S C O T L A N D

Added: 03/04/2010

 

 

The word Scotland itself stimulates imagination.

This is the land full of legends and traditions.

This is the land of various colors and sounds.

It is also a land of the unknown,

   A land whose wild landscape gives off,

                                       a romantic atmosphere of the times long by.

 

 

 

 

 

Scotland is called Alba in the Gaelic language.

There is a variety of national treasures like the kilt – skirts worn by men or haggis.

Haggis is the national dish made of ram’s intestines,

not to mention the Scotch whisky

famous all around the world.

Golf is as well a famous tradition a characteristic       

  feature of Scotland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many castles in the north-east part of the country

This region hasn’t been touched by some of the turbulent historic events.

Most of the fortresses survived up until now.

 You can admire as many as 300 such

               establishments in Scotland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edinburgh has been the capital city and a cultural center for over 500 years now.

It is considered as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

In the past the city was shrouded in smog due to heavy industry present there.

Today, however, the city is one of the landmarks in Scotland.

It is a clean, cosmopolitan capital city.

The city combines respect for tradition and the openness for modernity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can’t say that that you visited if you hadn’t gotten to the Calton Hills.

There is a group of buildings commemorating those who died during the Napoleon wars.

In my opinion it is the best viewing spot on the      

                                                         whole     Edinburgh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ST. Andrew is the patron of Scotland.

Legend has it that St Andrew requested to be crucified on X-shaped beams,

so that they did not resemble the holly cross on which Jesus Christ died.

St. Andrew’s relics are in the Edinburgh Cathedral –  St Mary’s Cathedral.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most citizens belong to the Calvin Church of Scotland.

It is a national church, independent from the state.

It is, however, under the influence of the Church in England.

Scotland has two flags: St. Andrew’s Cross (Saltier) and Lion Rampant.

 

The first one is associated with the patron of Scotland, St. Andrew. The color of the background which symbolizes an evening sky is not precisely specified. The Scottish flags range in colors, from bright blue to navy. The second flag of Scotland is Lion Rampant. In 1165 Wilhelm I the lion changed the symbol of the country from a boar to a lion.

                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scotland is located in the northern part of the Great Britain island: Hebrides, Orchids and Shetlands.

In the south of the country there are the Caledon Mountains and Grampians.

In the south of the country there is the Middle-Scotland Uplands

In the center - there is Middle-Scotland Plateau.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Edinburgh Castle, Camera Obscura, The National Gallery of Scotland,The Scottish

Parliament, The Holyroodhouse Palace are among many other places that are a must-see on

your list of things to visit in Scotland and its capital city.