Scotland

Poll Reveals Most Reassuring Airline Pilot Accent

Cockpit ©kudumomo A recent poll conducted for the Business Travel Show in London found that a pilot with a Home Counties accent to be the most reassuring accent for passengers. A Cockney accent was chosen as the least trustworthy accent, followed by a Midlands accent. Given the results of the poll, airline expert and travel [...]

Cute Pandas Send Edinburgh Zoo’s Numbers Soaring

Panda ©Chi King Since the arrival of two very cute giant pandas, visitor numbers at the Edinburgh Zoo are up 200 percent. Around 70,000 people have visited the new zoo residents since December–more than three times the number who visited the zoo during the same period in 2010. The two pandas, named Tian Tian and [...]

“Tartan Butler” Assisting Tourists With Ancestral Quests

Tartan kilt © ericjowett Based out of the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, the “Tartan Butler” is a newly appointed concierge helping visitors discover their Scottish heritage. Andy Fraser, otherwise known as the Butler, is a long time fan of Scottish and clan history. Fraser’s interest in genealogy began with the research of his own Scottish ancestors, [...]

Scotch Whisky, Now in an Aluminum Can

Nightcap ©Ella’s Dad High brow booze in a low brow can? Why not. Scottish Spirits Imports Inc. will soon be putting prized liquor into a humble aluminum can. Ken Rubenfeld, vice president of operations for Scottish Spirits Imports told The Huffington Post that they hope their can of scotch will stand out in its unique [...]

Photo of the Moment: Dead End Church, Scotland

Two Hospitalized After Competing in Edinburgh’s “World’s Hottest Chili Competition”

Chicken Curry © ayesamson Kismot Indian Resturant in Edinburgh, Scotland has promised to tone down the curry it serves in its annual “world’s hottest chilli competition” after contestants were left writhing on the floor in agony and two were hospitalized. The competition, a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland, rewards the participant who eats [...]

Photo of the Moment: Picture Perfect Cottage, Scotland

Naked Hiker Jailed in Scotland … Again

Jail © DieselDemon So-called “naked rambler” Steven Gough was sent to jail in Scotland for 657 days for breaching the peace by refusing to wear clothes. Ever. Gough should be accustomed to jail though, considering he was arrested within 60 seconds of being released from his previous 21-month sentence, as he walked out of court [...]

Unidentified Falling Object Seen Over Loch Ness

Scottish police are scratching their heads over a mysterious occurrence at Loch Ness this weekend, The Scotsman newspaper reports. On Saturday night several eyewitnesses saw an object falling into or near the loch. Some describe it as a white light, others as a blue light. People said it was a balloon, or an ultralight, or [...]

Edinburgh’s “Most Faithful Dog in the World” Exposed as a Fraud

Greyfriars Bobby © Tony Austin It turns out the tale of the “most faithful dog in the world” is one of greed, deception, and disguise. The Guardian reports that the legend of Greyfriars Bobby, the little terrier who kept a 14-year vigil at his master’s grave in Edinburgh, was a Victorian scam. A local restaurant [...]

3 Must-Visit Cities in Britain That You Might Not Have Thought Of

Europe is the continent of city breaks. There are just so many cities you want to knock off your ‘been there, done that’ list, that you often miss all the smaller, less ‘touristy’ places. If you had to name you top three must-do cities in the UK for example, what would they be? London would [...]

Photo of the Moment: Dawn Over the River Tay, Scotland

Photo of the Moment: The Ruins of Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh

Photo of the Moment: Nice Spot for People Watching, Glasgow

© mrpattersonsir In the photographer’s words: Possibly the busiest – and least prettiest – junction in glasgow city centre, and a very odd place to bring along your stool and have a nice sit down. Best viewed large.

Photo of the Moment: Pastoral Road, Scotland

Scots to Lobby United States to Lift Haggis Ban

Haggis, nips, and tatties © wili_hybrid Scotland plans to pressure the US to lift its current ban on haggis – the Scottish dish made of sheep’s heart, liver, and lung wrapped in its stomach lining. The US clamped a ban on the Scot favorite after the outbreak of Mad Cow Disease. According to a rep, [...]

Weird Things in the Hotel Lost and Found: Boy, Cat and Human Remains

According to Travelodge Hotel in Edinburgh, the strangest piece of lost property that guests left behind in 2007 was a 4 year old boy (?!?). The parents apparently had a family party to attend, and loads of luggage. In all the excitement, they forgot to take their son along. Thankfully, they returned as soon as [...]