TRAVEL TIPS
SCOTLAND
OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO STAY ONDE WHERE FICAR TO EAT ONDE SHOPPING COMER
OVERVIEW Scotland, part of the United Kingdom, is
Edinburgh, Scotland is steeped in medieval
renowned for its culture, charm and elegance.
tradition, and it charms and delights all who visit
It is bordered by England to the south, and it
it. Its largest cities are Edinburgh and Glasgow.
lies between the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the North Sea to the east.
Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, is one of Europe’s leading financial centers. It is also the
The country boasts beautiful rolling landscapes,
site of the country’s most important historical
castles, islands, lakes, rivers and a rich wildlife
attractions and its most famous whiskey
in the Highlands, often under gray clouds.
distilleries. Glasgow is Scotland’s fashion center and its largest city.
From the mountain valleys to the streets of
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS SCOTLAND
Scotland has a temperate climate with mild
Scotland is the venue of many summer and
winters and pleasant summers, although rain is
spring festivals. The Edinburgh International
frequent and sunny days are rare.
Festival takes place the last three weeks of August, and features much music, dance,
Spring, from April to June, is cold and days are
theater as well as displays of visual arts.
sunny. While summer is the most pleasant
This is considered one of the world’s largest
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.
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.
Another option, however, is to come in the winter, when the Highland ski areas are open.
The only drawback is that car rentals, as well as gasoline, are expensive.
TRAIN The 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.
BUS Buses 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 BUSES
TRANSPORT
Sightseeing 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.
Various means of transport are available for
PLANE
you to explore Scotland’s beautiful regions. The
Flying is not the most efficient way to travel
best option is to rent a car, although you can
within Scotland. Domestic flights are more
also see the country by train.
appropriate for business travelers. The main airlines in the country are Flybe, British
The Edinburgh and Glasgow airport websites list
Airways, and Easter Airways. Edinburgh and
various options to get to the city centers. Express
Glasgow have the country’s main airports.
shuttle bus services such as that provided by AirLink(Edinburgh) and Glasgow Flyer Glasgow Flyer (Glasgow) are the most practical option.
CAR
ATTRACTIONS
Renting a car is the best option to see and explore cities throughout Scotland. The country
Visit Scotland’s various historical attractions.
has good roads, and the rural areas offer
Delight in the natural landscapes, visit Edinburgh
beautiful landscapes. An international driver’s
Castle, explore the whiskey distilleries, take
license is not required.
a boat ride on Loch Ness and tour Neolithic
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS SCOTLAND
Orkney. You can also visit the museums to learn
of Destiny.Tours take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.
more about Scottish culture and history. Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, is brimming with Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is
style and offers many attractions for visitors.
surrounded by breathtaking cliffs and encircled by beautiful woodland.
Its architecture ranges from Victorian to neoclassical, with examples of contemporary art,
It is the setting of one of the world’s largest
such as Clyde Auditorium and the Science Centre.
cultural events, the Edinburgh International Festival, during the city’s tourism high season.
Visitors will find many museums and art galleries that are part of a cultural scene that boasts
Edinburgh is also the setting of many
exhibits of renowned artists, and a wide range of
awe-inspiring stories related to its castle,
shows, concerts, operas and ballet performances.
museums and palaces, and it contains many international galleries.
The bustling pubs of the West End and Merchant City attract thousands of young
Edinburgh Castle, which overlooks Old Town, is
people on weekends.
Scotland’s leading attraction. Various exhibits and important relics can be seen inside the
Loch Ness has gained international fame
castle, including the Crown Jewels and the Stone
thanks to the supposed sightings of a monster
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. named Nessie. 14 kilometers long and more
Edinburgh Zoo, one of the city’s most popular
than 700 meters deep in some places, it is
attractions, is home to more than 1,000 animal
Scotland’s largest lake by volume of water.
species. The largest draws are the panda
Consider booking a boat tour in advance in
couple and the penguin pool. This is a perfect
order to appreciate the beautiful surrounding
outing for the entire family.
landscapes and ride on its mysterious waters. In Edinburgh, The Scotch Whisky Experience The Orkney Islands contain a great wealth of
offers an incredible tour on the history of
monuments from the Neolithic Era. The Heart
whiskey and how it is made. Tastings are even
of Neolithic Orkney is steeped in history and is
available for lovers of this spirit. The world’s
a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The archipelago
largest whiskey collection is on display, with
has close to 20,000 inhabitants and a beautiful
more than 3,000 bottles donated by Brazilian
landscape of green hills and fields, rocky peaks
Diageo Claive Vidiz.
rising from the sea, cliffs and sandy beaches. Finally, there are ancient ruins left by the area’s
The facilities are handicapped-accessible. Sight-
early inhabitants.
impaired persons may enjoy the attraction with printed material, and visual material is
Kirkwall, the capital of the islands, is
available for persons with hearing difficulties.
overlooked by St. Magnus Cathedral. Many stories of Viking invasions have been passed
Scott Monument is a tower built to honor one
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS SCOTLAND
of Scotland’s greatest writers: Sir Walter Scott.
The most luxurious hotel in Edinburgh is the
The style of the monument is Victorian Gothic,
Balmoral. It is in the heart of the city, on one of
and it has a 287-step narrow spiral stairway.
Edinburgh’s main streets, Princes Street, near
The panoramic view of the city makes the
Waverley Station, the city’s main train station.
climb well worth the effort. In addition, luxury hotel chains, including Missoni, Sheraton and Hilton Caledonian, are
WHERE TO STAY The various regions of Scotland offer a wide range of accommodation. Scotland has a
also represented here.
DINING OUT
variety of hotels, luxurious castles, hostels, bed & breakfasts and extended-stay apartments.
Scotland offers an enormous gastronomic variety, with Italian, Chinese, Indian and
The cities that receive the largest number of
Spanish restaurants as well as steak houses.
visitors are Edinburgh and Glasgow. Scotland has a highly unique cuisine. One of In Edinburgh, another good option, in
the country’s typical dishes is haggis, which
addition to B&Bs and hotels, is to stay at
consists of a platter of meat accompanied by
apartments of local residents in order to
mashed and sweet potatoes.
experience the city’s lifestyle.
Another typical Scottish dish is Scots broth, a
common dessert is clootie dumplings, which are
soup made with lentils, peas, barley and lamb.
made with dried fruit, grated suet and oatmeal.
Mince and tatties is a traditional dish consisting
Restaurant options include the Atrium and the
of minced beef served with potatoes. It is
Terrace, in downtown.
made with famous Aberdeen Angus beef. Fish and chips is a dish that is also served at most restaurants in Scotland.
SHOPPING
Scots also often eat salmon either baked or fried with lemon and butter sauce.
Scottish cities, which became internationally
Restaurants normally serve smoked Scottish
renowned for shopping, offer various
salmon as an appetizer.
experiences encompassing all styles and tastes— from exclusive-brand and famous-
Breakfast at most hotels in Scotland is
designer boutiques to markets housing
hearty, and consists of scrambled eggs,
several small shops.
bacon, grilled tomatoes, beans, and, on occasion, smoked herring.
MALLS AND SHOPPING CENTERS Consider exploring Glasgow’s famous Style Mile,
Cranachan, a traditional Scottish dessert, is
packed with large stores and shopping centers.
made with fresh raspberries, honey, whipped
On the West End, browse for vintage-inspired
cream, oatmeal and Scotch whiskey. Another
clothes. Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS SCOTLAND
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 worldrenowned 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 MARKETS The 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.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS SCOTLAND
CURRENCY The local currency of Scotland is the Scottish
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
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.
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