Scotland

2.2. World history is full of Scottish names

In Scotland were born many people, became famous in the future.

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) – writer and poet, one of the greatest historical novelists, whose favorite subject was his native Scotland.

Robert Burns (1759-1796) – Burn’s poetry falls into two main groups: English and Scottish. His English poems are

, for the most part, interior specimens of conventional eighteenth century verse. But in Scottish poetry he achieved triumphs of a quite extraordinary kind.

My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here,

My heart’s in the Highlands a-chasing the deer,

A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe –

My heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go!

Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,

The birthplace of valour, the country of worth!

Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,

The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.

Farewell to the mountains high cover’d with snow,

Farewell to the straths and green valleys below,

Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods,

Farewell to the torrents and long-pouring floods!

There are many Scottish names it can tell:

David Livingstone (1813-1873) – famous Scottish explorer.

Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) – inventor of the telephone.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) – famous Scottish writer.

Chapter III: The Scots

3.1. Peculiarities of Scottish character

The Scots, particularly the “Highlanders” from the mountainous north, try to maintain their separate identity. They object to being called “English”. Their earliest known ancestors were the Celts and the Gaelic language, still spoken in remote parts, comes from the ancient language of the Celtic tribes. The Scots have a reputation for being inventive, hardworking, serious minded and cautious with money. In the past they were pioneer settlers and empire builders in places like America, Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. They have also provided the British Army with some of its most famous regiments. Over the centuries, enemy troops have often been terrified at the sight and sound of Highlanders in Kilts marching into battle accompanied by the blood-curdling music of the bagpipes. Some even nicknamed the Scottish soldiers “devils in skirts” and also “ladies from hell”.

3.2. Clans and tartans

The Scottish Highlander considers himself the “true” Scot and he wears his national dress, the “kilt”, with pride. Kilts, the pleated skirts made of the material with a squared, colored design called a tartan, probably derive from the costume of the Roman conquerors. Each Scottish clan (a Gaelic word for “tribe” or “family”) has its own tartan with specific colors and design and only members of that clan are entitled to wear it. Clans, the traditional keystone of Scottish society, are no longer powerful. Originally, the clan, a grouping of an entire family with one head, or laird, was also important as a fighting unit. The solidarity associated with clan membership has been expanded into a strong national pride. The Black Watch tartan and the Royal Stewart tartan are the most popular tartans. They are more popular with tourists than with the Scots. If your name is Mac-something you probably descend from clansmen. “Mac” is part of a great many Scottish surnames, and its meaning is “son”. It is sometimes spelt “M” or “Mc”, but it is pronounced just the same as “Mac”. In some places “son” is used instead of “Mac”: MacDonald, Donaldson. The clan MacDonald is one of the oldest, it dates back to the 13th century.

3.3. Customs and traditions

They say, Scots are stingy and unfriendly people. It is true, but we can understand them, after all during all their history, they had numerous wars for liberty. Like other peoples, Scots severely stick to their traditions. The important part of their house is a fire-place, which gives comfort and quietness to house. As a necessary attribution in each home must be a checked fabric, maybe a table-cloth, or a plaid on a sofa, or blinds on the wall.

Almost in every house on the wall there is a knife, which has on the hilt the engraving of a thistle and set a topaz. Scots had the older tradition – wearing a knife over the right stocking. If a man put a knife out on inner side of leg that it means he declared the war. Peaceful people used to wear a knife on the right outside.

Scots very like plants. There are many plants in their rooms. Behind house there is a small garden. Owners carefully look after all plants, that’s why Scots have good and splendid gardens. In good weather people like spending a lot of time in fresh air, in their gardens.

Before the XVII century Scottish national dress was as follow a white linen shirt and a 8 meter long plaid, which was fringed over one’s shoulder, a fastened brooch, and clasped it around the waist. In the fighting days to poron helped to soldiers – it’s a big fur bag. The bag was decorated with head of animal – fox or badger – and long fringe.

Really, only people, who lived beside hills, wore a kilt. Inhabitants of plain preferred trousers. Highlanders wore a kilt and gaiters. Mainly because, it was a comfortable.

Earlier Scots were divided into: cattle – breeders and land people. The most of bright pagan celebrations for grain farmers was a Midsummer’s Day (June 21st). On that day there is a fire going, around that there are rituals. Sheep-breeders celebrated their holiday in June – they celebrated the end of washing, shearing and branded sheep.

That day the hostess makes a special pie from barley or oat flour and shares it with children, who must raise and care for sheep.

Chapter IV: The Practical part

4.1. The research on Scottish and Russian traditions

As a practical part I chose a comparison Russia and Scotland. This comparison with not many aspects, can give us a chance to understand the difference between countries. To my mind these countries were united due to thing only one – the origin of ancient traditions. But even in such a conservative country as Scotland, some traditions are forgotten or lost their meanings. For example we can take into consideration the present Scottish religion.

You can see that nowadays Scotland has many religions, that’s why instead of old traditions, new different sects have appeared. So to know the present situation of Scotland, you must open all secrets of history of Scotland and then, may be you will see that their customs are distinctive.

Conclusion

Today Scotland is very popular. Tourists can see and do so much: high hills to walk on, old castles to visit, mysterious lakes to cross by boat and… legendary monsters to look out for! Scotland is famous for people from all over the world come there to admire it.

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