Up the river Perth there is an old abbey, surrounded by trees and partially overtaken by wild nature – it is the Scone Abbey, a historical place where Scottish kings were crowned with the help of the Stone of Scone. Now long gone from it’s original place of power, the Stone still holds a great meaning, even after 700 years.

A 14th century English cleric and historian Walter Hemingford writes:

“In the monastery of Scone, in the church of God, near to the high altar, is kept a large stone, hollowed out as a round chair, on which their kings were placed for their ordination, according to custom.”

The stone has many names. Coronation Stone, Stone of Destiny, as it is said that it was deciding if a person was worth to become a king of the Scots. Jacob’s Pillow Stone, for as the legend says, it had been used by Jacob as a pillow in Haran before it was transported to Syria and later to Spain. In Scottish Gaelic – Lia Fáil. Whatever name it was, the truth is that ever since Kenneth I every monarch of Scotland, England and later Great Britain had to sit on the stone during the coronation.

The stone itself is not very spectacular, it’s size approximately 26 by 17 by 10 inches and, weight of 336 pounds, there are two metal rings attached to it, one on each end, probably for easier transportation. The red sandstone it is made of can be found around the area of Scone but, considering various legends, it is possible that it had been brought to Scotland from the continent. The scientists didn’t yet manage to confirm its origins but most of what can be heard hints at the stone being brought to Scotland from Ireland.

In 1296 the stone has been taken from Scotland as the spoils of war by Edward I. Only in 1328 did The Treaty of Northampton state that the Stone of Scone is to be returned to Scotland after 600 years of residence in London. In 1950 a group of Scottish students had taken the stone from the Abbey it’s been kept in, as a part of carved wooden chair, in the process discovering that the stone was broken in half. They intended to return it to Scotland, where it belonged. In its journey back home the stone had seen Kent, Leeds, Ilkley Moor and Glasgow, where a politician, Robert Gray had it repaired. Many people helped the students to get the stone safely back in Scotland, where in the end it had been left on the altar of Arbroath Abbey, only to be returned by the police to Westminster. The efforts of the Scottish students were pictured in a movie, The Stone of Destiny, laying stress on the importance of the stone as a symbol of Scotland’s independence.

In 1996 the Stone of Scone was officially returned to Scotland, where it can be seen in the Edinburgh Castle. In the event of a coronation the stone will be ‘borrowed’ by Westminster but for now – it rests where it belongs to, small in comparison to some historical artefacts but great in meaning.

1. Cities

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[photo by: Jo&hercamera ]

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[photo by: Bob the courier ]

2. Culture

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[photo by: Donald Macleod ]

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3. Lakes

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4. Coast

[photo by: Niffty.. ]

5. Mountains

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[photo by: stusmith_uk ]

[photo by: Effervescing Elephant ]

[photo by: mike138 ]

Glasgow is famous for its collection of wonderful museums and art galleries. The Burrell Collection is the city’s most famous and popular tourist attraction, drawing hundreds and thousands of visitors each year.

Sir William Burrell (1861-1958) gave his marvellous art collection to the city of Glasgow in 1944. John Meunier, Brit Anderson and Barr Gasson were responsible for the design of the modern gallery which was opened by the Queen in 1983. From magical artefacts dating back as far as the Bronze Age and much more, the Burrell Collection will certainly amaze you.

The Burrell is located on the south side of the city in the middle of Pollok Country Park. It’s easy enough to get to by public transport.

By Train: take the train at Central Station to Pollokshaws West Station. Here you’ll see signposts for the short walk to the park.

By Bus: take bus numbers 45, 47, 48 and 57 to Pollokshaws Road.

By Car: if you’re coming from the M77, exit at Junction 2 and follow the signs.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is Scotland’s most popular and visited free tourist attraction. In 2003 it closed its doors for refurbishments and opened three years later in July 2006. In the first 6 months it attracted an overwhelming ‘2 million visitors’, putting The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum top of Glasgow’s tourist attraction list.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is located in the spectacular Kelvingrove Park at the West End of Glasgow.

How to get here by public transport:

By Bus: take bus number 9, 16, 18, 18A, 42, 42A or 62 from Hope Street at Central Station, and all stop directly outside. Please note: bus number 42 leaves from Bath Street.

The Museum of Transport

The Museum of Transport in Glasgow is one of the most popular museums of transport in the British Isles. Founded in 1964, the museum houses many exhibits of national and international importance, attracting over half a million visitors each year. The museum showcases a huge collection of vehicles and models telling the story of transport over the years, by land and sea, with an exclusive Glasgow flavour.

The Museum of Transport is located across the road from ‘Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum’ in the City’s West End.

The Mackintosh Ten

Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a talented Scottish architect and designer, born in 1868. He had a huge influence on Scottish and European architect and design. The following are the top 10 Charles Rennie Mackintosh buildings: Glasgow School of Art, Mackintosh House, The Willow Tea Rooms, Ruchill Church Hall, Queens Cross Church, Martyrs’ Public School, The Lighthouse, Daily Record Building, Scotland Street School and House for an Art Lover.

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow was founded in 1451 and is listed as one of the world’s top 100 universities. It’s the fourth oldest university in the United Kingdom and has approximately 16,000 undergraduates, 4,000 postgraduates and 4,000 adults in continuing education.

Today it’s the only University in Scotland with a full range of departments in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Law and Dentistry. Steeped in history and set in stunning surroundings, a trip to the university is a must when in Glasgow.

The University’s main campus is located on Gilmorehill in the West End of Glasgow, just 3 miles from the vibrant city centre. The University is easily accessible by bus. Route 44 runs through the main campus from the city centre. A seasonal tourist bus also stops at the University

Glasgow Botanic Gardens & Kibble Place

Set in the West End of Glasgow, Glasgow Botanic Gardens are located in a large public park with amazing tropical and temperate plant collections from around the world. There’s also a number of glasshouses at the botanic gardens including the Kibble Palace Glasshouse.

Kibble Palace is a 19th century cast iron framed glasshouse designed by John Kibble. In 1873 it was brought by barge to its current location in Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens. It’s a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Located on Great Western Road the gardens are easily accessible from the city centre.

By Train: Hillhead Underground Station is just a 5-minute walk away.

Bus: various routes operate from the city centre to Great Western Road.

By car: Follow M8 to Junction 17 and take the A82 (Great Western Road) west for about 1 mile.

The Gallery of Modern Art
The Gallery of Modern Art, also know as the GoMA, is the main gallery of contemporary art in Glasgow. The GoMA was opened in 1996 in a neo-classic building in the heart of Glasgow city centre.

Built in 1778, it was originally home to William Cunninghame of Lainshaw, who was a wealthy Glasgow Tobacco Lord. Over the years the building has undergone a series of different uses before becoming an art gallery. GoMA showcases works by both local and international artists.

Glasgow Science Centre
Glasgow Science Centre is located on the south bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow. The Science Centre is a purpose-built centre that comprises of three buildings: The Science Mall, the IMAX Cinema and the Glasgow Tower.

The Science Mall has three floors of interactive science and learning exhibits, a Science Show Theatre and the Scottish Power Planetarium.

The IMAX Cinema provides entertainment for all the family showing the very latest in movie entertainment.

The Glasgow Tower stands 127 meters tall and gives visitors a bird’s eye view of Glasgow city.

People’s Palace and Winter Gardens
The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens is made up of a museum and glasshouse that tell the story of Glasgow and its people from 1750 onwards. You can see various collections and displays as well as learn more about Glaswegians at home, work and leisure.

The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens are located just a short walk from the city centre, within the grounds of Glasgow Green.

Provand’s Lordship
The Provand’s Lordship is located at the top of Castle Street in the shadows of Glasgow Cathedral. It’s only a short walk from the city’s main bus station and shopping district.

It’s one of the very few buildings from Glasgow’s medieval period. Provand’s Lordship was built in 1471 as part of St Nicholas’s Hospital and was more than likely used to house clergy and other staff for the Cathedral at the time.

In 1978 the building was offered to the ‘City of Glasgow’ by the Provand’s Lordship Society. Today the house is furnished with 17th century Scottish furniture which was donated by Sir William Burrell.

By: Mairead Foley

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Mairead Foley writes for Novacarhire.com where you can book car hire at airports, ferry ports, rail stations, cities and towns all over the world.

Visit Novacarhire.com for all you need to know before you take to the roads in London, like where to go and what to see with your car hire. Book your Car hire Glasgow Airport now.

The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is the country’s second largest city after Glasgow. Located in the south-east of the country, Edinburgh owes its rugged setting to many Medieval and Georgian style architecture and is often considered one of the most picturesque cities in Europe.

Edinburgh replaced Scone as the capital of Scotland in 1437 and altogether has around 4,500 listed buildings in the city. A census taken in 2001 noted the population as 448,625. It’s one of Europe’s major tourist attractions bringing nearly 1 million visitors a year and is the second most visited destinations in the UK after the city of London.

Due to the city’s vast amount of historic buildings and monuments, Edinburgh is often given the nick name ‘Athens of the North’.

There are many attractions for tourists in Edinburgh and it is notably famous for its festivals. The most well known of these is the Edinburgh Festival, which is a collection of both official and independent festivals that are held every year over a space of four weeks in August. The most popular events in the Edinburgh festival include the Edinburgh Fringe which is the largest performing arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Comedy Festival which is the largest comedy festival in the world, and the Edinburgh International Book Festival. At the time of these festivals the cities are usually full with tourists and any accommodation should be booked way in advanced. However, finding a hotel or Bed and Breakfast in the city shouldn’t be too hard.
Other notable tourist attractions in the city are Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo and some of the many museums including the Museum of Scotland and the Royal Museum.

Getting around in the city is very easy with so much public transport available. Many residents of the city choose to use the public transport available for every day life including the many busses, trains, trams and taxis on offer. Cycling is also big in the city but due to the city’s landscape it can sometimes seem like a mountain bike ride.

By: Dan Collins

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With so many great attractions to visit in Edinburgh I recommend booking into a B&B . Bed and Breakfasts can be booked easily online but even if you just turn up you won’t be stuck to find some B&B’s

It’s estimated that Glasgow has over 50 nightclubs and 100 bars, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to a great night out! There are venues to suit everyone’s tastes – some of the most popular traditional pubs are the Brel Bar, The Shack and The Shed, to themed bars such as the Bar Jedi which pays homage to George Lucas’s Star Wars movies, and The Cooler, which is a prison themed public house!

For the serious clubber, there are DJ’s playing the latest tunes at Archaos, the Arches, the Sub Club, Yang, Alaska and Media Nightclub to name but a few. Other popular nightclub haunts for the serious reveller include the Garage, The Savoy, Trash, the G2, Tiger-Tiger and the Velvet Rooms.

Glasgow has a thriving music scene, with fans of live music well catered for at the King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, the Barrowlands, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), the Plaza, and the Arches. Glasgow is home to popular artists such as Belle and Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand, the Fratellis and Glasvegas, and these bands often ply their wares in the popular music haunts of the city, where they once learned their trade!

Glasgow also has a reputation for fine restaurants. Whatever you feel like eating – Indian, Chinese, Italian and there are also plenty of vegetarian and seafood options as well.

Glasgow Shopping

It’s little wonder that Glasgow has become one of the UK’s most popular shopping destinations. There’s a wonderful array of shops to suit all tastes and styles. The city is packed with household names in the retail world, including high street stores and stylish boutiques.

The most popular shopping street is Buchanan Street, located right in the heart of the city centre. The Buchanan Shopping Mall has plenty of high street shops from the likes of Gap to Miss Selfridge. It features all the upmarket retailers and is tastefully lighted at night, in a unique design.

Located south of Buchanan Street is the wonderful Princes Square, which is a magnificently restored 19th century shopping mall. Inside you’ll find all the stores that fashionistas will flock to, and the architecture of the shopping mall will allow the passive shopper (the male) the chance to enjoy the design and feel of the area!

Argyll Arcade offers an opportunity to purchase some unique jewellery at the Diamond Studio, and browse the antique stores that dot the arcade.

By: Mairead Foley

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Mairead Foley writes for www.Novacarhire.com/ where you can book car hire at airports, ferry ports, rail stations, cities and towns all over the world.

Book your Car hire Glasgow now.

Glasgow is the perfect place for a short break, holiday or a day out exploring. It is home to internationally famous attractions all of which are close together and easily reached. Lying right in the centre of Scotland, Glasgow has superb transport links not only within the city itself, but also to and from the outskirts and countryside. From museums and art galleries to the best shopping outside of London, Glasgow has something for everybody.

Culture

Glasgow has a long association with the arts and its superb art galleries and museums reflect this. The Burrell Collection in Pollok Country Park should be at the top of your to do list. Sir William Burrell gathered thousands of pieces and gifted them all to the city of Glasgow in 1944. 9000 are on display. Since then, people from all over the world have flocked to see important works of European art by figures such as Degas and Rembrandt, artifacts from ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt, tapestries, sculptures and architectural features such as medieval arches that have been incorporated into the building’s structure.

Also a must is House for an Art Lover. Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and lying in beautiful Bellahouston Park next to Victorian walled gardens, it remains a unique and exciting venue. Each room contains design, furniture and colour schemes from Mackintosh’s original portfolio, which gives a detailed insight into every aspect of his work.

No visit to Glasgow would be complete without a trip to the Kelvingrove Museum & Art Galleries. It is one of Europe’s most important museums and underwent a three year refurbishment. Opening again in 2006, many new features were added to the huge collection, such as the History Discovery Centre and multimedia cinema. The most famous exhibit is Salvador Dali’s s Christ of Saint John of the Cross.

Shopping

Glasgow is one of the UK’s favourite shopping destinations, and only London offers a larger range of high street options. Shopping in Glasgow is easy as the main city centre shopping district is largely pedestrianised. The three main shopping streets of Buchanan Street, Argyle Street and Sauchiehall Street contain not only the familiar High Street shops, but also centres and arcades full of niche market shops such as the Argyll Arcade, which has been a focus for jewellery shops for nearly 200 years. Glasgow is also home to one of the UK’s biggest city centre ventures – Buchanan Galleries. It has 80 shops ranging from retail giants such as Next and Habitat to smaller boutiques and specialist shops. With another huge shopping centre – at St Enoch’s – and antique, second-hand and unique bookshops at Merchant City all within a square mile of each other it’s easy to see why Glasgow is the UK’s second most popular shopping destination.

Eating Out

As Glasgow is a very cosmopolitan city, its places to eat and types of food are varied. Although the city centre has most restaurants and pubs, a ten minute trip the southside will yield some dining delights. One of the more unusual venues is the Battlefield Rest. A former tram station built in 1915 it is now a thriving Italian restaurant with a high reputation for authentic dishes and friendly service. Across the road is the very popular Tinto Tapas Bar. Its menu may be short but its blackboard seasonal specials such as crisp-skinned fillet of sea bass on a bed of creamed leeks and chorizo and red wine stew bring diners back again and again. Freshness of ingredients, friendly waiting staff and fair prices makes are what gives Tinto its good reputation. Glasgow is famous for its curries and has a wide range of “curry houses” from spacious to intimate. One little hidden gem is Shimla Pinks at the corner of Queen’s Park on Pollokshaws Road. Its traditional Indian food is popular with both locals and visitors alike and is known not only for its full flavour authentic meals but also for its stunning decor. As all these venues are close to Hampden Park, they are ideal for a pre concert or match meal.

Sport and Leisure

The sports fan and outdoor lover can find a range of exciting and relaxing pursuits. Golfers have a few parkland courses to choose from such as Haggs Castle, East Renfrewshire and Williamwood, all of which are well-maintained, challenging, quick, and easy to get to from the city centre. The municipal courses at Torrance House and Deacon’s Bank offer affordable golfing and welcome visitors and parties alike.

Football lovers always have a special treat when they come to Glasgow. Two of the world’s most famous clubs, Rangers and Celtic, lie at opposite side of the city and both offer well priced stadium tours. Match tickets can be hard to come by, so it’s a good idea to find match day packages (including a ticket) offered by a local hotel. Hampden Park houses the Scottish Football Museum, which is ten minutes from the city centre. There are more than 2000 items on display charting the history of Scottish football from the 1800s to the present, cups and trophies, football art and memorabilia.

For those who prefer their day to be more relaxed, Glasgow has a number of parks in which to enjoy a relaxing stroll. Queen’s Park in the city’s south side has a range of features such as boating and nature ponds, a viewpoint from which to see the across the city and on to the mountains, a glasshouse which displays a wide range of flora and fauna, a Zen garden, exotic birds, fish and reptiles.

Public Transport

Glasgow’s excellent public transport network enables visitors to travel around the city with ease. Buses are regular and plentiful, and the subway system, known as the “clockwork orange”, is fast, frequent and stretches from the west end to the east end. For those who plan to travel a lot in and around the city, a Zonecard gives unlimited travel on
trains, subway, most buses and some ferries. They are available at staffed train stations and transport centres.

By: Harry Young

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Harry Young works for Toltech Internet Solutions and writes on behalf of Dunkeld Hotel and Dunkeld Hotel and No 10 Queens Drive. Offering unbeatable deals on football packages including match ticket, room and transport. Also, shopping packages, for a central base from which to go shopping in Glasgow.

Glasgow’s treasures

Glasgow is a treasure trove of art and architecture. Home to contemporary artists like Jim Lambie and David Shrigley, Glasgow has made a name for itself in the international art world.

The Glasgow School of Art is famous for its prestigious alumni and its Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture – a powerful influence for Art Nouveau and for the Modernist movement. If you are a fan of Mackintosh’s style, visit The Hill House, The Willow Tearooms, the House for an Art Lover and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – this houses one of the greatest civic art collections in Europe, including works by Botticelli, Rembrandt and Dali and many Scottish artists.

Retail therapy

Glasgow is a shopper’s paradise. It is the second-largest shopping centre in the UK with arcades, open-air markets and shopping precincts. The main shopping area is in the heart of Glasgow and is for foot traffic only. Browse the shops at your own leisurely pace in Buchanan Street, Argyle Street and Sauchiehall Street. If you are looking for the perfect piece of jewellery to add the finishing touch to your outfit, head to the Argyll Arcade. It has over 30 jewellery stores and is one of Britain’s oldest covered arcades. If you prefer to do your shopping all under one roof, the Buchanan Galleries is your best option.

For the latest fashion trends visit Exchange Square, Ingram Street and Princes Square. If you are shopping for antiques, visit the Barras open-air street market in the East End and De Courcy’s Antique Craft Arcade in the West End.

Where to go for a good time

You will never be short of entertainment options in Glasgow. A number of musicians, bands, comedians and entertainers have graced the city’s nightspots including Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand and Billy Connolly. If you fancy going to a gig or concert, the Barrowlands, Arches, Bartly and Glasgow Academy and any number of pubs and bars offer live entertainment.
Festivals are also popular in Glasgow. You can visit the Glasgow Film Festival, Glasgow River Festival, West End Festival, Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival or Aye Write Book Festival.

A weekend escape

If you only have a long weekend to discover Glasgow’s magic, here is an itinerary to make the most of your time.

Day 1
If you go in mid-July head for the Glasgow River Festival. The festival celebrates the River Clyde and you can enjoy boat trips, dingy rides and tall ship displays. If your trip does not coincide with the festival you can explore the riverside history of Glasgow on foot or by bicycle. Just follow the Clyde from the centre of town to Glasgow Green, stop off for a look at the People’s Palace social history museum and finish the day off with a fish supper at Roganos – a renowned Art Deco restaurant.

Day 2
Hit the shops on Saturday or Sunday with an early morning visit to Barras Market. It has been selling a variety of bric-a-brac since the turn of last century. Some of the market stalls are set up under the Barrowlands – a famous music venue. After your visit to the market head into the city centre to trendy Ingram Street in the Merchant City. Take time out for a cultural experience at the Gallery of Modern Art. Round off Day 2 with a trip to the Uisge Beatha (meaning ‘water of life’) whisky specialist.

Day 3
Time to visit the park but not just any park, Kelvingrove. Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, Kelvingrove consists of 34 manicured hectares of pristine Victorian gardens. You can also visit the recently refurbished Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It houses a Rennie Mackintosh gallery, a collection of Egyptian treasures and over 8,000 works of art.

Getting there

Travelling by road

If you plan to drive, the road links to Scotland are first rate, traffic permitting of course. If you are driving from Edinburgh the trip should take about one hour, from Manchester – three hours 50 minutes and London – seven hours.

If you do not mind sitting for about 10 hours, you could travel by coach. It is probably the cheapest option although it does take the longest.

Travelling by train

If you have the time, take the scenic route to Glasgow by train. Glasgow’s two main train stations, Central and Queen Street, connect you with Strathclyde, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire regions with First ScotRail, and London and other major UK cities via west and east coast routes with National Express and Virgin.

Travelling by plane

You can catch a direct flight to Glasgow from London airports, provincial UK airports and Ireland. Glasgow International is 10 minutes away from the city and Prestwick is 30 minutes away. Prestwick also has its own dedicated train station.

You can fly with BA, easyJet, BMIbaby, FlyBe, Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Loganair. For more flight options, visit FlightMapping dot com/UK/Glasgow/.

Glasgow travel information
For more information and holiday ideas visit VisitScotland dot com and Glasgow dot gov dot uk/en/AboutGlasgow/Touristattractions/.

Guidebooks are another useful source for ideas, suggestions and travel tips. Try:

• The Glasgow Footprint Pocket Guide
• The Rough Guide to Scotland
• Scotland Lonely Planet Country Guide

Travel insurance
Unfortunately, Glasgow does have a reputation as a crime capital. However, the city is as safe as any other city in Western Europe so long as you are careful. Take care when visiting markets, tourist attractions and shopping precincts as pickpockets and thieves may be on the lookout for an easy target. Take extra care at night. For complete peace of mind, get travel insurance cover for all your valuables and personal possessions before you go. Whether you are planning a weekend break or a longer holiday, there are short and long-term travel insurance policies available to suit your needs. Most travel insurance companies offer quick and easy travel insurance quotes online. For a travel insurance quote and more information about the types of travel insurance available visit Direct Line Travel Insurance.

By: Direct Line

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Cheap quotes can be found online at www.directline.com, so visit the site today if you need travel insurance.

If you are having your Scottish wedding in Glasgow and you are looking for a more unusual type of wedding venue for your ceremony or reception, then any one of these beautiful wedding venues will be worth a look.

Trades Hall
Situated in the trendy Merchant City area of Glasgow, the Trades Hall is truly a hidden gem when it comes to wedding venues. Built around 1790, it is probably one of the most important historical building in Glasgow. Impressive, sumptuous, and elegant, it is a truly memorable venue to have a wedding. It can accommodate up to 230 for the wedding meal.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
This massive Victorian building is arguably Scotland’s best art gallery and museum. It contains one of the most unique art collections in Europe with paintings by Picasso, Botticelli, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Millet, and Monet. The ground floor is a spectacular place to have a wedding and there are many great locations, inside and out, for wedding photographs.

The Barony
Owned by the Strathclyde University, The Barony is a spectacular, Victorian church with impressive architecture and imposing stained-glass windows. It is a truly magnificent and sumptuous venue for any wedding. It can accommodate up to 200 guest for the wedding meal and 350 for the evening reception.

The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour
The Glenshee is a romantic 19th century sailing ship berthed a Glasgow Harbour. The ship has been fully restored and is a popular venue for weddings and events. It can accommodate up to 216 people for the wedding breakfast and 350 for the wedding reception. What more could any swashbuckling bride or groom want?

House For An Art Lover
This beautiful house was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1901 and is now one of Glasgow’s top visitor attractions. It is situated in Bellahouston Park and is next to a superb Victorian Walled Garden. It can seat 120 for the wedding meal and accommodate 130 for the evening reception. Mackintosh’s brief was “to design a House in a thoroughly modern style, where one can be lavishly entertained” and he certainly did that. It is a wonderful venue for smaller weddings.

People’s Palace and Winter Gardens
Situated in Glasgow Green, The People’s Palace is Glasgow’s social history museum. Attached to the Palace is The Winter Gardens, which is a large, elegant Victorian Glasshouse full of exotic, tropical plants. Directly outside the Winter Gardens is a grand driveway with the Doulton Fountain in the centre. It is the largest terracotta fountain in the world and is quite spectacular when lit up.

Glasgow University
Glasgow has one of Scotland’s oldest and most impressive Universities. The Cloisters and Chapel are breathtakingly beautiful and the Bute and Randolph Halls are architecturally magnificent. So, whether you are having a religious or civil wedding, Glasgow University can accommodate your dreams. The Bute Hall can seat up to 400 guests for the evening reception.

So, there we are. A selection of great wedding venues, that will suit any type of Scottish wedding and the most discerning of Scottish brides.

By: Michael Breck

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

The Magic Agency in Scotland specializes in wedding bands and ideas for corporate entertainment. For more information about our services please go to Entertainment For Weddings and Events or The Wedding Magician In Scotland

Words ‘Scotland’ and ‘dance’ for many immediately conjure up mental pictures of swinging kilts. These aren’t just cliches: since the 18th century, dance has always had an important place at all levels of Scottish society and even today, it is still very much a living tradition.

There are generally three different styles of Scottish traditional dance: ceilidh dancing, country dancing and Highland dancing.

The first one is the most accessible form of our traditional dancing. The basic dances are all fairly easy to master, are few in number and comprise mostly round-the-room and set dances. The emphasis is firmly on having fun and being sociable – there is none of the regulation and competition that marks the other forms of traditional dance and the dress-code is invariably ‘come-as-you-are’. Key ingredients of a good ceilidh include enthusiasm, a good band, and usually – but not essentially – drink.  Ceilidh dancing is taught to schoolkids across the country so most Scots grow up with it, which is no doubt why it’s a regular feature of weddings and other social gatherings, such as Burns Suppers. In the past decade or so, however, Glasgow and Edinburgh have witnessed an explosion in the ceilidh’s popularity as a weekend entertainment and have seen a number of ceilidh clubs emerge.

The next one – Scottish country dancing is much more organised affair than ceilidh dancing. The dances involve combinations of up to five couples, usually arranged in lines facing each other or in squares, moving through a repeating series of prescribed steps and movements which eventually ends with all the dancers back in their original formation. Individual dances – of which there are literally thousands, with new ones being created all the time – are often quite intricate and require a fair degree of technique, mobility and grace.

Unlike the freeform ceilidh dancing, this dancing is strictly regulated and standardised. Under the gaze of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, the form and movements of each dance are agreed and published so that its 25,000 members across the globe learns the authorised version. While this may stifle individual creativity, it does allow people to come together from all over the world and enjoy the common language of dance. It is important to have a proper uniform, that migh also improve a self confidence, especially for beginners. The easy way of having a nice suit is a kilt hire.
In contrast to ceilidh and country dancing, Highland dancing is performed competitively, usually by youngsters. The dances are mostly solo performances, where the emphasis is on the precise execution of intricate footwork. The standard of competitive performance is very high and thanks to a number of regulatory bodies in different countries, competitions often have an intenational flavour.

By: Caroline Anderson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

www.highlandstore.com

Scotland is fast becoming one of the key places for producing musical talent. Not only is it shown in the new up and coming musical talent but through the history of this cosmopolitan country. There has always been a dedication to music with many music venues and festivals all taking place in this buzzing and growing place.

New talents that have emerged over the past few years are bands like Biffy Clyro, Texas, Travis, The Fratellis, Franz Ferdinand, that have all seen worldwide fame.

There are many acoustic artists like Amy Macdonald, Leon Jaskson, and even in her twenty odd years of recording, Annie Lenox is still as popular as ever with her music being recognisable in nearly every country. Amy Macdonald is a young female artist that is renowned for her acoustic guitar gigs that have burst onto the musical scene in the past year. In Scotland, there is a free reign to experiment and play with music with the people being open minded and receptive to new sounds. With all of this talent coming out of Scotland, it is no wonder that it is now being recognised as one of the front runners for new music that is able to capture the attention and heart of the nation.

The venues and festivals that Scotland has are renowned for showcasing fresh new musical acts. Some of the most famous and popular festivals include T in the Park which takes place in Fife, Connect festival that takes place in Argyll , and Rockness which is located in Inverness. All of these festivals demand huge attendance with crowds filling the area to see their favourite high profile and not so high profile bands. But it’s not just the festivals that make Scotland all about the music. There are many musical venues in all the major cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, that give new talnet a platform to perform their work. Glasgow gigs are arguable some of the best in Scotland, with bands and artists flocking to the famous music venues like King Tut’s and The Barrowlands to play the enthusiastic crowds their songs that range from being solo acoustic songs to bands and their electric guitars.

Overall, Scotland has offered a large amount of unique and talented musicians and singers over the years and is producing even more now. The talent that comes out of Scotland has a large amount of influence on the music industry and there are no signs of it stopping.

By: Pamela360

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