Kilts & Bagpipes. Sean Connery & William Wallace. Deep fried Mars bars, single malt whiskies & haggis. Only a few of the distinct stereotypes we occasionally come across regarding the peculiar country with the blue and white flag and the long, proud history in the north of England. Should one attempt to reach beyond the cliches, they' ll manage to experience the rich culture, the (some times too) intense nightlife and the long-lasting active music scene, of which the electronica could clearly not have been left out.

When landing in the capital, Edinburgh, and witnessing the scenery amidst the fast-paced clouds, its monumental bridges connecting the old with the new, and the countless spotted sights, it makes sense why it yearly attracts thousands of students and literally millions of tourists. Being the host of the biggest art festival in the world (!) every August, Edinburgh could also not be missing the clubs, promoters and artists comprising a powerful, quality-driven, dance-oriented music cult.

Around the paved alleys spanning the Old Town, one can discover and praise genuine underground music hotspots that are mainly housed in old catacombs and bunkers often originating from the Medieval ages, infused with stories and myths from past centuries. One of them known as The Caves, is where the Jackhammer parties with hard-hitting techno by big names often take place. The Cabaret Voltaire, a slightly more house oriented venue nearby is also one to note, primarily thanks to the packed FLY CLUB nights, through which the talent of a young Scott of Greek descent named Theo Kottis has recently emerged, and whose authority behind the decks gains constant support from the likes of Pete Tong, Skream and many more.

Alcohol consumption on the streets is strictly prohibited, and the nights always have an endpoint at 3 am by law. Sometimes around the holidays venues may get a 5 am license to keep people dancing. For those long in the game and others keen on making new acquaintances, there's a chance they'll move on to one of the (illegal) after-parties happening around, under mesmerizing, unexpected conditions.

As we turn west to Glasgow, the largest city in the country, the accent thickens, the looks become more suspicious and the picturesqueness gives way to a more raw, industrialized reality, which at the same time inherently includes more options. This is the home of the most iconic (now behind closed doors) club of the country, The Arches, named by the actual arches around which it came to be, and where the reputation and careers of the likes of Silicone Soul and Slam took off in the past decades. The Sub Club is another milestone of the scene, as it is repeatedly being voted among the best clubs in the world, mainly because of its "electric" atmosphere at each party, becoming a favorite for top DJs such as the locally brewed Jackmaster or frequent visitors Seth Troxler and Ben UFO.

When it comes to large area music festivals, T in the Park is the most remarkable one. This 3-day music meltdown takes place every July at a location just a bit northern of the two cities, close to Perth and is expected to host more than 80,000 music lovers this year. A quick glance at the regulars honoring it with their acts (Mills, Hawtin, Villalobos, Faki, Speedy J to name a few) should convince even the most doubtful ones. A great choice to be combined with exploring the breathtaking landscapes that the Highlands have to offer. Necessary supplies are camping equipment, wellies and raincoats. The keyword is “Slam Tent”...

Concluding, usually the phrase "Scottish Shower" has a rather negative sense• the sudden weather changes one will experience here are indeed furious, and when they are being topped by the long, uneven periods of darkness through the day along the year, even the not-so-faint-at-heart will eventually freak out. It may, nevertheless, be so that this rotation between hot and cold, dry and wet, is what affects the blood circulation of the Scots, having a consequent positive affect on their mood and gifting them with big smiles and open hearts. And when the latter is combined with the love for music and dancing, the end result can be glorious. A visit therefore, ravers or not, is definitely worth it.