Many aspects of Scotland are popular culture staples but the country remains enigmatic to many. Emma Mackenzie ventures beyond the cliches and investigates the elements every tourist must experience
Occupying the northern part of Great Britain is the inimitable Scotland, adored for its mythical monsters, peculiar instruments and indecipherable accents. And for those who yearn to know more about the country's legends – the pattern of tartan, amber liquids, the elusive Nessie and the bizarre bagpipes – here are four Scottish cultural touchstones that every visitor must experience.  

What's this about tartan?
The criss-cross patterns of tartan have virtually become synonymous with Scotland. Becoming wildly popular by the 17th and 18th centuries in the Scottish Highlands, the interwoven pattern is considered one of the defining characteristics of the country. If you've never seen tartan before, the pattern is made with interlocking stripes that run the warp and weft of the cloth – horizontal and vertical. The distinctive pattern is used widely all over Scotland, particularly in the highlands, through its use in clothing, musical instruments and images imprinted on Walker's Shortbread tins.  

In other Western countries the term plaid is often used to describe tartan, however according to Scottish lore that is an incorrect use of the word as the term plaid in Gaelic refers to a long stretch of material such as a blanket. The original kilt was known as the belted plaid as it consisted of a large length of cloth belted at the waist. These plaids were often made from tartan material, which would explain why the terms are often confused. 

Scotland's national dress, the kilt, could arguably be the most well-known use of tartan within the country. A true Scotsman is said to not wear anything under the knee-length garment, however with Scotland's chilly climate that decision might perhaps be unwise. 

Who makes the best whisky?

No tourist can leave Scotland without at least having a sip of one of the many glorious amber liquids the country is renowned for. While it may burn a little going down, the enveloping warmness of the whisky will no doubt erase any lingering chill from Scotland's climate. While there is a large variety of Scottish whiskies in which to indulge in a dram (a Gaelic term for a drink where the amount relies on the generosity of the pourer), one of the most distinctive flavours of Scotland would be that of Laphroaig, pronounced la-froyg. The delicious smoky flavour of the whisky is created by drying malted barley over a fire of partially decayed vegetation known as peat. Many tours of the distillery are available which allow visitors to experience as much of the Laphroaig as they can endure, ending with a small cask of their preferred whisky.  

Glenlivet, another famous distiller, has been producing whisky since 1824, pronouncing themselves as "the single malt whisky that started it all". The Glenlivet's 12-year-old's character is smooth and welcoming, a lively gold in colour with a creamy and distinctive finish accompanied with hints of marzipan and hazelnuts. Visitors can journey through the distillery nestled near the top of Scotland to appreciate the rich history and indulge in their famous whisky cake.  

If you don't have the time or resources to travel to Scotland's north, the closest distillery to Edinburgh is Glenkinchie's, often nicknamed the Edinburgh Malt. The sweet and floral tastes of the 12-year-old is one of their specialities and with a range of tours one can partake in, you'll learn about the distilling process, the history and have the chance to sample a dram at the tour's conclusion.  

Do you believe in Nessie?

While the Loch Ness is a stunning stretch of pristine water in the Scottish highlands with greenery galore and breathtaking landscapes, it is arguably most famous for the legendary elusive monster that lurks within its depths. The affectionately nicknamed aquatic creature, Nessie, has prompted much debate about its existence with many photos and footage of the supposed creature scrutinised by sceptics and believers alike. The famous "surgeon's photo", which was originally thought to be concrete proof that Nessie is alive and well, eventually turned out to be a fake. Disappointed sighs were heard around the globe from cryptozoologists, however many people still refuse to give up on Nessie.  

Despite other photos being declared fakes or misidentified objects, there are still many eye-witness accounts and a few sonar images of dark patches and strange creatures which have yet to be explained. To this day Nessie continues to fascinate people and there are many tours one can participate in to try and spot the monster. Who knows? Maybe you'll get lucky.  

A fantastic place for Nessie-watching is from the top of Urquhart Castle which sits along the edge of the Loch. Ruins from this castle date back between the 13th and 16th centuries and the visitor centre which is primarily underground provides curious tourists with a wealth of information about the castle's rich medieval history. The Loch Ness Visitor and Exhibition centre is another must-see for the avid tourist as it documents over 500 million years of the Loch's history, natural landscape, mysteries and, of course, the infamous Nessie legend. Earlier in August this year an amateur photographer captured footage of a rogue wave upon the Loch, which he claims was made by a dark object underneath the water. Could this finally be proof of Nessie's existence?

Can you play the bags?

The iconic sounds of the bagpipe seem to belong exclusively to Scotland and chances are you will hear their unmistakable resonance long before you see them.

From buskers on the street to full performances in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, bagpipes are renowned as Scotland's national instrument. Perhaps one of the most famous songs recognisable when played on the bagpipes is John Newton's Amazing Grace, well known for its presence at funerals and poignant occasions.  
Playing the bagpipes is a lot more complicated than people might think. Once you've inflated the bag and each reed has started resonating you're in for the long haul – you can't simply stop for a minute to start again. So if you are interested in learning this unique instrument, maybe a practical teacher would be most beneficial.

Getting a handle on haggis

Every traveller to Scotland really ought to sample haggis just once. Packed with protein, oodles of spices and often served with creamy mashed potato, this dish is one not to be missed. Unfortunately the name conjures up many images, none of which are appealing when you eat. After all, it is comprised of an animal's stomach lining filled with sheep's lungs, liver, heart and other gizzards. While it might render many travellers speechless when they learn what they're digesting, haggis really is a delicacy. And don't worry, it's not all blood and guts dribbling down your chin; haggis also contains onions, oatmeal, suet, stock and many spices, meaning it can also be prepared for vegetarians (obviously without the guts) in a synthetic casing.

What is Homecoming?

Homecoming Scotland welcomes the world in 2014, unveiling more than 100 events over the next year, with hundreds more expected to emerge in the coming months. This year-long program of events and activities allows visitors to experience the very best of Scotland, from the delicious food and drink, the creative and cultural side to the natural beauty of this stunning country. Some of the event highlights include the Ryder Cup Opening Concert which showcases the sensational music, film, fashion and culture of Scotland on a global stage as well as the Inverness Highland Meeting where the clans gather by the River Ness to experience the Highland Games. The world will also compete against each other in the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow next year. "The eyes of the world will be firmly on Scotland in 2014," Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said.