9. Everything and I mean, everything, shows right there on their faces. Talking too loudly in public is considered offensive and embarrassing. 31. You’ll be happy to hear that you only need to worry about midges if you’re hiking in tall grass. Read VisitScotland’s Scottish Wildlife Series to find out about six of the country’s coolest animals! From the 1200s to the 1300s the Scottish clan system became firmly established in the Highlands. Check out our list of wild things to do in the UK and Ireland this summer! Breathtaking views, spectacular wildlife and vibrant culture? Facts about Scotland: Important things to Know about Scotland! The country can be roughly divided into three areas – lowlands, Highlands and islands. And only go as far as you can safely navigate back. Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, was born and brought up in Edinburgh.. 33. Many people think of Scotland and only Edinburgh comes to mind. Great tips on LGBT+ friendly events and entertainment in Scotland. If you’re elsewhere in the world, you can try haggis on Burns Night (January 25th). Majestic mountains, frozen glaciers, beautiful cities and incredible wildlife…discover our fantastic fact about Canada! It’s named after the royal sons, so don’t call it Princess Street. Besides, no one needs to hear your conversation. Many animal species are protected in Scotland and there are two National Parks – the Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park – as well as numerous beautiful nature reserves, that have been set up to protect the land and the wildlife that lives there. In 1745 Charles Edward Stuart, or ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ as he is often known, travelled to Scotland to reclaim the thrones that his grandfather, once king of England, Ireland and Scotland, had lost in 1668. Driving in Scotland. You’re more apt to find quality items that were actually made in Scotland at smaller places that are off the high rent, tourist track. Cockney, Scot, or Irish? They have a thick accent and use unique phrases, and they know it. This can be a bottle of whiskey. Here are some useful links to help you plan your own trip. Here's everything you need to know about the Protect Scotland app, part of the Test and Protect service. Can’t wait to make a video for our YouTube channel. With so many habitats, there’s plenty of fascinating wildlife to see in Scotland. 10 Unique Things to Know About Scotland’s Culture. Here, Ben and glen are not men’s names, they mean mountain and valley, respectively. Tipping is not mandatory in Scotland and Scots wouldn’t dream of tipping at a pub. 10 Things You Should Know About Scotland. Tip: If you plan to hike, bring proper hiking equipment, including a map. e.g. Scotland… They voted to stay in the United Kingdom, but the result was close. I know what you mean by the accent. Please share this story with your friends. He had support from lots of Scottish clans but despite their early victories, they were defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Knowing some of the unique elements before you can can help prepare you for your trip. It is 658 feet, which is 3 times the height of Niagara Falls. Our top advice on everything you need for your trip to Scotland. Ok, but here is a great question… Which is the hardest to understand? I wanted to visit them all during my trip because there was something unique about each one of them. Many places hold this celebration in honor of Scottish author and poet Robert Burns. Scotland also has a strong history for producing influential writers, including the poet Robert Burns (you can find out more about him in VisitScotland’s Rabbie for Weans eBook), JM Barrie, author of Peter Pan and Sir Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes novels. Out on the mountains and in the moorland you might spot majestic red deer or mountain hares while the islands are the perfect place to spot seals and seabirds, such as puffins. The lowlandsare known for their fertile farmland and thick woodlands, the Highlands for their towering mountains, sweeping moorland and deep lochs, and the islands for their compact wild landscapes, beautiful beaches and far-reaching sea views. These are tourist services and it is often expected. Not fun having to carry insect repellent all around. The head of the Scottish Government is the First Minister. If you’re considering study in Scotland we’ve got all the information you need to keep you in the know. Don’t be shocked if you can’t understand them the first time. (A common response is, “aye.”). Scottish English is the regular English you or I know, spoken with a Scottish accent. In severe cases, you may even need a head net! Uniquely Scottish. This signalled the end of the Highland clan system. Check out our facts about the United States of America! Scotland is perfect in almost every way: its scenery is unparalleled, the land is littered with castles, their national cow is furry and adorable, and wearing tartan shawls is completely acceptable. Scottish Gaelic is an ancient Celtic language that evolved from Old Irish. Midges, or “midgies,” as the Scots call them, can be a real nuisance, especially in the Highlands. Ruled over by a clan chief, these clans were like tribes and were made up of family members and people who had a loyalty to the chief. The Scotland of the imagination is a land of rolling green hills, kilt-wearing bagpipers, and crumbling castles. Facepalm! And please don’t let the thought of eating organ meat intimidate you, because you’ve already done it. You Have Loads of Options. Get messy, explore and appreciate nature, all from the safety of home! Thanks for the tips! (I even enjoyed the video!). Hey, I just found this post, because I applied to study in Scotland as well and I don’t know a thing about Scotland. It was (and is) mostly spoken in the Highlands and the Hebrides. Scotland’s territory includes about 790 islands. We all know it’s as bonnie as it’s headstrong but what don’t we know? 5 Things You Might Not Know About Scotland . It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. You’ll find river dwellers such as  otters, salmon and trout and red squirrels and birds, such as capercaillies, find refuge in the thick forests. They also try to avoid any “small talk” while waiting, so as not to disturb others. For a full month, the city streets, cafés, and hotels overflow as thousands of tourists descend for a month full of theater, comedy, and music. The lowlandsare known for their fertile farmland and thick woodlands, the Highlands for their towering mountains, sweeping moorland a… If you don’t have the correct fare ready, you are going to lose a few pence. This website uses cookies (not edible ones!). Kristance Harlow. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Scottish Miscellany: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Scotland the Brave Join us on a bonnie adventure in our facts about Scotland…, Form of government: constitutional monarchy, Major mountain ranges: Southern Uplands, Central Lowlands, Grampian Mountains, North West Highlands, Major rivers: River Tay, River Spey, River Dee, River Tweed, River Clyde. So when visiting Scotland, avoid making any generalizations that group the Scots with the English. The main shopping street is Princes Street. LGBT+ holidays and breaks. Brilliant sunshine can turn into torrential rain in a matter of moments, and balmy temperatures can quickly turn frigid. Don’t pronounce it as Ed-in-burg or Ed-in-bor-row. This lush beautiful country is bursting with green spaces, lush forests, towering mountains and vast lochs (the Scottish word for lakes!). Here are 5 things you might not know about Scotland! Useless. Autumn is the best time to visit Scotland, when the heather is blooming and the kids are back at school. After all, what do you think they put in hot dogs and sausages? However, he didn’t look like Mel Gibson and he was never called Braveheart. The country now boasts a strong and varied economy, with industries such as financial and business, renewable energy and sustainable tourism. There are also Vikings, hard-core politics and vindaloo curries and so much more. We also want to help you make a good impression and avoid embarrassing yourself. Despite these uncertain times, the 1700s also saw the beginning of one of the greatest periods in Scotland’s history – the Scottish Enlightenment. The monster at the bottom of our loch, or the prickly plant we use as our national symbol? I learnt loads of new facts from this page! Reply. The Scots are a nation of innovators. Addie. 10. A large fear of mine, and something I know I’m not alone in, is accidentally offending a local while I’m in their country. I wasn’t aware of just how many islands Scotland has until I started researching for my trip. Pretty strong as I have a few blogging buddies from Scotland. There’s no table service at pubs; you order food at the bar. This post is a guide on how to travel to Ireland, the island. What makes Scotland unique? To find out more about spectacular Scotland, head to visitscotland.com! So thank your for your post. Scottish referendum: 50 fascinating facts you should know about Scotland . Throughout the centuries Scottish people have brought us a huge range of new concepts, architectural techniques, scientific discoveries, inventions and more. Tip: If you’re in Edinburgh, Scottish food tours like this one will guide you to the best haggis in town. Americans call these tiny biting flies “no-see-ums” for a reason. Logically, it is far more likely that she spent more time around the corner at Nicolson’s Cafe, which was owned by her brother-in-law until it closed down. Scotland … From 1850 – 1950 Scotland’s economy mainly centred around heavy industry like shipbuilding, coal mining, steel and iron ore mining and locomotive building. 🙂. Scotland has been populated for 12,000 years, and has a rich and complex history. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. People from Scotland are Scots (noun) or Scottish (adjective) Use the word Scotch when you’re talking about things that are of Scottish origin, like Scotch tape and Scotch whisky. You also pay for drinks when you order them. So if you have other Scotland travel tips, please share them in the comments. Guest blogger James from Worldwide Shopping Guide moved to Scotland from another European country a few years ago and provides a run-down of the most important things to sort out once you have cleared your visa and decided to make Scotland your new home. Her goal is to make travel easier for others and to offer a brief escape to another land. Scots, though, is an interesting language that some people argue is a dialect and not a separate language at all. The next round should always be bought before the previous round is finished. Scotland’s capital is Edinburgh. Before then, Great Britain didn’t exist. If you meet someone’s eye in passing, say “hello” and smile. a pre-selected message and a cool badge, […] Olympics: https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/countries/facts-about-scotland/ […], Scotland is cool but i like Germany better☺, We never talk about Scotland at school! Following centuries of Scotland’s policies lying in the hands of English politicians miles away in Westminster in London, a new Scottish Parliament was created and opened in 1999 at Holyrood in Edinburgh. Scottish Miscellany: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Scotland the Brave [Green, Jonathan] on Amazon.com. 2. If you can’t grasp what they’ve just said, most will be happy to slow down and repeat it. Did you know? Avoid shops displaying Loch Ness monster statues, “I love Scotland” t-shirts, or “souvenir of Scotland” boxes of shortbread. Drops below 5 mph, so carry some insect repellent with you during midge season ve done. 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