Scotland is equal to the taste of whiskey. It can be full of sweetness and taste of flowers but also have a smoky, almost medicinal taste. This applies, for example, to the whiskey from Islay, Lagavulin and Laphroaig. The whiskey tastes of the peat used during the drying process and of the Atlantic salt, sea air and seaweed during storage. The island of Islay is the southernmost part of the so-called Western Isles in the west of Scotland, and with its seven distilleries they are the headquarters for single malt whiskey.

See Scotland travel

Population: 5.1 million

Capital: Edinburgh

Language: English

Scotland has the world’s largest share of redheads?  13% of the population has red hair and about 40% carry the recessive predisposition.

University of St. Andrews, founded in 1410, is Scotland’s oldest university and the third oldest in the English – speaking world?

Edinburgh

The capital Edinburgh also offers many opportunities to taste and learn more about Scotland’s golden liquid – including at the Scotch Whiskey Heritage Center along The Royal Mile in the heart of the city. Also experience the newly built, almost five billion kroner expensive parliament which was completed in 2004, the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse, today the Queen’s official residence when she visits Edinburgh, and the prestigious National Gallery of Scotland with works by Titan, among others, Gaugain and Rembrandt. The museum is located on Princes Street garden below Edinburgh Castle. The castle sits on top of an extinct volcano on Castle Hill, and is the most famous of Scotland’s many castles. It is natural that Scotland in particular has nurtured a writer like Sir Walter Scott who wrote the knight novel “Ivanhoe”. Scott was born in Edinburgh.

Glasgow

Another famous Scotsman – missionary and explorer David Livingstone – was born near Glasgow, which with its 600,000 surpasses Edinburgh by just under 500,000. and restaurants with creative chefs. Glasgow will also be experienced for Glasgow Cathedral, the magnificent, over 800-year-old Gothic cathedral that took over 300 years to complete. See also the Gallery of Modern Art housed in a neoclassical building in central Glasgow, and the City Chambers, Glasgow Town Hall on vibrant George Square, or take a stroll in Glasgow Green. The park is the UK’s oldest park which is open to the public and stretches along the Clyde River.

Just outside Glasgow city center, in Pollok Country Park, you will find the prestigious Burrell Collection with everything from ancient art to French Impressionists. The Scots love football and if given the opportunity, they should definitely go to a match between local rivals Celtic and Glasgow Rangers. Glasgow has an entire football museum – the Scottish Football Museum – at Hampden Park, which is one of the world’s oldest stadiums. There are those who claim that football is a whole science, but there is still a greater opportunity to rub the energy balls at Glasgow Science Center, a nice interactive experience center that also has a planetarium.

Southern Scotland

Also go on a voyage of discovery in the south of Scotland with roaring rivers, flamboyant, rolling fields and roaring sheep that, like cotton balls, light up the landscape. Take the roads past Caerlaverock Castle, a triangular 13th century fortress with deep moats, also one of Scotland’s most interesting castles. This is located south of Dumfries, which with its just over 30,000 inhabitants is the largest town in southwest Scotland.

Northeast Scotland

Another astonishing castle adventure is the dramatic Donnottar Castle, located near Scotland’s fourth largest city Dundee. Not far from here is the slightly larger city of Abedeen with beautiful Victorian houses and green parks. Northeast Scotland is with its Old Course in St. Andrews a mecca for the golf fan.

Scotland’s attractions

A trip to Scotland can include a trip to the Hebrides and Orkney Islands, the fabled and second largest lake in Scotland, Loch Ness, or the Shetland Islands. Here is a barren, wild and beautiful landscape with awe-inspiring cliffs, lively fishing harbors, sloping seagulls and crowded and pleasant pubs with a high atmosphere. The Vikings had a permanent base here in Jarlshof south of the Shetland Islands’ capital Lerwick. Scotland’s barren climate and beautiful nature suited the stubborn northerners like a glove. There are many good reasons to follow in their footsteps and experience the land of whiskey, kilt and bagpipes. The 5.3 million Scots are known for their hospitality. Order a pint or single malt whiskey and bring out a bowl.

Facts about Scotland

Below you will find practical information about currency, tips, electricity and more in connection with trips to Scotland.

• Language: English, Scottish and Scottish Gaelic

• Capital: Edinburgh

• Population: 5, 1 million.

• Religion: Most are Protestants, mainly Anglicans

• Currency: British Pounds (GBP)

• Surface: 78,400 km2

Worth knowing

Time difference

Scotland is 1 hour behind Sweden, so the clock must be set back one hour.

Transport in Scotland

The buses in Scotland are of a good standard and have normal air conditioning.

Price level

Prices in Scotland are comparable to prices in England , which are among the more expensive in Europe . Prices in Edinburgh are slightly higher than in the rest of Scotland. Expect a price level similar to that in Sweden.

Currency and credit cards

The currency in Scotland is the British pound (GBP), but Scotland has its own banknotes – the coins are the same. You can withdraw cash at ATMs in most cities and regular credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard can be used.

If you have pound notes of the Scottish version left at the end of the trip, we recommend that you exchange them for the English version. They are easier to change when you are back in Sweden.

Tip

In Scotland, it is common to tip. In restaurants and cafés, tips are often included, but it is customary to round off upwards – about 10%. Many pubs have live music and that is part of giving a little extra to the music.

Electricity

Scotland has 240 volts AC. The connectors have three spikes, so you can bring an adapter for your electronics.

Telephone and internet

Scotland’s international country code is +44. Feel free to check with your mobile operator about prices for calls to and from Scotland. There are many internet cafes in Scotland and many cafes with wireless internet connection.

Smoking

In Scotland, smoking is prohibited in all public places.

Customs and traditions

Politeness pays off and the nice word “please” is an established part of the culture. The same goes for polite excuses like “excuse me” and “sorry”.

Climate and weather Scotland

Here you can read about the climate and weather in Scotland – see temperatures for Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, among others.

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	CHRISTMAS	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Edinburgh
Daytime temperature	7	8	10	12	15	17	19	19	17	13	10	7
Night temperature	1	2	3	4	7	10	12	11	9	7	4	1
Precipitation (mm)	68	47	52	41	49	61	65	60	64	76	62	61
Inverness
Daytime temperature	7	7	9	12	15	17	19	19	16	13	9	7
Night temperature	1	1	2	4	6	9	11	11	9	6	4	1
Precipitation (mm)	77	59	58	39	52	59	53	60	67	78	66	65
Glasgow
Daytime temperature	6	7	9	12	15	18	19	19	16	12	9	6
Night temperature	1	1	2	4	7	9	11	11	9	6	3	1
Precipitation (mm)	113	89	97	63	61	65	84	101	113	129	106	104

According to bridgat, Scotland has a temperate and oceanic climate. The Gulf Stream, which is a detour from the Atlantic Current, ensures that the weather is changeable and also that the western part of Scotland is slightly warmer than the eastern. In Scotland, a distinction is made between the lowlands in the south and the highlands in the north. Most of the precipitation falls over the Scottish Highlands and the mildest climate is found in the southern lowlands.