Tourists offered new guide to Scotland

People planning trips to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen or any other city in Scotland can now take advantage of a new guide offering insights from local people.

Real Scotland – The Locals' Guide has been designed to show there is more to Scotland than the popular attractions and reveal "insider tips, hidden gems and off-the-beaten-track experiences".

Tourists can register on the official VisitScotland site to order a free copy of the guide.

The passport-sized publication's contents include a number of unusual top tens from local experts, such as park rangers' best wildlife hotspots, and a run-down of Britain's most northerly locations.

Kathryn Macdonald, product manager at VisitScotland, said: "We wanted to give visitors a tool to discover more of Scotland even if they have come many times before.

"From Portsoy's traditional Small Boats festival to the best place to spot otters, Real Scotland is crammed with inspiring fresh ideas and a touch of humour, which I'm sure readers will enjoy."

The year 2009 will provide many entertainment opportunities to visitors to Scotland as the country hosts its first 'homecoming year' to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

• British Airways boss underlines Heathrow Airport importance
• Emirates completes move to new terminal in Dubai
• New US airport runways welcomed
• New campaign invites holidaymakers to Paris
• Tokyo 'the world's culinary capital'
• Observation wheel to open in Melbourne
• Visitors offered Christmas bonuses in Brussels
• Stansted Airport eco-certification extended to 2011
• United Airlines to resume flights from London to Denver
• Travellers invited to Australia's cinematic destinations