If you look up "drinking culture in Scotland" online, you're going to be depressed. But you'll also be seeing an outdated stereotype. Scotland earned its heavy drinking reputation in the late 20th century, as retail and drinking laws relaxed and alcohol became much cheaper. Average alcohol consumption surged 25% between the late 1980s and early 2000s -- but just as importantly, those numbers have steadily declined in the following decades.

"We've been subject to stereotypes about heavy drinking, partly stemming from industrial-era struggles, when alcohol was often a form of escape for workers facing difficult conditions," says Angelos Kyrousis, the Food and Beverage Director at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh. "The media often highlights the more negative aspects of our drinking culture. Today, many Scots enjoy alcohol responsibly, and there's an increasing emphasis on alternative ways to socialize that don't involve excessive drinking. Craft beers, low-alcohol options and non-alcoholic beverages are becoming more popular in Scottish bars and restaurants, and we're seeing that demand increase in our own outlets."