Scotland

You know that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consist of four parts, of four countries. There are four different nations: the English, the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish. Every nation has its own unique culture, history, literature and even languages. These people have different customs and traditions and even food changes from region to region.

Having studied mak

es English-speaking countries rather deeply we became interested in culture of not so large country but also very rich of its traditions is Scotland. The knowledge about it is not full enough among Russian pupils. That’s why the theme of this research is the following: “Scotland. Its customs and traditions”

The object: The research of Scottish customs and traditions, their way of life.

The subject: The discovery of influence of knowledge about customs and traditions of one of the countries on the formation of respect to other nations.

The aim: To search and to systematize the material about Scottish character and traditions of this country.

Coming from the aim, object and subject we put forward the hypothesis:

If the knowledge about culture, history, customs and traditions of the country are systematized we can achieve:

· The formation of deep understanding of the nation’s character

· The improvement of mutual understanding between different nations

· The increasing of the cultural level

Our aim can be achieved and the hypothesis can be checked up by using the following methods of research:

· Analysis of information from different sources

· Abstraction

· Compilation the charts

Practical significance:

· The collected materials make it possible to increase the interest of studying English at school, to broaden the outlook, to understand the peculiarities of Scottish character

Chapter I: Scotland as an original country

1.1. Some words about General information

He who has not seen Scotland

does not really know Great Britain

Scotland is a land of paradox. A small nation, its presence is felt all over the world. It is a country of preachers and poets, warriors and dreamers, inventors and explorers. This is the land of tartans and fine whisky, of romantic castles and the melodies of bagpipes. Scotland also has a rich cultural heritage. The appeals of Scotland are undoubtedly unique and the hospitality of the Scottish people will make your visit one to be remembered. Scotland is a country in the United Kingdom to the north of England. Its symbol is a thistle, its patron saint is St. Andrew. The country is consisting of the Highland – a northern area with a harsh climate and the Lowlands – an industrial region with about three quarters of population.

1.2. Tragic history of Scotland

The unification of England and Scotland showed that religious differences were now more important than old national ones. England and Scotland remained separate during the seventeenth century, except for a period under Oliver Cromwell. In 1707, both countries agreed on a single parliament for Great Britain. Scotland retained its own system of law and the church.

Some facts from Scottish History.

1651

Scotland was united with England and Welsh although it kept its own parliament.

1707

England and Scotland were joined by an Act of Union

1715 and 1745

Rebellions by “Jacobites” who wanted a Catholic King. In 1745 the Jacobite hope was Prince Charles Edward Stuart “Bonny Prince Charlie”

My Bonny

A folk song

1. My Bonny is over the ocean,

my Bonny is over the sea.

My Bonny is over the ocean.

Oh, bring back my Bonny to me.

Chorus: Bring back, bring back,

Bring back my Bonny to me, to me.

2. Oh, blow ye winds over the ocean,

Oh, blow ye winds over the sea,

Oh, blow ye winds over the ocean,

Oh, bring back my Bonny to me.

3. Last night as I lay on my pillow,

Last night as I lay in my bed.

Last night as I lay on my pillow,

I dreamed that my Bonny was dead.

4. The winds have blown over the ocean,

The winds have blown over the sea,

The winds have blown over the ocean,

And brought back my Bonny to me.

1746

Prince Charles was finally defeated and the people of the Highlands were forced to emigrate.

1.3. Symbol of Scotland

The thistle has nothing pleasant in it, especially if you carelessly touch its thorns. But it has an important meaning for the people of Scotland. It is the Scottish national emblem. Scotland, as you may know, is now part of Great Britain. Why did the Scottish people choose this thorny plant as the national emblem of their country? The answer is interesting, and it can be found in the history of Scotland. The people of that country chose the thistle as their national emblem because it saved their land from foreign invaders many years ago.

A wonderful way to sample the spirit of Scotland is so to follow the Malt Whisky Trail which takes you through the Grampian Highlands. The magical combination of pure snow-melt water from the Highlands and carefully matted barley has produced the unique, essentially Scottish taste which no other country can match.

The most important musical instrument of Scots is a unique bagpipe. It appeared in the Highland in the XVI-XIX centuries. The bagpipe is a loud instrument. Its sounds spread fairways to two miles around. For making the instrument serve a leather skin, a blander (bull or horse) and reed (or any other hollow tubes) are needed. In Scotland people say, that sounds of bagpipes must contain sound of man and sound of animal.

Chapter II: Scotland pride

2.1. The main Scotland cities

Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, is associated with science, law and administration. It is internationally famous too as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is popularly known as “the Athens of the North”. In the old town houses with narrow windows are climbing up by narrow streets towards the ancient Edinburgh Castle in the middle of the city. This famous fortress overlooking the town from the 150 meters high Castle Rock is one thousand years old. As Scots say, St. Petersburg and Edinburgh are the only cities in the world with such a splendid layout.

Manchester is the second biggest city. Manchester was the first city in England to build its own airport in 1919. The city is an important cultural centre, famous for publishing books and magazines. It is also noted for its excellent libraries, magnificent museums and arts.

Glasgow is its largest and busiest town. Glasgow is the heart of industry. It is a centre of business and trade. It is a very busy, prosperous, dirty in some part and smart in others, it is beautiful and ugly with its large port and busy streets.

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