Scotland

Welcome to Scotland!

Motto : ”We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilization.” (Voltaire)

Scotland

Scotland forms the northern part of the Great Britain. The official language is English, although Gaelic is spoken primarily in the north and in the west of Scotland. The Scots language is also spoken.

The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh, although Glasgow is the largest city.

Scotland’s national flower is the thistle, a purple flower which was first used in the 15^th century as a symbol of defense.

Scotland is well-known for its mountainous and beautiful scenery, for its lochs, (the name is generally used for lakes in Scotland), for its clans, bagpipes, kilts and medieval castles.

A kilt is a traditional Scottish knee-length garment with pleats at the rear originally worn by Scottish men and boys in the 16^th century. It is often made of a woolen cloth in a tartan pattern.

In the pictures below: Kilt outfit –1; Tartan –2,3;

Scotland has given rise to a lot famous people, notable in arts, sciences, literature a.s.o.

Great Scots

Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) – born in Edinburgh; having emigrated to the USA, Bell became the inventor of the telephone in 1876.

John Buchan (Baron Tweedsmuir) (1875-1940) – author, biographer and politician. Perhaps best known for his novel “The Thirty-Nine Steps”.

Robert Burns (1759-1796) – poet and writer; he wrote “Auld Lang Syne”, which is sung world-wide at the end of the year. The Scots celebrate “Burn’s Night” on the 25^th of January.