Scotland Travel & Tourism

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If you are planning a trip to Scotland, you will need to make sure you are planning for the trip with plenty of time. You will need to make sure you know what you will want to do as well as how you are going to get there and what you will need.

How You Will Plan Your Trip

You have a number of things to consider when planning a trip to Scotland. The most important of which is who you will use to get you there. This is not always the easiest of tasks to do. You will need research and plan so you will know what it is you will be getting and what you can expect. This is similar to what you would do if you were to partake in UFX markets trading. Doing your homework and looking into multiple options before making a final decision.

Before you do actually book a trip though your online vacation planner, make sure you think about the following:

• Are you going there for business or vacation
• Is there something in particular you need to do and can they help you do it
• Will you need transportation when you get there
• How far in advance do you need to have your trip planned
• What if any discounts do they have

Once you have ironed out all of the wrinkles and you have your plan in place, you will be able to book your trip. This will finally allow you to look forward to the trip.

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You could find a thousand articles telling you things you should see in Scotland, but you may not find as many about the real essentials of Scotland travel. Here are the top must-know facts and tips regarding traveling to Scotland.

1. Your American plugs won’t work. You don’t want to start a fire, now do you? European outlets will fry your electronics. Bring suitable adapters and you won’t have to buy new electronics in Scotland.
2. Stores generally aren’t open on Sunday. Most stores are open every other day from 9:00 to 5:00.
3. The emergency number isn’t 911. It’s 999. For police assistance, dial 0 instead.
4. The legal drinking age is 18. Children over 15 are allowed in pubs, but you should plan on accompanying them.
5. Last call is at 11:00 PM. In certain regions, you may find a tavern open until 4 AM, especially in cities.
6. Smoking is banned in all public places. Lighting up in public could cost you a fine of 50 pounds.
7. Group travel can be difficult, given all the things to do in Scotland. If you’re orchestrating a major group’s itinerary, ask their opinion first. Send out an email, open up a message board, or put up a survey like those found on kissinsights.com.
8. Scotland’s time zone is GMT. That’s five hours ahead of EST.
9. Tip your maid one pound per day. Porters get 75 pence per bag.
10. Scotland’s water is generally safe to drink. You can drink it straight from the tap.

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Are you visiting the city of Edinburgh, Scotland? Here’s a list of essential must-do travel tips for your Edinburgh vacation.

The Royal Mile

Welcome to one of Edinburgh’s most famous tourist destinations. It stretches between Holyrood Abbey and Edinburgh Castle and is chock full of gorgeous buildings and historic sites. Be sure to stop at St. Giles Cathedral and Gladstone’s Land! When you’ve finished, take a stroll through Grassmarket in the central part of town, especially if you finish at Edinburgh Castle.

New Town

You’ve seen Scotland’s Old Town– now it’s time for the New! With Scotland’s history being as long as it is, New Town isn’t very “new” at all. Its origins date back to the 1700′s. You may want to spend two days here: one for exploring shops and restaurants and the other to walk through the National Galleries of Scotland.

Arthur’s Seat

What? Scotland has a volcano? This ancient volcano offers stellar views of Edinburgh and the surrounding waters. Do yourself a favor and research its mythology before you go.

Royal Botanic Garden

This 70-acre garden is not to be missed. Built in the late 17th century, the Royal Botanic Garden was initially intended for medical research. Today, it’s one of the loveliest gardens in the U.K. Best of all, admission to the Gardens is free.

Of course, you don’t have to take these suggestions to heart. Call up friends who’ve visited Scotland, ask for advice on social media, or poll internet users through online surveys like those found at kissinsights.com.

Vacations today have been cut short for many due to the poor economy that many face. It is difficult to find bargains on every travel venture, but it is not impossible. The savvy traveler knows that finding a deal for a trip can be easy is using the internet for packages and promotions, as this is the main way many companies advertise such discounts.

Taking a Break

Take a break by traveling overseas. This is a great way to experience a different part of the world while still saving money and taking a much needed rest. Places like Scotland are great destinations for this particular type of excursion. UFX Markets Trading have helped to make the economy in Scotland and surrounding areas have a positive increase in revenue. This means that travel deals are present to help make this trip all that you had hoped for.

Time for Travel

The other factor in traveling today is simply finding the time to do so. This is hard step for many as they simply cannot pull themselves away from their work. It has been shown that people need an honest vacation about every six weeks. Finding the time for this is instrumental in maintaining a good attitude and having a long and healthy work life.

Traveling is also good for families. Bonding occurs best when it is away from technology, gadgets, or even familiar things. This helps families get to know each other at the core, as opposed to just through association with one another.

The cuisine of Scotland is a mixture of cooking traditions and practices. The distinct attributes and recipes are of its own, but share much with other European cuisine resulting from foreign, local, ancient, and modern influences.

Scottish delicacies include:

• Cullen Skink – a hearty soup made from smoked haddock, cream, shellfish, and potatoes.
• Seafood – due to its freshwaters Scotland produces some of the world’s finest seafood. Prized by chefs the world over and high on the export list, seafood items include langoustines, oysters, crabs, salmon, lobster, and scallops
• Sirloin – Scotland has the five best beef breeds in the world including Aberdeen Angus, Longhorn, Shorthorn, Galloway, and Highlind.
• Game – game meats are plentiful in Scotland including pheasant and venison
• Haggis – Scotland’s national dish made up of chopped heart, lungs, and liver of a sheep which is cooked in a sheep’s stomach bag. Popularly served with neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes).
• Scotch pie – traditionally made with mutton and slightly spiced
• Square sausage – a common breakfast favorite is made from a flavored thin square of beef or pork which has been fried or grilled and served in a roll
• Porridge – Scottish oat meal served for breakfast with salt as topping

Enjoy the meal with Scotland’s famous:

• Beer and ale – is usually served in pints and there are many Scottish micro-brewery brews to choose from
• Irn Bru – extremely popular, bright orange-colored, fizzy soft drink that is loaded with caffeine. It is said to be the best cure for a hangover and acidic enough to clean a coin.
• Whisky – notice it is whisky without an “e”. This bevarage is the most famous export of Scotland

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is historical, cultured, and cosmopolitan rolled together. The city is perched upon numerous extinct volcanoes and rocky crags which sheltered by the Firth of the Forth shoreline to the north.

Due to the Gulf Stream, prevailing westerly winds are pleasantly mild making May, June, and September the ideal time for travel. Rain is always expected but changes quickly from a rainy morning to a sunny afternoon. It is not uncommon for haar, a dense chilly fog to appear but can easily be escaped by heading a few miles inland.

Edinburgh holds many international festivals each year to attract visitors, performers, and artisians. Its firework displays are astounding with ruby and emerald colors exploding in the air as cascades of sparkling streams reflect down the walls of the castle.

Edinburgh Castle is the main attraction which dominates the city skyline. From its ramparts, you can look down to see medieval lanes, sweeping terraces, and the modern capital below. Its galleries present the most cutting-edge art, restuarants, clubs, and bars to create a cosmopolitan flair mixed with a distinct Scottish twist.

Find time in your busy itinerary to take part in Edinburgh’s tradition of climbing Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park. A climb requiring a bit of endurance, it is well worth the hike up the extinct volcano to see the best vantage points of the city and countryside below. Later in the evening head back to the Royal Mile for a walking ghost tour if you dare, followed by a romantic candlelit dinner at The Witchery by The Castle.

Spending a few days in Edinburgh? Don’t forget to sign up for the Edinburgh city pass to enjoy free access to over 25 top attractions and gain exclusive offers for restuarants and shops throughout the city.

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For a city that only gained status in 2002, Stirling has a great deal to offer. Lying at one of Scotland’s most strategic sites, it has been the heart of many conflicts including the Wars of Independence. For more than three centuries, monarchs ruled in grandier and craftsmen and merchants practiced their skill below the castle rock.

During the day, the streets and footpaths are filled with the hustle and bustle of retail calamity, but by nightfall all disappears allowing for magical twilight walks through the old town. Winding cobblestone lined streets of the old town cling to the slopes beneath the magnificent castle perched high above the city.

Heritage mile, that which links Stirling’s Old Town to the bustling city center, features some of the most finest historical buildings in Scotland. Old Town is flanked by cobblestone streets and surrounded by clusters of mansions and well-preserved medieval and Renaissance churches. A scenic pathway around the Castle and Old Town rivals those of the city walls of Chester and York. Even the Old Town Jail has been altered from a grim looking reform prison into an impressive visitor attraction.

While traveling through Stirling, make sure to visit Bannockburn Heritage Centre to see the dioramas about medieval Scotland or watch the 12 minute audiovisual display which brings the battles to life. The Church of the Holy Rude should be your next stop with it stunning stained-glass windows and massive pillars of stone.

The main attraction for Stirling is Dunblane Cathedral with its elegant sandstone Gothic style building it is the best detour one can take. The last stop on the tour should be Wallace Monument, which is a remarkable Victorian monument to Sir William Wallace. The monument itself contains displays of Wallace’s powerful two-handed sword and a procession of other Scottish heros, while the more than seven battlegrounds can be viewed from the top.

Winter is a wonderful time to be in Scotland, especially if you are a first time visitor. All around Scotland, from the islands and the Borders, to the east and the west, tourists can enjoy festivals, art exhibitions, and world-class sporting events.

The goal of the Scotland’s Winter Festival program is to bring together people from all over the world in celebration of Scotland’s rich culture and traditions through the finest Scottish arts, innovation, music, entertainment, food, and drink.

The festival events kick off on November 30 with St. Andrew’s Day, includes Hogmanay celebrations on December 31, and concludes January 25 with Burns Night festivities.

St. Andrew’s Day

St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and November 30^th has been designated as the official national day to celebrate. Scots around the world fly the national flag to Saltire , enjoy feasts including eating customary foods such as fish, haggis, whisky, and Scotch broth, and listening and dancing to traditional folk tunes in celebration.

Hogmanay

Hogmanay is the Scottish word for the last day of the year. It is the time for celebration of the New Year in a way that only Scots know how to celebrate. Events include street parties with live music, dancing, and plenty of drink along with traditional fire festivals and torchlight processions.

Hogmanay can’t be celebrated without the national custom of first-footing which begins immediately after midnight. The custom involves being the first person to cross the threshold of family or friends bringing symbolic gifts intended for luck to the householder.

Burns Night

The festivities end with Burns Night which is annual celebration of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns. Tartan wearing guests enjoy a traditional feast of haggis, turnips, and potatoes are served with malts or blends of whisky. The event is highlighted with bagpipe music, speeches and toasts to commemorate Burns, and traditional readings.

Events are scheduled all around the country including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dumfries, Perth, St. Andrews, and Stirling. Even some of Scotland’s visitor attractions are taking part of the winter festivities with over 65 venues included in the celebrations.