Ceilidh: From my understanding, the closest thing we'd have to these traditional Scottish dances in the US is line-dancing. They have an announcer call out dance moves, making these events accessible to tourists and locals alike. Most travel sites recommend ceilidhs as a must for anyone who is able to fit attending one into their itinerary.
Edinburgh: Pronounced Edinbruh, this is Scotland's capital city. Edinburgh has it's fair share of castles and historical homes open for tours, as well as plenty of hills, so make sure you wear good walking shoes when you visit!
Full Scottish Breakfast: I wouldn't recommend planning on ordering this meal every day, unless you're in training for Tossing the Caber (see below). What the meal includes will vary from place to place, but the staples include fried eggs, link sausages (aka bangers,) a sausage patty, bacon, black pudding, baked beans, fried tomatoes, toast or deep-fried bread (aka bannock,) and a potato scone (aka tattie.) This sounds like enough food for 3, so I hope I can rope at least one person into sharing it with me.
Glasgow: Known as Scotland's upcoming artistic hub, Glasgow is also the 3rd largest city in the UK and has almost double the population of Edinburgh, the Scottish capital. Since it's only about an hour south of Stirling, it's first on my list of destinations to visit. My first stop will be the Glasgow Science Centre, which is home to an indoor tornado, an exhibit on sustainable energy, and the Glasgow Tower for an elevated view of the city.
Handshaking: When meeting someone for the first time, men always wait for the woman to extend her hand first as a customary greeting. Keep this in mind if you identify as female! Going along with this, maintaining eye contact during conversation is expected as a gesture of politeness.
Hill-Walking: This is what hiking is called in the UK, and Scotland is famous for its breathtaking hill walking locations. I'm pumped to spend a day hillwalking across the Isle of Skye. With faery pools and puffins, this may be the closest I'll ever get to a real-life Narnia experience.
Hogmanay: I won't be in Scotland for New Year's Eve, but it's still important that I know this is what they call it over there. I'm sure Hogmanay plans will come up in conversation with full-time students at the university, so that's one less word I have to worry about going over my head.
Nessie: As you probably guessed, this is Scotland's pet name for the Loch Ness Monster, which arguably is their giant pet!
Second Sight: Superstition is deeply woven in Scottish culture, and many natives today believe in magical creatures and this rare ability to see into the future.
Shinty: Described as a cross between hockey and lacrosse, this Scottish sport is played primarily in the Highland regions. Based on the pictures I've seen, it looks pretty similar to field hockey... although, I'll probably keep that to myself if I meet any shinty players.
Tipping in Scotland: Before you travel to a new country, don't forget to research the social expectations for tipping in different situations. In Scotland, 10% is a good general guide for most contexts, and is automatically included in your bill at a restaurant as a 'service charge'. If you take a taxi, most riders will round up the cost of the fair to the £, or tip an additional £1. If you buy drinks from a pub, don't worry about tipping the bartender. Tipping at the bar isn't expected, however, if you choose to tip anyway, you won't get any weird looks for the extra generosity!
Tossing the Caber: The Highland Games are the event of the summer in Scotland, and tossing the caber is a crowd favorite. Contestants aim for distance as they throw giant tree logs. This sounds like something only a strong man wearing a kilt could do, so I'm not surprised it's the most popular competition.