A typical picture of Scotland is that of kilts, bagpipes, tartan and heather. Its fascinating heritage provides an irresistible pull for countless visitors year in, year out. But there is much more to Scotland than our glorious past. Scotland is synonymous with innovation and invention, with many products that are in everyday use inventions of a Scot such as television, telephone, pneumatic tyre and penicillin. Scotland has been transformed from a base of heavy industry such as engineering and shipbuilding to the commercially viable areas of electronics, biotechnology and service industries.
Scottish education enjoys a coveted reputation for unsurpassed quality throughout the world.
Scotland has placed great importance on learning, with an emphasis on proactive, independent thinking with close links to leading companies. This means that our education encourages skills that are much sought after by today's employers and this means that students can look forward to excellent career prospects once their studies are complete. The weather in Scotland can vary from area to area. Due to the Gulf Stream, a flow of warm water from the Gulf of Mexico, the West Coast has a relatively stable climate with mild winters and warm summers. It has also lead to the West Coast having some of the best surfing and windsurfing conditions in Europe.