Scotland. Welcome to our life. www.visitscotland.com Glen Affric, Highlands The warmest of welcomes awaits you In winter, when snow dusts the mountains, Why not head to a Summer’s long daylight hours lend the year begins with the warming cheer traditional Highland themselves to outdoor events such as our of a traditional Hogmanay. Celebrations unique Highland games. It’s also a great Don’t miss in Scotland at historic castles such as continue in January in honour of Robert games, held across time to discover vibrant cultures and 1. Explore Scotland’s coastline and Burns at The Big Burns Supper in Dumfries, Scotland between May and the creativity of Scotland’s islands. Visit islands on a boat trip in spring Stirling, among the grand Highland the world’s largest Burns Night event with September each year, to the Outer Hebrides to see Harris Tweed, and try to spot some fascinating scenery of Glen Coe and Torridon, and music, literature and dance. It’s the perfect catch Highland dancing, a luxury hand-woven cloth, be made in wildlife setting to sample Scotland’s national dish, caber tossing and pipe bands the traditional way and hear the ancient 2. Find your favourite dram at the haggis – delicious, rich and spicy. language of Gaelic be spoken or sung. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival right out on the white sandy beaches of in action? in May Scotland’s landscapes come alive with The beautiful autumn scenery provides 3. Soak up the unique atmosphere of wildlife during spring when it’s possible the perfect backdrop to events such as the the Outer Hebrides. Edinburgh’s vibrant summer arts to admire soaring puffins in the skies and The Cairngorms National Park is wild, traditional music at Perthshire Amber - festivals bottlenose dolphins swimming close to mountainous and made for adventure, or the Dougie MacLean Festival, and whisky 4. Marvel at the colours of the season shore. Inland, explore our stunning National discover Loch Lomond & The Trossachs tasting at the Autumn Speyside Whisky on a walk through Perthshire’s ‘Big Parks and be amazed by the glittering National Park, a place of natural beauty Festival. Prepare to party as winter returns Tree Country’ in autumn lochs, dramatic peaks and dense forests. which has inspired many songs and stories. and the famous festivities, including Winter Festivals, get underway again. 5. Join in a traditional Scottish ‘ceilidh’ (Scottish country dance) in celebration of St Andrew’s Day in November 6. Get swept away on a romantic winter break to a dramatic Highland castle 7. Bring in the New Year in style at one of Scotland’s world-class Hogmanay celebrations Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Argyll Loch Tummel, Perthshire Live music, Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Puffins, Papay, Orkney Highland dancers, Cowal Highland Gathering, Dunoon, Argyll Page 1 Scotland’s Cultural spirit Insider Tip Gaelic Music Kathleen MacInnes Gaelic Singer “Gaelic is still very much part of everyday life in places like South Uist where I grew up. For a taste of Gaelic culture, head to the HebCelt Festival in the Outer Hebrides where you’re guaranteed a warm welcome and a good The Edinburgh Military Tattoo time!” What makes Scotland so distinctive? There are some things that are uniquely Scottish but, in truth, there’s no single element that defines the country. Rather, it’s a subtle blend of our many different ingredients that have been added to Ceilidh in the St. Bride’s Centre, Edinburgh Celtic Connections, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Ballater Highland Games, Aberdeenshire the mix down through the centuries. Ceilidh Dancing Celtic Connections Highland Games Get a taste of traditional Scottish dance at a ceilidh - Enjoy a huge variety of sounds from home-grown If you’re in Scotland during the summer, don’t miss the try dancing the Dashing White Sergeant or the Flying talent and international performers at this popular chance to see traditional sports like tug-o-war and Scotland’s culture certainly involves With a year-round It’s easy to dip into Scotland’s traditional Scotsman to the sound of a traditional ceilidh band. annual music festival held in Glasgow during January. caber tossing at a Highland games. reaching out. That’s why, for instance, programme of festivals and music in informal settings. Musical Glasgow’s Celtic Connections (held in events, the nation celebrates get-togethers called ‘ceilidhs’ are often January) showcases both native talent and its culture with spirit and advertised locally in advance, especially in performers from across the Celtic areas of smaller places. Ask your accommodation Europe, while the city becomes the centre style, in drama, song, poetry, provider or check with your local of the world of piping during the Piping dance and more. VisitScotland Information Centre. Folk Live! International Piping Festival. music sessions in local pubs can even happen spontaneously, while at city venues While high profile events such as the such as Hootananny in Inverness or Ghillie Edinburgh International Festival, along with music and other art forms to this handsome Dhu in Edinburgh regularly-changing the Fringe, Book and Film Festivals and the Scottish town on the River Tay. The annual programmes make it easy to sample the Pipers celebrate at the World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow Highland Festival, Inverness stirring Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Braemar Highland Gathering in September vitality of Scotland’s musical culture. Piping Live! and the World Pipe Band Championships Folk Music inevitably command attention, other parts is Scotland’s premier Highland games Scotland has a rich piping heritage, and you can watch some of the best bagpipers in the country perform at From the evocative sound of the bagpipes to the lively because of the attendance of Britain’s of Scotland also stage prestigious cultural events such as Piping Live! and the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow. music of the fiddle, immerse yourself in traditional events. For example, the Perth Festival of royalty – but is only one event in a games Scottish folk music at live music nights. the Arts every May brings a huge choice of programme right across Scotland. Page 2 Page 3 Scotland’s great cities - Edinburgh Edinburgh Castle and the city skyline at dusk, photographed from Salisbury Crags Edinburgh is pure theatre, with its spires and battlements, Day trips from Edinburgh There is plenty to see within easy reach Why not... crags and classical columns. From Edinburgh Castle, look of the city: for example, panoramic views 1. Step into the past at the from the Pentland Hills that overlook the historic Edinburgh Castle or the over an exciting, cosmopolitan European capital city, whose city, the neo-classical elegance of stately underground streets of The Real homes such as Hopetoun House, and the Mary King’s Close dramatic medieval and elegant Georgian architectures have wild beauty of the East Lothian coastline. 2. Explore the grand Palace of Tantallon Castle, East Lothian Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s royal made it a World Heritage Site. residence in Scotland 3. Unravel the mysteries of the Edinburgh Castle is at the heart of the Taste the best of Scottish Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe beautiful Rosslyn Chapel just nation’s story, symbolised by the ‘Honours produce and dine at one are at the core of this high-profile annual outside Edinburgh of Scotland’ – Scotland’s Crown Jewels – arts gathering. of the city’s five Michelin- 4. Indulge in some retail therapy at as well as the famous Stone of Destiny, the designer stores on Multrees the ancient crowning seat of Scottish starred restaurants. However a year-round programme of events Walk or shop for fine cashmere on monarchs. Edinburgh’s Old Town is centred means that there is always a great festival Explore the revitalised port of Leith with the Royal Mile on the upper part of the Royal Mile, a atmosphere in the city. Inspiration and its historic waterfront and great choice of Shopping on Victoria Street, Edinburgh St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh 5. Delve into Scotland’s history at the historic thoroughfare linking the Castle creativity have always thrived in Edinburgh, top restaurants. Or take a walk through National Museum of Scotland with the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Though UNESCO’s first City of Literature. Its literary Holyrood Park to discover another world, Castle and Palace head a long list of heritage stretches back to before the 6. Climb aboard the Royal Yacht the village of Duddingston tucked behind heritage sites, museums and art galleries, days of Sir Walter Scott and encompasses Britannia for a majestic experience Arthur’s Seat. (One of Scotland’s oldest Edinburgh is a compact city. It’s easy to contemporary writers such as JK Rowling of 7. Admire contemporary and historic pubs is here too!) Back in the city, August explore on foot or via an excellent bus Harry Potter fame. artworks at one of the many free sees Edinburgh’s cultural life at its most network. art galleries vibrant. The Edinburgh International Street Performers at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Page 4 Page 5 Scotland’s great cities - Glasgow Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Often called Britain’s finest Victorian ‘Glasgow’ means ‘dear green place’ and of Music. This non-stop, all-year, high- Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow is a city, Glasgow’s architecture reflects its boasts over 90 parks and green spaces, energy music scene takes place in venues distinctive personality. The impressive including the beautiful Botanic Gardens that include traditional Scottish pubs, clubs, Why not... recognised centre for style, design and City Chambers is at its very heart, while in the city’s west end. With Loch Lomond world class auditoriums and dedicated 1.