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Scotland Culture | Fun Facts About Scotland

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New Year in ScotlandThere are many customs associated with Hogmanay (the name given to the last day of the year):- ‘first-footing’ involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour.- Singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ - a traditional poem by Robert BurnsLe nouvel an en EcosseI…

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Green forests, towering mountains, vast lochs and a lively culture form this spectacular country! Join us on a bonnie adventure in our facts about Scotland...
Facts about Scotland

Official name: Scotland, Alba

Form of government: constitutional monarchy

Capital city: Edinburgh

Largest city: Glasgow

Population: around 5.2 million

Monetary unit: Pound sterling (GBP)

Official languages: English/Gaelic/Scots

Area: 78,772 km² (30,414 sq mi)

Major mountain ranges: Southern Uplands, Central Lowlands, Grampian Mountains, North West Highlands

Major rivers: River Tay, River Spey, River Dee, River Tweed, River Clyde

Scottish flag

Map of Scotland

Scotland's geography and landscape

Scotland is a country in Europe and is part of the island of Great Britain (Europe's largest island) alongside England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This lush beautiful country is bursting with green spaces, lush forests, towering mountains and vast lochs (the Scottish word for lakes!).

The country can be roughly divided into three areas - lowlands, Highlands and islands. The lowlandsare known for their fertile farmland and thick woodlands, the Highlands for their towering mountains, sweeping moorland and deep lochs, and the islands for their compact wild landscapes, beautiful beaches and far-reaching sea views.

Did you know?
Hundreds of millions of years ago Scotland's landmass was once completely separate from England and Wales - it was actually joined to America and Greenland!

Scottish wildlife and nature

With so many habitats, there's plenty of fascinating wildlife to see in Scotland. You'll find river dwellers such as otters, salmon and trout and red squirrels and birds, such as capercaillies, find refuge in the thick forests.

Out on the mountains and in the moorland you might spot majestic red deer or mountain hares while the islands are the perfect place to spot seals and seabirds, such as .

Many animal species are protected in Scotland and there are two National Parks - the Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park - as well as numerous beautiful nature reserves, that have been set up to protect the land and the wildlife that lives there.
Psst! Read VisitScotland's Scottish Wildlife Series to find out about six of the country's coolest animals!
Scottish history

Scotland has been populated for 12,000 years, and has a rich and complex history. In 43 AD the Romans successfully invaded Britain and fought frequently with the native Scots, called the Caledonians.

From the 1200s to the 1300s the Scottish clan system became firmly established in the Highlands. Ruled over by a clan chief, these clans were like tribes and were made up of family members and people who had a loyalty to the chief. Each clan held a particular territory and clan members could be distinguished by the clothes they wore - the origins of what we now know as Scottish clan tartan!

In 1707 the Act of Union was signed, meaning Scotland, England and Wales were now a single state with one monarch (known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain).

In 1745 Charles Edward Stuart, or 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' as he is often known, travelled to Scotland to reclaim the thrones that his grandfather, once king of England, Ireland and Scotland, had lost in 1668. He had support from lots of Scottish clans but despite their early victories, they were defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Following the battle, the British government was determined to bring the Highlanders under their control and harsh laws were passed to eradicate all aspect of Highland culture, including the Gaeliclanguage and traditional clothing. This signalled the end of the Highland clan system.

Despite these uncertain times, the 1700s also saw the beginning of one of the greatest periods in Scotland's history - the Scottish Enlightenment. From the mid 1700s to the early 1800s educated Scottish people, such as professors, doctors and writers, began to question what was previously believed and instead formulate new theories and ideas. The discoveries and advances that were made during this time went on to shape the modern world as we know it.

Scottish people and culture

The Scots are a nation of innovators. Throughout the centuries Scottish people have brought us a huge range of new concepts, architectural techniques, scientific discoveries, inventions and more. Some of these wonderful things include the telephone, the television, tarmac, the steam engine, anaesthesia, penicillin, the pedal bicycle and the decimal point!

Many famed athletes and Olympic medal winners come from Scotland, including tennis player Andy Murray, rower Katherine Grainger and cyclist Sir Chris Hoy. Scotland also has a strong history for producing influential writers, including the poet Robert Burns (you can find out more about him in VisitScotland's Rabbie for Weans eBook), JM Barrie, author of Peter Pan and Sir Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes novels.

Did you know?

In the Harry Potter series, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is thought to be located in the Highlands of Scotland.

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Fabulous facts about Scotland! | National Geographic Kids

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Green forests, towering mountains, vast lochs and a lively culture form this spectacular country! Join us on a bonnie adventure in our facts about Scotland...

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A part of the United Kingdom, Scotland occupies the northern part of the island of Great Britain. Rugged uplands separate it from England to the south. Within this border territory north of England the Scots fought many wars to keep their independence. In 1707, however, Scotland was joined to England, and the entire island became a single kingdom, the United Kingdom of Great Britain. But the Scots remain a distinct people with a long history different from that of England. Long characterized as a land of romance, Scotland contains ruins of many ancient castles and abbeys, and there is a haunting beauty in its windswept mountains, long deep valleys, and ribbon lakes. It attracts many tourists, particularly from the United States and England. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh.

Scotland covers an area of 30,421 square miles (78,789 square kilometers). It is bordered by England to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and north, and the North Sea to the east. The coast is deeply pierced by inlets of the sea. The larger inlets are called firths, and the long, narrow inlets are called sea lochs (lakes). On the rugged west coast the sea lochs are framed by great cliffs and resemble the fjords of Norway. Numerous islands lie off the coast. In the north are two large groups, the Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands. Close to the west coast are the Hebrides group, Arran, and Bute.

Scotland has three major geographic regions: the Highlands in the north, the Central Lowlands, and the Southern Uplands. The Highlands are wild and picturesque. Their rocky, barren summits were chiseled by Ice Age glaciers and the rainfall of many centuries. Purple heather clothes the lower slopes in late summer. The valleys are usually steep-sided glens, with a long, narrow loch at the bottom. A long valley called Glen Mor crosses the Highlands from southwest to northeast. Glen Mor includes a series of lochs, the largest of which is Loch Ness, famous for its mythical monster. The Caledonian Canal links the valley's lochs to form a waterway from the Firth of Lorne to Moray Firth. In the southern Highlands are the Grampian Mountains, the highest range in the British Isles. Ben Nevis, the tallest peak, rises to 4,406 feet (1,343 meters). Ben Lomond, at 3,192 feet (973 meters), rises from the shore of Loch Lomond, Scotland's largest lake.

Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz

The Central Lowlands, also called the Midland Valley, run from southwest to northeast. At their greatest length they measure nearly 90 miles (145 kilometers), but they are only 30 miles (48 kilometers) wide, stretching across the narrow waist of Scotland from the Firth of Clyde in the west to the Firth of Forth in the east. These firths provide valuable outlets to the sea but in the past constricted communications from north to south into the waist. The soil is fertile, and coalfields underlie the area. In this region is Scotland's chief farming district and also its largest cities. In the east is Edinburgh, the capital, and in the west is Glasgow, hub of a great metropolitan area. About three-quarters of Scotland's people live in the Lowlands.

In the Southern Uplands the hills are generally less than 2,000 feet (600 meters) high. Their rounded or flat tops are often capped with dark peat. The slopes are covered with grasses as well as heather. Along this border England and Scotland meet. In the west the boundary runs from the Solway Firth across the crest of the Cheviot Hills. In the east it follows the River Tweed almost to its mouth. The Tweed Valley is the chief gateway into England.

Scotland has a temperate maritime climate, milder than would be expected given its high latitude. The prevailing winds blow from the southwest, carrying warm, moist air from the North Atlantic Current. The average temperature in January is about 40 °F (4.4 °C); in July it is about 58 °F (14.4 °C). Precipitation varies across Scotland. The mountainous west coast receives the most rainfall; Ben Nevis, which is near the coast, has an average annual rainfall of more than 140 inches (355 centimeters). A significant amount of snow falls during the winter in the Highlands above 1,500 feet (460 meters). The east is drier and sunnier.

The Scots are descendants of various European peoples who invaded and settled in the British Isles over the course of centuries. The Highlanders and the people of the western islands are of Celtic descent, the Lowlanders are descended from the Anglo-Saxons, and the people of the Shetland and Orkney islands are of Norse ( Viking) heritage. In more recent times immigration has brought an influx of other ethnic groups, notably Irish, Jews, Lithuanians, Italians, and Poles. The late 20th century saw an increase in immigrants from Asia, particularly from Pakistan, India, and China. The enlargement of the European Union in 2004 led to a dramatic increase in immigration from the countries of eastern Europe. The vast majority of Scotland's people speak English. However, a small number of Highlanders and people of the western islands still speak Scottish Gaelic, an ancient Celtic language. The Scots language (also called Lallans), spoken by some Lowlanders, is closely related to English.

Most Scots belong to the Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian in structure. The congregation of each kirk (church) chooses its own minister after a trial sermon, and every member of the church has some share in governing it. In general, sermon and prayer occupy a larger place in the church service than ritual and music. The Roman Catholic Church and the Scottish Episcopal Church also have many members. Other Christian denominations include Baptist, Congregationalist, Methodist, and Unitarian. Ethnic minorities have brought Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism to Scotland.

Despite Scotland's long association with the United Kingdom, it has retained a vigorous culture of its own. The Edinburgh International Festival of music, drama, and dance, which began in 1947, draws hundreds of thousands of people every year, making it one of the world's largest cultural events. The arts receive support from Creative Scotland, a public body formed when the Scottish Arts Council joined Scottish Screen in 2010. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Scottish Opera, and the Scottish Ballet have been widely acclaimed. The Glasgow School of Art is world famous. The architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) studied there and later designed its buildings (1896-1909).

Scottish writers have the choice of three languages: Scottish Gaelic; Scots; and English. The most notable Scottish poets who wrote in Scots and English were Robert Fergusson (1750-74) and Robert Burns (1759-96). The poet Hugh MacDiarmid, writing in Scots, led a Scottish literary renaissance in the first half of the 20th century. The poets Sorley Maclean and George Campbell Hay led a Gaelic revival. Modern Scottish novelists include Muriel Spark, Alasdair Gray, Ian Rankin, Kate Atkinson, and James Kelman.

The Scots have a great respect for learning, and their history is full of people of humble birth who acquired university educations. In the early 20th century education was made easier for poor students by the Scottish-born U.S. industrialist Andrew Carnegie. He set up the Carnegie Trust Fund in 1901 to help needy students and to foster research.

Education in Scotland is free in publicly maintained state schools from preschool (3 to 5 years) through secondary school. While nursery school is optional, primary and secondary education are mandatory. At about 12 years of age primary school students enter secondary schools. Instruction is predominantly in English, though in Gaelic-speaking areas education in Gaelic is legally guaranteed. Students may legally leave school at 16, but about 75 percent of students continue their education past this point. Scotland has many universities, the oldest being St. Andrews, founded in 1411. The University of Edinburgh is known for its school of medicine. The University of Glasgow emphasizes science and engineering.

The Highlands
Some of the most recognized aspects of traditional Scottish culture originated in the Highlands. In early days the ruggedness of the land led to the separation of the Highlanders into small groups called clans. Each clan was ruled by a chief, and the members of a clan claimed descent from a common ancestor. The traditional garment of the Highland clansmen is the kilt (a knee-length, pleated skirt), which is suitable for climbing the rough hills. Each clan had its own colorful pattern-called a tartan-for weaving cloth. These tartans, now commonly called plaids, are marketed throughout the world. Today the kilt is a national costume, proudly worn for special occasions.

There are more than 100 gatherings of the clans, which draw many visitors to the Highlands. At these gatherings athletes wearing kilts compete in such ancient Highland sports as throwing the hammer and tossing the caber, a long, heavy pole. Bagpipers and Highland dancers add color and interest to the gatherings.

Scotland's economy faltered in the 1970s and '80s because of serious declines in its traditional heavy industries, including coal, steel, shipbuilding, and engineering. Its subsequent recovery was due to the exploitation of North Sea petroleum and natural gas, the development of high-technology industries, and continuing growth in the service sector. Today the service sector dominates Scotland's economy, accounting for about four-fifths of employment and more than two-thirds of the gross domestic product.

Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing
Livestock raising is the primary agricultural activity in Scotland because most of the land is hilly or otherwise unsuitable for growing crops. Sheep farming predominates in the Southern Uplands and in the Highlands, while cattle farming is especially common in the mild and rainy southwest. The dairy farms of the southwest provide milk for the Glasgow area and for cities in northern England. Scotland's richest crop-growing area lies in the east, around the Firth of Forth. Farms there produce wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits. On the northwest coast and on the islands some people still practice crofting, a form of subsistence tenant farming.

Forestry is a significant activity and has helped to retain population in Scotland's rural areas. The most important commercial species are conifers, including Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, Scotch pine, European larch, and Douglas fir.

The seafood industry has long played an important role in the Scottish economy. About two-thirds of the British fish and shellfish catch is handled by Scottish ports. Fishing towns are scattered around the coast of Scotland and the islands. Chief fishing ports are Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Lerwick, Scrabster, and Aberdeen. The catch includes haddock, cod, herring, sole, mackerel, and such shellfish as scallops, lobsters, and crabs. Fish farming, especially of salmon, trout, and shellfish, has grown in importance.

The decline of Scotland's traditional industries in the late 20th century sparked efforts to diversify and modernize the manufacturing sector. In the early 21st century Scotland's chief industries included high-technology enterprises, especially the production of computers and other electronics, and the manufacture of consumer goods. Oil production, centered in Aberdeen, remains important as well. Heavy industry in Scotland received a boost from the emerging wind-energy sector in the early 21st century. Distilleries in the Highlands and the northeast produce Scotch whisky, which is one of Scotland's leading exports. Printing and brewing, both of which were once strong industries in Edinburgh and Glasgow, are now in decline.

The service sector encompasses a broad range of activities, including government, education, health care, finance, and retail trade. Business services and banking account for a large proportion of employment in Scotland. Among the main banking and insurance jobs are legal and computer services, accountancy, and property (real estate) services. Edinburgh is Europe's largest financial center after London. A growing number of jobs in the service sector involve technology, including information and communication services, research and development, biotechnology, and software design.

Tourism is a valuable industry in Scotland, with employment particularly strong in the hotel and catering businesses. The majority of visitors come from other parts of Scotland or the United Kingdom, but more than 2 million annually come from abroad, notably the United States, Germany, France, and Ireland. Among the most popular attractions are Scotland's rural parklands, the cultural institutions of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, and the Edinburgh, Stirling, Urquhart, and Blair castles.

Transportation
Overall responsibility for Scotland's transportation network lies with the Scottish government's Transport Department. It works with seven regional transport partnerships, which prepare plans addressing the transportation needs of their regions.

Transport Scotland, an agency within the Transport Department, is responsible for managing the railways and the major long-distance roads, which include trunk roads and motorways (expressways). Local roads are the responsibility of local governments. Scotland's road and bridge network has improved considerably, as some main routes have been upgraded to motorways and many single-lane roads in the Highlands have been widened. The proliferation of automobile travel was accompanied by a reduction in the railroad network, with the route mileage shrinking to less than two-thirds of the total from the mid-20th century.

Scotland's busiest ports are Sullom Voe and Orkney on the northern islands and Forth on the east coast. They handle mostly oil. The primary ports on the west coast including Glasgow, Greenock, Hunterston, and Ardrossan, are grouped under the port authority of Clydeport.

Air travel has increased markedly, with a substantial growth in direct services to Europe. Scotland's major international airport, Prestwick, is on the west coast southwest of Glasgow. Other major airports are at Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Glasgow.

As part of the United Kingdom, Scotland elects members to the British Parliament in London. Each of Scotland's 59 representatives in the House of Commons is elected from a single-member constituency. Scotland is also represented in the House of Lords. The Scotland Office, led by the secretary of state for Scotland, represents Scottish interests in the central British government. Scotland is subject to the British Parliament in the areas of foreign affairs, foreign trade, defense, economic and monetary policy, social security, employment, energy regulation, most aspects of taxation, and some aspects of transport.

In 1997 Scottish voters approved the creation of the first Scottish Parliament since 1707. The Scottish Parliament, which assumed power in 1999, has jurisdiction over such matters as health, education, housing, regional transport, the environment, and agriculture. It can also make small adjustments to the British income tax rate within Scotland. The Scottish Parliament consists of 129 members. The party or coalition with a majority in the Scottish Parliament selects one of its members to be the first minister. The first minister is the leader of the Scottish Executive, the administrative branch of the Scottish regional government. For local administration, Scotland is divided into 32 unitary authorities called council areas.

The Scots have their own legal and justice system. It derives from Roman law and is quite different from that of England. The supreme civil court, called the Court of Session, dates from 1532. It sits in Edinburgh in the old Parliament House. The supreme criminal court is the High Court of Justiciary.

Evidence of human settlement on the land that is now Scotland dates from the 3rd millennium bc. The earliest people were Middle Stone Age hunters and fishers who probably reached Scotland via an ancient land bridge from Continental Europe. By early in the 2nd millennium bc New Stone Age farmers had begun cultivating cereals and keeping cattle and sheep. The Celts, an Indo-European people, migrated from the Continent starting about 700 bc.

The recorded history of Scotland begins in the 1st century ad, when the Romans invaded Britain. The Romans added southern Britain to their empire as the province Britannia. They were unable, however, to subdue the fierce tribes in the north. To keep these tribes from invading Britannia, Emperor Hadrian had a massive wall built across the island from sea to sea. The Romans called the land north of the wall Caledonia, and they called the people Picts-from the Latin piclus, meaning "painted"-because they painted or tattooed their bodies. Parts of Hadrian's Wall still stand on the Scottish border.

In the 5th century Celtic immigrants from Ireland, called Scots, settled north of the Clyde River. The Scots were already Christians when they left Ireland. In the next century St. Columba converted the king of the Picts to Christianity. In the 9th century Kenneth MacAlpine, king of the Scots, added the Pictish kingdom to his own. About the 10th century the land came to be known as Scotland.

After the Normans conquered England in 1066, many Anglo-Saxons from England settled in the Lowlands of Scotland. There the Scots gradually adopted English ways. Feudalism was established, and the chiefs of the clans became nobles. Towns grew, trade increased, and Scotland prospered.

War of Independence
Nearly two centuries of relatively friendly relations between Scotland and England came to an end in a dispute over succession to the Scottish throne. In 1290 Margaret, heiress to the throne, died. Thirteen claimants contested the Crown. Edward I of England claimed the right to bestow it and made John de Baliol king. When Edward asked John for help against the French, however, John entered into an alliance with France. For 260 years Scotland held to this so-called "auld alliance" with England's enemy.

Edward crossed the border in 1296, took John de Baliol prisoner, and proclaimed himself king of Scotland. To symbolize the union he carried off the ancient Stone of Scone, on which Scottish kings had long been crowned, and placed it in Westminster Abbey beneath the British coronation chair. (The stone would not be returned to Scotland until 1996.)

But the Scots rose again. Led by William Wallace, they routed the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297 and pursued them across the border. The next year Edward returned and inflicted a disastrous defeat on the Scots at Falkirk. Wallace was later captured and executed, and the English hung his head from London Bridge.

The Scots' spirit was still unbroken, and they soon found another great champion in Robert Bruce. The last great battle in the war for independence was fought in 1314 at Bannockburn near Stirling Castle. There Bruce inflicted a disastrous defeat on superior English forces led by Edward II. In 1328 Edward III formally recognized Scotland's independence.

In the later Middle Ages Scotland suffered from weak kings and powerful nobles. For two centuries there was a constant struggle between the Crown and the barons. Border clashes with England also continued. James IV of Scotland married Margaret, daughter of Henry VII of England, in 1503. When Henry VIII went to war with France in 1512, however, James IV invaded England. He died in 1513 in the Battle of Flodden, the last great border battle. James V died brokenhearted after his army was routed by the English at Solway Moss in 1542. The Scottish throne went to his infant daughter, Mary Stuart, who was called Mary, Queen of Scots.

Reformation and Its Consequences
Meanwhile the Protestant Reformation had swept across Europe and into England. Scotland was still a Roman Catholic country. Mary was in France when John Knox returned home to Scotland from Geneva, Switzerland. Knox was a follower of John Calvin, one of the leaders of the Reformation. With fiery eloquence he spread Calvin's Protestant doctrine. Knox and others drove Mary out. In 1560 Scotland's Parliament adopted a confession of faith drawn up by Knox and established the Church of Scotland on a Presbyterian basis. When Mary returned to Scotland in 1561, she was imprisoned and forced to abdicate her throne. She escaped, however, and fled to England. Queen Elizabeth I made her a prisoner and finally had her executed.

Mary's son, James VI, was brought up as a Presbyterian. When Queen Elizabeth of England died in 1603, James inherited the throne of England. In England he was called James I. The two nations were thus united under a single king, but Scotland remained a separate state with its own Parliament and government. There was no free trade between England and Scotland, and Scots were excluded from the profitable commerce with England's growing empire.

England tried repeatedly to impose the Anglicans' episcopal form of worship and church government on the Scottish church. The Scots took up arms against James VI's son, Charles I. When civil war broke out in England, they aided the Puritans against the king. After Oliver Cromwell executed Charles I without consulting the Scots, however, the Scots welcomed Charles's son as Charles II. Cromwell then marched into Scotland and imposed his rule. When Charles II was restored to the throne, persecution of Presbyterians continued.

After Charles II died in 1685, his brother succeeded him as James VII of Scotland and James II of Great Britain and Ireland. James provoked unprecedented opposition in the Scottish Parliament because of his pro-Catholic policies. After he was driven from the throne in 1688, Presbyterianism was firmly established as Scotland's national church. The Highlanders long remained loyal to the exiled Stuarts. In 1715 they attempted to restore the House of Stuart to the throne; James Stuart, known as the Old Pretender, was proclaimed James III. In 1745 they supported his son, Charles Edward, known as the Young Pretender and Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Young Pretender's quest for the throne ended in 1746 at the Battle of Culloden when the Highland forces were defeated by the English. ( See also pretender.)

Union with England
The long rivalry between Scotland and England ended formally in 1707 when the Parliaments of both nations agreed to the Act of Union. This act merged the Parliaments of Scotland and England and established the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Scotland now had free trade with England and the colonies. As Britain's empire expanded, the Scots played a great part in its development.

The end of the 18th century has been called Scotland's most creative period. David Hume won world fame in philosophy and history, Adam Smith in political economy, and Robert Burns in poetry. In the next generation the writer Sir Walter Scott made the land and history of Scotland known throughout the world.

In the 19th century Scotland shared in the inventions that brought about the Industrial Revolution and in the wealth that flowed into Britain from it. The Industrial Revolution contributed to a dramatic increase in Scotland's population, which grew from about 1.5 million at the beginning of the 19th century to more than 4.5 million by the turn of the 20th century. The new manufacturing jobs sparked a massive influx of people to Scottish cities.

Modern Scotland
World War I brought an unprecedented boost to Scottish industry, as Clyde shipbuilding and engineering proved crucial and Clydeside became the key munitions center in Britain. However, the collapse of the wartime boom in 1920 began a period of economic depression in Britain, in which Scotland was one of the worst-affected regions. Scotland's heavy industries-especially coal mining and shipbuilding-began to stagnate in the mid-1950s, and unemployment in Scotland was often twice that in England.

The discovery of oil in the North Sea stimulated Scotland's economy in the early 1970s. During the early 1980s, however, a collapse in oil prices and a series of closures of large industrial plants led to higher unemployment. The British government responded by creating special agencies to attract new investment, notably from American electronics companies. By the 1990s Scotland had become one of Europe's major electronics manufacturing centers.

The nationalist desire for greater autonomy, always an undercurrent in Scottish politics, began to win wider support in the 1970s, when the production of North Sea oil raised the possibility of Scottish economic independence. The movement for self-government gained further momentum in the 1980s as many Scots believed that the British Conservative government was unresponsive to Scottish demands. The general election of May 1997 brought the Labour Party to power and made Tony Blair prime minister. Blair called a referendum for establishing a Scottish Parliament with a broad range of powers over domestic affairs. In September 1997 the referendum passed with the support of more than 74 percent of Scottish voters. The voters also gave the Scottish Parliament the power to raise or lower income tax rates by up to 3 percent.

The first elections to the Scottish Parliament were held in May 1999. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Parliament on July 1, 1999. In 2005 the Parliament moved into its permanent building in the Holyrood area of central Edinburgh. The Parliament took advantage of its autonomy to develop distinctive policies for Scotland, such as on financial support for students and land reform.

In the 2007 elections, the Scottish National Party (SNP), which favored independence for Scotland, staged a historic upset. The SNP won the most seats in the Scottish Parliament and thereby ended some 50 years of Labour Party dominance in Scotland. In 2014 Scotland held a referendum on whether Scotland should break away from the United Kingdom to become an independent country. As the day of voting approached, the "yes" (pro-independence) side began to gain tremendous momentum. In the end, however, the referendum was defeated, with 55 percent voting "no" and 45 percent voting "yes."

In 2016 the United Kingdom held a referendum on whether it should leave the European Union (EU). Some 62 percent of Scottish voters who participated in the "Brexit" (British exit) referendum voted for Britain to remain in the EU. Nevertheless, the referendum passed, as the majority of those who voted in the United Kingdom as a whole, voted for Britain to leave the union. In light of this result, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP requested that the British government allow Scotland to hold a new referendum on Scottish independence before Britain left the EU. Population (2011 census), 5,295,400.

Ascherson, Neal. Stone Voices: The Search for Scotland (Hill and Wang, 2003).Harris, Nathaniel. Heritage of Scotland: A Cultural History of Scotland and Its People (Bounty Books, 2004).MacLean, Fitzroy. Scotland: A Concise History, 2nd ed., rev. (Thames & Hudson, 2000).MacLean, Fitzroy. Highlanders: A History of the Scottish Clans (Adelphi, 1999).Magnusson, Magnus. Scotland: The Story of a Nation (HarperCollins, 2000).

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A part of the United Kingdom, Scotland occupies the northern part of the island of Great Britain. Rugged uplands separate it from England to the south. Within this border territory north of England the Scots fought many wars to keep their independence.

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25 Most Beautiful Destinations to Visit in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 | Scotland Travel

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GLASGOW -  27 Great Things To SEE & DO in Glasgow, Scotland

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The Edinburgh Photography Tour - Capture The City With a Local

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Liveworksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the teacher.

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Discover Scotland's major cities and explore everything Scottish cities have to offer.

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WHAT ARE COMMON ST ANDREW'S DAY GAMES?

Get creative at home and spruce up your living space with these fun St Andrew's Day crafts. From Scottie Dog mobiles to making your very own saltire collage. There's lots to keep wee and big bairns entertained!

WHAT ARE COMMON ST ANDREW'S DAY SONGS?

From the famous Auld Lang Syne to Dougie Maclean's epic anthem Caledonia. Here are just a few suggestions to kick off your St Andrew's day sing-a-long.

Liberty sung by The Corries

Loch Lomond performed by Runrig

Scots Wha Hae, written by Robert Burns, sung by Dick Gaughan

The Wild Geese/Norland Wind sung by Jim Reid

WHAT IS ST ANDREW'S DAY FOOD?

Scotland's food and drink plays a big part on St Andrew's Day. For starters, the traditional soup dish cullen skink is often served; made of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions. When it comes to the main course, there can only be one dish to celebrate Scotland's patron saint, haggis, neeps (turnip), and tatties (mashed potato).

Dessert is a dish best served hot especially on cold winter nights, round off your feast with clootie dumpling and custard. A traditional Scottish dessert made of dried fruit, spices, oatmeal or breadcrumbs, flour, and beef suet. The word 'clootie' derives from the Old Scots word 'cloth' where the dumpling was traditionally boiled.

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St Andrew's Day - The Patron Saint of Scotland

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Find out more about St Andrew's Day and the lively programme of events taking place across the country to celebrate Scotland's patron saint on 30 November.

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Scottish National Anthem ~ Flower Of Scotland (Lyrics)

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿FLOWER OF SCOTLAND (WITH LYRICS/AVEC PAROLES) - MURRAYFIELD - TOURNOI DES 6 NATIONS

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St Andrew's Day, 30 November, is the Scottish national day. It's a time to wear some tartan, listen to some bagpipes playing "Oh Flower of Scotland", dance a Highland fling and eat some haggis and shortbread with a wee glass of malt whisky!

A typical Scottish expression at this time of year is, "The nights are fair drawing in." In other words, the days are getting shorter. Of course, they are everywhere as the winter solstice approaches, but at the latitude where Scotland is, the winter nights are very long and the summer ones are almost non-existent. If you have long dark nights, you need something to cheer you up, and St Andrews opens the period of winter festivals. It will be followed by Christmas, Hogmanay (New Year) and Burns' Night, the celebration of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, in January. All of them involve music, dancing, good food, and a fair amount of alcohol!

Patron Saint
St Andrew, as well as being one of the disciples, is Scotland's patron saint. The national flag, the Saltire, features the St Andrew's Cross, a diagonal white cross on a blue background. In 832 AD, Angus Mac Fergus, king of the Picts (one of the main tribes that inhabited Scotland), is said to have seen a St Andrew's Cross in the sky on the morning of a battle against a Saxon and Angle army that outnumbered his men. Angus won the battle, and adopted the saint and his cross.

University and Golf
St Andrews is also a town in the east of Scotland, home to the oldest university in Scotland, founded in 1413. Prince William studied there, as did Kate Middleton. The town is also considered the home of golf. Although variations of the sport have been played in Scotland for hundreds of years, it was the creation of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 1834, and the codifying of the modern rules of the sport in 1897, that made St Andrews a place of pilgrimage for golfers, and the host to many prestigious tournaments.

Talking of sport, the Scottish national anthem, "Flower of Scotland" is played at sporting events and the crowd enthusiastically join in. Here are the Scottish rugby team and crowd singing it at Murrayfield stadium.

Celebrating St Andrews
To celebrate the national day, there are parades - featuring bagpipes of course. And if you have bagpipes, you have to have kilts. Kilts also feature at ceilidhs (kaleys), traditional dance and music evenings that are popular with young and old.

And to eat, well of course haggis is traditional. These days, you can have a meat or a vegetarian version. Either way, it you can't be served until someone has recited Robert Burns' "Ode to a Haggis". Then, you can raise a glass of whisky, and tuck into your haggis, neeps (swede) and mash, followed by some shortbread or cranachan, a sort of Scottish trifle with oatmeal.

To end, you have to get into a big circle and sing another Burns poem, "Auld Lang Syne". People all around the world sing it for New Year, but in Scotland, any social gathering, and especially a ceilidh, will finish with "Auld Lang Syne" and a lot of boisterous dancing.

Escape Game!
Well done, you found the teaser video for "Trapped in a Scottish castle"! After watching it, you can head back to search for more clues.

Webpicks Useful websites and online tools for classroom use
> St Andrews Day Online Resources

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Information and articles about developments in English teaching, themes covering different aspects of culture, news and events in the English-speaking world

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10 things to do in Scotland #scotlandtravel #edinburgh #travelvlog

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Here are 10 things you can do if visiting Scotland in 2023, so save this short for later:1. Visit Edinburgh Castle, is a must if visiting Edinburgh! We spent...

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The must-see Edinburgh attractions for your Scotland 2023 travel #scotland #edinburghcastle

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If you’re planning a trip to Scotland in the next few years, be sure to add these 4 things to your Edinburgh itinerary!Edinburgh is a beautiful city, and the…

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Scotland is a country in Great Britain, to the north of England. Scotland has nearly 800 islands, but people only live on some of them.

Scotland is a very beautiful country with many mountains, forests, beaches, rivers and lochs (the Scots word for lakes). In the north of Scotland it is light until 11.30 p.m. in summer and in winter you can sometimes see the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, which are spectacular lights in the sky. Energy from the sun turns the Earth's sky green, red and other colours.

Scotland has its own parliament which makes laws for Scottish people. The Scottish parliament is in the capital city, Edinburgh. About five million people live in Scotland, which is 8.5 per cent of the UK population. Most people live in the south of the country in and around the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Dundee.

Language

There are three languages in Scotland. Most people speak English and Scots. Scots is spoken by young and old people in cities and rural areas and sometimes people mix Scots and English. Some words in Scots are the same as in English and some are different. Look at these sentences. Can you see the difference?

Scotland is ane o the fower kintras that maks the Unitit Kinrick. (Scots)

Scotland is one of the four countries that make the United Kingdom. (English)

A minority (around one percent of the Scottish population) speak Scottish Gaelic, an old Celtic language which is very different from English. For example, the Gaelic word for Scotland is 'Alba', 'What is your name?' is 'Dè an t-ainm a tha ort?' and 'Goodbye' is 'Slàn leat'.

Music

At public and cultural events you can often hear traditional music and see traditional dancing. Pipers play music on bagpipes, a Celtic wind instrument with pipes and a bag. Pipers and dancers usually wear kilts. A kilt is a traditional skirt with a tartan design which is worn by men and women. Scots enjoy all types of music from folk to rock and pop, and festivals like the Edinburgh Festival or concerts like 'T in the Park' are very popular. Famous Scottish singers and groups include Paolo Nutini, Franz Ferdinand and The Fratellis.

Sport

The most popular sport in Scotland is football and famous teams include Celtic and Rangers, from Glasgow, Scotland's biggest city. Another popular game, golf, was invented in Scotland in the Middle Ages. You can go skiing or snowboarding in winter at Scotland's five mountain ski resorts and any time of the year at snowsports centres around the country. In rural, Gaelic-speaking regions people play shinty, a traditional sport similar to hockey that is played in Scotland and Ireland.

The famous Scottish Highland Games are a combination of culture and sport. Competitors do heavy sports like 'caber tossing', where they throw big tree trunks, and there is traditional Scottish music and dancing. Highland Games are celebrated all over the world. The first Highland Games in New York were in 1836, the most northern games are in Norway and the most southern ones are in New Zealand.

Food

When people think of Scottish food they often think of haggis, a type of sausage made from parts of a sheep. However, Scotland is also known for its variety of seafood such as lobster and oysters, fish such as salmon and trout, and beef.

Symbols

Blue is a colour which is often associated with Scotland. The Scottish flag is blue with a white X-shaped cross called the St Andrew's cross. St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and his day is celebrated on 30 November. On this day, everywhere you go in Scotland you will see tartan, kilts and bagpipes. Also, look out for the national animal, the unicorn, and the thistle, the purple flower of Scotland.

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What does Scotland look like? What languages do they speak? And what can you do in Scotland? Read and find out!

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When is St Andrew's Day?

St Andrew's Day is on 30 November.

St Andrew's Day is celebrated in Scotland on 30 November, in honour of St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

What does the flag of St Andrew look like?

St Andrew's flag is also the flag of Scotland

Who was St Andrew?

St. Andrew was one of Christ's twelve apostles. Some of his bones are said to have been brought to what is now St. Andrews in Fife during the 4th century. Since medieval times the X-shaped saltire cross upon which St. Andrew was supposedly crucified has been the Scottish national symbol.

What is the national emblems of Scotland?

The national emblem and national flower of Scotland is the thistle, a prickly-leaved purple flower which was first used in the 15th century as a symbol of defence.

The Scottish Bluebell is also seen as the flower of Scotland.

What is the National Dress of /Scotland?

The national dress of Scotland is a kilt with shirt, waistcoat and tweed jacket, stockings with garter flashes, brogue shoes and a sporran.
Facts about Scotland

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St Andrew's Day - The National Day of Scotland

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When is St Andrew's Day? St Andrew's Day is on 30 November. St Andrew's Day is celebrated in Scotland on 30 November, in honour of St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. What does the flag of St Andrew look like? St Andrew's flag is also the flag of Scotland Who was St Andrew?

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Scotland
National Symbol and flag
Where is Scotland?

Scotland is in north-west Europe and is part of Great Britain, an island country ( See map ) and the United Kingdom (UK) .

Scotland is a mountainous country in the north of the island of Great Britain and shares a land border to the south with England and is bounded by the North Sea on the east and the Atlantic Ocean on the west. Its capital city is Edinburgh.

Scotland has some 790 islands - 130 inhabited.

Scotland is Famous for....

Its fresh water lochs (lakes) - there are over 600 square miles of them. One of the most famous is Loch Ness where a mysterious monster is said to lurk in the depths of the water.

It is also famous for its clans, kilts, medieval castles, as well as poetry and songs of Robert Burns.

Theatre lovers from around the world come to Edinburgh for its famous theatres festival.

Famous People of Scotland

Famous Scots include: Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, David Hume and the actor Sean Connery.

Famous musicians of Scotland include Annie Lennox, Wet Wet Wet, Travis and Simple Minds.

Government

On 1 July 1999, the Scottish Parliament was opened by HM the Queen, the first Scottish Parliament for 300 years. Scottish parliament responsibilities include social work services, health, local government and education.

Interesting Facts

Edinburgh was the first city in the world which had its own fire-brigade.

Edinburgh - the capital of Scotland, like Rome, was built on seven hills.

Until 1603, Scotland (like England) had its own Monarch. In 1603, the King of Scotland became also the King of England ruling both countries.

The National Flag of Scotland

Country Facts

Motto:

Flag:

National Day: 30 November

Nationality :
Scottish and British
Find out more

Anthem (song) :Flower of Scotland

Official Animal Unicorn

Wales

Questions about England

Why does England dominate the UK?

Questions about Great Britain

What is Great Britain?
Is Britain the same as Great Britain?
Which countries are in Great Britain?

Find out about Great Britain

Questions about the United Kingdom
Where is the UK?
What countries make up the UK?
What is the official title (name) of the UK?
Why is the whole of Ireland not part of the UK?
How and why was the UK formed?
Find out about the UK

Questions about the British Isles
What are the British Isles?
Find out about the British Isles

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National Symbol and flag Where is Scotland? Scotland is in north-west Europe and is part of Great Britain, an island country ( See map ) and the United Kingdom (UK) .

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Scotland is a country with its own unique identity. From the castles and historic cities, lakes and Highlands, to bagpipes and kilts, Scotland means something different to each visitor, and travel experiences here can be as varied as the landscape. While there is much to see throughout the land, the capital city of Edinburgh, steeped in history, is a good place to start. Glasgow, by contrast, is a more modern city and a great place to enjoy the moment. Away from the cities there are also plenty of remote places to explore and lose one's self in the countryside.

Read More

Edinburgh's location and lovely old architecture make this one of Great Britain's most attractive cities and a prime destination in Scotland. The hilltop Edinburgh Castle which dominates the cityscape is perhaps what most people think of when they picture this city. The Old Town, surrounding the castle is home to narrow streets and many of the main attractions. From the castle the Royal Mile, lined with old town houses and interesting shops, leads to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The New Town, with wide avenues and large open squares is considered a masterpiece of Georgian town planning. The principle sites in this area include the Royal Botanical Garden, National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland, and the National Gallery of Scotland.

Glasgow, the country's largest city, has a lively atmosphere and a strong entertainment scene, known particularly for live music. It also has a vibrant arts community and is home to the Glasgow School of Arts and several important art galleries, including the Kelvingove Museum and Art Gallery, and the Burrell Collection, among others.

In the surrounding area there are a number of interesting sights which can be visited on a day trip from Glasgow or independently for longer stays. Chief among these are Loch Lomond, the largest lake in Britain, which can be appreciated on a boat tour or on one of the foot trails in the area. Stirling Castle, perched on a crag high above the town of Stirling, located northeast of Glasgow is also a sight to behold in the countryside.

For those looking to venture further afield and immerse themselves in some classic Scottish landscape, head out on a walk through the Highlands, or escape to the Hebrides. Spend time in Inverness to see the famous Inverness Castle and learn about the history of the area at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. In the Hebrides, explore the dramatic scenery of the Isle of Mull or the even more remote island of Staffa. On a final note, golfers won't want to miss St Andrews to play the famous Old Course and stop by the British Golf Museum.

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Scotland is a country with its own unique identity. From the castles and historic cities, lakes and Highlands, to bagpipes and kilts, Scotland means something different to each visitor, and travel experiences here can be as varied as the landscape.

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Download the minibook! (Click here to know how to fold the minibook.)

Download the pictures to illustrate your minibook!

Report the locations of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness on the map in your minibook.

(Source: www.worldatlas.com)

Edinburgh:

- A short introduction to Edinburgh: Watch the 4 videos and answer the questions.

- Find the 2 main nicknames of Edinburgh: link 1 - link 2.

- Know more about Edinburgh Castle:

a) What is special about the place where Edinburgh Castle was built? Find out here.

b) What is the other name of the Scottish Crown Jewels? How old is the crown? Find out here.

c) Why are 1296, 1950 and 1996 three important dates in the history of the Stone of Destiny? Find out here.

d) What is Mons Meg? Click here to find out!

e) What happens every day at 1 p.m.? Find out here.

- More views of Edinburgh:

Glasgow:

- Watch the 2 videos and write down the basic information about Glasgow in your minibook.

- More views of Glasgow:

- 2 recent constructions in Glasgow:

1) Construction 1:

2) Construction 2: click here!

Inverness:

- What can be said about the location of Inverness in the United Kingdom. Click here to find out (Paragraph 1).

- Watch the following video and take a few notes about Inverness in your minibook.

(If one of the links is broken, use the following document.)

Homepage

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Download the pictures to illustrate your minibook! (Source: www.worldatlas.com) Homepage