To be a true Scottish is to know...

Hello Scottish Lover!!
I'm back!! Today's article will be a little more theoretical this time! After having seen the landscapes and some Scottish traditions, I told you some bases on this one.

First of all, Scotland is a rather small nation compared to the world but culturally rich and that's why so many tourists come and that's why Scots are so patriotic.

Uk's emblems

First, Scotland is one of four nations in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland). Its capital is Edinburgh and its population is 5.2 million ( 2014). Their official languages are English and Gaelic (since 2005).  Gaelic is an optional language in the school area and there are also radio and TV programmes in this language. Besides, Fàilte! (Welcome! in Gaelic), is the slogan of the Western Scots and the islands that welcome you to Alba ("Scotland" in Gaelic). It's even spoken in some series like Outlander for example!! 

Outlander 

It covers an area of 78 789 km² (about half of the island of Great Britain and a third of the United Kingdom), Scotland is divided into three main regions: the Highlands in the north (Northern Highlands), the Lowlands (Central Lowlands) and the Southern Uplands (Southern Plateaux). The Highlands form a region of mountains and lakes (lochs). Small compared to the world but it is rather useful to have a car or use trains to see as many as possible ;) 

The iconic Scottish animal is the unicorn, which is quite representative of the fantasy, the magic of the country and the beauty of its accounts and legends. That's a pretty cool emblem! Having several Scottish gadgets to show your patriotism or to bring back a Scottish souvenir, rather nice isn't it? 

The emblems of Scotland are: 

*The Saltire: Name given to the national flag of Scotland. It represents a white cross on a blue background, the cross of the Christian martyr Saint Andrew, hence the more common name of the Scottish flag: the Cross of Saint Andrew (considered one of the oldest flags in the world and the oldest national flag in use today). 

*Lion Rampant (or Royal Standard of Scotland): is the royal banner of Scotland. This flag was used by the kings of Scotland probably from the 12th century (under the reign of William I, known as William the Lion) until 1603 and the Union of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland. 

*Thistle: is one of Scotland's best-known emblems. The thistle is present on the jersey of the Scottish fifteen, on many logos of Scottish products or in the names of some Scottish sports clubs (Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Partick Thistle, ...). The thistle also refers to a Scottish order of knighthood, the Order of the Thistle, instituted in 1687 by King James VII of England and Scotland and still in force. And why is that? Because the thistle in 1010 allowed a glorious Scottish victory against the Vicking on the castle of Stains. ( The Vikings shouted in pain as they walked through a thistle field warning the Scots and allowing them this magnificent victory). 

Finally, the official national anthem of the United Kingdom is God Save the Queen but, for Scotland, Flower of Scotland can also be cited as one of several (but the most popular) unofficial anthems, used in particular at Scottish national team football or rugby matches. But at Commonwealth Games, for example, Scotland the Brave is used as the Scottish anthem. Let's stop for a moment to listen to this music and take a look at some pictures of the emblems of this wonderful region!!

And now you know a little more about Scotland. Hope this new article gets you more. See you soon Scottish Lover!!

xoxo Melou!!