Scotland Going Out

Food and Drink

Things to know: Licensing hours vary; basic hours are 1100-2300, but many pubs have extended hours, particularly in cities. A complete smoking ban in bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs and offices came into force in 2006. Designated hotel bedrooms are exempt.

Regional specialities:
• Porridge (a traditional Scottish breakfast made from locally grown oats and either milk or water).
• Haggis (chopped oatmeal and offal cooked in the stomach of a sheep), neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes).
Cullen skink (fish soup).
• Smoked salmon.
Partan bree (crab with rice and cream).

Regional drinks:

• Whisky.
• Beer.
Irn Bru (carbonated soft drink said to be made from girders).

Legal Drinking Age: 18.

Nightlife

In major cities, such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, there is a vibrant nightlife, with many bars, restaurants, nightclubs and cinemas. These places also offer a fine array of theatre, opera and music concerts. Some of the main venues for drama performances include the Festival Theatre, Playhouse, Assembly Rooms and Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh, the Citizen’s Theatre and Theatre Royal in Glasgow, as well as many picturesque regional theatres. The SECC building in Glasgow is a popular concert arena for live bands. Nightlife may be more limited in the smaller villages and islands. For more information on musical and theatrical events, contact VisitScotland (see Contact Addresses).
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