Page 21 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

A POR TR AIT OF SC O TLAND  19

Scotland, a governmental branch. The
Edinburgh Festival and Fringe (see pp84–5)
is the largest celebration of its kind in the
world, and there are many smaller festivals
that take place throughout the year. The
Scottish film industry is small but creative
and lively. The music scene is also enjoying
a time of vibrancy, ranging from opera,
Gaelic song and pibroch (the classical
music of the bagpipes) to such varied
international acts as Franz Ferdinand
and Biffy Clyro, not to mention a strong
electro nic music scene. Traditional music
has experienced a renaissance using
Small-scale farming in the Western Isles rhythms and instru ments from around the
world. Bands like Salsa Celtica combine
Despite their love of sports, the Scots Scottish folk and jazz with Latin
are statistically speaking an unhealthy American sounds. With an estimated
race. Their appetite for red meat four Scots living abroad for every
and greasy food contributes to a one in the home land, outside
high inci dence of heart problems influences are not surpris ing. In
and they have among the highest dance, there are the varied delights
consumption of alcohol out of of Scottish country, Highland and
all regions in the UK. Tobacco ceilidh dancing and step dancing, as
sales, however, have declined well as the Scottish ballet. Although
since smoking was banned in Edinburgh’s Festival only about 50,000 people speak
public places in 2006. Fringe Office detail Gaelic, the language has been
boosted by increa sed funding for
Culture and the Arts Gaelic radio and TV shows. Literature also
Scotland offers an excellent pro gramme has a strong following, with no shortage of
of performing arts, supported by Creative Scottish authors and poets (see pp30–31).

The blue waters of Loch Achray in the heart of the Trossachs, north of Glasgow

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