Tourism in Scotland
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Scotland is a well-developed tourist destination, with tourism generally being responsible for sustaining 200,000 jobs mainly in the service sector, with tourist spending averaging at £4bn per year [link]. Domestic tourists (those from the United Kingdom) make up the bulk of visitors to Scotland. In 2002, for example, UK visitors made 18.5 million visits to Scotland, staying 64.5 million nights and spending £3.7bn. In contrast, overseas residents made 1.58 million visits to Scotland, staying 15 million nights and spending £806m. In terms of overseas visitors, those from the United States made up 24% of visits to Scotland, with the United States being the largest source of overseas visitors, and Germany (9%), France (8%), Canada (7%) and Australia (6%), following behind. [link]
Reasons
Scotland is generally seen as clean, unspoilt destination with beautiful scenery which has a long and complex history, combined with thousands of historic sites and attractions. These include prehistoric Stone circles, Standing stones and burial chambers, and various Bronze Age, Iron Age and Stone Age remains. There are also many historic castles, houses, and battlegrounds, ruins and museums. Many people are drawn by the CultureThe cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh are increasingly being seen as a cosmopolitan alternative to Scotland's countryside, with visitors year round, but the main tourist season is generally from April to October inclusive. In addition to these factors, the national tourist agency of Scotland, VisitScotland have deployed a strategy of niche marketing, aimed at exploiting, amongst other things, Scotland's strengths in Golf, Fishing and Food and Drink tourism. Another significant, and increasingly popular reason for tourism to Scotland - especially by those from North America- is genealogy, with many visitors coming to Scotland to explore their family and ancestral roots.
Infrastructure
Scotland is well connected to the rest of the United Kingdom (its principal tourist market) by a good road and rail network, as well as a good domestic air network. The airports at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Prestwick and Aberdeen, serve as the main international gateways to Scotland, with an expanding route network. In terms of international air links with Europe, the country is generally well connected, with daily flights from a variety of European cities, such as Paris, Berlin, Rome, Barcelona, Dublin and Stockholm. There are also direct flights operated from the main Scottish Airports to destinations in North America such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. The expanding budget airline network from Scotland's airports is seen as making a significant contibution to bringing more visitors to the country.The country is also connected to the European Continent by a car ferry service operating daily from Rosyth near Edinburgh to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge. Ferry services also connect Scotland with Northern Ireland operating between Stranraer and Belfast and Cairnryan and Larne.
Tourist Destinations in Scotland
There are several cities and towns which tourists visit in Scotland.
- Edinburgh is the capital city, and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The Old and New Towns of the city constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Edinburgh is the largest tourist destination in Scotland, and the second largest in the United Kingdom after London. The cities' major tourist attractions include Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth and the Royal Mile. It has several universities including the well established the University of Edinburgh founded in 1583.
- Glasgow is the largest city in the country, and the second largest tourist destination in Scotland after Edinburgh. Its attractions include the Burrell Collection, Glasgow Cathedral, the Glasgow Science Centre and the Kelvingrove Museum. In addition to this many tourists come to Glasgow for its renowned Victorian architecture and Gothic Architecture as well as its shopping. The city has several well-established universities.
- Stirling is a historic town in Central Scotland, some 30 miles to the north-west of Edinburgh and is generally known as the "Gateway to the Highlands", due to its geographical position between upland and lowland Scotland. Amongst its attractions are castle and the National Wallace Monument, as well as a newly established university.
- Aberdeen is known as the "Granite City" and is renowned for its gothic architecture. It is a city of approximately 210,000 people and serves as the main administrative centre for the North East of Scotland. With its large port and harbour, Aberdeen serves as the departure point for the many ferries that connect the Scottish mainland with the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland. Aberdeen also has a well established university, and a large student population.
- St. Andrews is a small, but busy town in North-East Fife. The town's economy is centred around the Golf industry, with St Andrews being regarded as the home of the modern game. The well established University of St Andrews (the oldest in Scotland) has colleges located throughout the town.
- Dundee is known as the "City of Discovery" and is the home of Scott of the Antarctic's ship the RSS Discovery. Dundee has a well established university.
- Perth is a small but historic town on the east coast, which stands on the River Tay. Perth is known for its abundant parkland. Close by is the village of Scone, ancient capital of Scotland and former home to Scottish Kings.
- Inverness is the administrative centre for the Highlands, close to Loch Ness and serves as a transport hub for much of the Scottish Highlands, with rail and bus services departing here to much of the northern and western Highlands. It is a popular destination for tourists wishing to explore the north of Scotland.
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the United Kingdom, but there are a number of other significant mountains in Scotland, though by international standards all the mountains are relatively small. The Cuillin on the Isle of Skye does offer some challenging climbs, such as the Inaccessible Pinnacle.
Scotland also has a number of lochs, including Loch Lomond, and Loch Ness, which is considered by some to be the home of the Loch Ness monster. There are also many rivers, which are good for salmon and fly fishing. These include the River Tay, Tweed, Don, and Dee.
Scotland is generally thought to be good for hunting, especially deer stalking and grouse shooting.
Scotland is also the home of golf, with many historic and famous courses including, St. Andrews, Gleneagles, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, and Muirfield. There are hundreds of other less famous courses in the country.
See also
- redirect
Links
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