Scotland is a nation in the north of the UK and is the second largest constituent part of the UK with an area of over 30,000 sq miles. Scotland and a population of over 5 million (called Scots or Scottish) most based in the 'Central Belt' which contains the two largest cities Glasgow and Edinburgh; other major cities include Dundee in and Aberdeen and Inverness in the far north.
Scotland joined the UK in the 'act of union' on 1st May 1707 joining England and Wales and played a significant part in the creation and expansion of the British Empire and colonising America, Africa and the East.
Scotland is jointly governed by the UK parliament and a 'devolved' Scottish government based in the modern capital Edinburgh, previous capitals include Dunfermline while Inverness is known as 'the capital of the north'. The devolved Scottish government is based in Hollyrood outside Edinburgh and was inaugurated in 1999 and has powers over local matters, EU influence while separate MPs sit in the UK Westminster parliament which has a say in UK matters.
The currency of Scotland is the UK Pound Sterling however Scottish banks produce their own banknotes which are valid across the UK. The main language is English however some people in the north speak a traditional dialect called Gaelic
St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and is commonly represented by the flag of Scotland which features and blue diagonal cross on a white background. St Andrew was son of Jonah and a teacher of John the Baptist.
Scotland was invaded by the Vikings and the English over their history, however the Romans did not venture north past England and even built a stone and turf wall (Hadrian's Wall) to keep the warlike Scots (or Pictish tribes as they were) out.
Scotland is famed for its: scientists, inventors, businessmen, architects and explorers. Famous Scots include: architect Charles Rennie Macintosh, steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, founder of both The Bank of Scotland and The Bank of England William Paterson, inventor of the television Andrew Logie Baird, inventor of modern road surfaces John Loudan MacAdam, discover of penicillin Sir Alexander Fleming and Prime Minster Gordon Brown.
Traditional industries include: fishing, textiles, whisky, ship building and technology. |
