It can really spoil your holiday… you arrive at your hotel and open your suitcase and scream with dismay when you look inside.

All your clothes are creased… the sun cream bottle has burst and your nice new jacket is still lying on the bed at home.

What a nightmare!

But, take heart, with a little bit of know-how you will never find yourself feeling like that again.

So, what to do?

Let’s start with Preparation.

Yes, even if you have the most frantic of lives you still need to make time in your busy schedule to prepare before you pack your suitcase.

Leave it to the last minute at your peril. To avoid disaster you need to spend some time thinking about what you need on your vacation.

First, you need to think about where you’re going and how long you’ll be on vacation. A long weekend visiting family or friends at Christmas in the UK will need a completely different packing list to a month in Australia at the same time.

The weather can make such a difference to what you pack in your suitcase so, the first thing to do is to check the weather forecast for the place you plan to visit and pack your suitcase accordingly.

Now you’ve done the first part of your preparation it’s time to sit down and make a list of all the things you will need on your vacation. Then the hard part… crossing of the list a few of the things you can do without. Remember, when you reach your vacation destination you can always buy things there if you need them.

If you are flying to your destination make sure you know the limit of your baggage allowance, as most budget airlines today charge substantial excess charges for overweight baggage. Make sure you weigh your baggage before leaving home if your want to avoid paying extra.

Only take the minimum amount of toiletries with you as you can always buy more locally. Always pack them in sealable plastic containers to prevent any spillage from damaging your clothing.

The Rolling Method of packing your clothes is a great way to reduce creases and wrinkles.

Photo: AnsyDuPiton.com

For example, take a shirt… lay if face down on the bed and fold the arms neatly behind it. Fold the shirt in half lengthways and lay another shirt or a tee shirt folded in the same way on top.

Then, from the bottom of the shirt roll them both together into a reasonably tight roll. The idea behind this method is that by rolling the clothes they are being wrinkled less right from the start and as the rolling creates a gentle bend in the clothes it will recover when unrolled and given a gentle shake… Try it…it works!

Photo: Molly Feltner

You can put three or four or more items together in a roll and because you are creating a gentler bend there will be less creases in your clothes.

It’s best to roll your socks and underwear and put them inside shoes or boots which can then go inside plastic bags and fit either in the bottom or sides of your suitcase.

Photo: trundstrom

You don’t need to roll all your clothes… Jeans and trousers fold in half easily and are best placed in the bottom of your suitcase.

It’s best to put jackets, sweaters and heavy items like books at the bottom of your suitcase with lighter clothing placed on top of them… and then put your clothing rolls at the very top.

The best place to put your toiletries bag is right in the center of your suitcase. Cushioning it in between your clothing rolls is a good place as it will reduce the chance of damage from squashing.

It can help to decide in advance the outfits you want to wear each day and then pack each outfit in individual re-sealable bags and then roll them up.

If you’re flying  make sure you have a change of clothing in your carry-on luggage. Unfortunately, luggage does go missing from time to time and it can take a day or two before you get it back.

If you like to buy new things when on vacation and need to make space in your suitcase to bring your new purchases home… It’s a good idea to take some old clothing with you to wear. You can throw them away before coming home.

It’s also useful to have some sort of identifying tag on your suitcase so you can recognise it… especially if you’re flying. So many suitcases look the same today it can be difficult spotting yours on the baggage belt.

And, if you’re buying a new suitcase, don’t buy a black one… There are so many black suitcases it can be really hard to spot yours… Get a bright colored one like ‘Red’ or ‘White’ and save yourself a lot of hassle.

Also, make sure you don’t pack the cat!

Photo: libraryrachel

If you have read Dan Brown’s book ‘The Da Vinci Code’ or watched the film of the same name starring Tom Hanks you will have some knowledge of Rosslyn Chapel.

If you haven’t read the book or watched the film… don’t worry because when you visit Rosslyn Chapel you will be captivated by its history and amazed by its beautiful architecture.

Rosslyn Chapel is only a 7 mile drive from the centre of Edinburgh and is a great place to visit for the day either on your own or as part of a tour party.

Photo: TFDuesing

It is a very popular tourist attraction visited by coach loads of people every day. If you want to see it at its best I would advise you to go early in the morning where you will be able to explore comfortably before most of the coach parties arrive. The chapel opens at 9.30AM on Monday – Saturday and 12.00 noon on Sunday’s.

Guided talks, in English, lasting for about 30 minutes are available throughout the day. They usually start on the hour every hour and you can chat to the guides before and afterwards and ask them all your questions. You will find them to be very knowledgeable and very friendly.

If you visit Rosslyn Chapel between January 2009 and July 2010 be prepared for the major conservation program currently being carried out.

Rosslyn Chapel was founded by the St Clair family in 1446 and is still owned by the family. In 1995 the Earl of Rosslyn put in place the Rosslyn Chapel Trust responsible for overseeing the Chapel conservation programme.

The Chapel is now having £13 invested into its conservation. But, this is a fascinating period in the history of the chapel and when you visit you will be able to see world-class professionals working skilfully to ensure this  magnificent building is conserved to be enjoyed by many generations of visitors to come.

Photo: landhere

If you are in Edinburgh on vacation I would recommend you visit Rosslyn Chapel especially during the conservation period as it is a real opportunity to photograph one of Scotland’s famous buildings at a special time in its history.

Note however, video or photography is not permitted inside the Chapel but, you can take as may photos as you want outside the Chapel.

However, you can buy a CD-Rom containing 70 professionally taken photographs for the Chapel or from their online shop.

It will take you about 2 to 3 hours to really see Rosslyn Chapel at your leisure. This is more than just a walk in the front door and a stroll in the churchyard. There is real history to be seen and felt in this place. So, give yourself plenty of time to really enjoy the experience.

Here are some of the things you can do on your visit:

• Learn all about the remarkable history from a knowledgeable guide on a guided tour
• Enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the Chapel gardens and look for the gravestones of the founding family
• Spend time identifying the native and exotic plant carvings
• Examine the original architects’ drawings etched onto the wall in the Sacristy
• View Rosslyn Chapel from a distance by climbing up onto the canopy
• Use your powers of deduction to find the foundation date of the Chapel high up on the outside walls
• Seek and find the most difficult carving to find in the Chapel – the death mask of Robert the Bruce
• Take home a beautiful souvenir of your visit from the Chapel shop

In addition to the guided tour I would recommend you buy the official Rosslyn Chapel Guidebook written by the Earl of Rosslyn. At only £4.25 it is a real treasure chest full of fascinating information about the family history including many stunning color photographs of the Chapel and poetry from many of the famous poets who have visited the Chapel.

Photo: TFDuesing

Every country has a favorite song its people rally to and call their own.

Scotland is no exception.

But, Scotland does not have an official national anthem of its own as ‘God Save The Queen’ is the national anthem of the United Kingdom.

Nevertheless, Scottish people are a passionate people who are proud of their country and their heritage and so the demand for a Scotland national anthem is gathering pace.

The Scottish Parliament have the legal power to choose a national anthem for Scotland but have still to debate the matter. They need to hurry up!

An unofficial poll by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in 2006 asking visitors to their website to vote for their favorite song to be Scotland’s national anthem came up with the following result:

10,000 votes were recorded.

1. Flower of Scotland – 41%
2. Scotland the Brave – 29%
3. Highland Cathedral – 16%
4. A Man’s A Man For A’ That – 7%
5. Scot’s Wha Hae – 6%

In this post I’m having a look at Scotland the Brave…

Scotland the Brave is a wonderful song full of the Highland traditions of Scotland.

It brings to mind images of the old times in Scotland with the bagpipes calling the people together in the hills and glens of the Scottish Highlands.

Images of passionate people proud of the beauty of their country and the friendships to be found there.

Thoughts of home for Scottish people who have traveled to distant shores and have a homesickness in their hearts for their country and a burning desire to return.

It is a stirring song with a lively rhythm bringing a spring to your step and a swirl of your kilt as you hear it played on the bagpipes…

It is a fitting contender to be chosen as Scotland’s national anthem.

Have a listen to this utube video and you will see what I mean…

The tune was written about the beginning of the 20th century.

The lyrics were written by a Scottish journalist… Cliff Hanley… round about 1950 for a popular Scottish entertainer of the time… Robert Wilson.

Have a read through the lyrics below and if you feel inclined sing them as you listen to the bagpipes playing in the video.

Scotland the Brave

Lyrics by Cliff Hanley

Hark! When the night is falling
Hark! Hear the pipes are calling,
Loudly and proudly calling, down through the glen.
There where the hills are sleeping,
Now feel the blood a-leaping,
High as the spirits of the old Highland men.

Chorus
Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud standards gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart for ever, Scotland the brave.

High in the misty Highlands,
Out by the purple islands,
Brave are the hearts that beat beneath Scottish skies.
Wild are the winds to meet you,
Staunch are the friends that greet you,
Kind as the love that shines from fair maidens’ eyes.

Chorus

Far off in sunlit places,
Sad are the Scottish faces,
Yearning to feel the kiss of sweet Scottish rain.
Where tropic skies are beaming,
Love sets the heart a-dreaming,
Longing and dreaming for the homeland again.

Chorus

There are loads of Scotland travel tours you can take when you are on vacation in Scotland and some of the best can be found in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is a great place for you to take tours as most of the good things to see and do are in the city center or within a few minutes using local transport.

1. Taking A Tour On A Bus

One of the best ways of seeing Edinburgh for the first time is to take a trip on a local bus. There are city trips you can take on open-top buses where you buy a ticket and you can hop on and off as you wish. Or you can travel by a regular ‘Lothian Bus’ to see places of interest all over the city.

Photo: lambda_X

Tours by bus leave from Edinburgh to all parts of Scotland. You can also take luxury coaches for day tours or package tours lasting for a number of days from Edinburgh.

For example, here are a few of the tours offered by Scotline Tours, Edinburgh

1. Scottish Border Abbeys Tour
2. Highland Spirit, Castle & Whisky Tour
3. Day Tour to The West Highlands, Loch Ness & The Isle of Skye

Photo: nagillum

2. Tours To Take In Edinburgh Using A Travel Pass

A really great way to see Edinburgh is to buy a travel pass. It is a very cost effective way of doing your sightseeing as it includes ‘free’ entry into 30 top attractions in Edinburgh.

There is a travel pass for adults and children available for 1, 2 or 3 days.

You can buy the travel pass at tourist information centers and other local venues.

A few of the attractions included in the pass having free entry are:

• The 3D Loch Ness Experience
• Auld Reekie Tours-The Haunted Underground Tour
• Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
• Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour
• John Knox House
• Mercat Tours – The Historic Vaults Tour
• Mercat Tours – Secrets of the Royal Mile
• National Galleries of Scotland
• Glenkinchie Distillery
• and many more…

Photo: harshilshah100

3. Should You Take An Organised Tour?

Most people agree that the best advantage to taking an organised tour in Edinburgh is having a guide… that is someone… a person who will tell you all the insider bits you can’t find in a guide book.

There is nothing better than being in the company of a local person who knows his subject inside out… who can tell you really interesting stories only local people know and who will answer your questions accurately and completely.

But, if you don’t like being tied to a group and a guide then maybe taking an organised tour is not for you. It may be you prefer to buy a good local guide book and set of exploring the city using local buses, trains and soon the tram, to find out for yourself the magic and splendour that is Edinburgh.

If you like to get back to basics when you go on vacation then there is no better Scotland travel tour than chatting to the local Scots in a pub. You will be made to feel very welcome.

Photo: VerseVend

You have worked hard all year and you want to book a vacation in Scotland but you don’t have much time to make all the arrangements yourself.

So, what you do?

Choose your vacation from a range of Scotland travel packages.

Busy people find booking travel packages is the preferred way to go because it saves them so much time.

Once you have decided where you want to go you can save a lot of time by simply giving your preferred destination, departure and return dates and your budget to your local travel agent and asking them to find the best travel package for you.

Also, using a travel agent to arrange the complete travel package for you makes a lot of sense if you have the time but don’t have a lot of experience, or lack confidence in doing this yourself.

Your travel agent is very knowledgeable and will look after your interests. This is especially important if you are traveling overseas where you may need a visa and different currency.

Can You Save Money Through Booking A Travel Package?

Surprisingly, the answer is Yes!

Booking a travel package can be very cost effective when compared to making separate arrangements for flights, accommodation, local travel tours and car hire because travel agents spend a lot of time negotiating special rates with suppliers so they can competitively give you savings on the cost of your vacation.

And, if you leave your decision to book a vacation to the last minute and you are flexible as to your choice of destination you will find travel agents will have a good selection of travel packages available for you at discount prices.

You can expect the travel packages with the biggest discounts will be those for people who wish to go on vacation out of season.

The value of the discounted travel packages will depend upon a few key things:

• How long will you be on vacation?
• The dates for your vacation
• The standard of accommodation you require

Some of the travel packages may also include additional items like:

• Low cost car hire
• Discount coupons to local shopping stores
• Cut-price tickets to local tours and attractions

How About An All Inclusive Travel Package?

For people who want to be really pampered on vacation taking an all inclusive travel package is the way to go. This can be a really great way of saving money and time as all your food and drinks are included as part of the travel package.

There are many ways to enjoy your vacation in the beautiful country of Scotland.

It may be there is a Scotland travel package waiting just for you… all you have to do is book it.

More information on Scottish Travel Packages from around the web

Day Tours Of Scotland

Discover Scotland’s haunted history on day tours of Scotland. With a rich history dating back to the Neolithic Age, a day trip to haunted locations  will liven up your Scotland vacation packages with mysterious places, legends and scary tales.  Perhaps you’ll even see or hear a ghost! Click here to read more…

When you decide to go on vacation part of the downside of it all is getting yourself organised to do something that is way out of your normal routine and most likely way out of your comfort zone.

So, I have put together for you in these Scottish travel tips ….ways to make your vacation easier, safer and more enjoyable for you.

Tip #1 Make Sure You Confirm your Reservations

There is no bigger nightmare than turning up at an airport expecting to take a flight to discover the airline has never heard of you.

So, always confirm your flight details at least the day before you are due to fly out.

Do the same with you hotel accommodation.

If you have booked you vacation with a travel agent check all the details with them  a day or two before you are due to leave.

Tip #2 Always Leave Your Itinerary With Family Or A Friend

It is always important and also courteous to leave a copy of your itinerary with a member of your family or a friend so if something happens back home they will know where you are and can get in contact with you in a reasonable time.

It helps to have a chat with your family or friend and decide between you how often you should be in contact with them when you are away.

Keeping in regular contact prevents your family from worrying about you if they do not hear from you for a while.

There are lots of places where you can access the internet when you are on vacation so it is really easy to send emails regularly.

Tip #3 Don’t Travel With Too Much Luggage!

The temptation is always there when going on vacation to pack as much as possible into your luggage to cater for every type of weather.

Try to resist the temptation… not easy I know. I struggle with this every time I go on vacation.

If you are flying, make sure you know what your luggage weight allowance is before you go… And make sure you weigh your luggage to be sure you are within the luggage allowance. Many budget airlines charge a hefty premium for overweight luggage.

Tip #4 Put Your Personal Papers Into Your Hand Luggage

It is a sad fact, but so much luggage goes astray at airports today so you must be prepared for it to happen to you.

Make sure you put all of your important papers in your hand luggage and carry it onto the plane. This will include your itinerary and any tickets you have for pre-booked tours you will take on your vacation.

If you are taking medication make sure you pack this in your hand luggage also.

It can be very useful if you include a few items of essential clothing in your hand luggage. They will help you out while you are waiting to be re-united with your luggage.

Tip #5 Arrive At The Airport With Time To Spare

Find out from your travel agent or online booking when the check-in time for your flight begins.

Just as important is to find out the time when the check-in for your flight closes. Many budget airlines are turning passengers away because they arrive at the check-in desk late. The plane may still be at the airport, but if you arrive after the check-in desk closes you may miss your flight.

So, include enough time into your schedule to allow for delays in your journey to the airport.

If you do arrive at the airport at the last minute find an agent straight away, explain your situation to them and ask for their help to get you through the check-in process.

Do not just join the line expecting someone to contact you. They won’t.

The important thing for you to remember when you read these Scotland travel tips is you are going on vacation so relax, don’t panic and most of all… enjoy the trip!

More information from around the web on Scotland travel tips…

Travel Tips To Visit Scotland

Scotland is one of the best islands for travel and tourism. Due to natural beauty, Scotland is regarded as “Heaven on Earth”. This wonderful island of Great Britain has numbers of tourist destinations and places to see. Here we are offering travel tips to visit Scotland using that you can make your travel to Scotland trip more incredible and memorable. Click here to read more…

Visiting The Isle of Harris in the Western Isles of Scotland

Bathing on the beach for most of my vacation has never been my idea of fun. Please don’t misunderstand me, at times I really do enjoy relaxing on a beach, but, I also like to explore a little inland too. I really like to spend time just soaking in the atmosphere of the place, I also like to experience the local culture and especially enjoy sampling the food. If the truth is to be known I simply enjoy visiting new places each year and I go to great lengths attempting to discover somewhere or something totally unique. Click here to read more…

Scotland travel deals are easy to find but there are a number of things you need to keep in mind if you want to find the very best travel deals and save money.

Saving money is a really good idea…isn’t it?

 Vacation in Scotland! It’s you dream destination no matter what the cost isn’t it?

But it makes sense to go find the best deal anyway so you have more Scottish pounds left over for that extra box of shortbread or bottle of malt whisky.

So, what can you do to save money?

1. Save Money By Planning Ahead

You really can save money by planning ahead. Most airline companies today offer big savings on their flights if you book early.

Whenever you have decided upon your travel dates start your searches for your flights, accommodation and local tour tickets.

There are savings to be had when you book your Scotland travel vacation with a travel agent or using an online website. It is best to do your research with both to find the best travel deals available.

Photo: Prasoon Jaiswal

My favorite online websites are:

• LonelyPlanet.com
• Travelocity.com
• Expedia.com

I suggest you do your research first using the online websites and once you find two or three good travel deals go and visit your local travel agents to see if they can offer you a better deal.

Travel agents usually bulk buy vacation packages in advance to secure low prices for their clients.

It is amazing how often the personal approach to your travel agent will save you money… if your online research was diligent.

2. Save Money By Buying a Package Travel Deal

You can save quite a lot of money if you purchase a package travel deal. It is also a great way of taking the stress out of your vacation as all the arrangements are in place before you travel. All you have to do is turn up at the airport and go enjoy your vacation knowing all you flights, hotels, and local tours are booked for you in advance by your travel agent.

3. Save Money By Joining A Travel Club

You can find some really good vacation savings if you are in the USA by searching and joining travel clubs like AAA and AARP. Both these travel clubs have extensive members services to help you save money on your vacation to Scotland.

3. Save Money By Traveling Out Of Season

If you are able to take your vacation out of season you can really save a lot of money. Travel agents often have packages available for out of season travelers where they have negotiated lower rates with the airline companies, hotels and local tour operators as there is usually a lot of spare capacity for these services out of season.

4. Save Money By Traveling Midweek

If you are able to start you vacation midweek you will also save money on your travel deal. Doing an online search or giving your travel agent your midweek dates will find you the best offers.

5. Save Money By Using Travel Discount Coupons

You can save money on your travel deal by searching online for travel discount coupons. If you do a Google search for “Travel Discount Coupons” … include the quotes in you search… you will find lots of offers available for you to check out.

If you use travel coupons make sure you understand what is included before you use them.

So, the key thing to do before picking your best Scotland travel deals is to make sure you do your research thoroughly… and then you will have a great vacation!

More information on Scotland Travel Deals from around the web

Free Golf In Scotland

It’s no secret the economy is suffering and travel is down, and as I have already noted several times this year, that is driving deals and bargains like we have never seen. Scotland is no exception, and the clever marketers at Visit Scotland, the nation’s tourism promoter, have put together a year long golf giveaway worth a total of more than $4 million. That’s a lot of free tee times. Click here to read more…

Photo: Daniel Glifberg

Scotland travel tours are so numerous you could spend the rest of your life traveling in Scotland visiting historical places and revelling in the warmth and friendship of Scotland’s people.

Traveling in Scotland is very well organised and there are many companies who specialise in giving tourists a real ‘Scottish’ experience with the tours they have available.

So, when you want to arrange a tour you will find a huge choice available for you.
 
If you want a tour where you go with a group of people you will find companies who specialise in package tours where everything is arranged for you. You travel from place to place in a luxury coach with a guide to explain in detail all the things and places you are seeing…and you will stay in overnight accommodation of the highest quality. On this type of tour all you need to do is relax, allow others to take care of the arrangements… and have a great time!

If you prefer to make you own arrangements then there are many companies who can offer you self-drive tours. On this type of tour you are able to visit the places you want to see and do so at your own pace.

The are many speciality tours you can take.

For example:

Here are a few tours currently available from Viator Tours website

• 2-Day Inverness, Loch Ness and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh
• 5-Day Highland Explorer Small Group Tour from Edinburgh
• West Highland Lochs and Castles Small Group Day Trip from Edinburgh

Or how about some of these…

• Da Vinci Code and Scottish Borders Small Group Day Trip from Edinburgh
• St Andrews and Fife Small Group Day Trip from Edinburgh
• Edinburgh Ghost Hunter Night Walking Tour

The nice thing about any of these tours is they all come highly recommended from people who have been on them before. They are regular tours put together by the tour operators and changed to incorporate the reviews received from previous customers.

All Scotland travel tour operators do everything they can to make the time you spend visiting Scotland really special.

It does not matter whether you are in Scotland for two or three weeks… for a long weekend… or just for the day, you will find a tour to enjoy allowing you to find out a little bit more about this special, beautiful country.

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…