Il territorio della Scotland si suddivide morfologicamente in tre fasce: le Southern Uplands, disegnate da montagne basse e colline dolci prossime al confine con l’England; le Lowlands, solcate da tre fiumi cruciali per lo sviluppo economico del Paese, quali Clyde, Forth e Tay; e le Highlands, le terre alte del nord, con rilievi di tutto rispetto come il Ben Nevis (1343 metri) e altopiani ricoperti di brughiera torbosa.
In conseguenza di questo, anche il paesaggio è estremamente vario e regala uno spettacolare alternarsi di vallate profonde e selvagge chiamateglen; di praterie mosse da macchie boscose e pianori tappezzati di erica; di coste tormentatissime, dove il mare ha scavato veri e propri fiordi e curiose serpentine chiamati loch, come anche i celebri laghi, nelle cui acque livide si specchiano castelli e dimore da fiaba o sonnecchiano mostri fantasiosi.
La parte più industrializzata della Scotland si è sviluppata nella fascia mediana delle Lowlands, dove l’impetuosità dei fiumi ha fornito l’energia necessaria per far produrre imponenti poli metallurgici, blasonati lanifici e tessiture, vivacissimi cantieri navali acquattati in porti sicuri, ritagliati all’interno dei fiordi.
Capital of Scotland: Edinburgh and the other cities
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, some of the most densely populated urban centers are indeed located in the Lowlands. Moreover, it is precisely in this area that rich coal mines were exploited, now replaced by oil extracted from the North Sea. Scotland is a very generous land in many ways: nature, history, culture, folklore, character of the inhabitants, tourist facilities, and entertainment opportunities.
It is truly difficult to get bored during a weekend in Scotland or a vacation in this land, even though the weather conditions change quickly and often you have to dress in layers like onions; even if the wind lashes the moors and forces a stop in a pub.
Scotland: between whisky and kilts
In the land of whisky, kilts, and bagpipes not everything is extreme: there are also summer days with very hot sun; there are the warmths brought by the Gulf Stream that make gardens bloom with curious tropical essences and, above all, there is the jovial nature of its inhabitants, proud not only to be Scottish but also to be able to welcome everyone, from novices to the most seasoned visitors. Scotland is indeed one of those countries that lend themselves to many, many journeys, because there are just as many ways to discover it and to feel less foreign each time.
Scotland Profile
- Country: Scotland
- Area: 78,782 km²
- Capital: Edinburgh
- Population: 5,120,000 inhabitants
- Language: English, Scottish Gaelic
- Religion: the majority is Presbyterian, the minority is Anglican and Catholic
- State system: constitutional monarchy with the United Kingdom
- Major cities: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Stirling
Useful information about Scotland
- Currency: British Pound (€0.61) and Scottish Pound (€0.61)
- International dialing code: +44
- International vehicle registration: GB
- Driving side: left
- Entry documents: ID card or Passport
- Vaccination required: None
- Electric current: 240V, 50Hz
- Unit of measurement: metric decimal
- Time zones: – 1 hour (Italy time)
- Fixed-date holidays: January 2 and 3, April 14, May 1, May 29, August 7, December 25 and 26
- Climate: summer not very hot, winter cold but not very cold
- Average temperatures: 10°C (3-4°C in winter, 14-16°C in summer)
- Transport: direct ferry from Belgium with Superfast Ferries. Airlines Ryanair, Flyglobespan, Jet2.com, British Airways and others. UK Railways and Network Rail trains
- Airports: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness
