 Wow what a year for events and excitement 2018 have been so far! So many fabulous events took place here in Scotland that I thought I would give you a little taste of a few things happening in December. There are so many things going on but we wanted to give you a few things to think about and if you fancy coming here for a weekend break or longer then just get intouch.
Credit for the below list goes to www.scotlandwelcomesyou.com Edinburgh’s Christmas 16th November 2018 – 5th January 2019, Edinburgh Centred around Princes Street Gardens. The Light Night, the Traditional German Christmas Market, Santa’s Reindeer Garden, The Edinburgh Wheel, The Great Scottish Santa Run and Winter Wonderland and more, for the ultimate festive experience. Christmas Charity Festival 1st – 2nd December 2018, Edinburgh Great Scottish Events is a not-for-profit Social Enterprise. Our main aim is to organise events on behalf of Scottish Charities, and the charities keep 100% of all money raised. Over 30 charity stalls, 5K and 10K runs, Christmas Walk, Tinsel Walk, The Santa Toddle, and The Santa Parade. Great fun for the whole family while helping deserving charities. Dundee Santa Dash 2nd December 2018, Dundee We will once again be raising money for The ARCHIE Foundation and are hoping to get over 1000 “Santas” taking part and getting into the Festive Spirit. Sleep In The Park 8th December 2018, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow Charity event in four cities, in one night, raising money with a nationwide sleep out to end homelessness in Scotland. Edinburgh Santa Run 9th December 2018, Edinburgh The 2.5km event will start at 1pm after a special Christmas warm up. Special prizes for the best dressed pushchairs and best dressed dogs. Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert 9th December 2018, SEC Hydro, Glasgow Experience the grandeur of these beloved Star Wars films in a live symphonic concert experience, as the Star Wars: Film Concert Series debuts with A New Hope. Find Tickets Glasgow Santa Dash 9th December 2018, Glasgow Santa Claus is coming to town. Step into your Santa suit and join him and thousands of other Santas for a festive 5K run! Irn Bru Carnival 20th December 2018 – 13th January 2019, SECC Glasgow Europe’s largest indoor fun fair, with over 60 rides and attractions, as well as new and exciting additions for thrill seekers, families and more kids rides than ever. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 30th December 2018 – 5th January 2019, Edinburgh The world’s greatest New Year party with days and nights of amazing events and fun, with the traditional torchlit procession, street performers, fireworks, concerts, ceilidh, and of course, the big Hogmanay party itself. Hogmanay Ceilidh 31st December 2018, Archerfield Walled Garden, Dirleton Enjoy the party with a cocktail on arrival, a delicious 4 course dinner, fizz at the bells, Auld Lang Syne, and dancing til the wee hours. The Caves: Edinburgh Hogmanay Ceilidh 31st December 2018, 8-10 Niddry Street South, Edinburgh New years Eve party fun time for clubbers, not for the faint-hearted. We hope to see you here this December. If you fancy a trip away to enjoy some of these fabulous events then just give us a call on 0131 467 7000 or email us on in2scotland@ttce.com. We are waiting to hear from you!
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Fed up trying to find a solo holiday without surcharges for single rooms? Ever want to go on holiday to meet, or make, new friends?  Everyone who has ever travelled solo know the pain of bitterly paying out extra due to the “hefty single supplement”. It feels as though you are being discriminated against because of your lack of a willing accomplice. Yet, you know that, in all honestly, people sharing is cheaper and more profitable for hotels. But just because you’re travelling alone doesn’t mean that it can’t be a once in a lifetime experience.
We’ve got hundreds of spaces available for the solo traveller with a multitude of themes and activities. Walking tours! Cooking in Tuscany! The far-east adventure! America for solos!
But just because you’re grouped together, doesn’t mean you can’t also utilise your spare time for much needed “you-time”. So, it’s the best of both worlds! Make new friends, learn news skills, have fun and relax, all without that pesky single supplement!  Why wait? Book your “Just You” holiday today!
 There are many great events happening in Scotland in 2018. With the second year of the highly successfully TRNSMT Festival returning to Glasgow Green for a second year, the upcoming Scotland v England Six Nations game at Murrayfield and of course, the world famed Edinburgh Fringe Festival, there really is something for everyone. Feis Ile: Islay Festival of Malt & Music |
 | The Isle of Islay is known as the centre of whisky tourism, with eight active distilleries on the island. Islay annually hosts Fèis Ìle – a “Festival of Malt and Music” held in the last week on May. They host a diverse programme featuring traditional music, ceilidhs, Gaelic lessons, golf, bowling and whisky tasting, and for the last number of years all the Islay distilleries have held open days throughout the week of the festival, adding to the mix! |
The Royal Highland Show
21-24 June
| The Royal Highland Show is Scotland’s annual farming and countryside showcase, which first began almost 200 years ago. The show is organised by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. The show is held annually at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, over the second-last weekend in June. The event attracts over a thousand exhibiters |  |
 | TRNSMT Festival |
The Open Championship |  |
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
3-25 August
 | The annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle every August, as part of the Edinburgh Festival. It features a series of military tattoos performed by the British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and international military bands, as well as artistic performance teams. |
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe
3-27 August
| The world’s largest arts festival, last year The Fringe featured 53,232 performances of 3,398 show in 300 venues, meaning there is literally something for everyone’s taste and sense of humour. The Fringe was established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival and has become very popular with performers all over the world, especially within the comedy circuit. |  |
With hundreds of performances running every day from 3rd to 27th August, this is a must for everyone, whether you’ve never been to the Fringe before or you go every year!
 | Truckfest |
Glasgow Whisky Festival
10 November
| The annual Glasgow Whisky Festival is a celebration of whiskies from Glasgow’s closest distilleries and its independent bottlers. As well as the focus on Glasgow whiskies, they also celebrate whiskies from all over Scotland and the rest of the world. The event will be held on 10th November at Hampden Park, Glasgow and runs in two sessions; 12pm-4pm and 5pm-9pm. Members of Glasgow’s Whisky Club will be on hand on the day to answer questions and help where possible. |  |
There will be more than 60 stands featuring whisky, gin, rum, other spirits and whisky gifts in Scotland’s National Stadium. There will be foodbank raffle we will run this again at the start of both sessions on the 10th of November.
Scotland is one of the most beautiful and interesting countries in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year. It is also one of the safest but as with any country you need to take care of yourself and your belongings. Below you can find some of the areas to consider:
What to look for when booking accommodation:
Other things that you should know:
All credit for this article goes to the Scottish Business Resilience Centre. View the original article.
What to look for when booking accommodation:
- Be aware of bogus accommodation being promoted – where possible book through a reputable travel company or an established hotel. If booking independently ensure that you deal with the property owner or letting agent.
- Do your research on the property or hotel, check that the address exists through web and online map searches. Check the reviews.
- Make sure that the website uses the secure padlock symbol. Never pay by cash or a money transfer agent, these are not intended for commercial payments. If you can, pay by credit card as this may protect your payment.
- Be aware of what you put on social media about going on holiday, you don’t want to advertise that your home is empty.
- Take out adequate travel insurance and keep note of your personal belongings, cameras, passports, travellers cheques, credit cards should they get lost or stolen.
Other things that you should know:
- Use hotel safety deposit box or safe; never leave belongings unsecured in your room.
- Avoid buying tickets from “ticket touts” at venues always purchase from authorised places.
- Consuming alcohol in a public place is prohibited by local byelaws in certain areas.
- Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public areas, such as transport, restaurants, shops & bars etc.
All credit for this article goes to the Scottish Business Resilience Centre. View the original article.
Written by Ken McNab & Tom Morton
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On 12 th Jul 2003, I had the pleasure of attending the 227 th Independence Day
Anniversary with the American Ambassador to Scotland, as one of a few people in
Scotland who is an ASTA (The American Society of Travel Agents) member. Her speech
revealed that we have many links with that great continent. She sent me a copy of her
speech and here are some of the interesting facts that she revealed on that day.
When one looks at the globe, Scotland is the second closest European Trading Nation to
the continent of America. History ties that in with The Tobacco Barons of Glasgow and
the links in trade with Scotland, which meant we were the strongest commercial
partners of The Americas. There after our trades were strong until the early 1950’s
when successive British Governments started to focus more on the European Union as
their own “United States of Europe”. This may have had a detrimental effect on our
links, but we need to change that.
There have always been strong ties between America and Scotland. It is the second most
popular country after Ireland. One of the former presidents, Woodrow Wilson, once
said, “Every line of strength in American history is coloured with Scottish blood.”
Anniversary with the American Ambassador to Scotland, as one of a few people in
Scotland who is an ASTA (The American Society of Travel Agents) member. Her speech
revealed that we have many links with that great continent. She sent me a copy of her
speech and here are some of the interesting facts that she revealed on that day.
When one looks at the globe, Scotland is the second closest European Trading Nation to
the continent of America. History ties that in with The Tobacco Barons of Glasgow and
the links in trade with Scotland, which meant we were the strongest commercial
partners of The Americas. There after our trades were strong until the early 1950’s
when successive British Governments started to focus more on the European Union as
their own “United States of Europe”. This may have had a detrimental effect on our
links, but we need to change that.
There have always been strong ties between America and Scotland. It is the second most
popular country after Ireland. One of the former presidents, Woodrow Wilson, once
said, “Every line of strength in American history is coloured with Scottish blood.”
Here are a few facts we can take pride in
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- Nine governors of the original thirteen US states were Scottish, including Archibald Bulloch from the State of Georgia.
- The founder of the US Navy, John Paul Jones, was Scottish and was born in Kirkbean, Dumfries & Galloway. The first Secretary of War, General Henry Knox, was of Scottish descent.
Scots traditional strengths in the fields of Banking, Education, Medicine and Law are also well demonstrated in American History
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- Scots also influenced Medicine in the US. The First Surgeon General, Mr. John Craik, was a Scot. One of the founders of Harvard Medical School, Mr. Benjamin Waterhouse, was also a Scot, and the founders of the First Medical School in New York, Mr. John Kay and Mr. Samuel Bard, were also Scots.
- In the US justice system, Scots were, again, equally influential. Two of the first members of the US Supreme Court were Scottish. The Great Justice John Marshall was of Scottish descent, and in fact some 35 Superior Court Justices have been Scots.
Scottish Americans have been very influential with some of the best known American symbols
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Scotland & America can be seen to have much in common. Beyond a share of heritage and cultural affinity, we both have fierce pride in our nationhood, and we are both passionate about independence.
Did you know that in the US, there are nineteen Aberdeen’s, seven Edinburgh’s, nineteen Glasgow’s and thirteen Scotland; and that twenty-four US presidents have been of Scottish descent?
Did you know that in the US, there are nineteen Aberdeen’s, seven Edinburgh’s, nineteen Glasgow’s and thirteen Scotland; and that twenty-four US presidents have been of Scottish descent?
 | Innovation has played such a large part in developing our affinity. Where would we be without the telephone, television, penicillin, tarmac, pneumatic tyres and MacIntosh raincoats – all of which were invented by Scots? The Denny Shipyard in Dumbarton created the first seagoing hovercraft. This concept has since been used by US troops all over the world. Labour from Govan and Clydebank helped build the liberty ships for the Second World War. |
During the Gulf War, General Schwartzkopf commented to President George H. W. Bush, “Isn’t it amazing that 60% of the UK forces come from 10% of its population, the Scots?”
American physicist William A. Edelstein was one of the key developers of the MRI scanner, as part of a team of scientists in Aberdeen, which has gone on to save millions of lives. Further development was rejected by the British government and was later developed privately in the US.
We could discuss for hours the extent to which Scotland has helped shape America. To conclude, I’ll just leave you with this thought:
American physicist William A. Edelstein was one of the key developers of the MRI scanner, as part of a team of scientists in Aberdeen, which has gone on to save millions of lives. Further development was rejected by the British government and was later developed privately in the US.
We could discuss for hours the extent to which Scotland has helped shape America. To conclude, I’ll just leave you with this thought:
Without Scotland, just how different would America be today?
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