House of travel UK & Ireland Brochure 2017 | Page 32

Experience
Scotland
S cotland overflows with iconic images – tartan and bagpipes, whisky and thistles.
Fast Facts
Country Name: Scotland
Population: 5.3 Million
Capital: Edinburgh
Currency: Pound Sterling
Time Zone: 11 hours behind New Zealand (except
during daylight saving)
Electricity: Current is 220V
Plug is a 3 point round-pin adaptor
Festivals and Events 2017
28
31 Jan Up Helly Aa, Lerwick Shetland
04-26 Aug Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Aug The Edinburgh Fringe Festival
24-26 Aug Cowal Highland Gathering, Dunoon
Sep Scottish Borders Walking Festival,
Peebles
30 Dec-01 Jan Hogmanay, Edinburgh
Their origins may be lost in the mists of time but even today they speak of a proud
and unique culture. Born in a land with a robust, wild climate, the Scots are feisty
independent people who treasure their heritage which includes Neolithic farmers
of Skara Brae, the Romans, legendary Robert the Bruce and the tragic monarch:
Mary, Queen of Scots.
Edinburgh is an ideal place to begin exploring Scotland’s past and maybe to trace
your own Scottish roots. But the true essence of this land lies among the heather
and lochs of the highlands and islands. There’s a taste of it in Speyside, home to
more than half of Scotland’s famed distilleries, or on legendary golf courses such
as St Andrews.
Gaelic culture thrives in the Outer Hebrides, pilgrims flock to Iona and the Isle of
Skye breathes romance. The remote Shetland Isles are home to the puffin birds
and are steeped in Viking lore. Outside the cities are fairytale castles with turrets
and towers, and sites echoing with bloody moments from Scottish history such as
Glencoe, Culloden and Loch Ness. Stand among the ramparts of Urquhart Castle,
gaze at the waves and you too may believe a monster lurks in the loch’s depths.