Scotland is an autonomous country that is, together with England and Wales, part of Great Britain...which is part of the United Kingdom (together with Northern Ireland), which is part of the Britisch Isles (together with Ireland and Isle of Man). Confused? Let me help you with that.
Scotland contains more than 790 islands. Most of the population, including the capital Edinburgh, is concentrated in the Central Belt – the plain between the Scottish Highlands and the Southern Uplands – in the Scottish Lowlands. Scotland is divided into 32 administrative subdivisions or local authorities, known as council areas. Limited self-governing power, covering matters such as education, social services and roads and transportation, is devolved from the Scottish Government to each subdivision.
Geological facts
Name: Scotland
Capital: Edinburgh
Largest city: Glasgow
Government: Devolved parliamentary legislature within a constitutional monarchy. Established: 9th century (traditionally 843)
Language: Scotland has no official language. English is the main language by custom and usage, with Scots, Scottish Gaelic and British Sign Language also recognised as the main linguistic groups in Scotland, according to the Scottish Government.
Area: 77,933 km2 (30,090 sq mi)
Population: 5,463,300
Currency: Pound sterling
Repeated glaciations, which covered the entire land mass of modern Scotland, destroyed any traces of human habitation that may have existed before the Mesolithic period. It is believed the first post-glacial groups of hunter-gatherers arrived in Scotland around 12,800 years ago, as the ice sheet retreated after the last glaciation. At the time, Scotland was covered in forests, had more bog-land, and the main form of transport was by water. These settlers began building the first known permanent houses on Scottish soil around 9,500 years ago, and the first villages around 6,000 years ago.
Fast forward to a serious depression that hit the economy by 1922 and did not fully recover until 1939. The interwar years were marked by economic stagnation in rural and urban areas, and high unemployment. Service abroad on behalf of the Empire lost its allure to ambitious young people, who left Scotland permanently. The heavy dependence on obsolescent heavy industry and mining was a central problem, and no one offered workable solutions.
During the Second World War, Scotland was targeted by Nazi Germany largely due to its factories, shipyards, and coal mines. Perhaps the most significant air-raid in Scotland was the Clydebank Blitz of March 1941, which intended to destroy naval shipbuilding in the area. 528 people were killed and 4,000 homes totally destroyed.
Scottish industry came out of the depression slump by a dramatic expansion of its industrial activity. The shipyards were the centre of more activity, but many smaller industries produced the machinery needed by the British bombers, tanks and warships. Agriculture prospered, as did all sectors except for coal mining, which was operating mines near exhaustion. After 1945, Scotland's economic situation worsened due to overseas competition, inefficient industry, and industrial disputes. Only in recent decades has the country enjoyed something of a cultural and economic renaissance.
Did you know...
A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796), the author of many Scots poems. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet's birthday, 25 January, known as Burns Night. However, in principle, celebrations may be held at any other time of the year.
Irn-Bru is the most common Scottish carbonated soft drink, often described as "Scotland's other national drink" (after whisky).
Whisky is usually not referred to as Scotch in Scotland.
The official animal of Scotland is the Unicorn. England has always been represented by a lion. England and Scotland have been at odds (and sometimes literally at war) throughout history. In old myths, guess which animal was said to be the only one that could defeat a lion? Yup, a unicorn. It was first used on a Scottish coat of arms in the 12th century and is thought to represent purity, innocence, power and chivalry.
The raincoat was invented in Scotland by a man named Charles Macintosh, who was born in Glasgow.
Imports of haggis to the US have been banned since the 70s. The main trappings of a haggis include the offal (internal organs) of a sheep mixed with suet, oatmeal, onions, and spices. Traditionally, this would all be cooked inside a sheep's stomach.
You've heard of Nessie, now meet Morag, the monster of Loch Morar. This large and elusive female is said to have attacked two fishermen in August 1969. They saw a creature described as around 30ft long with rough brown skin, three large humps and a snake-like head. Loch Morar is even deeper than Loch Ness, more than 1000ft in places.
The shortest commercial flight in the world is in Scotland. The journey from Westray to Papa Westray in Orkney is approximately 1.5 miles long and takes about 60 seconds.
Silicon Glen is a nickname for the high tech sector of Scotland, the name inspired by Silicon Valley in California. It is applied to the Central Belt triangle between Dundee, Inverclyde and Edinburgh. It does not technically represent a glen as it covers a much wider area than just one valley.
(Sources: Tenontours; Dailyrecord; Dangerous Business and Visit Scotland)
The book I read
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
Synopsis: Glasgow is dying and good families must grift to survive. Agnes Bain has always expected more from life. She dreams of greater things: a house with its own front door and a life bought and paid for outright (like her perfect, but false, teeth). But Agnes is abandoned by her philandering husband, and soon she and her three children find themselves trapped in a decimated mining town. As she descends deeper into drink, the children try their best to save her, yet one by one they must abandon her to save themselves. It is her son Shuggie who holds out hope the longest. Shuggie is different. Fastidious and fussy, he shares his mother's sense of snobbish propriety. The miners' children pick on him and adults condemn him as no' right. But Shuggie believes that if he tries his hardest, he can be normal like the other boys and help his mother escape this hopeless place.
This book was given to me by a dear friend and I liked it a lot. The writing is beautiful and what struck me most, is that you feel like you are right there, in the damp, worn down house with them. You would rather not be there though, as you feel the struggle up close and personal. You root for them, but you also kind of know it is pointless.
About the author
Douglas Stuart (born 1976) is a Scottish-American writer and fashion designer. He was born in Glasgow. He was the youngest of three siblings. His father left him and his family when he was young, and he was raised by a single mother battling alcoholism and addiction. His mother died from alcoholism-related health issues when he was 16. Subsequently, when he would go on to write his debut Booker Prize-winning novel, Shuggie Bain, the book would be inspired by his struggles, his mother's struggles as she battled alcoholism and his relationship with her.
Other book recommendations for Scotland
On this website, we add new books from countries all over the world every week. Check out which (other) books are featured for Scotland here.
Souvenir
As a souvenir for Scotland, I would recommend anything Nessie, kilt or wiskey related. I found this beautiful wiskey set for example. Travel, and Scotland related!
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