Scotland

Few countries in the world can boast a life span as rich or diverse as Scotland. The true story of the people, the battles, the nobility and its kings and queens, is more thrilling than any novel, and has more love stories than all the Hollywood movies. In one way or another Scots have made our lives different. From the inventor Alexander Graham Bell, to philosopher David Hume, to industrialist Andrew Carnegie, Scotland’s influence on the world is impressive relative tto its small geographical stature.

Scotland is a nation, but no longer an independent state. Its history reads like a novel with heroes and heroines, bravery in battle, treachery and lust for power all well documented. After initially repelling Roman occupation during the early first and second centuries, the Scots seemed to be in constant battle with their Anglo-Saxon neighbours to the south. With the Highlands the last to cede, and after having fought long and hard to remain a ssovereign nation, Scotland surrendered its independence in an act of Parliamentary Union with England and Wales in the early 1700’s. However, the church, legal and educational systems and local government remain proudly Scottish to this day. Its people are feisty, oopinionated and fiercely loyal, but with a sip of Scotch whiskey, arguably their most famous export, you will soon „warm“ to them.

People are routinely confused by Scotland’s relationship to Great Britain. It is important to note that Scotland, England and Wales are all countries in their own right, but combined they constitute the island nation of Great Britain. Northern Ireland and Great Britain combined are known as the United Kingdom (UK) and if you combine the Republic of Ireland with the UK you have the British Isles. The modern history of Britain is considered to have started around the mid 1400’s. By that time Wales had been conquered by England, and Scotland had become part of Great Britain when tthe King of Scots succeeded to the English throne. Suffice it to say, however, that each country has a rich, elaborate history unto itself.

People & Culture

The name „Scotland“ derives from the Scotia, a Celtic tribe who migrated to Scotland from Ireland during the fifth and sixth centuries and who, in time, merged through conquest and intermarriage with the Pictish tribes to form the nucleus of the Scottish nation. The official language of the nation is English, although Gaelic iis spoken, primarily in the Highlands and the Islands and the Scots language (which has many similarities to English, but also draws on French and Gaelic) is also spoken in the Lowlands.

The people of Scotland are said to have a rock-solid identity and sense of self – they are proud of their heritage no matter where in the world they may have migrated. 5.2 million people inhabit Scotland and are mainly Caucasian, although many ethnicities can be found, particularly in the larger cities. Two-thirds of Scots belong to the Church of Scotland, although the more rigorous United Free Presbyterian Church is more popular in the Highlands and Islands.

Culturally speaking, Scotland can boast when it comes to folk art, literature and festivals. Encompassing all of these cultural facets is the annual Edinburgh International Festival – one the world’s leading arts events. This is the largest festival in all of Britain and a must if you are interested in seeing fringe theatre, music and poetry being performed to audiences from all over the world. Throughout the year there are many other less famous, but equally enjoyable festivals presented within the country.

In terms of exports, Scotland has given much to tthe world besides its whiskey. Perhaps the most famous icon of Scottish traditional culture is the Highland bagpipe, which achieved the height of its popularity during Queen Victoria’s reign because she liked to be woken by one playing outside her window. Tartans (kilts), another Scottish icon, date back to the Roman period, but were only associated with particular clans after the 17th century. Additionally, the Scots are quite famous in the world of science where they are credited with discoveries such as bitumen, waterproofing, the telephone, the television and radar.

Geography & Climate

Scotland is about half the size of England and comparable in size to Maine. With a varied landscape of rolling hills, lowlands and mountains, geographically it can be divided into three areas: the Southern Uplands, the Central Lowlands and the Northern Highlands and Islands, with two thirds of the country designated as either mountains or moorlands. Scotland is also noted for its lochs (the name generally used for lakes in Scotland). Much of the west coast of the country is intersected by sea lochs, the longest of which, Loch Fyne, penetrates more than 40 miles inland. Of course the most notable loch in Scotland is Loch Ness – tthe one with the monster!

There are wide variations in climate over small distances in Scotland. Although ...