Frommer's Scotland 8th Edition - To Parent Directory

SCOTLAND CALENDAR OF EVENTS 29most Britons take their holidays, sobesides the higher prices, you’ll have todeal with crowds and limited availabilityof accommodations.Sure, in winter Scotland may berainy and cold—but it doesn’t shutdown when the tourists leave. In fact,the winter season gives visitors a morehonest view of Scottish life. Additionally,many hotel prices drop by 20%,and cheaper accommodations offerweekly rates (unheard of during peaktravel times). By arriving after thewinter holidays, you can take advantageof post-Christmas sales to buyyour fill of woolens, china, crystal, silver,fashion, handicrafts, and curios.In short, spring offers the countrysideat its greenest, autumn brings thebright colors of the northern Highlands,and summer’s warmth gives riseto the many outdoor music and theaterfestivals. But winter offers savingsacross the board and a chance to seeScots going about their everyday liveslargely unhindered by tourist invasions.HOLIDAYSThe following holidays are celebratedin Scotland: New Year’s Day (January1 and 2), Good Friday and EasterMonday, May Day (May 1), springbank holiday (last Monday in May),summer bank holiday (first Monday inAugust), Christmas Day (December25), and Boxing Day (December 26).SCOTLAND CALENDAROF EVENTSYou can get details of specific events atmany of the festivals below by going towww.edinburgh-festivals.com.JanuaryCeltic Connections, Glasgow. Duringthis celebration of the Celticroots that combined with other culturesto form modern Scotland, concertsare staged in churches,auditoriums, and meeting hallsthroughout the city. A prime venueis the Old Fruit Market on AlbionStreet, drawing dance troupes fromthroughout Scotland, Wales, andIreland. For tickets and details, call& 0141/240-1111 or 0845/330-3501. Throughout January.Burns Night, Ayr (near his birthplace),Dumfries, and Edinburgh.Naturally, during the celebrationsto honor Robert Burns, there’smuch toasting with scotch and eatingof haggis (spiced intestines),whose arrival is announced by abagpipe. For details, call & 01292/443-700 in Ayr, 0131/473-3800in Edinburgh, or 01387/253-862in Dumfries. January 25.Up Helly Aa, Lerwick, in the ShetlandIslands. The most northerlytown in Great Britain still clings totradition by staging an ancientNorse fire festival whose aim is toencourage the return of the sunafter the pitch-dark days of winter.Its highlight is the burning ofa replica of a Norse longboat. Call& 01595/693-434. Last Tuesdayin January.FebruaryAberdeen Angus Cattle Show,Perth. This show draws the finestcattle raised in Scotland. Sales arelively. Call & 01738/626-183.Early February.MarchWhuppity Scourie, Lanark. Residentsof the Strathclyde get so tiredof winter that they stage this traditionalceremony to chase it away.Call & 01555/661-661. March 1.AprilEdinburgh Folk Festival, at variousvenues, Edinburgh. For detailson this feast of Scottish folk tunes,call & 0131/473-3800. GenerallyApril 1.Exhibitions at the Royal ScottishAcademy, Edinburgh. Changingexhibits of international interest areoffered here annually. Call & 0131/473-3800. Mid-April.