Scotland travel information would not be complete without including some of the countries fascinating facts. Scotland is an old country rich in history with magnificent scenery and enticing cities.

I am pleased to bring you 7 fascinating facts about Scotland and hope you find them interesting.
 
Fact #1: The Passion For Football In Scotland

Football, also known as soccer, is a game played with passion, spirit, pride and great skill all over Scotland. Organised and supervised by the Scottish Football Association it is without question the most popular spectator sport in the country.

The game is played at all levels of age and experience with most towns and cities having their own local team and supporters.

The two top teams are based in Glasgow and are ‘Rangers’ and ‘Celtic’. They compete fiercely every year to become Scottish league champions and to win the Scottish cup. There is something special about being in the crowd, soaking up the atmosphere when both teams play each other.

The Scotland team plays at Hampden, Scotland’s national stadium, where massive crowds, affectionately called ‘The Tartan Army’, gather to
support the team.
 
Fact #2: What About Scotland’s History?

The first people arrived in what is now known as Scotland in about 7000BC during the Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) period. The people of that time settled around the coast on the west of Scotland and lived on shellfish and by spear-fishing.

The Battle of Bannockburn is considered to be the most significant battle held upon Scottish soil when Robert the Bruce leading the Scots army defeated the English army on 24th June 1314.

An uneasy peace lasted for the next few hundred years sprinkled with the occasional battle with the English until finally in 1707 the two countries united and fell under the governance of the same parliament.

Today, the proud people of Scotland once again have their own parliament sitting in a brand new building in Edinburgh.

Fact #3: How Many People Live In Scotland?

According to the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS). At the last census in 2001 the total population of Scotland is estimated to be 5,144,200.

The main cities share of the population is:

• Glasgow           577,980
• Edinburgh        446,110
• Aberdeen        179,950
• Dundee            141,930
• Inverness           42,400
• Stirling               33,060

The population growth rate is shown to be 0.4%.

Fact #4: Edinburgh – The Capital Of Scotland

Edinburgh is situated near the estuary of the Firth of Forth on the eastern side of the country in Lothian region.

It is a vibrant city having one of the most beautiful cityscapes anywhere in the world. Visitors love this city with its mix of modern and traditional architecture proving a delight to all who walk along its scenic streets.

Fact #5: The Stunning Beauty Of The Highlands Of Scotland

The Highlands of Scotland contain some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery you will visit anywhere in the world. There are many mountain ranges in the region including Britain’s highest mountain… Ben Nevis.

Inverness is the main city in the Highlands situated at the top of the Caledonian canal and quite near to Loch Ness.

The Highlands are a haven for hill walkers, skiers, mountain climbers and all kinds of outdoor sports are available.

Fact #6: How Scotland Teaches Its People

Scotland recognised very early on the importance of giving all its people a good standard of education. The Scottish education system is very different from the education system used in other parts of the British Isles.

Scotland has 14 universities with the oldest being the ‘University of St. Andrews’ established in 1413 to ‘Queen Margaret University’, Edinburgh, originally founded in 1875 as a college, being converted to a university in 2007.

Fact #7: Opportunities For Employment In Scotland

Scotland offers lots of employment opportunities to people ranging from senior positions in large companies across a broad spectrum of industries to positions in the teaching, medical and legal professions.

The discovery of oil and gas in the North Sea in the early 1960’s strengthened Scotland’s industrial base creating many jobs for local people.

Aberdeen is now the offshore oil capital of Europe providing technical expertise to the oil industry worldwide.

More about Scotland Travel Information from around the web

Homecoming Scotland

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND BLOG AND DISCUSSION FORUMS CELEBRATING THE 250TH YEAR OF THE LIFE AND WORKS OF ROBERT BURNS ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER AND BEST KNOWN SCOTTISH POETS Click here to read more…

 Photo: SeaDave

Scotland Travel Information To Help You Plan Your Trip

Knowing what to expect when you get here can make the difference between a good time and a GREAT time, so let me help you prepare.  Click here to read more…

In this Scotland travel guide you will find an overview of the essence of Scotland that many tourists find when they visit today.

Scotland is a fine old European country with a heritage second to none. Over the centuries it was the scene of many important battles as it fought to maintain its independence.

It you like sport… in particular ‘Golf’ you will be aware Scotland is the home of golf with many championship courses including the famous old course at St Andrews.

It you like the history associated with Scottish castles you will be familiar with Balmoral Castle where Queen Elizabeth and members of the royal family go to for vacations and rest.

If you like a wee dram now and then… well you will be really interested in the history and heritage established in Scotland brought about by distilling Scotch Whisky.

If you have never experienced the thrill of ‘Highland Games’ then you are in for a treat. To see the beauty of Highland dancing synchronised with the skirl of the bagpipes is a true delight. And to witness big, strong highland men hammer throwing and caber tossing is enough to have you reaching for that extra shredded wheat in admiration.

Scotland truly is a marvelous country to visit for your vacation. Split into three very different regions… Highlands, Central Lowlands and Southern Uplands, it offers a wide variety of scenic attractions all within the boundaries of one small country.

Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, is a marvellous blend of ancient and modern. The ‘old town’ where the castle is linked by the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace… where Queen Elizabeth stays when she is in the city…is in startling contrast to the ‘new town’ with its modern shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and nightlife.

The old town and the new town are divided by the Princes Street gardens, a vast area where you can stroll at your leisure as you relax watching and listening to entertainers… especially during the Edinburgh Festival in August.

Edinburgh is also famous for its museums and art galleries with the Royal Museum and The National Gallery of Scotland taking pride of place.

Glasgow is larger than Edinburgh and is considered to be the industrial capital of Scotland. However, it also has a lively cultural side as it is home to both the Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet.

The city of Glasgow will have a Scotland travel guide of its own. It is the home to 13 Scottish museums containing some of the finest collections in Europe. The included notable museums like ‘The Burrell Collection’, ‘The Gallery of Modern Art’ and ‘The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens’ to name only some.

Glasgow is also famous for its shopping centres situated in traditional settings in great long pedestrianised streets like Argyle Street and Sauchiehall Street.

More information on Scotland Travel Guides for around the web

Jura Lodge

Whisky does suggest dark interiors done in rich woods and traditional shades, and populated with fat leather furniture, oils in the old fashioned pictorial sense and the heads of animals staring out at you from half way up the wall, and this image the Jura Lodge does nothing to mess with – just like the folks at Jura Lodge don’t mess with the recipe of the scotch whisky they’ve been brewing here since 1820. For this lodge is attached to the distillery and most people come here for a tour of it. Click here to read more…

Downloadable Self-drive Itineraries For Scotland

Written by locals, Secret Scotland’s downloadable self-drive guides are designed to give visitors unbiased information on Scotland’s best sights and accommodation. Click here to read more…

Enjoying The Scottish Highlands – Scotland Travel Guide

If you intend to go on a travel to Scotland, you need to take a minimum of 10 days to explore both the low and highlands of the Scotland. The place has to offer much more than anyone can imagine: from natural landscape to modern infrastructure, from simple buildings to historical monuments, and from theme parks to word-renowned golf parks. Click here to read more…