GENERAL INFORMATION
Area
77,925 sq km (30,086 sq miles).
Population
5,054,800 (2002).
Population Density
64.9 per sq km.
Capital
Edinburgh.
Population: 449,000 (official estimate 2001).
Government
Following elections in May 1999, Scotland was granted its first parliament in 300 years. The new Scottish Parliament has a considerable degree of autonomy, as demonstrated by its tax-raising powers. The UK government maintains control over issues such as defense and foreign policy.
Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II. Head of Parliament: First Minister Jack McConnell since 2002.
Language
English. Gaelic is still spoken by some, mostly in the West and Highlands.
Note
For information on religion, time, electricity and communications, see the main United Kingdom section.
Public Holidays
Public holidays observed in Scotland are the same as those observed in the rest of the UK (see the main United Kingdom section) with the addition of:
Jan 2 2005: New Year Bank Holiday.
Aug 1: Summer Bank Holiday.
Jan 2 2006: New Year Bank Holiday.
Aug 7: Summer Bank Holiday.
Special Events
The highlight of the cultural year in Scotland is the Edinburgh Festival, which runs during the last two weeks of August and the first week of September. Almost every room in the city large enough to hold an audience is in use during this time, and it is possible to see as many as 10 shows in one day; these might range from a short open-air concert to a full-scale production by the RSC or the LSO. Accommodation in Edinburgh is booked up months in advance at this time. There are also many Highland Games during the summer, which include caber-tossing and hammer-throwing competitions. The following is a selection of special events occurring in Scotland in 2005 (for a complete list contact VisitScotland):
Jan 1: Loony Dook,
: Queensferry.
Jan 12-30: Celtic Connections, music festival, Glasgow.
Feb: Glasgow Festival of Love.
Feb 21-Mar 12: Inverness Music Festival.
Mar 10-26: Glasgow International Comedy Festival.
Mar 17-20: StAnza Poetry Festival, St Andrews, Fife.
May 21-30: Burns and a' That!
Jun: Caledonian Beer Festival.
Jun 3-12: Highland Festival.
Jun 17-26: Royal Bank Glasgow Jazz Festival.
Jun 23-26: Yoral Highland Show.
Jul 9-10: T in the Park, music festival.
Jul 14-17: Open Golf Championship, St Andrews.
Jul 22-23: The Wickerman Festival.
Jul 29-Aug 7: Edinburgh International Jazz & Blues Festival.
Aug 5-27: Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Aug 7-29: Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Aug 13-29: Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Aug 14-Sep 4: Edinburgh International Festival.
Aug 17-29: Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Nov: Glasgay!
Dec 29- Jan 1 2006: Hogmanay, countrywide.
Dec 31-Jan 1 2006: Stonehaven Fireball Festival, traditional event.
Contact Information:
Location
Northern part of Great Britain.
VisitScotland
VisitScotland.com, Fairways Business Park, Deer Park Avenue, Livingston EH54 8AF, UK
Tel: (0845) 225 5121 (within the UK) or (01506) 832 121 (outside the UK). Fax: (01506) 832 222.
E-mail: info@visitscotland.com or generalenquiries@visitscotland.com
Website: www.visitscotland.com
Note
Visit Britain in New York deals with enquiries relating to Scotland (see USA section).
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