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1.3. Symbol of Scotland
The thistle has nothing pleasant in it, especially if you carelessly touch its thorns. But it has an important meaning for the people of Scotland. It is the Scottish national emblem. Scotland, as you may know, is now part of Great Britain. Why did the Scottish people choose this thorny plant as the national emblem of their country? The answer is interesting, and it can be found in the history of Scotland. The people of that country chose the thistle as their national emblem because it saved their land from foreign invaders many years ago.
A wonderful way to sample the spirit of Scotland is so to follow the Malt Whisky Trail which takes you through the Grampian Highlands. The magical combination of pure snow-melt water from the Highlands and carefully matted barley has produced the unique, essentially Scottish taste which no other country can match.
The most important musical instrument of Scots is a unique bagpipe. It appeared in the Highland in the XVI-XIX centuries. The bagpipe is a loud instrument. Its sounds spread fairways to two miles around. For making the instrument serve a leather skin, a blander (bull or horse) and reed (or any other hollow tubes) are needed. In Scotland people say, that sounds of bagpipes must contain sound of man and sound of animal.
Chapter II: Scotland pride
2.1. The main Scotland cities
Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, is associated with science, law and administration. It is internationally famous too as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is popularly known as “the Athens of the North”. In the old town houses with narrow windows are climbing up by narrow streets towards the ancient Edinburgh Castle in the middle of the city. This famous fortress overlooking the town from the 150 meters high Castle Rock is one thousand years old. As Scots say, St. Petersburg and Edinburgh are the only cities in the world with such a splendid layout.
Manchester is the second biggest city. Manchester was the first city in England to build its own airport in 1919. The city is an important cultural centre, famous for publishing books and magazines. It is also noted for its excellent libraries, magnificent museums and arts.
Glasgow is its largest and busiest town. Glasgow is the heart of industry. It is a centre of business and trade. It is a very busy, prosperous, dirty in some part and smart in others, it is beautiful and ugly with its large port and busy streets.
2.2. World history is full of Scottish names
In Scotland were born many people, became famous in the future.
Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) – writer and poet, one of the greatest historical novelists, whose favorite subject was his native Scotland.
Robert Burns (1759-1796) – Burn’s poetry falls into two main groups: English and Scottish. His English poems are, for the most part, interior specimens of conventional eighteenth century verse. But in Scottish poetry he achieved triumphs of a quite extraordinary kind.
My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart’s in the Highlands a-chasing the deer,
A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe –
My heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go!
Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birthplace of valour, the country of worth!
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
Farewell to the mountains high cover’d with snow,
Farewell to the straths and green valleys below,
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods,
Farewell to the torrents and long-pouring floods!
There are many Scottish names it can tell:
David Livingstone (1813-1873) – famous Scottish explorer.
Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) – inventor of the telephone.
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) – famous Scottish writer.
Chapter III: The Scots
3.1. Peculiarities of Scottish character
The Scots, particularly the “Highlanders” from the mountainous north, try to maintain their separate identity. They object to being called “English”. Their earliest known ancestors were the Celts and the Gaelic language, still spoken in remote parts, comes from the ancient language of the Celtic tribes. The Scots have a reputation for being inventive, hardworking, serious minded and cautious with money. In the past they were pioneer settlers and empire builders in places like America, Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. They have also provided the British Army with some of its most famous regiments. Over the centuries, enemy troops have often been terrified at the sight and sound of Highlanders in Kilts marching into battle accompanied by the blood-curdling music of the bagpipes. Some even nicknamed the Scottish soldiers “devils in skirts” and also “ladies from hell”.
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