Scotland

Climate
In the south of Scotland in the capital city of Edinburgh, the climate is mild with warm winters and warm summers. The average temperature in winter is about 6C and in summer the average is about 19C. Of course, towards the north of Scotland in places such as Aberdeen and Inverness the temperatures can be much colder although the whole of Scotland does benefit from the warming waters of the Gulf Stream. However, towards the end of 2010, parts of Scotland experienced temperatures as low as -17C and copious quantities of snow. Overall, Scotland has a pleasant climate especially when compared to Moscow, which is on the same latitude.

Language
The Scots speak English but the various accents can make it quite hard for English people to understand what is being said, let alone a visitor whose first language is not English.

Telephone
There is a good landline and cell phone network in all the cities but in the remote countryside cell phones may not find a signal. Broadband connection is very much located in the cities and is not countrywide.

Culinary Specialities
Scotland is renowned for its solid cooking and although Scotland may not be the place to visit if you are on a strict weight-loss diet, the food is usually rich in flavour whether it’s a steak pie, lamb hotpot or locally caught salmon or trout.

Lifestyle
Scotland is semi-independent from England and has its own government and additional tax raising and tax spending powers. Scottish students do not have to pay to go to university in Scotland whereas English students most certainly do. Scottish residents do not have to pay for medicines via prescription charges but the English do. They are just two examples as to why Scotland is a very fine place to live, complemented by fantastic unspoilt countryside, fine Scotch whisky and homemade shortbread.

Sights
There is much to see in Scotland apart from the natural beauty of the lochs and the wonderful white-sand beaches. Edinburgh is considered to be one of the most magnificent cities in Great Britain, if not the world, with its wonderful period streets and incredible castle that stands high on a hill and dominates the skyline. Another wonderful landmark is the Forth Bridge which was built in 1890 to a cantilever design.

Scotland is believed to have at least 8,000 stone-built bridges that were constructed by the English in the early 18th century together with most of Scotland’s remote highland and lowland roads. The bridges and roads were built to enable the English to get around more easily when suppressing decades of Jacobite revolution, by Scots who were determined to place a Scottish king on the throne of Scotland.