country in the Middle Ages.
In Scotland the bagpipe was first recorded in the 16th century during
the reign of James I, who was a very good player, and probably did much to
make it popular. For long it has been considered a national Scottish
instrument. Even now it is still associated with Scotland.
The sound of the bagpipes is very stirring. The old Highland clans and
later the Highland regiments used to go into battle to the sound of the
bagpipes.
The bagpipe consists of a reed pipe, the “chanter”, and a wind bag
which provides a regular supply of air to the pipe. The wind pipe is filled
either from the mouth or by a bellows which the player works with his arm.
The chanter has a number of holes or keys by means of which the tune is
played.
5.Highland’s dances and games.
You can also find in Scotland its own national dances, Highland dances
and Scottish country dances; its own songs (some of which are very popular
all aver Britain), its poetry (some of which is famous throughout the
English-speaking world), traditions, food and sports, even education, and
manners.
Speaking about sports I can’t but mention Highland Gatherings or Games
held in Braemar. They have been held there since 1832, and since Queen
Victoria visited them in 1848 the games have enjoyed royal patronage. The
Games consist of piping competitions, tugs-of-war (a test of strength in
which two teams pull against other on a rope, each trying to pull the other
over the winning line), highland wrestling and dancing, and tossing the
caber.[21]
6.The famous Loch Ness.
Fact or fiction, the Loch Ness monster is part of Loch Ness’s
magnetic appeal to visitors. But there is much more to do and see around
the shores of this famous waterway than just monster-spotting, and a
pleasant day, or even longer, can be spent exploring the many activities.
24 miles long, a mile wide and up to 700 feet deep Loch Ness is a land-
locked fresh water lake lying at the eastern end of the Great Glen[22], a
natural geological fault which stretches across the width of Scotland. The
loch forms part of the Caledonian Canal completed by the celebrated civil
engineer Thomas Telford (1757 – 1841), in 1822. Telford took 19 years to
build the canal, which spared coastal shipping and fishing vessels a voyage
through the waters of the Pentland Firth[23].
The story of Nessiterras Rhombopteryx or Nessie for short in Loch
Ness has persistent down the centuries. The monster was first mentioned in
AD 565 when St Columba allegedly persuaded it not to eat someone. Since
records began, in 1933, more than 3000 people have claimed to have seen it,
but others are skeptical. They point out that no good photographs exist of
the monster, that there have been no eggs found, no dead monsters (can it
really be 2563 years old?) nor any other compelling evidence. Believers
think the monster is a plesiosaur, an otherwise extinct sea-dwelling
reptile. Anyone who did prove conclusively the monster's existence would be
hailed as a pioneer, so it is no surprise to learn that monster-spotting is
a popular pastime!
The Official Loch Ness Monster Centre is opened all year round
and has exhibits showing geology, prehistory and history of Scotland, along
with SONAR records and underwater photography relating to the monster.
The Original Visitor Centre offers a half hour video of the monster
detailing the research that has taken place, along with a video about
Bonnie Prince Charlie.
The loch has been surveyed for decades, by the RAF[24], eminent
scientists, cranks, crackpots, mini-submarines and millions of pounds worth
of high technology, including NASA[25] computers. And still there is no
proof…
7. Saint Andrew’s cross.
The Church of Scotland, a Presbyterian[26] denomination, is the
official state church. The Roman Catholic church is second in importance.
Other leading denominations are the Episcopal Church in Scotland,
Congregationalist, Baptist, Methodist, and Unitarian. Jews are a small
minority.
St. Andrew’s cross is the national flag of Scotland. It consists of
two diagonal white stripes crossing on a blue background. The flag forms
part of the British national flag (Union Jack).
The flag of Presbyterian Church differs a little bit from that of
Scotland. It is also St. Andrew’s cross but with a little addition: it has
a burning bush centered, which signifies presbyterianism.
The symbol comes from the motto of the Presbyterian Church, nec tamen
consumebatur (neither was it consumed) referring the bush that burnt, but
was not consumed, so will be the church that will last for ever.
St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. He was a New Testament
apostle who was martyred on an X-shaped cross. He was said to have given
the Pictish army a vision of this cross at the battle of Athenstoneford
between King Angus of the Picts and King Authelstan of the Angles. St.
Andrew was foisted upon Scotland as its patron when the old Celtic and
Culdee centres were superseded by the new bishopric of St. Andrew’s. His
feast-day is 30 November. On this day some Scotsmen wear a thistle[27] in
the buttonhole.
One of the greatest treasures of Huntly House Museum (Edinburgh) is
the national Covenant, signed by Scotland’s Presbyterian leadership in
1638. Covenanters are 17th-century Scottish Presbyterians who bound
themselves by covenants to maintain Presbyterianism as the sole religion of
Scotland and helped to establish the supremacy of Parliament over the
monarch in Scotland and England. Early covenants supporting Protestantism
were signed in 1557 and in 1581. In 1638 the covenant of 1581 was revived,
and its signatories added a vow to establish Presbyterianism as the state
religion of Scotland.
II.Scotland for every season.
If you hunt for the real Scotland, there will be many times when you
know you have found it: when you hear your first Highland Piper with the
backdrop of Edinburgh Castle; on some late, late evening on a far northern
beach as the sun sets into a midsummer sea; or with your first taste of a
malt whisky, peat-smoked and tangy; or when you sit in a café with the real
Scots. By the way, the Scots are very sociable people. They like to spend
their free time together, drinking coffee or scotch and talking. Scottish
people are fond of singing at the national music festivals in chorus, at
the fairs and in the parks. Most of Scotsmen are optimists. They don’t lose
their heart and smile in spite of all difficulties.
The real Scotland is not found in a single moment – nor is it
contained in a single season. Though the moorlands turn purple in summer,
Scotland in spring is famed for its clear light and distant horizons, while
autumn’s colours transform the woodlands… and what could be more
picturesque than snow-capped hills seen from the warmth of your hotel room?
Scenery, history, hospitality, humour, climate, traditions are offered
throughout the year.
Even if you can feel it now you should visit Scotland all the same,
and see and enjoy this magic country with your own eyes!
Appendices
Scotland: its early peoples.
The chronology of the main events in the history of Scotland.
1st century Picts prevented Romans from penetrating far into Scotland.
5th – 6th centuries Christianity was introduced into Scotland from
Ireland.
9th century Kenneth MacAlpin united kingdoms of Scotland.
1263. Haakon, King of Norway, was defeated by Scots at
Battle of Largs.
1292 – 1306 English domination:
in 1292 – 1296 Scotland was ruled by John Baliol;
in 1296 – 1306 Scotland was annexedto England.
1314. Robert Bruce defeated English at Bannockburn.
1328. England recognized Scottish independence.
1603. James VI became James I of England.
1638. Scottish rebellion against England.
1651. Cromwell conquered Scotland.
1689. Jacobites were defeated at Killiecrankie.
1707 Act of Union with England.
1715, 1745 Failed Jacobites risings against Britain.
First Scottish nationalist member of British Parliament was elected
Practical part:
Who in Scotland consider themselves of purer Celtic blood?
When was a new Scottish Parliament elected?
What was the Beaker civilization famous for?
Why was it so difficult to control the Highlands and islands?
To whom does Scotland owe its clan system?
Why did Edward I stole the Stone of Destiny?
What do the words written on Edward’s grave mean?
Can you explain the name of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh?
What giant thing can Edinburgh Castle boast?
What did the Military Tattoo originally mean?
Who brought St. Giles’ Cathedral into great prominence?
What is the emblem of Scotland? Where can it be seen?
Why are the Royal Museum and the Museum of Scotland worth visiting?
Which museum in Scotland is the “noisiest” in the world? Why?
Why do they call Edinburgh “the Athens of the North”?
What is Edinburgh’s answer to London’s Oxford Street?
Where did the national Scottish dress come from?
Why was it so important to decorate wool differently?
What is the real origin of the bagpipe?
What does the motto of the Presbyterian Church mean?
Literature
“Discovering Britain” Pavlozky V. M., St Petersburg, 2000.
“Britain in brief” Oshepkova V. V., Shustilova I. I., Moscow, 1997.
“Across England to Scotland” Markova N. N., Moscow, 1971.
“Pages of Britain’s history” Kaufman K. I., Kaufman M. U., Obninsk,
1998.
“An illustrated history of Britain” McDowall D., Edinburgh, 1996.
“Robert Burns country” Swinglehurst E., Edinburgh, 1996.
“English for intermediate level” Part I, Moscow, 1995.
“Welcome to Edinburgh”, guide-book 1998/99.
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[1] In Scottish “loch”means “lake”.
[2] Beaker civilization – prehistoric people thought to have been of
Iberian origin, who spread out over Europe from the 3rd millennium BC. They
were skilled in metalworking, and are identified by their use of
distinctive earthenware drinking vessels with various design.
[3] “Highland Line” – the division between highland and lowland
[4] Everybody in the clan had the same family name, like MacDonald or
MacGregor (mac means “son of”). The clan had its own territory and was
ruled by a chieftain.
[5] so they called the Saxons (and still call the English)
[6] Act of Union – 1707 act of Parliament that brought about the union of
England and Scotland
[7] Calton Hill – overlooks Central Edinburgh from the east.
[8] Arthur’s Seat – hill of volcanic origin to the east of the centre of
Edinburgh. It forms the core of Holyrood Park and is a dominant landmark:
Castlehill is the rock of volcanic origin on which Edinburgh Castle is
situated.
[9] Edwin (c585 – 633) – king of Nothumbria from 617. He captured and
fortified Edinburgh, which was named after him.
[10] St. Margaret ( c1045 – 1093 ) – Queen of Scotland. She was canonized
in 1251 in recognition of her benefactions to the church.
[11] Tattoo – the word derives from the Dutch word “tap-toe”, which means
“turn off the taps”.
[12] Knox, John (1513 (1514) – 1572) – Scottish reformer, founder of the
Church of Scotland
[13] The Order of the Thistle – Scotland’s highest order
[14] Declaration of Arbroath – Declaration 26 April 1320 by Scottish nobles
to their loyalty to King Robert I and of Scotland’s identity as a kingdom
independent of England.
[15] Edinburgh Festival has annually been held since 1947. It takes place
from August to September and includes music, drama, opera and art
exhibition.
[16] Jenners – the oldest independent department store in the world.
[17] Heriot, Jeorge (1563 – 1624) – Scottish goldsmith and philanthropist;
Watt, James (1736 – 1819) – Scottish engineer who developed the steam
engine in 1760.
[18] Napier, John (1550 – 1617) – Scottish mathematician who invented
logarithms in 1614.
[19] Tartan – it is traditional Scottish drawing which consists of wide and
narrow cross stripes of different colour and size; the softest wool of
vivid colouring.
[20] Falkirk – unitary authority, Scotland, 37 kilometres west of
Edinburgh.
[21] Tossing the caber – Scottish athletic sport. The caber (a tapered tree
trunk about 6 metres long, weighing about 100 kilograms) is held in the
palms of the cupped hands and rests on the shoulder. The thrower runs
forward and tosses the caber, rotating it through 180 degrees so that it
lands on its opposite end and falls forward. The best competitors toss the
caber about 12 metres.
[22] Great Glen – valley in Scotland following coast-to-coast geological
fault line, which stretches over 100 kilometres south-west from Inverness
on the North Sea to Fort William on the Atlantic coast.
[23] Pentland Firth – channel separated the Orkney Islands from the
northern mainland of Scotland.
[24] RAF – Royal Air Force, the British airforce.
[25] NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a US government
organization that controls space travel and the scientific study of space.
[26] Presbyterianism – a religion close to Protestantism
[27] Thistle is also the emblem of the whole Scotland.
