Mentally conjure up Scotland, and a vision of windswept highlands, thistles and tartan flash past whilst one shivers at the thought of the cold. But in reality it offers the warm smell of whisky and a rich and proud cultural heritage. Scotland has produced some of the most celebrated writers and artists of all the United Kingdom; its cultural tradition includes such luminaries as Robert Burns and Walter Scott as well as such modern literary icons as Irvine Welsh and Carol Ann Duffy.

Scotland possesses an interesting contrast between the wilderness and the cities. The capital of Edinburgh is famous as being listed by UNESCO as not only a World Heritage Site, but also a City of Literature. Of course a huge array of writers hailed from here - Robert Louis Stevenson, Ian Rankin and Muriel Spark amongst many. People flock to Edinburgh to see the many areas of historical significance, such as the castle which dominates the skyline and the Royal Mile. The festivals draw huge numbers annually, featuring first-rate music, drama and acts from around the world.

The tradition of Scottish poetry; which often incorporates traditional Celtic and Gaelic languages and highland mythologies is best expressed by Scotland’s National Poet Robert Burns. Hugh MacDiarmid is also representative of classical Scottish poetry whilst Edwin Morgan and Don Paterson are modern poets of Scotland.

Scottish film has often focused on the underbelly of Scottishsociety, as is most evident in Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, adapted from the novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh, which depicts the lives of drug addicts in Edinburgh. Some other acclaimed Scottish films are Young Adam and Shallow Grave, also directed by Boyle.