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The fair city of Perth on the banks of the River Tay was the ancient capital city of Scotland.

Perth’s city town of Scone was where most of the ancient kings and queens were crowned.

More than 8,000 years.

Think about this for a second – Before Jesus, before Buddha, before the Roman Empire, before the great pyramids of Egypt, before all of written history, the ancient Gaelic tribes fished and hunted in Perth.

We are walking along the same rolling, green hills, beside the same river, beneath the same skies much the same as our ancestors did 8,000 years ago.

Perths central location has given it the nickname of ‘Gateway To The Highlands’.

The Kingdom of Alba refers to the Kingdom of Scotland between the deaths of Donald II (Domnall mac Causantin) in 900 and of Alexander III in 1286, which then led indirectly to the Scottish Wars of Independence.

According to legend, the “guardian thistle” played a vital part in Alexander III, King of Scots’ defense of the ancient realm of Scotland against a night-time raiding party of ‘not-so-sneaky’ Norwegian Vikings.

One or more of the Viking raiders let out a yell of pain when stepping on a prickly thistle, which alerted the Scots and saved them within an inch of their lives.

In the motto, “No one harasses me without punishment in return” (Latin: “Nemo me impune lacessit”), “me” was therefore originally the thistle itself, but by extension now refers to the Scottish regiments which have adopted it.

Could a country’s relationship with nature get any closer than that of Scotland and its thistle?

Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders during the First War of Scottish Independence.

Along with Andrew Moray, Wallace defeated an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297.

Wallace’s character was also played by Mel Gibson in the film called Braveheart.

Hostels in Scotland offer a budget-friendly and sociable way to see the country. No longer just for the young, but for the young at heart too, hostels welcome everyone including families, groups, clubs, backpackers and solo travellers.

Book a hostel in Scotland and you can expect:

• a bed in an economic dormitory, or a chic and spacious private room with shared or private en-suite facilities. Some hostels can be booked out for large groups.
• self-catering cooking facilities where you can make breakfast or an evening meal – pots, pans, plates and cups will be provided, but don’t forget to bring food, especially if the hostel is remote.
• a common room where you can meet other guests, often with a TV, books, games, and guides to the area.
• drying facilities for wet gear – hostels are great for backpacking or long-distance hiking.
• luggage storage facilities – your dorm bed will usually have its own locker, but it’s worth bringing along your own padlock for extra security.
• free WiFi – so you can book tours, download maps or print tickets, or plan the next stop on your trip around Scotland.

If you choose a bed in a dormitory, it will most likely be split by gender, but some hostels also offer mixed dorm rooms. Most hostels provide you with a sheet and pillow but require you bring your own sleeping bag or duvet, however; some hostels hire these out for a small charge.

Location-wise, hostels can be found right across Scotland, from bustling Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Inverness city centers to the base of great mountains like Ben Nevis, and in our two National Parks, the Cairngorms or Loch Lomond and The Trossachs.

Scotland’s two main hostelling organizations are Hostelling Scotland (or the Scottish Youth Hostel Association) and Scottish Independent Hostels – through which you can book your bed. Some hostels are also independently or privately operated.

Most hostel beds and rooms can be booked in advance, and we recommend doing so whenever possible to avoid disappointment. Some hostels are also seasonal, so make sure to check the opening details before setting out on your adventure.

We love a B&B in Scotland – there’s something special about the experience of staying in a local private home or guesthouse, looked after by a friendly host.

Whether you stay for just one night, or make the bed and breakfast your home for a week, wake up in a comfy bed and enjoy a delicious Scottish breakfast before heading out for the day to explore.

Guesthouses and bed & breakfasts in Scotland offer:

• Accommodation in a local, private house, usually run by the owner. With lots of personalized touches, great service, and a warm welcome, make sure you make the most of your host and ask for their insider tips on places to visit, things to do, and walks in the area.
• A traditional Scottish breakfast (haggis optional) or full continental, which will include cold meats, cheese, fresh fruit, and bakery items. There will be a vegetarian option and if you call ahead, most B&Bs cater to vegans and other dietary requirements. Some even serve evening meals. B&Bs and guesthouses do not usually provide facilities for you to cook for yourself.
• Excellent facilities, which can include off-road parking, pet-friendly rooms, or handy storage for bikes or golf clubs. Your B&B might also offer laundry facilities.

Whilst both B&Bs and guesthouses offer a bed for the night and breakfast the next morning, B&Bs will usually host no more than six guests at one time, offering a personal touch to your stay. Guesthouses tend to be larger, with at least four bedrooms for guests.

As many restaurants with rooms in Scotland hold AA rosettes or even Michelin stars, they are immensely popular places to eat and stay – your booking will normally guarantee you a table for dinner.

Check-in is similar to a hotel or a B&B – you simply call in at reception to register and pick up your keys on arrival. Breakfast is served the next morning, either in the restaurant or in your accommodation.

In Scotland, you’ll find a self-catering cottage that is as unique as you are. Book a place where the great outdoors is waiting to be explored on your doorstep, or choose somewhere perfect for relaxation, such as a peaceful country haven with an amazing view. Take a dip in the hot tub at a luxurious renovated barn or light the wood-burning stove in a traditional fishing cottage, and allow that holiday feeling to sweep over you.

Many cottages are pet-friendly so you can even take the dog too!

Staying in an affordable hotel in Scotland means that you can spend your money on more amazing experiences – perhaps a visit to the latest trendy foodie spot or a night of dancing at a must-see gig?

Booking a budget hotel can have many other advantages too, including handy city center locations and close proximity to transport hubs and top attractions, particularly in our seven cities.

You’ll have the choice of hotels operated by international, trusted brands or you can opt for independently managed properties.

Of course, your accommodation will provide you with all the basic essentials for your trip.

All Scotland’s seasons offer something different:

Spring (March, April, May) – seeing leaves and plants bursting into life, watching newborn animals playing, sitting by a tranquil river bed at the start of the fishing season, celebrating Whisky Month, Tartan Day, and Easter.

Summer (June, July, August) – strolling in the sunshine, enjoying a luxurious ice cream, having a blast at a festival or a traditional Highland games, cycling through a leafy forest, or along the glittering coastline.

Autumn (September, October, November) – walking on carpets of golden leaves, seeing migrating birds flying overhead, celebrating St Andrews Day, waking up to a shimmering frost.

Winter (December, January, February) – lounging by cozy fires, taking winter walks, playing in the snow, shopping at Christmas fairs, celebrating Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night.

On the whole, Scotland boasts a largely temperate, if changeable(!), a climate that is rarely extreme on either end on the spectrum.

But that’s not to say you won’t enjoy colder days in the winter when the mercury dips to freezing and the countryside turn into a winter wonderland, or brilliant days in the summer when the sun bathes the countryside in light and warmth.

Glasgow often comes at the top of Scotland’s “most rainy” lists, but the smaller town of Greenock nearby slightly trumps it with an average of 174.6 days of rain per year.

Dundee has been ranked among the driest cities in Scotland, helping to cement its reputation as the country’s sunniest place to live. Data from the Met office showed that the City of Discovery has the fewest rainy days per year (124), together with Edinburgh.

The average number of days with snow falling in Scotland ranges from 15 to 20 days. However, the peaks and mountains of the Highlands experience around 100 days of falling snow. The snowsports season varies each year, but generally, it runs from November to April.

Due to this little country’s geography, predicting the weather in Scotland can be challenging!

Scottish weather can change abruptly, in fact, sometimes you can feel as though you’ve experienced three (or even all four) seasons in just one day.

One thing that you can usually depend on though… is that it’s going to rain at some point.

Your mobile should switch onto a UK network while you’re here, though charges for calls and data vary. Check with your own provider before your holiday.

Most accommodation providers offer WiFi (check before you book though!) as well as many cafés and visitor attractions.

You should also be able to access roaming data from your phone (charges vary though so please check with your provider before you visit us).

Hearing loops can be found all over the place. In fact, all retail outlets such as shops and restaurants are required to provide this service by law, under the Equality Act of 2010. You’ll find them in hospitals, libraries, post offices, banks, GP surgeries, train stations, airports, and sport venues. Many taxis and trains also have hearing loop systems installed.

Public venues and tourist attractions such as theatres, museums, music venues, cinemas and places of worship also often have loop systems. Most venues will have an Accessibility page on their website, which can let you know if they have a system.

If you’re looking for a hearing loop day out, why not try some of these attractions?

The National Galleries of Scotland offer portable hearing loops for its guided tours, lectures and talks, for a cultural day out. Hearing loops are also fitted in their lecture halls and education suites.

Scottish Parliament has hearing loops installed throughout its buildings, including the debating chamber, public galleries, education centre and crèche. They also provide portable loop systems for all their guided tours.

Perth Concert Hall and Theatre have induction loop and infra-red systems for hearing aid users. Staff can advise on the best seats in the house if you’re using a hearing aid – ask at the box office.

The Scotch Whiskey Experience in Edinburgh offers hearing loops on interactive whiskey barrel ride through a virtual distillery – sure to be a memorable day out!

Royal Yacht Britannia, voted Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction, has a hearing loop system throughout its entire route. Explore this unique royal residence at your leisure!

Yes. Scotland offers some of the warmest and friendly services in all of Europe.

Please select your needs here to learn more about Scotlands transport accessibility.

Disability Rights UK This is an umbrella organization for voluntary groups for people with disabilities. Many wheelchair-accessible toilets can be opened only with a special Royal Association of Disability & Rehabilitation (Radar) key, which can be obtained via the website or from tourist offices for £5.40.

Disabled Persons Railcard (www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk) Discounted train travel. Costs £20.

86% of the Scottish countryside is accessible.