If you’re asked about the culture of Scotland, what kinds of things do you say?

Everyone who answered this question seemed enthusiastic about the shopping opportunities to be had in Scotland's two biggest cities not to mention the social life!

'It seems to have improved greatly in recent years within Scotland and also how it is perceived by others. It is very varied with the main cities Glasgow and Edinburgh becoming more attractive and welcoming with bars, café culture… and club music scene. On the other hand the highlands and islands have not changed greatly...'

'Scotland is a country which only has two really good cities for going out in and shopping in my opinion! Edinburgh and Glasgow. The shopping in Glasgow is excellent and there are plenty of pubs and clubs to choose from. Edinburgh is becoming a better shopping city with the likes of Harvey Nics being added. Edinburgh has loads going on with music, film and literature, especially when the festival is on.

I enjoy living in Scotland as it only takes half an hour to get to the country from where I live. However, I do think that a lot of Scots are quite narrow minded and are very much home birds. Because the climate is quite depressing, a lot of people live for the weekend and drink a lot I think this is significant throughout the UK though. On the whole, Scots are very friendly and generous people it is a myth that we are scroungers.'

'I think big companies that used to only locate in London and the South are also realising that Scotland is on a par with such areas now. Edinburgh has Harvey Nichols and Glasgow is getting Selfridges!!!!!'

People also identified with creativity and the economy in how they saw the culture of Scotland.

'I think Scotland is a leader in areas such as art and design. In Glasgow for example the city is built around the designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Also we have Glasgow School of Art, one of the best in the country. There is also the scenery that surrounds Scotland, Loch Lomond only about 30 minutes from Glasgow. I feel these enrich the country and seeing places such as Edinburgh and Stirling Castle and finding out the history of Scotland makes me feel proud to be Scottish!!!! We are great sport fans, especially rugby! The Scottish people are friendly and generally quite happy despite all the rain!!

'Trying hard to appear international and outward-looking, but attitudes are still very parochial. Job market is stale and extremely hard to break into few creative opportunities outside financial services and IT.'

'I think it’s important for a country with a cultural identity to look outward to other nations with confidence – as they say, Scotland’s best export is its people!'