Scotland - Page 3 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:16 AM

Incredible Lochs & Rivers

Due to its long coastline, plentiful rivers and large inland lakes, the people of Scotland have long been involved in fishing and ship building. Today there are still quite a few fishing hamlets as well as many large cities which have evolved from their prominent positions by strategically important waterways.

Loch Fyne is the longest Loch in Scotland - penetrating over 40 miles inland. There are several fresh-water lochs such as the Loch Ness and Loch Eriboll. Many of the Lochs offer amazing natural beauty and are appreciated for this by tourists and locals alike. Several of the Lochs - such as Loch Lomond have small 'islands' in them which are sometimes inhabited. Truly, the eerie calm waters of Scotland are a sight for the eyes.

Rivers:
There are 26 rivers which flow into the sea from Scotland but very few are well known. Below are a few of the better known ones:

The Tay River
The Spey River
The Clyde River
The Tweed River
The Dee River
The Don River
The Forth River

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:16 AM

Lochs:
There are numerous Lochs in Scotland which are appreciated by locals and tourists alike. Loch Lomond is the largest fresh water Loch and offers amazing natural beauty. The biggest lochs in Scotland are:

The Loch Lomond
The Loch Ness
The Loch Awe/Etive
The Loch Maree
The Loch Morar

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:18 AM

Scottish Romantic Holidays

Scotland might not be the first place that comes to mind when deciding on a location for a romantic break. However many who have tried it have discovered a most unforgettable and romantic country - just waiting to share its splendor with doting couples.

There is a lot to do in Scotland. You might take in some of the natural beauty by strolling along the edge of a loch, or walking a forest trail. Get giddy together on a whisky trail or do a horse trail through the moors. Take a boat ride across one of the lochs or on the shores of Scotland - and perhaps visit Shetland and Orkney.

If you prefer a more leisurely pace, you might be more interesting in seeing some of the stunning ruins that dot Scotland. These magnificent old remnants of glorious buildings will often leave with chills as they cast a silent spell on you. Or you could visit a living monument - buildings such as Stirling or Edinburgh castle which are still very much in use today. There are also shops to browse and monuments to see.

Perhaps you'd prefer less people around you? Well, there are many little fishing villages which are happy to provide a tranquil setting for the perfect romantic getaway. You can play golf, ride bicycles and take long romantic walks through the country. Game Parks are yet another great way to enjoy the outdoors. A true highlight - should you be fortunate enough to see them - would be sighting the spectacular northern lights.

There is also fine dining to be enjoyed throughout Scotland. Here you can enjoy seafood, virtually every type of meat available as well as many traditional dishes. But don't let that discourage - there are many tasty alternatives available too.

What better way to be romantic than to cuddle in front of a warm fire in the majestic countryside of Scotland. Plan your next romantic getaway here and you'll not regret it.

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:19 AM

Scotland's Seasons

Most people think of Scotland as the greenest, and also the wettest place on earth. Yes, it is the rain that makes the grass green and the beautiful heather grow. Scotland is not the destination with the best weather, but it has its wetter and drier regions. So if you're taking the weather in to note as to when you are planning your trip, don't! In the ideal world, the perfect time to go on holiday is when the weather is good, when the prices are low and when there is a minimal crowd, rather plan your trip according to your own schedule. Every season in Scotland has its advantages and disadvantages, and the breathtaking beauty of Scotland, makes up for everything that is not so breathtaking.

Summer
Scotland is just plain gorgeous during this time of year. Summer time is the best time to visit Scotland, although the hotel fares and just about everything else will be a little more expensive, you should consider it as the cover charge for the good weather. Most tourists visit Scotland during the summer months, which can be a good thing. You will never be alone and you will have many leads to follow, after all an empty pub doesn't make for lively fun. You will still get caught in the rain especially on the Islands, but it will be a little bit more bearable if not refreshing. Except for the good weather you'll also be welcomed with open arms in this season, most people and shops make their entire year's income in this season, so they are extra friendly with the tourists. Beware of the midges - tiny blood-sucking insects invisible to the naked eye, almost like mosquitoes, the only thing that hardly repels them is bug spray.

Fall
This season is probably the most underrated time to visit Scotland. The weather is not too bad although you will still get some rain especially on the Islands. Everything will be a little bit cheaper, as the high season has ended. Its always good to know that you get a high rated hotel room for much cheaper than you would get it for just a few weeks ago. Another upside of this season is that the whole of Scotland is beautifully decorated with its autumn colors. As the high season has ended most Scots tend to come out again, so you will find much more patrons in bars and clubs, that will develop the unforgettable Scotch feeling you're seeking.

Winter
Winter is not the ideal time to visit Scotland, as the weather can get a bit driech (Scottish slang for nasty). But it is the ideal time to go for the money-minded people, as everything is much cheaper than in high season. The upside is that there are some excellent skiing facilities at this time of year and you will have a beautiful white Christmas if you are there in the Christmas season. If you hate crowds, this is the perfect season to visit Scotland.

Spring
Many tourist consider Spring the best time for visiting Scotland, as the snow melts and it is a very good time for fishing as the Salmon swims upstream. You will experience warmer temperatures, longer days and lush scenery. Although Spring is not as crowded as Summer, tourist start flooding in and the high season starts, which means prices start going up again.

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:20 AM

The International Festival in Edinburgh

Founded in 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival is an annual festival held in celebration of the arts. From reasonably humble beginnings over fifty years ago, it is now seen as one of the most significant celebrations of the arts in the world.

Though the Edinburgh International Festival has changed and grown significantly over the years, the original goals have been kept with relative accuracy. The objective of the festival was to present the highest artistic standard possible by the greatest artists on the globe. Started shortly after World War II, the idea was that the festival would serve to unite as well as enrich Europe, Britain and Scotland through art and culture.

Due to these high standards, the Edinburgh International Festival has the reputation of offering a program of unparalleled quality. As it is open to people of all nations, it has an extremely wide audience and there is a great merging of cultures at this event. The Festival is kept alive through sponsorships and the thousands of individuals who flock to Scotland's door every year to participate in and view this extraordinary showcase of the world's best talent.

But what can you expect to see at the Festival? You can see dance, theatre, opera, orchestras, chamber groups and soloists. You will also have the opportunity to rub shoulders with people from virtually every shore in the world and take part in educational projects or festival conversations. What are you waiting for? Book your ticket now to support the most important art festival in the world!

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:21 AM

The Fringe is an extremely popular side of the Edinburgh International Festival with over 1.25 million tickets being sold every year. Founded on the principle of 'open-access for all performers' you will find that almost anything goes here and you will always find something of interest to you.

The Military Tattoo Festival in Edinburgh

Every year, an average of 217 000 people gather at Edinburgh Castle in order to watch the famous Military Tattoo. Begun in the year 1950 with just eight items in the program, the Military Tattoo has gone from strength to strength over the years. Now an average of 1000 participants strutting their stuff at Edinburgh Castle are regularly watched on television by millions of people world wide.

Many of the people who gather to view the event up close and personal are not locals but have journeyed from every corner of the globe in order to see it. Named for the call to close shop in the inns in the 17th century, the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo is not just a local affair. Each year, visiting regiments also come to display their musical prowess. The first overseas regiment that participated was the Band of the Royal Netherlands Grenadiers in 1952. Canada and France also had performers participating in that same year. As the years have passed over 30 countries have been represented at the Tattoo.

This Scottish event is so popular that it has been a complete sell out for the last six years. It has donated some £5 million to charity during its running and to date, not a single Tattoo performance has been cancelled despite unsavory weather conditions - a fact which the Scots are rather proud of. Rehearsals for the event take place at Redford Barracks and the event is always one well worth seeing.

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:22 AM

The Annual Hogmanay Festival

The Hogmanay Festival is essentially a new years celebration with a difference. This festival takes place on the 31st of December every year and is phenomenally well supported and raucous. It's a ticketed festival that starts quite early in the evening reaching its peak as expected at midnight with the ringing of bells and plenty of kissing. Then old folk song 'Auld Lang Syne' is sung and followed by more kissing.

Depending on where you are in Scotland, activities for this festival may vary from folk song singing, dancing, torch light processions, the swinging of fireballs and a number of other activities are all combined with lots of laughing and fun for the whole evening and most of the morning.

This celebration dates back as far as the Vikings. Its roots are found in the pagan practice of fire and sun worship during the dark months of winter. Later this became the Roman celebration of 'Saturnalia' where the people celebrated without any inhibitions or restraint. The Vikings celebrated a variation of this festival and called it 'Yule' which later became the 12 days of Chistmas or 'Daft Days'.

The symbolism of fire at these festivals is quite profound and it stands for a number of things. Some view it as shining light on the unknown year to follow, putting light on a bright new horizon full of enlightenment.

Although this festival is held in most Scottish cities, the largest groups of people will be found in Edinburgh and Glasgow where up to 100,000 tickets have been sold but even more people have found their way in.

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:23 AM

The Scottish Highland Games

There are a number of Highland Games held through the highlands Scotland. Many of them have been taking place for so long that it is unknown when they were started or why. Today, however, they provide a showcase of traditional sporting events that are participated in and enjoyed by people of all nationalities.

But what sort of games are 'traditional' games? Well, there is no shortage of creativity when it comes to the Highland Games. Besides regular sporting events such as long jump and sprinting and shotput, you will also find more unique games such as 'tossing the caber' or 'throwing the weight'. Tossing the caber is the throwing of an impressive, long thick pole in an attempt to get it to land as straight as possible. In throwing the weight, the competitor hurls a metal ball on the end of a long, thick chain and handle in an attempt to get it as high and far as possible. Another Highland game event is 'throwing the hammer' wherein the sportsman swings a 'hammer' (originally a sledge hammer) over his head and then releases it, aiming to get the longest distance.

What else can be seen and enjoyed at the Highland Games? Besides the sports, you will see a celebration of local culture. You will be able to hear bagpipes, highland dancing and many other forms of traditional highland celebrations. The games are for young and old, male and female and many of them last around four days. They offer a real Scottish atmosphere unlike any other.

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:24 AM

The Hebridean Celtic Festival

Every summer a unique four-day celebration is held in the Hebrides of Scotland. This musical festival is eagerly awaited by locals and tourists alike and it has grown in popularity at a remarkable rate since its inception in 1995. Despite its relative youth, the Hebridean Celtic Festival is the largest Celtic festival in the north of Scotland and it is a showcase of top Celtic talents.

Every year, the festival grows a little more. It now offers more than just music concerts. There is also the opportunity to learn some useful Gaelic and to listen to local storytelling. You can also listen to some interesting tales while walking the Castle Grounds at the festivals on a guided tour.

There is also an interesting art tour to be taken in Lewis, where you can see local arts and crafts as well in view some of the galleries and studios along the way. Or you could take a guided walk around the Stornoway Trust area. And as if that weren't enough, the Hebridean Celtic Festival also co-incides with the Highland Games and the Sail Hebrides and Maritime Festival. This means you can enjoy more than one attraction at the same time with very little effort.

The Hebridean Celtic Festival is an event for the whole family. There are a lot of activities and workshops available for younger children to help them learn and capture their attention. Parents can take in the more adult sounds and smells and enjoy the rich Celtic feel at the festival, while little ones enjoy fun and games relating to the same theme. The Hebridean Celtic Festival is certainly a treat for all.

PagodaSwan · 11-13-2005, 06:25 AM

The Jazz Festival in Edinburgh

Every year people gather from all over the world to enjoy the Edinburgh International Jazz & Blues Festival. This is the biggest jazz event in Britain and it is generally held over ten days during the summer months in Scotland. Jazz is considered to have begun in the 1880's in New Orleans, America and is a combination of African and Western European musical elements.

Originally created by people in the Americas of African decent, the music was so catchy that by the 1920's it was being heard in clubs throughout America and being played and enjoyed by peoples of all races. It didn't take long before the world caught on to the craze and jazz soon became a worldwide phenomenon - resulting in celebrations of the music style in various parts of the world. The Edinburgh Jazz Festival is one of these celebrations - an event where people get together simply to enjoy the pleasure of listening and playing jazz.

The Edinburgh Jazz Festival is the longest running jazz festival in the United Kingdom and it has an average of 50 000 people in attendance. It is extremely popular and every year it attracts many top Jazz performers - both established artists and rising stars. The various concerts are usually hosted across the city in various buildings and this means that visitors can take in some of the sights while taking in some of the best sounds. Artists are both local and international and many are at the top of their game - providing a truly magnificent experience for all in attendance at the festival.