Scotland is well known for its highlands, lochs (lakes) and wild nature…
Basic facts
Scotland
Scotland is part of United Kingdom. It only borders with England in the south. Waters surrounding Scotland are: North Sea, Irish Sea and Atlantic Ocean.In addition to the main land that occupies one third of Great Britain, there are 790 islands that belong to Scotland!
Scotland’s population is bit over 5 million people.
Capital of Scotland is Edinburgh, but the largest city in Scotland is Glasgow with over 580 thousand people living there.
People in Scotland mostly speak English language. Two other languages used in Scotland are: Scots and Gaelic. It is estimated that there are approximately 2 million people that can speak Scots, most of them living in southern part of Scotland. Gaelic is spoken in the north part of Scotland, but there are only 50 thousand people who know and can speak Gaelic.
Heralrdy of Scotland
Heraldry is set of symbols used by the group of people. When we talk about heraldry of a country, we often mean:
- Flag
- Coat of Arms
- Anthem
Sometimes other symbos are popular, such as: colour, animal or flower.
Scottish flag
Flag of Scotland
Scottish flag is the St Andrew’s Cross. St Andrew is saint patron of Scotland.
White saltire (X shaped cross) represents a cross on which St Andrew was crucified. According to the legend, in the 9th century St Andrew appeared to King Angus and assured him of victory.
Next morning white cross appeared on the blue sky and the Angles (people who lived in the current teritory of England) fled.
Scottish coat of arms
Scotland Coat of Arms
First record of current coat of arms of Scotland is mentioned in 12th century and was used by King William I.
Coat of Arms was passed from one ruler to another with only slight modifications in details.
Scotland’s symbol – Thistle
Scotland's symbol - thistle
Scotland’s national symbol is thistle. Thistle has been used as a symbol of defence in 15th century.
Anthem
There is no official anthem of Scotland. There have been proposals for electing one. One of the most popular options is “The Flower of Scotland”. It is usually played with bag pipes.
| Gaelic | English |
| O Fhlùir na h-Alba, cuin a chì sinn an seòrsa laoich a sheas gu bàs ‘son am bileag feòir is fraoich, a sheas an aghaidh feachd uailleil Iomhair ‘s a ruaig e dhachaidh air chaochladh smaoin? Na cnuic tha lomnochd ‘s tha duilleach Foghair mar bhrat air làr, am fearann caillte dan tug na seòid ud gràdh, a sheas an aghaidh feachd uailleil Iomhair ‘s a ruaig e dhachaigh air chaochladh smaoin. Tha ‘n eachdraidh dùinte O Fhlùir na h-Alba,
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O flower of Scotland When will we see Your like again That fought and died for Your wee bit hill and glen And stood against him Proud Edward’s army And sent him homeward Tae think again The hills are bare now And autumn leaves lie thick and still O’er land that is lost now Which those so dearly held And stood against him Proud Edward’s army And sent him homeward Tae think again Those days are passed now O flower of Scotland
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