Scotland

Facts & Figures

Area: 78,772 sq km (30,414 sq mi)
Population: 5.1 million
Capital city: Edinburgh (pop 408,000)
People: Celts, Anglo-Saxons
Language: English, Gaelic
Religion: Presbyterian Church of Scotland, other Presbyterian churches, Anglicans, Catholics
Government: Parliamentary Democracy
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II
Prime Minister: Tony Blair

GDP: US$90 billion
GDP per head: US$18,000
Annual growth: 3%
Inflation: 3%
Major industries: Banking and finance, steel, transport equipment, oil and gas, whisky, tourism
Major trading partners: EU & USA Member of EU: yes

Traveling Guidelines

Visas: EU citizens may live and work free of any immigration controls. Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand are generally allowed to stay six months without a visa.
Health risks: None
Time: GMT/UTC
Electricity: 240V, 50Hz
Weights & Measures: Metric (except beer, which is measured in pints)

Ideal time to visit

The best time to visit Scotland is between May and September. April and October are acceptable as far as weather goes, but a lot of places are closed in October. The Highlands are pretty much off limits during winter, but Edinburgh and Glasgow are still worth visiting. Edinburgh becomes impossibly crowded during the festival in August, and you will have to book a very, very, very long time in advance.

Events

The highlight of Scotland's calendar is the Edinburgh Festival, held every August. This is one of the world's most important arts festivals, and its Fringe claims to be the largest in the world, with over 500 performers pushing the boundaries every year. The city's Military Tattoo is held at the same time. Glasgow has the World Pipe Band Championships in mid-August. All Scotland hits the streets for Hogmany, the Scottish celebration of New Year, and you can expect a better party than you've had for some time. For some truly unruly rugby, try the Ba' in Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, which has been held on Christmas Day and New Year's Day for centuries. It consists of two teams and some 400 alcohol-fuelled players, who turn the entire town into a giant rugby pitch for the day. The game starts at the cathedral and the harbour is one of the goals. Puritans should steer well clear.

Money & Costs

Currency: Pound sterling (£), euro

• Budget meal: US$5-10

• Mid-range restaurant meal: US$15-25

• Top-end restaurant meal: US$30+
  
  

• Budget room: US$15-30

• Mid-range hotel: US$40-100

• Top-end hotel: US$100+

Scotland is expensive, but nowhere near as expensive as England. Backpacker accommodation is much more readily available, so you'll be able to keep sleeping costs down. Edinburgh is more expensive than the countryside, and prices rise steeply in the Highlands and on the islands. Even outside these areas you'll still need at least US$30 a day, and if you stay in B&Bs, eat one sit-down meal a day and don't stint on entry fees, you'll need around US$65 a day.

The pound sterling is valid on both sides of the border, but Scottish banks also issue their own banknotes (which are generally accepted in England). Travellers' cheques are widely accepted in banks and you might as well buy them in pounds sterling to avoid changing currencies twice. Cashpoints (ATMs) are very common in Britain: most are linked to major credit cards as well as the Cirrus, Maestro and Plus cash networks, but if a machine swallows your card it can be a nightmare. Most banks insist on chopping it in half and sending it back to your home branch - very helpful.

If you eat in a Scottish restaurant you should leave a tip of at least 10% unless the service was unsatisfactory. Waiting staff are often paid derisory wages on the assumption that the money will be supplemented by tips. Some restaurants include a service charge on the bill, in which case a gratuity is unnecessary. Taxi drivers expect to be tipped about 10%