Welcome to Scotland
Welcome to the Scotland Journey blog, over the next few weeks we will be bringing you all sorts of articles about Scottish culture, great places to visit and famous Scottish people as well as offering an insight into the history of Scotland.
Scotland is a fascinating country with a bustling tourist trade and there are plenty of reasons to visit for a holiday. The proud history of this once independent nation can be seen reflected in the castles and monuments that litter our cities and countryside. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular and the remote highlands and islands of Scotland can be breathtaking in their beauty. In the cities you’ll find museums and art galleries, a lively social scene in pubs and clubs, lots of live music and plenty of good shopping locations. There are also loads of quality golf courses, plenty of water sports activities and a fanatical football scene.
Up until recently the slogan used to promote Scotland was “the best small country in the world” however the incoming SNP government have scrapped it suggesting we don’t need a qualifier and should aspire to be the best country in the world. The Scottish psyche is a complex beast both self deprecating and at times wildly over confident.
Scottish people are welcoming and friendly and whether you want to explore the history, soak up the culture or just relax you’ll find Scotland is a great place to be. The reality is far from the overly cute shortbread tin image, we don’t all wear kilts, few Scots listen to bagpipe music out of choice and there is a modern, creative and vibrant culture with many international ties. The modern stereotype is equally disingenuous and while there’s no denying that many Scots enjoy deep fried food and alcohol they are far from universal vices and you’ll find some great cuisine on offer here.
Millions of people visit Scotland every year for overnight trips or extended holidays and the tourism trade is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions to the economy. The majority of visitors come from the USA and often they are searching for a link to their roots. Many Scots have emigrated to the States over the years and there is now a busy industry concerned with mapping family genealogy as people try to trace their ancestors.
Although Scotland now has a devolved parliament which was established by the Scotland Act in 1998 this only allows for a limited set of powers and many important areas of government are still handled in Westminster in London. Scotland is still part of the United Kingdom but at the last election the Scottish National Party won the most seats and there are plans afoot for a national referendum which will allow the Scottish people to vote for full independence.
While Scotland is still officially part of the UK it has a different feel and character to England, Wales or Northern Ireland. It is truly a unique place and if you are interested in learning more about it then keep an eye on this blog.
