Although relatively small, Scotland is a land rich in contrasts. Often within a few hours travelling, you can experience a landscape that changes rapidly from gentle rolling hills to rugged coasts and dramatic, towering peaks.

Vibrant, cosmopolitan cities whose outlook is definitely to the future rub shoulders with ancient castles and monuments rooted firmly in the past while the cultural frenzy of the Edinburgh Festival is also within easy reach of the peace and tranquillity of sandy beaches, country parks and outstanding nature reserves. In fact, the only constant is the warmth of the welcome you'll receive wherever you go!

Perched on the outer rim of Europe, Scotland forms the northern part of Great Britain and is about two-thirds the size of England and Wales which occupy the remaining portion. It is surrounded by sea on three sides: to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and on the east by the North Sea. Its only land border that with England, runs for approximately 60 miles (96 km) along the line of the Cheviot Hills.

The six cities of Scotland: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness and Stirling are all modern, dynamic and thriving centres which encapsulate all that is best about Scotland. Glasgow is the largest city with a population of approximately 619,000 while the capital Edinburgh has around 448,000.

From the stone circles of Orkney to the new parliament building being erected in Edinburgh, Scotland's dramatic history spans 8,000 years, years marked by invasions and independence, wars and religious upheavals, intrigues and subjugation.

Gaelic culture still remains. The Highlands have given Scotland her most potent symbols - for example, tartan and bagpipes, Highland Games and dancing. The rest of Scotland, including Lowland Scotland, where the great majority of the population lives, has likewise retained its own vigorous personality, not just in its own Scots tongue, but also through surviving institutions such as its own education and legal systems, and banks and banknotes and a whole range of cultural and social differences.

A nation's artistic and cultural life says much about its people and the vibrancy and creativity we display across a wide range of art forms. In successive generations, Scotland has produced writers, painters, sculptors, musicians, composers and dancers. Some of these art forms - such as traditional dance and music - are uniquely Scottish both in style and inspiration.

Many events on Scotland's cultural calendar reflect the activities and interests of its varied regions. In spite of the country's small size, it plays host to the world's largest arts festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the most famous Military Tattoo. Elsewhere, coastal communities have seafood or boat festivals or gala days, while farming towns and communities meet together for annual agricultural shows, as part of a thriving rural tradition.

Highland culture is acknowledged in the many Highland games and gatherings, which in spite of their name and northerly origins now take place throughout Scotland.

Scotland has long been recognised as a breeding ground for world-class wordsmiths of the calibre of Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, Muriel Spark, Naomi Mitchison, Iain Banks, Sorley Maclean and Alasdair Gray. What is certain is that the continuing culture of creativity, innovation and experimentation will ensure that there will always be a new chapter added to Scotland's rich literary heritage.

Scotland's larder has always overflowed with some of the finest produce to be found anywhere in the British Isles (and in some cases, further afield). Chefs can draw on the best quality ingredients from both land and sea to produce innovative and imaginative menus across a wide range of culinary styles and from a range of international cuisines. And wherever you travel around the country, you should also grab any chance to sample the local delicacies.

Ask people what they associate most with Scotland and you'll probably get a variety of answers - tartan, golf and Robert Burns would certainly all be mentioned. But the most common answer is likely to be whisky. Acknowledged as Scotland's national drink, whisky - in the Gaelic, uisge beatha (pronounced oosh-ga beh-huh), meaning water of life - has been produced here for longer than anyone can remember.