travel tips | scotland (eng.)

SCOTLAND

TRAVEL TIPS

VISÃO GERAL ATRAÇÕESTRANSPORTE COMPRAS ONDE FICAR ONDE COMEROVERVIEW ATTRACTIONSTRANSPORTATION SHOPPINGWHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT

OVERVIEW

Scotland, part of the United Kingdom, is renowned for its culture, charm and elegance. It is bordered by England to the south, and it lies between the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the North Sea to the east.

The country boasts beautiful rolling landscapes, castles, islands, lakes, rivers and a rich wildlife in the Highlands, often under gray clouds.

From the mountain valleys to the streets of

Edinburgh, Scotland is steeped in medieval tradition, and it charms and delights all who visit it. Its largest cities are Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, is one of Europe’s leading financial centers. It is also the site of the country’s most important historical attractions and its most famous whiskey distilleries. Glasgow is Scotland’s fashion center and its largest city.

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPSSCOTLAND

Scotland is the venue of many summer and spring festivals. The Edinburgh International Festival takes place the last three weeks of August, and features much music, dance, theater as well as displays of visual arts. This is considered one of the world’s largest festivals, drawing thousands of tourists from the world over.

The Fringe, a showcase for the performing arts and comedy, takes place during the first 25 days of August.

Explore Scotland and allow yourself to be captivated by its charm. It is a destination with much natural beauty, history and cultural tradition, where unforgettable experiences await you.

Scotland has a temperate climate with mild winters and pleasant summers, although rain is frequent and sunny days are rare.

Spring, from April to June, is cold and days are sunny. While summer is the most pleasant season, the fall is the most attractive, with bare trees, cold weather and frequent rain.

The best time of the year to visit Scotland is from May to September, when the days are longer and sunnier. In July and August, the weather is often unpredictable. In August and September, the festival months in Edinburgh, thousands of tourists arrive. The best seasons to visit the country are the spring and summer.

Another option, however, is to come in the winter, when the Highland ski areas are open.

TRANSPORT

Various means of transport are available for you to explore Scotland’s beautiful regions. The best option is to rent a car, although you can also see the country by train.

The Edinburgh and Glasgow airport websites list various options to get to the city centers. Express shuttle bus services such as that provided by AirLink(Edinburgh) and Glasgow Flyer Glasgow Flyer (Glasgow) are the most practical option.

CARRenting a car is the best option to see and explore cities throughout Scotland. The country has good roads, and the rural areas offer beautiful landscapes. An international driver’s license is not required.

The only drawback is that car rentals, as well as gasoline, are expensive.

TRAINThe best public transport option are trains, which offer frequent service between cities throughout the country. Tickets are sold at train stations and local travel agencies, by phone, or online at the websites of ScotRail and National Rail, the latter of which serves all of the United Kingdom’s rail companies.

BUSBuses are a less expensive option than trains. Buses generally cover longer distances than trains. The two largest bus companies in Scotland are National Express and Scottish Citylink.

SIGHTSEEING BUSESSightseeing buses, called “Hop-on Hop-off,” take you to city centers and landmarks, allowing you to get on and off as many times as you like.

PLANEFlying is not the most efficient way to travel within Scotland. Domestic flights are more appropriate for business travelers. The main airlines in the country are Flybe, British Airways, and Easter Airways. Edinburgh and Glasgow have the country’s main airports.

ATTRACTIONS

Visit Scotland’s various historical attractions. Delight in the natural landscapes, visit Edinburgh Castle, explore the whiskey distilleries, take a boat ride on Loch Ness and tour Neolithic


Orkney. You can also visit the museums to learn more about Scottish culture and history.

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is surrounded by breathtaking cliffs and encircled by beautiful woodland.

It is the setting of one of the world’s largest cultural events, the Edinburgh International Festival, during the city’s tourism high season.

Edinburgh is also the setting of many awe-inspiring stories related to its castle, museums and palaces, and it contains many international galleries.

Edinburgh Castle, which overlooks Old Town, is Scotland’s leading attraction. Various exhibits and important relics can be seen inside the castle, including the Crown Jewels and the Stone

of Destiny.Tours take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.

Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, is brimming with style and offers many attractions for visitors.

Its architecture ranges from Victorian to neoclassical, with examples of contemporary art, such as Clyde Auditorium and the Science Centre.

Visitors will find many museums and art galleries that are part of a cultural scene that boasts exhibits of renowned artists, and a wide range of shows, concerts, operas and ballet performances.

The bustling pubs of the West End and Merchant City attract thousands of young people on weekends.

Loch Ness has gained international fame thanks to the supposed sightings of a monster


named Nessie. 14 kilometers long and more than 700 meters deep in some places, it is Scotland’s largest lake by volume of water. Consider booking a boat tour in advance in order to appreciate the beautiful surrounding landscapes and ride on its mysterious waters.

The Orkney Islands contain a great wealth of monuments from the Neolithic Era. The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is steeped in history and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The archipelago has close to 20,000 inhabitants and a beautiful landscape of green hills and fields, rocky peaks rising from the sea, cliffs and sandy beaches. Finally, there are ancient ruins left by the area’s early inhabitants.

Kirkwall, the capital of the islands, is overlooked by St. Magnus Cathedral. Many stories of Viking invasions have been passed

down. One of the main landmarks on the islands is the Ring of Brodgar.

All the isles should be explored to appreciate the unique and exclusive nature of each. A visit to the Orkney Islands is an unforgettable adventure.

At the National Museum of Scotland, a must stop, you will learn about the history of the country’s kings and queens and observe important objects and works related to Scottish history. Admission is free.

The Royal Yacht Britannia, one of the most famous ships in the world, was part of the history of the British Royal Family for 44 years. Make the most of your visit and have a cup of tea in the Royal Deck Tea Room! Tours last about 1.5 hours.

Edinburgh Zoo, one of the city’s most popular attractions, is home to more than 1,000 animal species. The largest draws are the panda couple and the penguin pool. This is a perfect outing for the entire family.

In Edinburgh, The Scotch Whisky Experience offers an incredible tour on the history of whiskey and how it is made. Tastings are even available for lovers of this spirit. The world’s largest whiskey collection is on display, with more than 3,000 bottles donated by Brazilian Diageo Claive Vidiz.

The facilities are handicapped-accessible. Sight-impaired persons may enjoy the attraction with printed material, and visual material is available for persons with hearing difficulties.

Scott Monument is a tower built to honor one


of Scotland’s greatest writers: Sir Walter Scott. The style of the monument is Victorian Gothic, and it has a 287-step narrow spiral stairway. The panoramic view of the city makes the climb well worth the effort.

WHERE TO STAY

The various regions of Scotland offer a wide range of accommodation. Scotland has a variety of hotels, luxurious castles, hostels, bed & breakfasts and extended-stay apartments.

The cities that receive the largest number of visitors are Edinburgh and Glasgow.

In Edinburgh, another good option, in addition to B&Bs and hotels, is to stay at apartments of local residents in order to experience the city’s lifestyle.

The most luxurious hotel in Edinburgh is the Balmoral. It is in the heart of the city, on one of Edinburgh’s main streets, Princes Street, near Waverley Station, the city’s main train station.

In addition, luxury hotel chains, including Missoni, Sheraton and Hilton Caledonian, are also represented here.

DINING OUT

Scotland offers an enormous gastronomic variety, with Italian, Chinese, Indian and Spanish restaurants as well as steak houses.

Scotland has a highly unique cuisine. One of the country’s typical dishes is haggis, which consists of a platter of meat accompanied by mashed and sweet potatoes.

Another typical Scottish dish is Scots broth, a soup made with lentils, peas, barley and lamb.

Mince and tatties is a traditional dish consisting of minced beef served with potatoes. It is made with famous Aberdeen Angus beef.

Fish and chips is a dish that is also served at most restaurants in Scotland.

Scots also often eat salmon either baked or fried with lemon and butter sauce. Restaurants normally serve smoked Scottish salmon as an appetizer.

Breakfast at most hotels in Scotland is hearty, and consists of scrambled eggs, bacon, grilled tomatoes, beans, and, on occasion, smoked herring.

Cranachan, a traditional Scottish dessert, is made with fresh raspberries, honey, whipped cream, oatmeal and Scotch whiskey. Another

common dessert is clootie dumplings, which are made with dried fruit, grated suet and oatmeal.

Restaurant options include the Atrium and the Terrace, in downtown.

SHOPPING

Scottish cities, which became internationally renowned for shopping, offer various experiences encompassing all styles and tastes— from exclusive-brand and famous-designer boutiques to markets housing several small shops.

MALLS AND SHOPPING CENTERSConsider exploring Glasgow’s famous Style Mile, packed with large stores and shopping centers. On the West End, browse for vintage-inspired clothes. Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll

through Princes Square, an elegant three-story mall with boutiques and more than 30 fashion stores and art, jewelry, beauty and gift shops.

At Edinburgh’s 21st Century Kilts, located on Thistle Street, you can find the world-renowned kilts that are iconic of the country. The kilts are made in a distinctive, unique manner with various materials and different patterns, such as leather and camouflage. At Saint Andrew Square, as you turn the corner onto Multrees Walk, you will find Scotland’s only Harvey Nichols, with four floors of clothes and brand-name accessories by, for example, Gucci, Prada and Lulu Guinness.

The city of Stirling has several shopping centers and specialty shops. Visit the Stirling Arcade, a charming, restored shopping center that houses various independent businesses, in addition to a vintage tea room, the perfect place to enjoy delicious homemade pastry. Another option in Stirling is the Thistles shopping center, where you will find more than 90 famous brand-name stores.

For leading brands, boutiques and shops specializing in souvenirs and gifts, consider St John’s Shopping Centre. Also, be sure to visit McEwens of Perth, an excellent place to buy luxury goods at affordable prices.

STREET MARKETSThe country has traditional street markets offering a large variety of high-quality local products. At the more than 70 such markets throughout the country, you will find seafood,

meat, vegetables, fruits and beverages. The largest market in Scotland, in Castle Terrace, is the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market, offering specialties that include boar, buffalo, venison, beef, pork, and lamb, in addition to lobster, organic beer and chocolate liqueurs, which are sold at more than 55 producer stands.

Another historic market is 700-year-old Grassmarket, which opens on Saturdays and offers the best produce grown in the city. These markets give you a chance to learn more about typical foods, their origin and how they are prepared, and to speak directly with the producers.


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GENERAL EMERGENCIES

AREA CODE

POLICE

FIRE DEPARTMENT

CURRENCYThe local currency of Scotland is the Scottish pound. This is the same currency as that used in England, and the only difference is the design of the bills.

There are three types of Scottish pound banknotes, which are issued by three banks: Clydesdale, RBS and the Bank of Scotland. Coins in Scotland are the same as those used throughout the United Kingdom.

Airport currency exchange bureaus are the best place to exchange your money.

Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted, but you should inquire about your bank’s foreign-transaction fees.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

travel tips | scotland (eng.)

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