The United Kingdom Explained

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the U.K) comprises of the countries Scotland, England, Wales and the province of Northen Ireland. Although each of these areas have many differences they act together as one country, the United Kingdom, with the seat of power in the city of London. Great Britain, as it is often known, came into being when Scotland and England signed the Act of Union in 1707.

Scotland - Basic Scotland Facts

Government

In 1997 the people of Scotland voted for their own parliament by a massive majority and therefore almost all government duties and responsibilities are now administered from the capital city of Edinburgh in Scotland, similar to a state government in the USA. This is known as devolution. However, Scotland is still a full member of the UK and has not yet opted for full independence.

Population

Scotland has a population of roughly 5.1 million people, most of whom live around the central belt of Scotland between the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, and in other cities such as Dundee, Aberdeen, Elgin, Perth and Inverness. Modern Scotland is a multi-cultural country that is extremely proud of it's identity.

Currency

The British pound is in use throughout the United Kingdom, including Scotland. However some banks in Scotland are allowed to print their own notes with their own design. For example, in your wallet you may have a Royal Bank of Scotland £10 note and a Clydesdale Bank £10 note. Although their designs may vary they will be of the same colour and the denomination is clearly marked. In England all banknotes are issued by the Bank of England only.

Scottish and English bank notes are worth exactly the same and both are legal tender throughout the UK. English notes are readily accepted throughout Scotland, however on occasion some people have had difficulty spending Scottish notes in England.

Not everyone in England is used to seeing bank notes with different designs and from different banks so if you are travelling from Scotland to England you may wish to exchange your Scottish notes for English ones at any bank if you are concerned.

The Scottish People

The people of Scotland are proud of their country and also ride themselves in welcoming visitors from all over the world. Although Scotland is small, in some ways it is a huge country, often feeling much larger than it is. For example, the people who live in the highlands of Scotland are often completely different to those from the bigger cities, and so people tend to be proud of their own area and of Scotland as a whole. Its this wonderful diversity that gives Scotland its larger-than-life feeling. City, town or country, you are sure of a warm welcome throughout your holiday in Scotland.