Travel guide Scotland

The Scottish accent will give you a hard time. It has nothing to do with what you may have learned in school. Don't worry if you don't understand what is being said to you and vice versa. Here, we roll the "r's" and, for example, "ch" is pronounced "rrr". So for Loch Ness, remember to pronounce it [Lorr].

Beer's been brewed in Scotland for 5,000 years... The oldest beer in the world is thought to have been found in the north of Scotland at Skara Brae. The first breweries are said to have developed in the late 16th century. Everywhere you can taste a local beer, brewed by hand. Some 70 breweries are scattered throughout the country...

Thethistle is a national symbol. It is said that in the Middle Ages, warriors slept in a camp when they were awakened by the cries of enemies who had taken off their shoes to keep quiet and stepped on thistles. It appears on the jersey of the rugby team, on many logos and in Scottish folklore.

Since its origins, clans have defined the social organisation of Scotland. The term "clan" comes from the Scottish Gaelic "clann" meaning "children". Today, clans are a family name, a tartan and an inheritance, but they are still a source of pride for Scots and their emigrant descendants.

The Scots have a very humorous way of talking about the most iconic musical instrument in their culture. Examples? "A true gentleman is someone who can play the bagpipes, but doesn't play them" or "What's the difference between an onion and a bagpipe? No one cries when you chop a bagpipe!".

It is the emblematic dish of the traditional gastronomy. It consists of a sheep's belly stuffed with lungs, liver and heart, cereals and spices. The famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns, declaimed with a lyricism not devoid of humor his love of this traditional dish that the Scots honor, every year, on January 25.

The Scottish long-haired cow is probably the most photographed animal in Scotland. You will come across it, mostly and as its name suggests, in the Highlands. Small, stocky, with big (very big!) horns, redheaded, hair in the wind, she is a real star. The height of "mignonnonnitude"? The highland calf!

The kilt, originating in the Highlands, would have appeared in the ^16th century. It is worn on special occasions. You will see it during certain festivals where pipe bands intervene, by certain bagpipers proudly displaying their traditional dress at the entrance of tourist places for "postcard" animations always welcome.

Midges are worse insects than mosquitoes. They get a kick out of sucking your blood in the spring and summer. It sounds terrifying and it is! They even get through mosquito nets! Only the wind and some specific products, easily found in supermarkets and pharmacies, will be your protection...

Perhaps the most famous character in Scotland, Nessie is one of the country's mascots. She has been present for centuries under the waters of Loch Ness and is the star of souvenir stores, legends and the press. The last time I heard, she was just a big eel. You are free to refuse this fanciful explanation!

" The local ", " the boozer " or " public house ": this is the second home of the Scots. They are often rustic, decorated with woodwork, black and white photos and authentic local decorations. The CAMRA association(Campaign for Real Ale) has made their quality its hobbyhorse and defends real ales (traditional beers).

Scotland has the largest number of distilleries in the world. This is evidenced by several Scottish sayings: "Never drink whisky without water and never drink water without whisky" or "The rain of yesterday and today is the whisky of tomorrow. "or "Whisky for a Scot is as harmless as milk for the rest of humanity".