Scotland is a part of the United Kingdom. Located in the upper third of Great Britain, the country is surrounded on three sides by water. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and its second largest city, behind Glasgow; it is also one of Europe’s largest financial centers. Scotland has a fine tradition of education, being the first country after Ancient Greece to mandate compulsory schooling in 1496. Well known for bagpipes, kilt and being the home place of golf, Scotland has much to offer visitors.

History

Scotland’s history begins early with the first presence dating back 12,800 years with the influx of hunter gathering societies and the first buildings noted 9,500 year ago. Many centuries later the Romans took an interest in the British Isles during their expansion westward. They found determined fighters well able to defend their territory. As a result the Romans built the famous Hadrian Wall in the first century AD to keep the Scottish tribes out of England. Later, in the sixth century, during the Kingdom of the Picts the state became known by its’ current name of Scotland. Scotland remained an independent country until 1707 when it joined England to create Great Britain.

Culture and Sightseeing

Scotland offers endless opportunities so see unspoiled countryside. Scotland also sports a number of large cities filled with fine cuisine, theater and local arts. To truly enjoy Scotland, though, you should enjoy the outdoors as the country abounds with hiking, golfing, rock climbing and fishing. Sparsely populated and away from most tourist destinations, Scotland is a wonderful to relax and rejuvenate.

Eat & Drink

Dining in Scotland is a mix of local color and international flair. While traditional cuisine tends to be hearty, and you can expect a full “fry-up” at any good hotel in the morning, many other options exist. Seafood is plentiful and well prepared, with langoustines, oysters and crab commonly featured. Thai, French, Indian and Italian restaurants are abundant, fitting in with Scotland’s eclectic culinary tastes. And of course, no trip is complete without a stop at a pub for a pint or a shot of locally made Scotch Whisky and the ubiquitous fish and chips.