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= Tourism In Scotland =

2.0 BACKGROUND
Scotland is generally seen as a clean destination with beautiful scenery which has a long and complex history, combined with thousands of historic sites and attractions. These include prehistoric stone circles, standing stones and burial chambers, and various Bronze Age, Iron Age and Stone Age remains. There are also many historic castles, houses, and battlegrounds, ruins and museums. Many people are drawn by the culture of Scotland.

2.1 Land and Climate
Scotland makes up the northern third of Great Britain, which is close to the north-western coast of Europe. It is 78,772 km (30,414 sq. mi), similar to the size of Czech Republic. The Atlantic Ocean is on the west coast of Scotland the North Sea is on the east of Scotland. The 1237 Treaty of York between Scotland and the Kingdom of England helped to define the extent of Scotland’s territory, as well as the 1266 Treaty of Perth.

Scotland has a climate that is temperate and oceanic. It is warmed up because of the Gulf Stream that comes from the Atlantic Ocean. The winters are mild and the summers are cool and wet. Overall, the temperatures in Scotland are typically lower than the rest of the U.K. The coldest temperature in Scotland was -27.2°C and the highest temperature was 32.9°C, just to get an idea of the range. Furthermore, because of the Atlantic Ocean currents and the cold North Sea, western Scotland is warmer than the east. Tiree is also one of the places with the most sunshine. In addition, the Highlands receive a lot more rain than the lowlands. Furthermore, Braemer has about 59 snow days a year, while many coastal zones have less than 10 days of snow a year.

2.2 History
Several series of glaciation prevents us from seeing what Scotland was like before the Mesolithic period. After the glaciation melted, about 9,500 years ago, the first settlers came to Scotland. Skara Brae is one of the villages from this time period. There are also several burial sites found in the Northern and Western Isles that date back to this time in history.

Further prehistory of Scotland states that the Roman Empire took over Great Britain and called Scotland Britannia. Hadrian’s Wall was then created by the Romans to control people on both sides of the wall. It was built right below Scotland. This Roman rule in Scotland lasted about forty years.

Then, in the middle Ages, there were many Kings that ruled Scotland. David I began a stronger push for feudalism and reorganization. During this time, the Scots fought against England in the Hundred Years’ War to help France win.

Scotland endured many famines as different leaders took over ruler-ship. Eventually, the Kingdom of Great Britain was formed, which included England, Wales, and Ireland, as well as Scotland. In the 18th century, Glasgow became extremely important to world trade, especially in exporting tobacco. Scottish lowlands and highlands slowly became more separate in distinct in social class.

Soon, the Scottish Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution began. Glasgow grew immensely, as well as many other cities in Scotland. Infant mortality increased and overcrowding began to be a problem.

During the First World War, Scotland helped in British efforts to win. Shipbuilding expanded immensely during this time. In World War II, Scotland was very targeted by the Nazis because it had lots of resources like factories, ship yards, and coal mines.

After 1945, Scotland became less successful economically. Only recently has Scotland recovered with manufacturing high-tech electronics and becoming successful with oil and gas esports.

3.1 Population
The population of Scotland is 5,295,400, as of the 2011 Census. Sixty-two percent of that population is Scottish, 8% is British and Scottish, and 8% is exclusively British. Four percent is another identity. The largest city is Glasgow, with 584,000 people living there. The central belt of Scotland is where all of the main towns and cities are aligned, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee. Aberdeen is the only major city not within the belt. In 2011, there were 43,700 immigrants to Scotland from Wales and Northern Ireland or England. The fertility rate of Scotland is about 1.73, as of 2011. About 50% of these births come from unmarried women.

3.2 Government
Queen Elizabeth II has been the monarch of the U.K. since 1952. This was controversial in Scotland because there has never been an Elizabeth I in Scotland. Monarchs of the U.K. continue to use royal symbols to represent Scotland like the Royal Standard of Scotland, the Royal coat of arms.

Scotland is partly self-governed within the U.K. and is represented in Parliament. There are executive and legislative powers devolved in Scotland since 1999. The Parliament is still in charge of taxes, social security, defense, and international broadcasting and relations.

The Scottish Parliament can give consent back to the U.K. Parliament. The Scottish Parliament has 129 members in it. Scotland is also represented in the British House of Commons by Scottish constituencies that are elected based on different territories. The Secretary of State, David Mundell, leads Scotland’s office, which represent the U.K. government in Scotland.

3.3 Economy
The gross domestic product of Scotland is £152 billion, as of 2015, which is higher per capita than the rest of the U.K. The economy of Scotland is an opened-mixed economy, which is very western-styled and similar to the rest of the U.K. The main sources of industry in Scotland are shipbuilding, coal mining, petroleum, and steel. Scotland contributed £20 billion to the U.K. economy. In the 1970s, Scotland changed from a manufacturing economy to a service-oriented economy.

Scotland mainly exports whiskey and electronics to the U.S., Netherlands, Germany, France, and Norway. Furthermore, if Scotland did separate from the U.K., they would have 95% of the oil reserves.

Whiskey has become 85% of Scotland’s food and drink exports. There are 10,000 jobs associated with whiskey production and it contributes £400–682 million to Scotland. Tourism accounts for 5% of the Gross Domestic Product and 7.5% of employment in Scotland.

3.4 Language
There are three official languages in Scotland, which are English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic. Thirty-seven percent of the population speaks Scots. Gaelic is mainly used in the Western Isles, but just 1% of Scotland uses it (about 60,000 people).

3.5 Religion
Half of Scotland is Christian and about 37% have no religion. The Church of Scotland (the Kirk) is Protestant. This church has been independent from the state and has 398,389 people that participate, which is almost 8% of the population. Every community in Scotland has its own local congregation for this church.

There are also many Roman Catholics in Scotland, with about 20% practicing. The Free Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, and other Presbyterian churches are also very prevalent in Scotland.

Islam is about 1.5% of the population of Scotland. There are also some Jewish, Hindu, and Sikh groups. There is a monastery called the Samye Ling monastery in Scotland, which was the first monastery in Western Europe.

3.6 Food/Diet
Scottish cuisine is very similar to British and European cuisine. The food is a result of international and foreign influence with a lot of local animals and vegetation influence as well. Historically, the Scottish cooked very simply because they didn’t have a lot of spices from abroad.

Irn-Bru is the most popular soda, also referred to as “Scotland’s other national drink” after whisky. French cuisine also influenced Scottish food creations.

Some of the most popular traditional Scottish food items that you can expect to come across is haggis (stomach of an animal mixture), tatties (potatoes), neeps (turnips), Scottish broth, Cullin skink (soup), and cock-a-leekie (soup).

3.7 Customs/Courtesies
It is typical for men and women to shake hands when they meet each other. Scots are also very friendly and don’t like to make a fuss about things. They would rather just deal with the unfortunate situations of life than be a bother. Being too blunt can be considered impolite, and being over-polite is appreciated. You also do not want to touch someone unless you are very close to them, personally. Scots like their personal space. Furthermore, you should never call a Scottish person English because it can be offensive.

3.8 Holidays
St. Andrew’s Day is the national holiday on November 30th, which celebrates the Scottish patron saint, St. Andrew. Burn’s Day is usually more widely observed, especially outside of Scotland. This day commemorates the life of Robert Burns, a famous poet. He is most well-known for his piece, Auld Lang Syne. In 2006, Parliament made St. Andrew’s Day an official holiday. Tartan Day has also become a well-known holiday from Canada. This day celebrates having Scottish ancestry, despite where you presently live. 

4.1 Visa/Entry Requirements
A VISA is not required for a trip to Scotland if you are from the United States. A passport that doesn’t expire within six months will do for travels. Immigration Officers may also want proof that you will return (a round-trip ticket) and proof of means of support while you are visiting the country.

In order to receive a rental car or drive in Scotland, you need a valid driver’s license and one year of driving experience.

4.2 Currency
The Bank of England is the central bank in the UK. They use the pound sterling in Scotland. Scottish notes and English notes are accepted. Credit cards and debit cards are also widely accepted and there are many ATMs all around, so you will have access to cash.

One U.S. dollar is equal to 0.71 British pounds.

4.3 Key Tourism Niche Markets
The cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow are increasingly being seen as a cosmopolitan alternative to Scotland's countryside, with visitors year round, but the main tourist season is generally from April to October inclusive. In addition to these factors, the national tourist agency, VisitScotland, have deployed a strategy of niche marketing, aimed at exploiting, among other things, Scotland's strengths in golf, fishing and food and drink tourism. Another significant and increasingly popular reason for tourism to Scotland—especially by those from North America—is genealogy, with many visitors coming to Scotland to explore their family and ancestral roots. Scotland is also a popular destination for hunting, especially deer and grouse.

4.4 Level of Tourism Development
Scotland is a well-developed tourist destination, with tourism generally being responsible for sustaining 200,000 jobs mainly in the service sector, with tourist spending averaging at £4bn per year. In 2013, for example, UK visitors made 18.5 million visits to Scotland, staying 64.5 million nights and spending £3.7bn. In contrast, overseas residents made 1.58 million visits to Scotland, staying 15 million nights and spending £806m. In terms of overseas visitors, those from the United States made up 24% of visits to Scotland, with the United States being the largest source of overseas visitors, and Germany (9%), France (8%), Canada (7%) and Australia (6%), following behind.

Most visitors (for any purpose) to Scotland in 2016 came from the following countries:

Rank    Country           Number

1          United States 451,000

2          Germany        355,000

3          France            152,000

4          Canada           149,000

5          Poland            138,000

6          Australia         132,000

7          Italy                123,000

8          Netherlands    115,000

9          Ireland            96,000

10        Sweden          89,000

Total foreign               2,747,000

4.5 Transportation Options
Scotland is connected to England by a road, rail and air network. The airports Glasgow, Glasgow-Prestwick, Edinburgh and Aberdeen serve as the main international gateways to Scotland, with an expanding route network. In terms of international air links with Europe, the country is generally well connected, with daily flights from a variety of European cities, there are also direct flights operated from the main Scottish airports to destinations in North America such as New York City, Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. The expanding budget airline network from Scotland's airports is making a significant contribution to bringing more visitors to the country.

The country is also connected to mainland Europe by a car ferry service operating daily from Rosyth in Fife to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge. Ferry services also connect Scotland with Northern Ireland, operating between Stranraer and Belfast and Cairnryan and Larne.

The ferry to Gothenburg, Sweden, from "Newcastle" (actually North Shields) in northern England (currently run by the Danish company DFDS Seaways), ceased at the end of October 2006 "DFDS scraps Newcastle-Gothenburg line", The Local, 7 September 2006: "Danish shipping company DFDS Seaways is to scrap the only passenger ferry route between Sweden and Britain, with the axing of the Gothenburg-Newcastle route at the key route for Scottish tourist traffic from Sweden and Norway. The company cited high fuel prices and new competition from low-cost air services, especially Ryanair (which now flies to Stansted from Gothenburg City Airport), as being the cause. DFDS Seaways' sister company, DFDS Tor Line, will continue to run scheduled freight ships between Gothenburg and several English ports, including Newcastle, and these have limited capacity for passengers, but not private vehicles. It is unclear if the Newcastle-Kristiansand, Norway route is still going.

4.6.1 “Must See” Attractions
Edinburgh is the capital city. The Old and New Towns of the city constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Edinburgh is the largest tourist destination in Scotland and the second largest in the United Kingdom after London. The cities' major tourist attractions include Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Our Dynamic Earth and the Royal Mile. It has four universities including the University of Edinburgh founded in 1583.

Glasgow is the largest city in the country, and the second largest tourist destination after Edinburgh. Its attractions include the Burrell Collection, Glasgow Cathedral, the Glasgow Science Centre and the Kelvingrove Museum. In addition to this many tourists come to Glasgow for its renowned Victorian architecture and Gothic architecture as well as its shopping. The city has three universities, including the University of Glasgow founded in 1451, and is a UNESCO City of Music which hosts the world renowned Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Stirling is a historic city in central Scotland, some 30 miles to the north-west of Edinburgh, and is generally known as the "Gateway to the Highlands", due to its geographical position between highland and lowland Scotland. Amongst its attractions are Stirling Castle, the Wallace National Monument and the Thieves Pot/Thistles Centre.

Aberdeen is known as the "Granite City" and is renowned for its gothic architecture. It is a city of approximately 210,000 people and serves as the main administrative center for the north-east of Scotland. With its large port and harbor, Aberdeen serves as the departure point for the many ferries that connect the Scottish mainland with the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland. Aberdeen also has two universities, and a large student population.

St Andrews is a small, but busy town in north-east Fife. The royal burgh's economy is centered on the golf industry, with St Andrews being regarded as the home of the modern game. The University of St. Andrews (the oldest in Scotland) has colleges located throughout the town and a small museum on the history of the University which is open to the public free of charge.

Dundee is known as the "City of Discovery" and is the home of Scott of the Antarctic's ship the RRS Discovery. Dundee has two universities. It has a Jute museum called Verdant Works, an Anchor Point of ERIH - The European Route of Industrial Heritage.

Perth is a small but historic city on the east coast, which stands on the River Tay. Perth is known for its abundant parkland. Close by is the village of Scone, ancient capital of Scotland and former home to Scottish kings.

Inverness is the administrative center for the Highlands, close to Loch Ness and serves as a transport hub for much of the Highlands, with rail and bus services departing here too much of the northern and west Highlands. It is a popular destination for tourists wishing to explore the north of Scotland.

Ayrshire offers wonderful scenery, outdoor activities, enthralling history with links to William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Scotland’s best known poet, Robert Burns. Ayrshire also offers some of the finest golf courses in the world (32 in total).

Scotland also has many lochs, including Loch Lomond, and Loch Ness, which is considered by some to be the home of the Loch Ness monster. There are also many rivers, which are good for salmon and fly fishing. These include the Tay, Tweed, Don, and Dee.

Scotland's best known export is Scotch whisky and over a million visitors a year enjoy a tour around its Whisky distilleries.

Scotland is also the home of golf, with many historic and famous courses including, St Andrews, Gleneagles, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, and Muirfield. There are hundreds of other courses in the country.

4.6.2 Secondary Attractions
Other areas which are popular for tourists include the Highlands and the Hebrides, such as the Isle of Skye. Perthshire, the Scottish Borders and Orkney and Shetland.

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the United Kingdom, but there are many other significant mountains in Scotland. However, by international standards, all the mountains are relatively small. The Cuillin on the Isle of Skye offer some challenging climbs, such as the Inaccessible Pinnacle.

Scotland also has some amusement parks. One such park is M&D's in the town of Motherwell, North Lanarkshire.

4.7 Weather/Climate Concerns
Scottish weather is fairly consistent and mild. Like mentioned earlier, Scottish weather is temperate. The spring and autumn are very mild, with an average of 10 degrees Celsius. You may experience a rain shower or two, so make sure you bring a jacket, especially if you plan on hiking. If you plan on going into higher elevation, expect some bitter cold winds. Bring sturdy shoes because of the rocky terrain.

Summer is mild in Scotland. The average temperature is 16 degrees Celsius. Because Scotland has a high latitude, the days are usually longer than you would find in London, so be prepared for long hours of sunlight by bringing sun screen.

Winter may be the only season that isn't as mild. The temperature is usually 5 degrees Celsius. It snows about 20 days of winter. Bring your jackets and hope that there are no unusual snow storms that trap you. For the most part, it’s not severe weather.

4.8 Safety/Security Concerns (e.g. crime, health)
You may want to look out for Neds (local gangs). Rowdy boys on the street may be up to no good, especially if their football team loses, so keep up with the sports news.

During the summer, you will want to be weary of midges. They are little bugs that can burrow in your skin and make you itch. Keep bug spray on you often.

You will also want to make sure that you understand traffic rules. Animals have the right of way, so be on the lookout for cattle ranchers and farmers who may lead their farm animals across the road, especially if you take the back-roads.

4.9 Environmental Concerns (e.g. air quality)
While you visit Scotland, make sure to be aware of the conservation of resources, animals, and historic buildings. Scotland is trying to conserve those things the best it can. And like most countries, keeping the air quality pure, rivers clean, and emissions low is always a goal.

4.10 Socio-Cultural Concerns (e.g. cultural norms)
An important part of Scottish etiquette is to take turns buying drinks at a pub. It is also important to offer tea, coffee, or sweets of any kind to any visitors to your home. It is polite to accept these offerings.

Generally, Scots are seen to be friendly and only wish for you to reciprocate that friendliness.

4.11 Emergency Contacts (e.g. lose passport, consulates)
Call 999 for emergencies and 101 for situations that don’t require urgent care.

If you lose your passport abroad, you will typically have to pay a fee to get a replacement.

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