Scotland is the northernmost part of the United Kingdom and the most north westerly of the EU's nations and regions. As one of the oldest surviving nations in Europe, it has a long history of exchanges with its neighbours in trade, learning and culture. With the increasing importance of the European Union, Scotland is therefore well placed to contribute to the progress and process of developing a Europe of closer ties.

The most-visited free attractions after Kelvingrove were the National Gallery of Scotland and the National Museum of Scotland. They were followed by the World Famous Old Blacksmith's Shop Centre in Gretna Green and the capital's Royal Botanic Garden. Other attractions which performed well in 2007 included the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, which saw an increase in visitor numbers of 26.3%, and St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.

The house of Bruar has superb shopping facilities and a very good restaurant that will definitely be enjoyed by the whole family. It also has a children's playground, facilities for disabled people and a nappy changing room. The shops sells an exclusive range of upmarket country clothing and cashmere for men and woman, flowers, food and everything that is good from the country and the Highlands.

Traditional Scottish cuisine is based on local produce - oats for porridge and oatcake biscuits (bannocks), salted, or smoked meat and game. Fish is a staple and the city of Aberdeen has been known for its cured fish since the 13th Century. Scotland produces some world-class cuisine, some of the best in the British Isles, and sometimes, further afield too. Scottish chefs use the best quality ingredients from both land and sea, and in doing so, create a wide range of original yet innovative dishes that cover many culinary styles and international cuisines. No visit to Scotland is complete without sampling the local delicacies. Make sure you try any (or all!) of the following; Arbroath smokies, Selkirk bannocks, Lochfyne kippers, Forfar Bridies, Galloway cheeses, Dundee cake and the Moffat toffee.

January and February are generally the coldest months in Scotland, with the daytime maximum temperatures that ranges of an average of around 5° to 7°C. July and August are normally the warmest months in Scotland, with temperatures of an average 19°C. The temperatures in Scotland are generally a few degrees cooler than in England because of the hilly terrace and the Atlantic Ocean.

The currency of Scotland is the GBP Pound (£). One pound is comprised of 100 pence and coins can be obtained in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 denominations. Bank notes are commonly divided into £5, £10, £20 and £50 amounts. Scottish banks also issue a £1 notes which can be used as legal tender anywhere in the United Kingdom. Money can be exchanged in banks, at foreign exchange bureaus and hotels. The exchange bureaus are generally open for longer than banks are but charge higher commission rates.