Festivals and events
Think of Scottish festivals and one immediately springs to mind: Edinburgh. What you might not realise, however, is that the 'festival' is actually a combination of events, including Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Military Tattoo and the International Book and Film Festivals. Also taking place in the capital is the Mela Festival, which will subsequently move on to Glasgow.
Scotland's festivals aren't limited to a few weeks in August, however. February sees the beginning of the Aye Write! literary festival, while Glasgow accommodates the biennial International Arts Festival, which takes place every second April and features some of the most exciting contemporary art around.
If it's music you're into, visitors have a wide choice of events ranging from T in the Park in Perthshire, which attracts around 69,000 revellers, to the Celtic Connections event in Glasgow, which sees a number of traditional performances.
Highland Games are a fixture throughout Scotland between June and September, with arguably the most celebrated being Braemar Gathering. 2007 was a particularly important year for the Games as it was the year Scotland celebrated Highland culture en-masse.
Fortunately, things don't calm down in the winter. Winter festivals take place in towns and cities up and down the country, and one of the most attended is Winter Wonderland in Edinburgh, which climaxes with the four-day Hogmanay – or New Year's Eve – celebrations.
Back to the top
Opera
The home of Scottish opera is Glasgow's Theatre Royal, which is just a stone's throw from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. The venue has been home to productions including The Ring Cycle, Der Rosenkavalier and Madame Butterfly, while opera tours have ventured all the way to Orkney and Shetland.
Remember Die Fledermaus? This 19th century farce was updated for an entirely new audience, with some even comparing it to the Footballers' Wives TV show.
Back to the top
Literature
Scottish literature is intrinsically linked to Robert Burns' romantic poems, JM Barrie's tales of fantasy and Robert Louis Stevenson's timeless adventures. The country's literature is as varied for its languages as it is its content, with poems and novels having been written in Gaelic, Auld Scots and English, not to mention a selection of local Scottish dialects – and nowhere is this more evident that Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting, which is set in Edinburgh. Liz Lochead, Glasgow's Poet Laureate, has won critical praise for using rhyming Scots in her adaptation of Moliere's plays.
Scottish literature is beginning to look to the future with talents such as Ian Rankin, A L Kennedy and James Kelman all contributing renowned works.
Back to the top
Dance
Scots' passion for dancing has been long documented. Imagine the following scene at Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom in the 1950s or ‘60s:
"Are ye dancin'?"
"Are ye askin'?"
"Aye, ah'm askin'"
"Then, aye, ah'm dancin'!"
You may remember having a go at Highland or country dancing at school, and it's a testament to their popularity that both are still practised right the way around the world. For real excitement, though, see a spinning of a Strip the Willow at a Scottish ceilidh.
For something a little more contemporary, why not pay a visit to Glasgow's national ballet company? If you're in Edinburgh, hop on over to the Grassmarket to experience the city's cutting edge dance centre. Scotland is home to other celebrated venues including Byre Theatre in St Andrew's and The Lemon Tree, both of which offer an exciting range of productions.
Back to the top
Theatre
Edinburgh's theatre scene really kicks off in August, when performers from all over the world descend on the city for its various summer festivals. With something seemingly going on around every corner, it really is a time to immerse yourself in the best theatre Scotland has to offer.
Things don't slow down with the end of summer, however. Exciting productions continue at Citizens Theatre in Glasgow and Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum Theatre, which offer a range of both traditional and contemporary performances.
If you visit during the festive season, there's no better place to take in a pantomime – no matter what age you are!
Indeed, Scotland's passion for drama is celebrated up and down the country, with one of the most established northern venues being Inverness's Eden Court Theatre.
Back to the top
Music
Think of Scottish music and bagpipes immediately spring to mind. While you'll no doubt come across this traditional instrument during your visit, Scots will tell you that their music extends much further than the cèol beag, or little music, of the nation's celebrated national instrument.
Scotland's rock scene is alive and kicking – the likes of Belle and Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand and KT Tunstall regularly rock audiences throughout the world, but there's nothing quite like catching a gig in their home country. The country's appetite for rock music culminates with the T in the Park festival, which is considered one of the best festivals of its kind anywhere in Europe.
For something a bit smaller scale, head to one of the local pubs. Pretty soon you'll have a song stuck in your head that you'll find impossible to shake off!
Back to the top
Art
Scotland's creative streak is well documented. While its music and dance has often taken the limelight, its art scene has an equally fascinating history – from the eighth-century portraits of Allan Ramsay to Douglas Gordon's modern video installations, Scotland's art has always been held in high regard.
If it's a seemingly never-ending display of masterpieces you're after, you can't miss The National Galleries of Scotland. Also located in Edinburgh is the more contemporary doggerfisher, while Glasgow's Sorcha Dallas and Transmission and Dundee's DCA have been the platforms for many young Scottish artists.
Back to the top
Whisky
Also known as uisge beatha, which is Gaelic for 'water of life', Scotland is understandably proud of this most traditional of alcoholic drinks. Having first been mentioned in writing in 1494, the Scots have had more than half a millennium of distilling practice.
You may have an idea of how whisky tastes, but this varies greatly depending on which part of Scotland you're in. In the Lowlands' rolling hills the whisky tastes softer and more grassy, while it's a tad more heathery in the Highlands. Mellow sweetness can be found in the famous Speyside region, while the Western Isles' whisky offers a rough-and-tumble salty smokiness that cannot be found anywhere else.
It's worth heading to a specialist whisky pub to discover which is your favourite, and two of the best include Edinburgh's Leslie's Bar and Aberdeen's The Grill, the latter of which stocks an astounding 400 different varieties. If you're a little unsure of which to choose first, the barmen will be only too happy to point you in the right direction.
Back to the top
Traditional food
Scottish food might be oddly named – try Champit Tatties, Arbroath Smokies, Cranachan, Cullen Skink, Clootie Dumpling, Crowdie and Roastit Bubbly Jock - but you'll soon become familiar with these excellent dishes!
A characteristic of the country's cuisine is its simplicity. Hearty and very, very tasty, Scottish food has long centred on home-cooked dinners, and it wasn't until the late 1960s and early 1970s that locals began visiting the new wave of restaurants springing up in towns and cities.
One of the most famous Scottish food types is hand-sliced Scottish smoked salmon, which will be more luxurious and delicate than any other salmon you're likely to have tasted. If you're a connoisseur of fine meat, then you may be swayed by the rich flavours of Scottish lamb or Angus beef, while the local Lanark Blue is said to rival any French variety of cheese.
Head to a traditional restaurant or pub to sample some of the country's classic meals, many of which offer a new twist on some of the old favourites. No visit to Scotland can be complete without sampling haggis, the nation's national dish, and Glasgow's Cafe Gandolfi and Stravaigin have been partly responsible for the renewed interest. What better way to combine Scottish-style comfort eating than with a wee dram, too?
Back to the top
Contemporary food
Edinburgh is now considered one of the top-three places to eat out in the UK, and for good reason. Alongside Glasgow, which boasts an award-winning collection of ethnic restaurants, the city is helping to develop a new, modern side to Scottish cuisine. This hasn't gone unnoticed – Scottish restaurants and chefs have won numerous awards in recent years, and this trend is showing no signs of slowing down.
The capital is home to chefs including Martin Wishart, whose Leith restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star, while the top-notch dining experiences to be found at The Witchery and Oloroso contribute to Edinburgh's first-class culinary reputation. It's no wonder then that both locals and visitors tend to feel pretty satisfied after their evening meal.
Fans of international cuisine should head to Glasgow, where just about every taste is catered for. From world class curry and Thai food to French and Italian creations, visitors and locals alike are spoiled for choice. Head to Cafe Gramofon for some Eastern European flavour or Mother India for dishes inspired by the subcontinent. It's not just the big cities where the best restaurants are located. The first eatery to receive two Michelin stars is located at Gleaneagles Hotel in Perthshire, while among the best restaurants to sample Highland produce is RocPool in Inverness.
While the selection of Scotland's restaurants is undeniably impressive, so too is the atmosphere of its eateries and pubs – which is always friendly, no matter how much your meal costs.
Back to the top
Weather
Scotland's weather tends to be pretty variable, which explains the adage "if you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes". Far from being meaningless, there is an element of truth in it – while it could be drizzly and overcast one day, the next could be blessed with stunning blue skies and warm sunshine.
If you want to avoid the rain, try and arrive between April and June, which tends to be the driest. While the west coast is wetter, it is slightly less windy than the east coast. While summertime temperatures rarely top 25°C, they tend to average out at a pleasant 15-20°C. Average temperatures in the winter range from 0-5°C, although it's worth bearing in mind the wind chill factor. Don't forget that weather patterns fluctuate in both summer and winter, so remember to be prepared!
Back to the top
Winter
Winters in Scotland aren't always bitterly cold, but if it is chilly outside there are plenty of things you can do to keep warm. Perhaps a dram alongside an open fire at Uisge Beatha in Glasgow ticks your boxes, or if not, a nice hearty 'haggis, neeps and tatties' certainly will. Another superb venue to shelter from the cold is The Bothy in Perth – that said, just about any pub in Scotland will warm you up in next to no time.
The run up to Christmas is an excellent time to visit Scotland thanks to the numerous festivals and fairs taking place. The most famous, and arguably the biggest, is Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations, which is considered the best way to see in the Scottish New Year.
If you're a winter sports enthusiast, you can look forward to taking advantage of the nation's skiing and mountain biking during the months of winter, with the Highlands being the most exciting destination for thrill-seekers.
Back to the top
Spring
Scotland's countryside wakes up during the spring, with the warm air breathing life into the landscape's trees and flowers. The longer days are also synonymous with the new breed of lambs on the Scottish hillsides.
Spring is always welcome after a blustery winter. It tends to be a balance of being cold enough to enjoy indoor comforts while being mild enough to explore the great outdoors. If rambling is your thing, you may wish to explore the West Highland Way. The warmer temperatures also mark the beginning of festival season, and one of the most attended is the Glasgow Comedy Festival, which takes place every March.
Back to the top
Summer
Scottish summer days are notoriously long. Depending on how far north you travel, daylight is still visible until after 10pm. If the weather's good and the sun shining, a trip to the Hebridean islands' beaches are a must – after all, the longer days means more time to explore! A particularly magical time to visit is the summer solstice, with the beaches having an inescapable air of mystery about them.
The al fresco scene in Scotland also comes alive during the summer, and one of the best places to experience some outdoor dining is Glasgow's trendy Merchant City. Gardens and parks in the city – as in Edinburgh – are packed full of people making the most of the weather, and nowhere is this epitomised better than Edinburgh's International Book Festival, held in the stunning Charlotte Square Gardens.
Back to the top
Autumn
Autumn in Scotland is all about the colours, and the best can be seen in Perthshire, an area known as Big Tree Country. Faskally Wood is particularly beautiful, with the changing leaves providing a stunning backdrop for walkers.
The fall is also an excellent time of year to sample Scotland's whiskies, with their amber tones perfectly reflecting the autumnal shades surrounding them. Head to Speyside and explore some of the country's best distilleries.
Animal lovers can get excited about the rutting season for Scotland's red deer, but if you're not somewhere rural, the nation's autumnal flavours can be sampled in the cities' restaurants. Among the best-loved is Glasgow's Ubiquitous Chip, which serves dishes including peat-smoked haddock and roast Perthshire pigeon.
Back to the top
View All Top Tips Lists