SCOTLAND Introduction :

Scotland is a part of the United Kingdom. It's located on the North of Europe. It’s surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. Scotland has a border in common with England. This border is 96km(~155miles). The capital city of Scotland is Edinburgh, but the largest city is Glasgow. The area of ​​the country is about 78 772 square kilometers, with a population density of 65 inhabitants per km². Scotland has about 800 islands, the largest of which are Isle of Skye and Isle of Mull on the Atlantic coast. The Scottish climate is an oceanic climate: the temperatures are mild throughout the year and it rains a lot. The situation of the northern European country makes the summer days very long and the winter days very short. The National Day is on 30th November. The Scottish celebrate St Andrew who is the Patron Saint of Scotland.

The capital city

Edinburgh has been the capital city of Scotland since 1532. There are 482 640 inhabitants. The city was built on volcanic hills. It is dominated by its castle. The must-see places in Edinburgh

The castle

Edinburgh Castle played a vital role in Scottish history, both as a royal residence and as a military fortress. This castle had a military function for the last time in 1745. From this date until the 1920s, it was used as the main base of the British army in Scotland. It is high on the steep hill of Castle Rock, as if it overlooks the city just below, Edinburgh Castle is the best attraction in the city. Inside its blackened stone walls are the « Honors of Scotland » (the jewels and jewels of the crown of Scotland) locked in the heart of the royal palace where historical paintings can be seen. We also find in the castle, the apartments of Queen Mary I of Scotland, the Great Hall (15th century room where the Scottish Parliament met until 1639).

Arthur’s Seat

This summit, located on the top of an extincted volcano, offers one of the best views of the city and the county of Fife. This rocky summit of 251 meters dominates the city, as well as the castle of Edinburgh. The national museum

The long façade of the National Museum of Scotland goes along the elegant Chambers Street. There are a lot of collections, divided between two buildings, one modern, the other one Victorian. The golden stone and the amazing modern architecture of the new building, opened in 1998. It is one of the most distinctive monuments of the city. The museum's five floors recounts the history of Scotland from its geological origins to the 1990s, with many original and stimulating exhibitions.

Princes Street Gardens

These beautiful gardens are in a valley occupied by the North Loch, a marsh that was drained in the early nineteenth century. In the middle of the western part of the gardens there is the Ross Bandstand, an outdoor place for summer concerts. In Princes Street Gardens, there is also the Scott Monument. It is a monument built in honor of Walter Scott, a great writer born in the city.

The symbols of Scotland

The flag

The flag of Scotland is one of the oldest flags in the world. It is composed of a white cross of St. Andrew on a light blue background. Andrew was a missionary of Christ condemned to death by the Romans. He refused to be crucified on a cross of the same type as that of Jesus. He was crucified on an X-shaped cross. That’s why there is a white cross on the flag. The Scottish flag The Thistle

As vikings troops attempted to attack Slains Castle in the middle of the night, they decided to walk barefoot to avoid making noise. A viking walked on a thistle and could not help shouting his pain, alerting the Scottish guards of the castle. No luck for the Vikings, the guards were alerted and the Scottish forces counterattacked and won the victory. Since this date, the thistle has become the symbol of Scotland. The armorial bearings

Another flag also symbolizes Scotland: it is the Royal Standard of Scotland, which is actually the royal banner of Scotland. This flag was used by the kings of Scotland until 1603.

It representes a «crawling lion » The Lochs in Scotland

Scotland is very famous for the numerous Lochs. It has been estimated that there are at least 31,460 freshwater lochs (including lochans) in Scotland ! One of the most popular is the Loch Ness. The legend of the Loch Ness

● Loch Ness is a freshwater lake located in the Highlands, southwest of the city of Inverness. With its elongated shape, the lake is streching along 39 km and its maximum depth is about 272 meters.

● The legend of the Loch Ness talks about a creature like a sea snake. It was said that this monster had drowned the imprudent travelers and, as a result of this myth, the parents forbade their children to bathe in the deep rivers and in the loch, lest they should be swept away by the monster. Since then, many people and photographers have tried to prove the existence of the monster Nessie, but to no avail. This photo was published in the Daily Mail in Unfortunately, the author of the image will admit Popular sports in Scotland Golf

The people of Scotland have enjoyed playing golf for over six centuries.Scotland is fondly referred to as the home of golf since it literally gave birth to golf.Unlike in many countries where golf is a preserve of wealthy and famous men, in Scotland, golf is a game for all and sundry. Since Scots started playing golf in the 19th century, they have not stopped.Scotland offers about 550 golf courses. Curling

Curling is a precision sport practiced with granite stones, cut and polished to an international size.The goal is to place the stones as close as possible to a circular target drawn on the ice , called the house.It is generally accepted that this game was invented in the sixteenth century in Scotland.The game of outdoor curling was very popular in Scotland between the 16th and 19th centuries, when the winter climate was cold enough to ensure good ice conditions. Football

Football, or soccer, is a collective sport that is played mainly with feet and a spherical ball. This sport is confronting two teams of eleven players in a stadium,either on grass or on a floor . The goal on each side is to shoot the ball into the opposite goal ; without using the arms. You have to get the best score to win. It had been codified at the end of the 19th century.

Typical Scotland dishes

Haggis

The rumors are all true.Scotland’s iconic national dish is made of sheep’s pluck ( liver, lungs and heart)minced with spices, salt and onion ,inside a lining of the animal stomach.

Neeps and tatties

Although tipically served with haggis, neeps and tatties are featured in many Scottish dishes. Just to clarify, « neeps » are turnips and « tatties » are potatoes. Scottish salmon

Scotland is the favourite spot for salmon, with as fresh water as possible. Scottish salmon is famous around the world for its exceptional taste and perfect texture.

Porridge

In many cultures, especially Anglo-Saxon or Slav, this dish is traditionally served at the first daily meal, with salt, sugar or milk. The scottish porridge is Scotland’s traditional breakfast, where salt is added. School life in Scotland

Most of the schools are public and pupils start at 4 or 5 years old. Each school chooses its schedules but a week mustn’t exceed 27 hours and a half or 5 hours and a half per day. Classes last no longer than 45 to 50 minutes each. Wearing a uniform is compulsory from primary to secondary school. You can stop school at 16 years old as in France or continue with the « Highers » like french « Baccalauréat »

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government is the executive government of the Scottish Parliament. The government was established in 1999 as the Scottish Executive under the Scotland Act 1998. The government consists of cabinet secretaries, who attend cabinet meetings, and ministers, who do not. It is led by the first minister, who selects the cabinet secretaries and ministers with approval of parliament. The First Minister in office is Nicola Sturgeon.