# UK Dopers: Advice needed on Scotland **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 6, 2003, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258 "2003-08-06T02:56:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/21 "2003-08-08T14:46:27Z")
plenty of sheep. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2003, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/22 "2003-08-10T17:57:00Z")
Re. the weather comments, at present I would _kill_ for cold and wet and a need to wear wet weather clothing. šŸ™‚ But maybe that is just me. So, then, I am not at all familiar with Aberdeen, but I am glad to see we have at least one native Aberdonian here. Mght I suggest a site where you will find a few from Aberdeen and its environs? > **[Scotland Travel Guide 2021 - Scotland.com](https://www.scotland.com/)** > > Travelers to this popular tourist destination are captivated by its rich and stunning landscapes. Scotland - 1200 medieval castles and historic houses, Gaelic language, nearly 300 Scottish clans, tartan, unsurpassed and world recognized golf courses,... I liked the look of Aberdeen last I saw it - but that was several years ago ā˜¹ , so I cannot offer advice, really. I was there for a job interview. And congrats on your choice - Maybe this is a very foolish bias on my part, but Iā€™d hazard a guess that Aberdeen Univ. might be slightly better thought of than Coleraine. (And I really do not want to offend anyone by saying that: I will readily admit it is years since I darkened the door of any university.) > **[Scotland Travel Guide 2021 - Scotland.com](https://www.scotland.com/)** > > Travelers to this popular tourist destination are captivated by its rich and stunning landscapes. Scotland - 1200 medieval castles and historic houses, Gaelic language, nearly 300 Scottish clans, tartan, unsurpassed and world recognized golf courses,... Use the **Moving** forum - that might be best. I am glad you are looking forward to the whole thing! SO- why do you so much enjoy getting kicked out of museums? ---
**Author:** ![AnnaLivia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@AnnaLivia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnnaLivia)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2003, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/23 "2003-08-10T22:13:12Z")
Itā€™s not so much that I enjoy getting kicked outā€¦it just happens. So far itā€™s: Chagall Museum- Nice, France- accused of feet on bench National Gallery- Washington, DC- brother got too close to painting National History Museum- Dublin, Ireland- drawing exhibit/showing up every day, guard sick of me almost got kicked out of the Franklin Institute in Philly for the SweetTart ā„¢ Incident. Actually, one of the profs who wrote my letters of recommendation used to teach at Coleraine. It just seemed intriguing. As it is, Iā€™ll prolly stop off in NI to see some thingsā€¦Giantā€™s Causeway and so on. Study Irish History long enough and you get pretty darned curious about ā€œUp Northā€ The real reason is the sheep, you know. Thatā€™s why Iā€™m going. šŸ™‚ AL ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/24 "2003-08-11T07:38:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Celyn \* > **Iā€™d hazard a guess that Aberdeen Univ. might be slightly better thought of than Coleraine.** Iā€™m not too sure on this, as the University of Ulster is fairly good rep. around these parts. Nothing like Queens has, but itā€™s not a bad place. (Nowhere near as good as Strathclyde though (as you know, all the best people go there! ;)) Coleraine is a bit of a small town though, but the nightlife around it and Portrush / Portstewart and the North Coast is pretty damn good. But I guess you shouldnā€™t pick a university _just_ for that reason. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Reuben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/54ee81/32.png) [@Reuben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reuben)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/25 "2003-08-11T11:49:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by summerbreeze \* > \*\*ā€¦ kilted golfers ā€œplaying throughā€ a flock of sheep. > \*\* Never heard it called _that_ beforeā€¦ :dubious: My advice: Try not to sound English, unless you enjoy racist abuse (random violence an occasional extra). On the two occasions I visited (in the 1990s), I never felt less welcome anywhere in my life and I came away hating the place. The national character seems 20% rooted in historic pride and at least 80% in bitter loathing of their southern neighbour. This is a nation that has taken small-mindedness to unprecedented heights : if the England football team play _any other nation in the world_, the Edinburgh pubs will be packed with Scots yelling and praying for England to lose. Needless to say, the converse situation never arises; the English seem to generally wish the Scots well. One great thing about Scotland though : for some inexplicable reason their pubs are open much later than ours. I can only imagine thereā€™d be street riots if they werenā€™t. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/26 "2003-08-11T12:06:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Reuben \* > \*\*if the England football team play _any other nation in the world_, the Edinburgh pubs will be packed with Scots yelling and praying for England to lose. \*\* That phenomenon is common with all our near neighbours, and even those on the other side of the world. I think maybe it says something about our countryā€™s past behaviourā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/27 "2003-08-11T12:17:38Z")
Wait 'till you watch an Old Firm match in somewhere like Boston: Americans shouting for a Scottish team by waving Irish flags and cursing about dutch players on another Scottish team they hate because of what the English did many years ago in Ireland. Confused? You will be. šŸ™‚ > [@](#): > > **ā€¦the English seem to generally wish the Scots wellā€¦** You must be kidding, right? You must only frequent the nice, polite, quiet pubs in England. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Reuben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/54ee81/32.png) [@Reuben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reuben)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/28 "2003-08-11T13:51:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aro \* > \*\*You must only frequent the nice, polite, quiet pubs in England. šŸ˜ƒ \*\* Thatā€™s sort of true. I am something of a connoisseur of pubs, and am a leading expert in detecting and avoiding those with high arsehole quotients. So if there is any general anti-Scots feeling in English pubs when the footieā€™s on, then Iā€™ll probably not be around to see it. My main pub btw is an Irish one, and now I think of it, whenever theyā€™re having a pop at the English - which is often - itā€™s invariably in a friendly, jocular way. The Scots version always seems borne of nothing but malevolence and spite. Obviously this is nothing more than personal experience, yet it seems to mirror that of many other people. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by jjimm_ > I think maybe it says something about our countryā€™s past behaviourā€¦ Maybe this would be best for another thread, but the more I learn of British history the more this notion is, for me, becoming a red rag to a bull. Leaving aside the appalling notion of racial guilt (I guess we should be unpleasant to any Jews we meet, because they killed Christ, right?), what exactly is there for us to feel guilty about? Actually, hold that thought: I think I will start another thread. More advice for the OP based on more pleasant Highland recollections: The academic year starts in September doesnā€™t it? IIRC thatā€™s high midge seasonā€¦ so take gallons and gallons of midge spray. If you go temporarily insane and decide to take a dip in a loch, for Godā€™s sake mind the billions of jellyfish! Nasty, poisonous creatures. If you walk barefoot on the shore, watch for treading on dead and dried-out ones there. Even dead, you can still get a nasty reaction from them. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/29 "2003-08-11T14:08:33Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Reuben_ > **Maybe this would be best for another thread, but the more I learn of British history the more this notion is, for me, becoming a red rag to a bull. Leaving aside the appalling notion of racial guilt (I guess we should be unpleasant to any Jews we meet, because they killed Christ, right?), what exactly is there for us to feel guilty about? Actually, hold that thought: I think I will start another thread.** I wasnā€™t saying itā€™s right - just the reason for its existence. I have no quibble with your annoyance. It pisses me off royally too. During the '98 World Cup in Dublin, I was in a cab, rushing home to catch the Argentina/England match, and passed a pub to hear a huge cheer coming from the door. ā€œAh, thatā€™s nice,ā€ I thought, ā€œthe hatchetā€™s been buriedā€. Then the cabbie turned on the radio: ā€œArgentina just scored!ā€ I was a little peeved. When I moved over I felt a little ā€œguiltyā€ for a few weeks, and then I went ā€œfor fuckā€™s sake, it wasnā€™t _me_ sending people to Hell or to Connachtā€. Unfortunately, this kind of feeling is part of the background radiation of some peopleā€™s upbringing: in my experience of the Republic of Ireland, and in Scotland and Wales too, some people learn knee-jerk opposition to anything English from the year dot. Usually itā€™s in jest, but sometimes it gets just that little too serious. ---
**Author:** ![graememorrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/graememorrison/32/2287_2.png) [@graememorrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/graememorrison)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/30 "2003-08-11T15:55:24Z")
with regards to the OP and midges, they arent a problem in aberdeen but if you venture further afield, Royal Deeside, or the north/west coast then they really are a nightmare, i dont know about the jellyfish though, this is the first time ive ever heard of them. As for racism, obviously weve got our fair share of dicks in Scotland, but no better or worse than anywhere else. Talking from personal experience, i can honestly say ive never seen or heard anyone being abused for being English unless it has been light-hearted banter between friends, (Aberdeen has large English and American populations due to the oil companies) it might be worse in glasgow or edinburgh, but saying > [@](#): > > The national character seems 20% rooted in historic pride and at least 80% in bitter loathing of their southern neighbour. is like saying every English person hates the Germans, obviously its bollocks but its the impression you get when you read the Sun before England play Germany. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/31 "2003-08-11T16:05:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Reuben \* > \*\*If you go temporarily insane and decide to take a dip in a loch, for Godā€™s sake mind the billions of jellyfish! Nasty, poisonous creatures. If you walk barefoot on the shore, watch for treading on dead and dried-out ones there. Even dead, you can still get a nasty reaction from them. \*\* Theyā€™ve got **freshwater jellyfish** in Scotland? I am SO not going there! Yeah, I know the Scots use _loch_ sometimes to mean bay as well as lake, but still, it threw me for a little ā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/32 "2003-08-11T17:01:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spiff \* > \*\*Theyā€™ve got **freshwater jellyfish** in Scotland? \*\* Clearly not; otherwise, it would be a national dish. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![AnnaLivia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@AnnaLivia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnnaLivia)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/33 "2003-08-11T18:31:24Z")
Iā€™m going to hijack my own thread. Well, to make this whole mess harder, UCD decides to get back to me. Today. The day I send out my yes to Aberdeen. And tells me that the faculty has ā€œreservationsā€ about my GPA (I recieved unconditional acceptances to Coleraine and Aberdeen) but the director of the program wants to instruct them to admit me. They were my first choice. They are the less expensive option. BUT, they also tell me ā€œschool doesnā€™t start here until the end of September, thereā€™s plenty of time. Hold tight.ā€ I donā€™t exactly see a little over a month as being a lot of time to get ready to leave the country for a year. I submitted their application back in May. May first. I subbed my apps to Coleraine and Aberdeen July 2 and was admitted to both by July 25th. Iā€™m not sure I did the right thing. AL ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/34 "2003-08-11T21:38:16Z")
UK universities tend to start later than US schools, and make admissions decisions much, much closer to the start date. I donā€™t know if the same is true for Irish schools. What arenā€™t you sure you did right? If you really want to go to UCD, then you need to push them to give you a definitive yes or no in sufficient time that, if the answer turns out to be no, you wonā€™t lose the option to go to Aberdeen. Some constructive pestering may be in order. Or you can ask some of the Dublin Dopers to go around to the uni and menace the relevant people into accepting you immediately. I bet theyā€™d even enjoy it, right **jjimm**? But donā€™t let UCDā€™s faffing cause you to lose other opportunities. ---
**Author:** ![AnnaLivia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@AnnaLivia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnnaLivia)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258/35 "2003-08-11T22:30:29Z")
UCD was my first choice, but Scotlandā€™s really got my heart right now. Theyā€™ve been kind, courteous, and always ready to answer my questions. UCD told me theyā€™d tell me in July, and now tell me I wonā€™t have a yes until at least next Monday. Iā€™m already a bit late in my Aberdeen application- and theyā€™ve given me nothing but help getting my things sorted out. Does it seem like Iā€™d be saying no to UCD solely out of spite? Not that I donā€™t ever want to go to UCD- someday, Iā€™d love to attend. But right now, I think Scotland is the right choice. But I still feel guilty, for some reason. Doubt, maybe. AL [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-advice-needed-on-scotland/193258.md?page=1)