Scotland Travel Information

New Photo Gallery Launched

I have launched a new Photo Gallery on this site to show off some of the beautiful scenery that Scotland has to offer:

http://scotlandtravel.blogs.com/photos/photos_of_scotland/index.html

Maps of Scotland

Map of the Shetland Islands

Map of Orkney Islands

Map of North East Scotland

Map of West Scotland

Map of Outer Hebrides (Western Isles map)

Map of the Scottish Borders

Edinburgh Fringe Festival Photos

Edinburgh Fringe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

(Description taken from Edinburgh Fringe Festival)

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is an arts festival associated with the Edinburgh Festival. It takes place in the city of Edinburgh over five weeks during August, and is the largest arts festival in the world.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, more usually called the Edinburgh Fringe, was started in 1947, the same year that the Edinburgh Festival was started. Eight theatre companies decided to take advantage of the crowds of theatregoers expected to attend the Festival by putting on unofficial performances of their own. Since then the Fringe has outgrown the official Festival, and now has its own staff and coordinating organisation, which sells more than a million tickets each year.

The Fringe is focussed almost exclusively on the performing arts, particularly theatre and comedy. Fringe material can be anything from Shakespeare to the truly experimental. Some Fringe venues are established professional theatres and regularly sell hundreds of tickets to a performance; others are converted church halls or even living rooms, and attract single-digit audiences.

The prestigious Perrier Comedy Awards are announced at the festival.

The Edinburgh Fringe has inspired a world-wide circuit of festivals in many Canadian, American, Australian and European cities. Fringe Theatre Festivals are distinguished by their unjuried selection process, allowing artists to produce a wide variety of interesting works.

Official Edinburgh Fringe web site

Gig on the Green, Glasgow, 2002

Glasgow has a particularly vibrant music scene. Both in terms of small gigs in legendary venues such as Nice'n'Sleazy's and King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, and massive city centre festivals such as 'Gig on the Green' here photographed in 2002.

The 50 Best Scottish Bands Of All Time (as voted for by the public) are as follows:
1 Belle & Sebastian
2 Travis
3 Idlewild
4 Wet Wet Wet
5 Sensational Alex Harvey Band
6 Simple Minds
7 Teenage Fanclub
8 Bay City Rollers
9 Primal Scream
10 The Proclaimers
11 Texas
12 Mull historical society
13 Big country
14 Snow Patrol
15 Franz Ferdinand
16 Bis
17 Deacon Blue
18 Fish
19 Jesus and Mary Chain
20 Mogwai
21 Runrig
22 Trash Can Sinatras
23 Del Amitri
24 Orange Juice
25 Nazareth
26 Beta Band
27 Biffy Clyro
28 Altered Images
29 Aztec Camera
30 Eddi Reader
31 Goodbye Mr Mackenzie
32 Fire Engines
33 Delgados
34 Arab strap
35 Vaselines
36 Associates
37 The Pastels
38 Eurythmics
39 Aereogramme
40 Blue Nile
41 Boards of Canada
42 Rezillos
43 Incredible string band
44 Cocteau twins
45 Dogs Die in Hot Cars
46 Spare Snare
47 Average White Band
48 Lulu
49 Skids
50 Shamen

Self Catering Scotland

Birchbrae Luxury Lodges

Luxury Self Catering Accommodation, Fort William

Seven luxury self catering Scandinavian style lodges set in a peaceful and secluded woodland   clearing eight miles south of Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland.

Sleeping up to six people in 5 star comfort, Birchbrae is the ideal well-being holiday vacation destination whether it be to explore the Highlands, walk and climb the spectacular mountains, play Golf, relax from the stresses and strains of everyday life, have a short break, ski at a choice of two resorts, spend Christmas or New Year in Scotland, watch the unique Scottish wildlife, go mountain biking, go whale watching, visit the beautiful Inner Hebrides or just have a cosy Winter break. All of these are possible at Birchbrae luxury self catering lodges

Birchbrae Luxury Self Catering Lodges - Discover Birchrae luxury self catering in Fort William, Scotland

Lodges :: Scottish Luxury Self Catering - Self Catering Lodges Fort William

Golf and Leisure in Fort William - Golf and Leisure in Fort William, Scotland

Scottish Wildlife - Scottish Wildlife in Lochaber

Birchbrae Self Catering Prices - Self Catering lodge prices

Last Minute Self Catering Holidays - Self Catering special offers at Birchbrae, Scotland

Availability and Booking - Lodge availability online booking

Location of Birchbrae Self Catering Lodges - Directions and location details for Birchbrae near Fort William

Virtual Tour - Virtual tour of Birchbrae Self Catering Lodges.

Activities in Lochaber, Scotland - What to see and do in and around Birchbrae

Golf Courses in Fort WIlliam - Golf courses in and around Birchbrae, Scotland

Short trips from Birchbrae - Glen Nevis and other short trips

Scottish Beaches around Lochaber - Beaches near Birchbrae

Walking in Scotland - Easy Walks near Birchbrae

Scottish Islands - Islands

Scottish Wildlife - Wildlife in and around Birchbrae

Scottish West Coast Gardens - Gardens near Birchbrae

Castles in Scotland - Castles near Birchbrae

Scenic Places near Birchbrae, Lochaber - Scenic Places to visit near Birchbrae

Historic Places in Scotland - Historic Places to visit near Birchbrae

Driving tours in Scotland - Drives near Birchbrae

Boat Trips on Scotland's West Coast - Boat Trips from places near Birchbrae

Leisure and Activites in Lochaber - Leisure and Activites near Birchbrae

On foot from Birchbrae Lodges - Places to visit on foot from Birchbrae Self Catering lodges

What to do when it rains in Scotland - Activities to do when it is raining

What to do in Winter in Lochaber - Winter activities in Lochaber, Scotland

Eating out and restaurants in Lochaber, Scotland - Where to eat dinner

Quick places to eat out in Lochaber, Scotland - Where to have a snack near Birchbrae

Where to eat when travelling around Scotland - Where to eat on your travels

Transport in Lochaber - Transport information

Self Catering holidays UK - Birchbrae News

Photos of Scotland - Pictures of Scotland

Frequently Asked Questions - Questions we are commonly asked

Birchbrae Scottish and Travel Links - Useful Scottish Travel Links

Contact Birchbrae - How to contact us

Backpacking in Scotland

By far the best way to find a backpackers or youth hostel in scotland is to use the official Scottish Youth Hostel Association website.

From buzzing cities to the most peaceful spots, charming cottages to rambling castles, we've got an unrivalled network of more than 70 Hostels throughout the country. The choice is yours ...

Rustic Hostels
Explore Scotland's Wild Places                                

Scottish Youth Hostels have been providing low-cost Hostel accommodation since 1931. We are Scotland's original Hostel accommodation providers and have a strong commitment to many small rustic Hostels which no commercial organisation could or would run. Indeed these small rustic Hostels capture the spirit of Scottish hostelling and set us apart from commercial bunkhouses.

Our rustic hostels are often in remote locations amongst some of Scotland's finest scenery. They offer a truly unique experience. Why not enjoy a night in one of our small simple hostels, watching the deer, mountains and unforgettable sunsets?

Groups and Schools

Groups Go Hostelling

Scottish Youth Hostels are ideally placed to help you with all your group accommodation and catering requirements for your trip. We provide great value, safe and reliable accommodation at all the best locations in Scotland.

School Tours

Take the hassle out of organising school trips. We provide great value, safe and reliable accommodations at locations throughout Scotland. Catering for any age group, we offer both educational programmes and adventure activities.

Backpackers list

We're often asked by travellers from all over the world to recommend the best places to stay on tours of Scotland.

From cottages to castles we've got the lot!
We offer a fantastic range of backpacker Hostels. From buzzing cities and Highland castles to the most magical island locations. Save money, remember all our Hostels have great self-catering facilities.

Why risk it?
Wherever you go you can be sure of quality accommodation and a warm Scottish welcome! As part of Hostelling International worldwide network, we have the best facilities and over 70 years experience. Scottish Youth Hostels the first choice for independent travellers and backpackers.

Forget the Rest Book the Best
Secure on-line booking
e-mail: [email protected] or call: 0870 1 55 32 55

The Birham Oak

Walk from the centre of Birnam

This ancient tree is believed to be the last surviving remnant of Birnam Wood, the great oak forest made famous in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', The gnarled and ancient oak certainly looks medieval - its lower branches rest wearily on crutches and the first 3 metres (10 ft) of its trunk are hollow!

Visit any time, all year round. See the tree as part of the easy-going Birnam Walk of 3.5 miles / 5.5 km described in the 'Dunkeld & Birnam Walks' leaflet.

Perthshire Big Tree Country

For fantastic wildlife holidays in scotland in luxury self catering lodges try Bichbrae.com in Fort William. Spectacular highland scenery!

Photo of Perthshire, Scotland in Winter

This photo was taken in Kinloch Rannoch in Perthshire, Scoltand. The hill, Craig Varr, in the background is a friendly looming presence over this small village.

Introduction to Scotland

Scotland is one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh.

Scotland is overwhelmingly rich in history, much of which is preserved in historic buildings throughout the country. It is a country that can be explored without prior trip-planning as Scotland has always either some touristic attraction close by or incredibly beautiful landscape to offer.

Throughout history many battles were fought against the English in order to gain independence. Scotland's national identity is very important to the people and they are generally very proud to be Scottish. You will find that a few people in Scotland express their dislike of the English, but that should not always be taken serious.

Scotland has two flags. The national flag, a diagonal white cross on blue ground — known as the saltire, is one of the oldest flags in the world. It is also incorporated into the Union Flag of the United Kingdom. The second flag which is often seen around Scotland is the Lion Rampant, a red lion on yellow ground. It is the royal banner of Scotland and actually should only be used by a Scottish monarch.

If you are entering the United Kingdom from another country you may need to obtain a visa. EU citizens do not need a visa and can live and work in Britain as long as they want. Visitors from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA can stay in Scotland for up to six months without a visa, but are not allowed to work without one. All other nations need to obtain a visa.

There are four international airports in Scotland: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Glasgow Prestwick. London Gatwick, London Heathrow and London Stansted are often places to change to a plane that heads to Scotland. London Stansted and Glasgow Prestwick are the airports used by low-fare airlines like Ryanair and Easy Jet, but they lie quite far from the towns they are named after. It takes about 50 minutes by train to arrive in Glasgow Central Station from Prestwick airport.

Orginal information from Wikitravel.org