section and is available from BritRail and VisitBritain.
Arrival by ship
Various ferries connect the Scottish mainland with the islands and with Northern Ireland. Ferry ports include Aberdeen, Cairnryan, Kirkwall and Rosyth.
Cruise ships
Shipping companies such as AIDA, MSC, TUI Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Cunard call at the ports of Kirkwall, Invergordon or Greenock in Scotland on their cruises.
Ferry provider
Caledonian MacBrayne, the largest ferry company on the west coast of Scotland, serves more than 20 islands. Ferries often run every 30-60 minutes in summer (advance booking recommended), less frequently in winter. For round trips around the island, there are discounted tickets (Island Hopscotch) with a validity of 31 days from the first trip. P&O Ferries operate multiple daily services from Cairnryan to Larne (journey time: 1 hour). Stena Line runs several daily services from Cairnryan to Belfast (journey time: 2 hrs 15). Orkney Ferries serves Orkney and 13 smaller islands. Kilda Cruises ferries travel to the St. Kilda Islands, among others.
Passport and visa regulations
Entry with children
Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) for trips abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.
Language
Overview
English. Scottish Gaelic is spoken by some residents in the West and Highlands.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
01/02/2022 January 2nd
04/15/2022 Good Friday
05/02/2022 may day
05/30/2022 spring holiday
01.08.2022 summer holiday
11/30/2022 Andreas night
12/25/2022 Christmas
12/26/2022 Christmas
Contact addresses
Visit Scotland (Scottish Tourist Board)
VisitScotland.com, Fairways Business Park, Deer Park Avenue, UK-Livingston, EH54 8AF
Tel: (0845) 225 5121 (within the UK) or (01506) 832 121 (outside the UK).
Web: www.visitscotland.com
Welcome Scotland
Internet: www.welcometoscotland.com or www.welcometoscotland.com
Nightlife
Introduction
There are numerous bars, restaurants, nightclubs, theaters and cinemas in the larger towns. In the smaller villages and on the islands people meet in the pub in the evenings.
events
National events
Culinary
Overview
British and European cuisine is served in restaurants in the larger cities. Typically Scottish are haggis (sheep’s stomach stuffed with offal and oatmeal, then cooked), porridge (porridge with water and salt, for breakfast), Cullen skink (fish soup), smoked salmon, smoked haddock, partan bree ( crab with rice and cream) and Scottish Angus steak. Baked goods are very popular, the best known being tea cakes (yeast buns with raisins or currants), oat cakes (oatmeal biscuits), shortbread, Dundee cake (cake with candied fruit) and black bun, a flavorful plum cake that is made like Christmas stollen several months in advance is baked. Beverages: Scottish whiskey, the national drink (website: www.scotlandwhisky.com), is world famous. Most whiskey distilleries can be visited. Drambuie is a whiskey liqueur. Local beers are known as Light and Heavy. Lager (pilsner) is also widely available. The UK pub curfew has been history since November 2005. Since then, pub owners in the kingdom have been allowed to stay open 24 hours a day and no longer have to ring in the last round at 11 p.m. Lager (pilsner) is also widely available. The UK pub curfew has been history since November 2005. Since then, pub owners in the kingdom have been allowed to stay open 24 hours a day and no longer have to ring in the last round at 11 p.m. Lager (pilsner) is also widely available. The UK pub curfew has been history since November 2005. Since then, pub owners in the kingdom have been allowed to stay open 24 hours a day and no longer have to ring in the last round at 11 p.m.
Accommodation
Hotels
There are numerous hotels in Scotland, many located in castles or other historic buildings. A directory of hotels and other accommodation is available from the Tourist Office. Categories: The star rating system for hotels, guesthouses, inns and other types of accommodation has recently been introduced in Scotland, replacing the previously used crown system. The new classification is as follows: 5 Stars: Luxurious. 4 Stars: Excellent. 3 stars: Very comfortable. 2 stars: Comfortable. 1 star: Simple and satisfactory.
Camping
Numerous campsites with good facilities, annual inspection.
Other accommodation options
Numerous youth hostels in Scotland are housed in charmingly situated historic castles and palaces. Further information from the Scottish Youth Hostel Association, 7 Glebe Crescent, GB-Stirling FK8 2JA. (Tel: (08701) 55 32 55. Internet: www.syha.org.uk). Also of interest to backpackers is the Budget Accommodation Guide which lists budget accommodation and is available from Tourist Information Offices. Rua Reidh Lighthouse on Scotland’s north east coast offers overnight accommodation (Fran Cree, Melvaig, Gairloch, Ross-Shire, IV21 2EA, Tel: (01 ) 445 77 12 63. Internet: www.ruareidh.co.uk). Corsewall Lighthouse is a four star hotel (Corsewall Point, Kirkcolm, Stranraer, Dumfries &
Culture
Social Rules of Conduct
Smoking: There is a general ban on smoking in public places such as pubs and restaurants.
Climate
Best travel time
Generally slightly cooler than England. Moist and milder in the west than in the cool and dry east. Heavy snowfall in winter at high altitudes; Persistent fog possible all year round.
Country data
Phone prefix
+44
Area (sq km)
77.910 km sq
Population
5,466,200
Population density (per square km)
65
Population statistics year
2020
Member of the EU
No
Main emergency number
112
