There are certain things no Scottish holiday is complete without. These experiences are readily available throughout the country so you quite simply have no excuse not to give them a go.
Ceilidh Dancing
A holiday in Scotland needs to include at least one ceilidh. But what is that you may well ask? Well, a ceilidh (pronounced 'kaylee') is a traditional Scottish social event that involves dancing to Gaelic folk music.
The ceilidh tradition has not died out with the advent of modern nightlife. Scots still enjoy the dances, and hold them at functions like weddings, family celebrations, and graduation balls. It is popular for men to wear kilts, and for girls to wear skirts or dresses.
Many children are taught the basics of ceilidh dancing at school, while others learn through attending events such as those mentioned above. Ceilidh bands usually have a member who doubles up as the master of ceremonies, and leads the dances.
Ceilidhs are not limited to private functions, however. Some clubs and pubs throughout the country will host regular dance nights to keep the tradition going. So be sure to bring along a pair of dancing shoes.
Visit Ghillie Dhu in Edinburgh or Sloans in Glasgow. Smaller towns and cities will also host regular ceilidhs. Just ask around for information.
Deep Fried Food
Visitors to Scotland should not leave prior to trying out at least one "chippy" or takeaway. Deep fried food extends much further than the traditional British fish and chips. In Scotland you could be in for a deep fried Mars bar treat, deep fried burgers, sausages and even pizza. Colloquially these are sometimes referred to as "heart attacks in a bag" though most of the time they come served in polystyrene boxes...
Takeaway food is particularly popular among school children at lunch times, which is an alarming trend. It is not uncommon to see queues form outside chippies in the evening hours, especially at weekends. Many people stop off for a deep fried meal on their way home from a night out. If you cannot stomach it in the middle of the night, a greasy fry up works wonders the next morning. While you might not be able to get chips in the early morning, you can get equally greasy food in the form of full Scottish breakfasts and bacon rolls.
Once you have had your fair share of deep fried food, and danced your socks off at a ceilidh, you'll be happy to experience true Scottish hospitality at a Glasgow city hotel, guest house in Skye, or hostel in Aberdeen.
Harvey McEwan writes to offer information and advice on a variety of areas, from technology to holiday destinations. Read through Harvey's other articles here to find out more.
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق