Scottish Culture, History, Traditions, St. Andrew’s Day, and Everything Scottish

Like the other countries of Great Britain, the Scottish history and culture are robust, and dates back many centuries. Here is some basic information on Scotland and the Scottish culture:

Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland form Great Britain. Scotland’s population is about 5 million, which is about 8.5% of the United Kingdom’s population.

Scotland occupies 31,510 square miles. It is 274 miles long and ranges from 24 to 154 miles wide.

Scotland includes 787 islands, of which 130 are inhabited, but only 62 of which are larger than 3 square miles. Most of the islands belong to the island groups Hebrides, Shetland, or Orkney.

Scotland is about the same size as the state of Maine, Panama, the United Arab Emirates, or the Czech Republic.

There are 3 official languages of Scotland:  English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic.  Scotland in Gaelic is “Alba”. 

Approximately 5 million Americans report Scottish heritage. 

The king of Scotland became the king of England in 1603.  The countries merged governments in 1707, forming the Kingdom of Great Britain.  Scotland has had its own parliament since 1999, the first time since 1707. 

Some of Europe’s largest oil reserves are in Scotland.  Scotland is a major producer of wool.  The 5^th largest European financial center is Edinburgh, Scotland. 

There are 3 possible verdicts in Scottish trials:  guilty, not guilty, or not proven. 

Previous prime minister of the UK, Tony Blair, and current minister, Gordon Brown, are Scottish. 

Whiskey, often referred to as Scotch Whiskey, was not a Scottish discovery.  Whiskey was “invented” in China, and was first distilled by Irish monks in the 15^th century, and reached Scotland 100 years later. 

There are other things, widely thought to be Scottish, that originated elsewhere.  The kilt originated in Ireland.  Tartans, the crisscrossing bright colored stripes on cloth, have been found in Central Europe dating to the Bronze- or Iron Age.  Tartans have also been found in ancient Central Asia.  Bagpipes may also have originated in Central Asia. 

Current genetic studies suggest that Scots may have descended from Central Asia.  The genetic mutation that results in red hair, prevalent in Scotland and Ireland, is thought to have originated in Central Asia. 

One of the most notable Scottish dishes is haggis. It is thought to be an ancient European dish, with a similar dish known 2500 years ago in Greece. It is made from sheep lungs, heart, and liver, and suet (the hard fat found around the kidneys and loins). The organs are mixed with stock, onions, oatmeal, and spices, and boiled in the sheep’s stomach.

Scotland is known for its famous “biscuit”, shortbread cookies.

Among Scottish literary greats are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes), Sir Walter Scott (Ivanhoe), and Lord Byron (When We Two Parted).

Some famous Scottish actors are Sean Connery (James Bond, The Hunt for Red October, The Untouchables), Ewan McGregor (Star Wars Episodes I-III, Black Hawk Down), and Gerard Butler (Phantom of the Opera, 300).

Check out our HubMobsters’ hubs through the links below and learn more about Scottish history and culture, as well as Scottish traditions and celebrations like St. Andrew’s Day: 

Celebrations:  St. Andrew’s Day, Hogmanay, National Tartan Day.  The Flying Scotsman, the Loch Ness Monster, Scottish Highland Cows, Haggis.  Edinburgh Military Tattoo, New Scotland Yard, Knights of Scotland, Mary Queen of Scots.  Dalavish, Loch Awe, Old Town Stirling, Hebrides Islands, Scottish borders, Connonish Gold Mine, places to visit in Scotland, the Scottish Castle Trail, Scottish Malt Whiskey Trail, Linlithgow.  Scottish humor, Scottish dialects and accents, Scottish bagpipe music, Scottish gold prospecting, Scottish country dance, kilts, Scottish traditions and customs, Scottish heritage, Scottish history.  Billy Connolly, David Hume, William Wallace, Robert Burns, Scottish writers, Scottish actors.  Scottish Shortbread cookies Yetholm Bannock, Dundee cake, traditional Scottish recipes, Scottish cuisine. 

Every week Princessa comes up with a topic that is of broad interest and scope, reflects current events, &/or reflects upcoming events, celebrations, or holidays.  Princessa launches the new topic on Monday, in a Hubbers Hangout forum thread.  Anyone can join the HubMob and write on our topic by starting their hub from Princessa’s link in the forum thread.  Add the HubMob graphic and RSS, and you are now a HubMobster!  Additional tips and instructions are on Princessa’s post. 

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