Home>Scotland>Scotland and its history

Scotland and its history, culture, Gaelic language and geography

Another version of Flower of Scotland by the Celtic Band Wolfe Tones:

History of Scotland

The independent sovereign state of Scotland entered into political union with England in 1707 with the ratification of the Treaty of Union. This created a single united kingdom with the single Parliament based in England. However, Scotland retained distinct legal, educational and religious institutions. This contributed to the separate culture and identity of Scotland despite the Union.

There has been a continued movement for a resumption of independence since the 1707 Union, which met with considerable protests across Scotland at the time. Since 1999 a Scottish Parliament has been in existence. This devolved legislature has been continuously seeking further powers of determination over Scottish affairs. In 2011 the Scottish National Party (SNP) won an overall electoral majority in the Parliament and has announced it’s intention to hold referendum on independence from United Kingdom.

Scottish language/Gaelic

Scottish Gaelic (Goidelic) is a language native to Scotland. In Gaelic, Scotland is known as Alba. It is one of the two insular Inter-Celtic languages known as Goidelic and closely linked with Irish and Manx Gaelic. The other Celtic language is Brythonic spoken in Wales Cornwall and Brittany. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh and Glasgow is the largest City.

Bagpipes

No other musical instrument is more closer connected to a country than the bagpipes are to Scotland. Listen to Celtic Legends perform this excellent version of Scotland the Brave:

Geography of Scotland

Scotland's mainland covers an area of some 30,414 square miles. The geography of the mainland is very varied with the Highlands to the north and west, the Lowlands to the south and east and Southern Uplands. Scotland is known for it’s many Lochs, mountains, rivers and both dramatic and gently sweeping coastlines.

Back to Scotland introduction