Tag: Scotland

I have to say I felt out of place in the teeming, crowded cauldron that is Edinburgh City Centre in August, and I must confess that those pseudo intellectual talks and plays by Sophocles often leave me baffled.

I’VE HAD the pleasure of visiting most major cities and regions north of the border, but only now have I made it to the 'granite city' of Aberdeen and its surrounding county, which since medieval times has been the richest and most fertile region of the Highlands. One notable feature ...

Antipodeans were foremost among more than 75,000 New Years' revellers as Edinburgh's Hogmanay Festival celebrated its 25 year milestone in style. "I've never experienced anything like it!"

SPECIAL FEATURE: Based at Faslane are Britain’s nuclear armed Trident submarines while at nearby Coulport a mind boggling 220 nuclear weapons are stored inside a mountain. Protesters have been keeping watch for 35 years and counting.

Monsters, castles, drinking, horseback riding and gun firing: a trip to Scotland is like entering an adult fantasy world set against the most stunningly beautiful backdrop.

This remote, far northern Scottish island is home to a diverse range of flora, fauna and wildlife, and for a short while it's a cool summer escape for our intrepid Aussie journeyman.

Antipodeans flocked to Edinburgh for one of Europe's most celebrated end-of-year outdoors parties, Hogmanay, with many then joining the brave and brazen in the near-freezing temperatures for the 'Loony Dook' New Year's Day swim.

To my Scottish neighbours and cousins who do have a vote today, all I say is this: vote (or don't) with whatever combination of heart, gut and head feels right. Oh, and if you do wake up to find yourselves out of the UK, would it be OK if I ...

"The notion that if Scotland leaves the union that we should possibly have to change our flag, it shows the absurdity of our flag," says Ausflag boss.

The Scottish vote for independence from the United Kingdom could result in the Union Jack changing. Does this mean the Australian flag would need to change as well?

Tony Abbott elicits criticism from Alex Salmond over his statement that ‘the world would not be helped by an independent Scotland’, ahead of next month's referendum.

A report compiled by the United Nations drops jaws as it reveals that Commonwealth countries top the world for cocaine and ecstasy use.

What should Scotland do? Ahead of a historic independence vote in September 2014, we take a trip down memory lane, and revisit what Australia decided in the republic referendum.

Heading to Edinburgh this month for the Festival Fringe or the Military Tattoo? KIEL EGGING finds five other great attractions you can do in the Scottish Capital for less than 20 pounds - once your stomach has recovered from all the chuckling.

EDINBURGH EXPAT | The Edinburgh Fringe Festival tourist is a vital cog in a delicate eco-system, as both the takers of patience and the givers of money.

EDINBURGH EXPAT | The sun may be shining in Edinburgh, but here are three great reasons to stay inside with our resident expat’s top picks for the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2013.

EDINBURGH EXPAT | If part one of our top summer in Scotland activities didn’t help you turn that translucent skin a healthy shade of pink, this week’s best of list should do the trick.

EDINBURGH EXPAT | Part one: Our resident expat shares the best places in Edinburgh to soak up that Vitamin D.

EDINBURGH EXPAT | If there is one thing we do too little of in contemporary daily life, it is convulsing our naked, crudely painted bodies around a giant burning sculpture to the sound of aggressively beaten drums.

EDINBURGH EXPAT | Learning to love ... layers. The art of staying warm in unseasonably cold weather is one every Australian must learn when moving to the UK.

EDINBURGH EXPAT | The Edinburgh International Science Festival looks to the future as it celebrates its 25th birthday.

EDINBURGH EXPAT | Consider this statement in the context of Australia and suddenly our reputation as a sporting nation becomes more a matter of logic rather than a testament to our power of will. We spend a lot of time outdoors, because we can.

The weather in Edinburgh can be harsh, even in the springtime. Especially in the springtime. So if you’re looking to take a trip up North you will need two things - energy and warmth. Both of which can be found at the bottom of a steaming cup of coffee.

EDINBURGH EXPAT | Australia was established as a penal colony because there was no space left in the correctional facilities in Britain. Centuries later the lack of space in the UK continues to present challenges, as our Edinburgh Expert is all too aware.

With the start of the Edinburgh Festival season fast approaching, it's time for our Edinburgh Expat to get to work. On the list is everything from the Science Festival to the Film Festival, the Book Festival through to the Military Tattoo. Topping it all off - the Edinburgh Fringe Festival ...

EDINBURGH EXPAT | The ‘City of Literature’ tag is perhaps no more appropriate than when referring to the relationship between a city with infamously temperamental weather and those who have the ability to aptly describe it.

EDINBURGH EXPAT | Yes, the rumours you heard are true, there are Aussies living in the UK OUTSIDE London. A new bi-weekly column explores what it’s like for the Australian expat in that strange new world — non-London.

So you’re living in London, the most exciting city in the world. The centre of the universe, you might say, when it comes to music, theatre, travel, media. But does it ever occur to you that not only do you live in London, but if you zoom out a little ...

Australian expertise will be called on to help host the 2012 Edinburgh Festival as local know-how is drained by the coinciding Olympic Games, a London newspaper reports.

What would Scotland be without the traditional staples of bagpipes, kilts and breathtaking scenery? Australian Times intrepid traveller Adrian Craddock meets hairy coos, friendly locals and tasty haggis in the Scottish Highlands.