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Location
Lothians, eastern Scotland, United Kingdom.

Dialling code
44.

Population
457,830 (City of Edinburgh); 790,484 (Lothians region).

Time zone
GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz; square three-pin plugs are standard.

Average January temperatures
3°C (37.5°F).

Average July temperatures
14.5°C (58°F).

Annual rainfall
480mm (18.5 inches).

Language
Introduction
English is the first language of most Scottish people. However, Gaelic is still spoken by a few, most usually in the Highlands and on the Islands. As one (Scottish) visitor was heard to say while visiting Edinburgh’s Museum of Scotland, ‘Why do you have Gaelic [audio guides] when only ten people in the country speak the language?’

Cost of Living:

1 British Pound Sterling (£1) = US$1.46; C$1.77; A$2.05; €1.07
Currency conversion rates as of January 2009

Special Events:

The Loony Dook
January
Bringing in the New Year with a chilly swim.
South Queensferry
Website: www.theloonydook.co.uk

Six Nations Rugby
February-March
Rugby tournament with teams from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Italy and England.
Murrayfield
Website: www.6nations.net

Edinburgh International Science Festival
April
International science festival.
Various venues
Website: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition
April-May
Annual arts exhibition.
The Mound
Website: www.royalscottishacademy.org

Royal Highland Show
June
Agricultural show.
Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston
Website: www.royalhighlandshow.org

Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival
July-August
International jazz and blues festival.
Various venues
Website: www.edinburghjazzfestival.co.uk  

Edinburgh Military Tattoo
August
Military parades, dancing and demonstrations.
Edinburgh Castle
Website: www.edintattoo.co.uk

Edinburgh International Festival
August
Theater and high art festival.
Various venues
Website: www.eif.co.uk

Edinburgh International Fringe Festival
August
Fringe ‘alternative’ theater festival.
Various venues
Website: www.edfringe.com

Edinburgh International Book Festival
August
International book festival with authors from all around the world.
Charlotte Square Gardens
Website: www.edbookfest.co.uk

Edinburgh International Film Festival
August
Film festival with films from all over the world.
Various venues
Website: www.edfilmfest.org.uk

Edinburgh International TV Festival
August
Delegates from around the world attend this international TV festival.
Edinburgh International Conference Center
Website: www.mgeitf.co.uk  

Hogmanay
December
Massive New Year celebrations throughout the city, including a ticketed street party.
City center
Website: www.edinburghshogmanay.org

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Scotland Attraction Guides:
Balmoral Estate Blair Drummond Wildlife & Safari Park Celtic Park Deep Sea World Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Zoo Glamis Castle GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) Gretna Green Ibrox Football Stadium Invernessshire (Highland Wildlife Park) Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum Loch Lomond	Loch Ness New Lanark World Heritage Center Palace of Holyroodhouse Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Royal Museum and Museum of Scotland Royal Yacht Britannia Scotch Whisky Heritage Center and Royal Mile Scottish Parliament Shakespeare Houses Speyside Whisky Trails St Andrews Golf Course Stirling Castle Waverley Historic Paddle Steamer
Available Tours to Scotland: iExplore Scotland Active -  $3599, 8 days iExplore Scotland Experience -  $3595, 7 days