..................................................................................................................

GOVERNMENT

Scotland is part of Great Britain and plays a full part in its parliamentary democracy. The Scottish parliament is based in Edinburgh, with authority over education, law, and some social services within the country. Great Britain is a member of the European Union

LANGUAGE

English

POPULATION

Scotland: 5,114,600
Edinburgh: 514,000

CURRENCY

£ Pound sterling is used throughout Great Britain.

TAX

There is no bed tax. Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged in all purchases in shops, hotels, and restaurants at a rate of 17.5%. There are no other taxes on purchases.

CLIMATE

Edinburgh enjoys a moderate year-round climate, with none of the violent extremes of weather which could interrupt a meeting schedule or social calendar. From April to September, temperatures are mild and compare favourably with other European cities; annual rainfall is the same as Frankfurt, New York and Rome. A perfect Edinburgh day dawns with a clear blue sky, warm and pleasant in summer - though in winter often accompanied by a sharp frost. It's always worth packing a sweater against the chance of changeable conditions.

USEFUL WEB SITES

Edinburgh Tourist Information
VisitScotland
BBC Weather for Edinburgh
Rail transport www.britrail.com and www.scotrail.com