Scotland: Difference between revisions
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{{about|the country}} |
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{{Infobox Country--[[Special:Contributions/99.242.247.94|99.242.247.94]] ([[User talk:99.242.247.94|talk]]) 19:04, 27 April 2008 (UTC)--[[Special:Contributions/99.242.247.94|99.242.247.94]] ([[User talk:99.242.247.94|talk]]) 19:04, 27 April 2008 (UTC)--[[Special:Contributions/99.242.247.94|99.242.247.94]] ([[User talk:99.242.247.94|talk]]) 19:04, 27 April 2008 (UTC)--[[Special:Contributions/99.242.247.94|99.242.247.94]] ([[User talk:99.242.247.94|talk]]) 19:04, 27 April 2008 (UTC)--[[Special:Contributions/99.242.247.94|99.242.247.94]] ([[User talk:99.242.247.94|talk]]) 19:04, 27 April 2008 (UTC)|native_name = <!-- |
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{{Infobox Country |
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|native_name = <!-- |
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-->Scotland{{spaces|2}}{{resize|75%|([[Scottish English|English]] / [[Scots language|Scots]])}}<br /><!-- |
-->Scotland{{spaces|2}}{{resize|75%|([[Scottish English|English]] / [[Scots language|Scots]])}}<br /><!-- |
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-->''Alba''{{spaces|2}}{{resize|75%|([[Scottish Gaelic language|Gaelic]])}} |
-->''Alba''{{spaces|2}}{{resize|75%|([[Scottish Gaelic language|Gaelic]])}} |
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|=2006-12-12}}</ref> More recently, author [[J.K. Rowling]] has become one of the most popular authors in the world (and one of the wealthiest) through her [[Harry Potter]] series, which were originally written from a coffee-shop in Edinburgh. |
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|conventional_long_name = |
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|common_name = Scotland |
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|image_flag = Flag of Scotland.svg |
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|image_coat = Royal coat of arms of Scotland.svg |
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|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms |
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|national_motto = {{lang|la|''[[Nemo me impune lacessit]]''}}{{spaces|2}}<small>([[Latin]])<br />"No one provokes me with impunity"<br />''"Cha togar m' fhearg gun dìoladh"'' {{spaces|2}}([[Scottish Gaelic Language|Scottish Gaelic]])<br />''''"Wha daur meddle wi me?"''''{{spaces|2}}([[Scots language|Scots]])<sup>1</sup></small> |
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|national_anthem = [[National anthem of Scotland|Multiple unofficial anthems]] |
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|image_map = Scotland Location UK.PNG |
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|map_caption = {{map_caption|location_color=orange|region=the [[United Kingdom]]|region_color=camel}} |
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|capital = [[Edinburgh]] |
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|latd=55| latm=57 |latNS=N |longd=3 |longm=10 |longEW=W |
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|largest_city = [[Glasgow]] |
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|latd=55| latm=57 |latNS=N |longd=3 |longm=12 |longEW=W |
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|official_languages = [[Scottish English|English]] (''de facto'') |
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|regional_languages = [[Scottish Gaelic language|Gaelic]], [[Scots language|Scots]]<sup>1</sup> |
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|ethnic_groups = |
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|ethnic_groups_year = |
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|demonym = [[Scottish people|Scot]], Scots and Scottish² |
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|government_type = [[Constitutional monarchy]] |
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|leader_title1 = [[British monarchy|Monarch]] |
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|leader_name1 = [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] |
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|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]]<br><small>(of the UK)</small> |
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|leader_name2 = [[Gordon Brown]] [[MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 2005|MP]] |
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|leader_title3 = [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]]<br><small>(of Scotland)</small> |
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|leader_name3 = [[Alex Salmond]] [[MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 2005|MP]] [[Members of the 3rd Scottish Parliament|MSP]] |
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|sovereignty_type = [[Establishment]] |
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|sovereignty_note = [[Early Middle Ages]]; exact date of establishment [[Origins of the Kingdom of Alba|unclear or disputed]], but traditionally 843, by [[King Kenneth MacAlpin]]<ref>{{cite web | title = King Kenneth I| work = Gazeteer for Scotland| url = http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/people/famousfirst349.html | date= [[17 February]] [[2007]]|publisher=Royal Scottish Geographical Society and the University of Edinburgh| accessdate = 2007-11-19 }}</ref> |
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|area_rank = |
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|area_magnitude = 1 E10 |
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|area_km2 = 78,772 |
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|area_sq_mi = 30,414 |
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|percent_water = 1.9 |
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|population_estimate = 5,116,900 |
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|population_estimate_rank = |
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|population_estimate_year = 2006 |
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|population_census = 5,062,011 |
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|population_census_year = 2001 |
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|population_density_km2 = 65 |
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|population_density_sq_mi = 168.2 |
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|population_density_rank = |
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|GDP_PPP = [[US$]]172 billion |
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|GDP_PPP_rank = |
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|GDP_PPP_year = 2006 |
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|GDP_PPP_per_capita = [[US$]]33,680 |
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|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = |
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|GDP_nominal = |
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|GDP_nominal_rank = |
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|GDP_nominal_year = |
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|GDP_nominal_per_capita = |
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|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = |
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|HDI = 0.939 |
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|HDI_rank = |
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|HDI_year = 2003 |
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|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font> |
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|currency = [[Pound sterling]] |
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|currency_code = GBP |
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|time_zone = GMT |
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|utc_offset = 0 |
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|time_zone_DST = BST |
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|DST_note = |
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|utc_offset_DST = +1 |
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|cctld = [[.uk]]³ |
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|calling_code = 44 |
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|patron_saint = [[Saint Andrew|St. Andrew]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.org/about/history-tradition-and-roots/features/culture/st-andrews.html|title =''St Andrew—Quick Facts''|work=Scotland.org—The Official Online Gateway|accessdate=2007-12-02}}</ref> |
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|footnote1 = Both Scots and Scottish Gaelic are officially recognised as [[autochthonous language]]s under the [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]];<ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCulture/gaelic/gaelic-english/17910/europeancharter "European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages"] Scottish Government. Retrieved [[27 September]] [[2007]].</ref> the [[Bòrd na Gàidhlig]] is tasked, under the [[Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005]], with securing Gaelic as an [[official language]] of Scotland, commanding "equal respect" with English.<ref>Macleod, Angus [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article384045.ece "Gaelic given official status"] ([[22 April]] [[2005]]) ''The Times''. London. Retrieved [[August 2]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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|footnote2 = Historically, the use of "[[Scotch]]" as an adjective comparable to "Scottish" was commonplace, particularly outwith Scotland. However, the modern use of the term describes only ''products'' of Scotland, usually food or drink related. |
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|footnote3 = Also [[.eu]], as part of the [[European Union]]. [[ISO 3166-1]] is [[Great Britain|GB]], but [[.gb]] is unused. |
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}} |
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'''Scotland''' ([[Scottish Gaelic language|Gaelic]]: ''[[Alba]]'') is a country<ref name="Country"/> within the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="Country">{{cite web|url=http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page823.asp|title=Countries within a country|accessdate=2007-09-10|work=10 Downing Street|quote=The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland}}</ref> It occupies the northern third of the island of [[Great Britain]] and shares a [[Anglo-Scottish border|land border]] to the south with [[England]]. It is bounded by the [[North Sea]] to the east, the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the north and west, and the [[North Channel (British Isles)|North Channel]] and [[Irish Sea]] to the southwest. In addition to the mainland, Scotland consists of over [[List of islands of Scotland|790 islands]]<ref name="Scottish Executive">{{cite web | title = Scottish Executive Resources| work = Scotland in Short| url = http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/923/0010669.pdf | date= [[17 February]] [[2007]]|publisher=Scottish Executive| accessdate = September 14 | accessyear = 2006 }}</ref> including the [[Northern Isles]] and the [[Hebrides]]. |
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The national broadcaster is [[BBC Scotland]] ([[BBC Alba]] in Gaelic), a constituent part of the [[British Broadcasting Corporation]], the publicly-funded [[bar:Schottlånd]] |
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[[Edinburgh]], the country's [[capital]] and second largest city, is one of [[Europe]]'s largest financial centres.<ref>{{cite web | title=Information for Journalists |work= Edinburgh, Inspiring Capital |url = http://www.edinburghbrand.com/news/information |publisher= Edinburghbrand.com|accessdate= 2007-09-20}} "Edinburgh is Europe's sixth largest fund management centre".</ref> It was the hub of the [[Scottish Enlightenment]] of the 18th century, which saw Scotland become one of the commercial, intellectual and industrial powerhouses of Europe. Scotland's largest city is [[Glasgow]], what was once one of the world's leading industrial metropolises, and now lies at the centre of the [[Greater Glasgow]] conurbation which dominates the [[Scottish Lowlands]]. [[Scottish waters]] consist of a large sector<ref>{{cite web |title=The Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order |date=1999 |publisher=The Stationery Office Limited |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19991126.htm |location=London |isbn=0 11 059052 X| accessdate=2007-09-20 }} </ref> of the North Atlantic and the North Sea, containing the largest [[Oil resources|oil reserves]] in the [[European Union]]. |
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[[[bat-smg:Škotėjė]] |
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The [[Kingdom of Scotland]] was an independent [[state]] until [[May 1]] [[1707]], when the [[Acts of Union 1707|Acts of Union]], despite widespread protest across Scotland,<ref name="1707 protests">{{cite book|last=Devine|first=T.M|date=1999|title=The Scottish Nation 1700–2000|publisher=Penguin Books|page=9|isbn=0140230041|quote=From that point on anti-union demonstrations were common in the capital. In November rioting spread to the south west, that stranglehold of strict Calvinism and covenanting tradition. The Glasgow mob rose against union sympathisers in disturbances which lasted intermittently for over a month}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Act of Union 1707 Mob unrest and disorder|date=2007 |publisher=The House of Lords|url=http://www.parliament.uk/actofunion/06_03_mob.html |location=London |accessdate=2007-12-23 }} </ref> resulted in a union with the [[Kingdom of England]] to create the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]].<ref name=Keay/><ref name=Mackie/> Scotland's [[Legal systems of the world|legal system]] continues to be separate from those of [[English law|England, Wales]], and [[Northern Ireland law|Northern Ireland]]; Scotland still constitutes a distinct [[jurisdiction]] in [[public international law|public]] and in [[private international law|private]] law.<ref>Collier, J.G. (2001) [http://assets.cambridge.org/052178/2600/sample/0521782600ws.pdf ''Conflict of Laws (Third edition)''](pdf) Cambridge University Press. "For the purposes of the English [[conflict of laws]], every country in the world which is not part of [[England and Wales]] is a foreign country and its foreign laws. This means that not only totally foreign independent countries such as [[France]] or [[Russia]]... are foreign countries but also [[British Colonies]] such as the [[Falkland Islands]]. Moreover, the other parts of the United Kingdom – Scotland and Northern Ireland – are foreign countries for present purposes, as are the other [[British Islands]], the [[Isle of Man]], [[Jersey]] and [[Guernsey]]."</ref> The continued independence of [[Scots law]], the [[Scottish education system]], and the [[Church of Scotland]] have all contributed to the continuation of [[Scottish culture]] and [[Scottish national identity]] since the Union.<ref name="administrative control"> Devine, T.M (1999), ''The Scottish Nation 1700–2000'', P.288–289, ISBN 0-14-023004-1 ''"created a new and powerful ''local state'' run by the Scottish bourgeoisie and reflecting their political and religious values. It was this local state, rather than a distant and usually indifferent Westminster authority, that in effect routinely governed Scotland"''</ref> Though Scotland is no longer a separate [[Sovereignty|sovereign]] state, the constitutional future of Scotland continues to give rise to debate. The [[Scotland Act 1998]] established a Scottish Parliament with devolved powers, the first elections to which were held on 6 May 1999 with Parliament sitting for the first time on 12 May that year. There are 129 Members of the [[Scottish Parliament]] (MSPs), elected by the [[Mixed member proportional representation|additional member system]]. The [[Scottish Government]] is led by a [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] who appoints ministers with devolved portfolios. |
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==Etymology== |
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{{main|Etymology of Scotland}} |
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The word ''Scotland'' is derived from the [[Latin]] ''[[Scoti]]'', the term applied to [[Gaels]]. The [[Late Latin]] word ''[[Scotia]]'' (''land of the Gaels''), was initially used to refer to [[Ireland]]. By the 11th century at the latest ''Scotia'' was being used to refer to (Gaelic-speaking) Scotland north of the [[river Forth]], alongside ''Albania'' or ''Albany'', both derived from the Gaelic ''[[Alba]]''.<ref name="Brewer">{{cite book | last = Ayto | first = John | authorlink = | coauthors = Ian Crofton | title = Brewer's Britain & Ireland : The History, Culture, Folklore and Etymology of 7500 Places in These Islands | publisher = WN | date = | location = | pages = | url = | doi = | isbn = 030435385X }}</ref> The use of the words ''Scots'' and ''Scotland'' to encompass all of what is now Scotland became common in the [[Scotland in the Late Middle Ages|Late Middle Ages]].<ref name=Keay/> |
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==History== |
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[[Image:Scota & Gaedel Glas.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The founders of Scotland of late medieval legend, [[Scota]] with [[Goídel Glas]], voyaging from [[Egypt]], as depicted in a 15th century manuscript of the ''[[Scotichronicon]]'' of [[Walter Bower]].]] |
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{{main|History of Scotland}} |
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===Early history=== |
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{{main|Prehistoric Scotland}} |
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Repeated [[Glacier|glaciation]]s, which covered the entire land-mass of modern Scotland, have destroyed any traces of human habitation that may have existed before the [[Mesolithic]] period. It is believed that the first post-glacial groups of [[hunter-gatherer]]s arrived in Scotland around 12,800 years ago, as the [[ice sheet]] retreated after the [[Last glacial period|last glaciation]].<ref>The earliest known evidence is a [[flint]] arrowhead from [[Islay]]. See Moffat, Alistair (2005) ''Before Scotland: The Story of Scotland Before History''. London. Thames & Hudson. Page 42.</ref><ref>Sites at [[Cramond]] dated to 8500 BC and near [[Kinloch Castle|Kinloch]], [[Rùm]] from 7700 BC provide the earliest known evidence of human <u>occupation</u> in Scotland. See [http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=2146410357 "The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map: Rubbish dump reveals time-capsule of Scotland's earliest settlements"] megalithic.co.uk. Retrieved [[10 February]] [[2008]] and Edwards, Kevin J. and Whittington, Graeme "Vegetation Change" in Edwards, Kevin J. & Ralston, Ian B.M. (Eds) (2003) ''Scotland After the Ice Age: Environment, Archaeology and History, 8000 BC–AD 1000''. Edinburgh. Edinburgh University Press. Page 70.</ref> Groups of settlers began building the first known permanent houses on Scottish soil around 9,500 years ago, and the first villages around 6,000 years ago. The well-preserved village of [[Skara Brae]] on the [[Mainland, Orkney|Mainland]] of [[Orkney]] dates from this period. [[Neolithic]] habitation, burial and ritual sites are particularly common and well-preserved in the [[Northern Isles]] and [[Western Isles]], where lack of trees led to most structures being built of local stone.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pryor|first=Francis|title=Britain BC| publisher=HarperPerennial|location=London|year=2003|isbn=978-0007126934|pages=pp. 98–104 & 246–250}}</ref> |
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===Roman influence=== |
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[[Image:Orkney_Skara_Brae.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Skara Brae]], a [[neolithic]] settlement, located in the [[Bay of Skaill]], [[Orkney]].]] The written [[protohistory]] of Scotland began with the arrival of the [[Roman Empire]] in southern and central Great Britain, when the Romans occupied what is now [[England]] and [[Wales]], administering it as a [[Roman province|province]] called ''[[Roman Britain|Britannia]]''. Roman invasions and occupations of southern Scotland were a series of brief interludes. In 83–4 AD the general [[Gnaeus Julius Agricola]] defeated the [[Caledonians]] at the [[battle of Mons Graupius]], and [[Castra|Roman forts]] were briefly set along the [[Gask Ridge]] close to the [[Highland Boundary Fault|Highland line]] (none are known to have been constructed beyond that line). Three years after the battle the [[Roman army|Roman armies]] had withdrawn to the [[Southern Uplands]].<ref>Hanson, William S. ''The Roman Presence: Brief Interludes'', in Edwards, Kevin J. & Ralston, Ian B.M. (Eds) (2003) Scotland After the Ice Age: Environment, Archeology and History, 8000 BC - AD 1000. Edinburgh. Edinburgh University Press</ref> They erected [[Hadrian's Wall]] to control tribes on both sides of the wall,<ref name=snyder>{{Citation | last = Snyder | first = Christopher A. | year = 2003 | title = The Britons | publisher = Blackwell Publishing | isbn = 0-631-22260-X}}</ref> and the ''[[Limes|Limes Britannicus]]'' became the northern border of the empire, although the army held the [[Antonine Wall]] in the [[Central Lowlands]] for two short periods—the last of these during the time of Emperor [[Septimius Severus]] from 208 until 210.<ref>Robertson, Anne S. (1960) ''The Antonine Wall''. Glasgow Archaeological Society.</ref> The extent of Roman military occupation of any significant part of Scotland was limited to a total of about 40 years, although their influence on the southern section of the country occupied by [[Brython]]ic tribes such as the [[Votadini]] and [[Damnonii]] would still have been considerable.<ref name=snyder/> |
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[[Image:HiltonofCadboll01.JPG|thumb|right|A replica of the [[Pictish stones|Pictish]] [[Hilton of Cadboll Stone]].]] |
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===Medieval period=== |
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{{main|Picts|Scotland in the High Middle Ages|Scotland in the Late Middle Ages}} |
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The [[Kingdom of the Picts]] (based in [[Fortriu]] by the 6th century) was the state which eventually became known as "Alba" or "Scotland". The development of "Pictland", according to the historical model developed by Peter Heather, was a natural response to Roman imperialism.<ref>Peter Heather, "State Formation in Europe in the First Millennium A.D.", in Barbara Crawford (ed.), ''Scotland in Dark Ages Europe'', (Aberdeen, 1994), pp. 47–63</ref> Another view places emphasis on the [[Battle of Dunnichen]], and the reign of [[Bridei III of the Picts|Bridei m. Beli]] (671–693), with another period of consolidation in the reign of [[Óengus I of the Picts|Óengus mac Fergusa]] (732–761).<ref>For instance, Alex Woolf, "The Verturian Hegemony: a mirror in the North", in M. P. Brown & C. A. Farr, (eds.), ''Mercia: an Anglo-Saxon Kingdom in Europe'', (Leicester, 2001), pp. 106–11.</ref> The Kingdom of the Picts as it was in the early 8th century, when [[Bede]] was writing, was largely the same as the kingdom of the Scots in the reign of [[Alexander I of Scotland|Alexander]] (1107–1124). However, by the tenth century, the Pictish kingdom was dominated by what we can recognise as [[Gaels|Gaelic]] culture, and had developed an Irish conquest myth around the ancestor of the contemporary royal dynasty, [[Kenneth I of Scotland|Cináed mac Ailpín]] (Kenneth MacAlpin).<ref> {{cite journal|journal=Innes Review|publisher=Scottish Catholic Historical Association |last=Brown|first=Dauvit|title=Dunkeld and the origin of Scottish identity|issue=48|location=Glasgow|pages=pp. 112–124|year=1997}} reprinted in Dauvit Broun and Thomas Owen Clancy (eds.), (1999)''Spes Scotorum: Hope of Scots'', Edinburgh: T.& T.Clark, pp. 95–111. ISBN 978-0567086822</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=Kenneth mac Alpin|last=Brown|first=Dauvit|editor=M. Lynch|title=The Oxford Companion to Scottish History|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|pages=p.359|year=2001|isbn=978-0192116963}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Sally|last=Foster|title=Picts, Gaels and Scots (Historic Scotland)|location=London|year=1996|publisher=Batsford|isbn=978-0713474855}}</ref> |
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From a base of territory in eastern Scotland north of the [[River Forth]] and south of the [[River Oykel]], the kingdom acquired control of the lands lying to the north and south. By the 12th century, the kings of Alba had added to their territories the [[Anglic languages|Anglic]]-speaking land in the south-east and attained overlordship of Gaelic-speaking [[Galloway]] and Norse-speaking [[Caithness]]; by the end of the 13th century, the kingdom had assumed approximately its [[Anglo-Scottish border|modern borders]]. However, processes of cultural and economic change beginning in the 12th century ensured Scotland looked very different in the later Middle Ages. The stimulus for this was the reign of [[David I of Scotland|King David I]] and the [[Davidian Revolution]]. [[Feudalism]], government reorganisation and the first legally defined towns (called [[burgh]]s) began in this period. These institutions and the immigration of French and Anglo-French knights and churchmen facilitated a process of cultural osmosis, whereby the culture and language of the low-lying and coastal parts of the kingdom's original territory in the east became, like the newly-acquired south-east, English-speaking, while the rest of the country retained the Gaelic language, apart from the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland, which remained under Norse rule until 1468.<ref>{{cite book|last=Withers|first=Charles, W.J.|title=Gaelic in Scotland, 1698–1981|publisher=John Donald|location=Edinburgh|year=1984|pages=pp. 16–41;|isbn=9780859760973|authorlink=Charles W. J. Withers}}</ref><ref name=Barrow/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk/about-gaelic/history.html |publisher= Bòrd na Gàidhlig |author=Thomas Owen Clancy |title=Gaelic Scotland: a brief history |accessdate=2007-09-21 }}</ref> |
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The death of [[Alexander III of Scotland|Alexander III]] in March 1286, followed by the death of his granddaughter [[Margaret, Maid of Norway]], broke the succession line of Scotland's kings. This led to the intervention of [[Edward I of England]], who manipulated this period of confusion to have himself recognised as feudal overlord of Scotland. Edward organised a process to identify the person with the best claim to the vacant crown, which became known as the [[Competitors for the Crown of Scotland|Great Cause]], and this resulted in the enthronement of [[John of Scotland|John Balliol]] as king. The Scots were resentful of Edward's meddling in their affairs and this relationship quickly broke down. War ensued and King John was deposed by his overlord, who took personal control of Scotland. [[Andrew Moray]] and [[William Wallace]] initially emerged as the principal leaders of the resistance to English rule in what became known as the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]]. The nature of the struggle changed dramatically when [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert de Brus, Earl of Carrick]], became king (as Robert I). War with England continued for several decades, and a civil war between the Bruce dynasty and their long-term Comyn-Balliol rivals, the flashpoint of which could be traced to the slaying in a Dumfries church of John 'the Red' Comyn of Badenoch by Bruce and his supporters, lasted until the middle of the 14th century. Although the Bruce dynasty was successful, [[David II of Scotland|David II's]] lack of an heir allowed his nephew [[Robert II of Scotland|Robert II]] to come to the throne and establish the [[Stewart Dynasty]].<ref name=Grant>{{cite book|first=Alexander|last=Grant|title=Independence and Nationhood: Scotland, 1306–1469|edition=New Ed edition|date=[[1991-06-06]]|origyear=1984|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|pages=pp. 3–57|isbn=978-0748602735}}</ref><ref name=Barrow>{{cite book|authorlink=G. W. S. Barrow|last=Barrow|first=Geoffrey, W.S.|title=Robert Bruce & the Community of the Realm of Scotland|edition=4th Edition|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|year=2005|isbn=0748620222|origyear=1965}} </ref> The Stewarts ruled Scotland for the remainder of the Middle Ages. The country they ruled experienced greater prosperity from the end of the 14th century through the [[Scottish Renaissance]] to the [[Scottish Reformation|Reformation]]. This was despite continual warfare with England, the increasing division between [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] and [[Scottish Lowlands|Lowlands]], and a large number of royal minorities.<ref name=Grant/><ref>{{cite book|first=Jenny|last=Wormald|title=Court, Kirk and Community: Scotland|edition=New Edition|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|date=[[1991-06-06]]|isbn=978-0748602766|origyear=1981}}</ref> |
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===Modern history=== |
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[[Image:battle culloden.JPG|thumb|David Morier's painting on the "[[Battle of Culloden]]".]] |
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In 1603, [[James VI of Scotland|James VI King of Scots]] inherited the throne of the [[Kingdom of England]], and became King James I of England, and left [[Edinburgh]] for [[London]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Chronology of Scottish History|publisher=Geddes & Grosset|isbn=1-85534-380-0|last=Ross|first=David|date=2002|quote='''1603:''' James VI becomes [[James I of England]] in the [[Union of the Crowns]], and leaves [[Edinburgh]] for [[London]]|page=56}}</ref> With the exception of a short period under [[the Protectorate]], Scotland remained a separate [[state]], but there was considerable conflict between the crown and the [[Covenanters]] over the form of [[Presbyterian church governance|church government]]. After the [[Glorious Revolution]], the abolition of [[episcopacy]] and the overthrow of the [[Roman Catholic]] [[James VII of Scotland|James VII]] by [[William and Mary]], Scotland briefly threatened to select a different [[Protestant]] monarch from England.<ref>TM Devine (1999) ''op cit'' "…Stated that the Scots Parliament had the right to decide on Queen Anne's successor, and that England and Scotland could not have the same sovereign in the future unless the London Parliament granted Scots 'Free Communication of trade'…"</ref> In 1707, the [[Parliament of Scotland|Scots Parliament]] and the [[Parliament of England]] enacted the twin [[Acts of Union 1707|Acts of Union]], which led to Scotland's formal incorporation into the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]].<ref name=Mackie/> |
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The deposed [[Jacobitism|Jacobite Stuart]] claimants had remained popular in the Highlands and north-east, particularly amongst non-[[Presbyterian]]s. However, two major Jacobite risings launched in 1715 and 1745 failed to remove the [[House of Hanover]] from the British throne. The threat of the Jacobite movement to the United Kingdom and its monarchs effectively ended at the [[Battle of Culloden]], Great Britain's last [[pitched battle]]. This defeat paved the way for large-scale removals of the indigenous populations of the Highlands and Islands, known as the [[Highland Clearances]].<ref name=Mackie/> |
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The [[Scottish Enlightenment]] and the [[Industrial Revolution]] made Scotland into an intellectual, commercial and industrial powerhouse. After [[World War II]], Scotland experienced an industrial decline which was particularly severe.<ref>Harvie, Christopher (1981) ''No Gods and Precious Few Heroes: Scotland 1914–80''. London. Edward Arnold.</ref> Only in recent decades has the country enjoyed something of a cultural and economic renaissance. Economic factors which have contributed to this recovery include a resurgent financial services industry, electronics manufacturing, (see [[Silicon Glen]]),<ref>See Stewart, Heather, "[http://politics.guardian.co.uk/scotland/comment/0,,2073303,00.html Celtic Tiger Burns Brighter at Holyrood], ''[[The Guardian|The Guardian Unlimited]]'', [[6 May]] [[2007]] for an account of Scotland's economic challenges, especially after the dotcom downturn, as it competes with the emerging [[Eastern Europe]]an economies.</ref> and the [[North Sea oil]] and gas industry.<ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/04/19170/35326 "National Planning Framework for Scotland"] Scottish Government publication, (web-page last updated [[6 April]] [[2006]]), which states ''"Since the 1970s, the development of North Sea oil and gas fields has made an important contribution to the Scottish economy, and underpinned prosperity in the North-East."'' Retrieved on [[07 November]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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Following a [[Scottish devolution referendum, 1997|referendum on devolution proposals in 1997]], the [[Scotland Act 1998]] <ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Acts/acts1998/ukpga_19980046_en_1 "The Scotland Act 1998"] Office of Public Sector Information, (web-page last updated [[18/04/2008]] [[2008]]), ' Retrieved on [[22 April]] [[2008]].</ref> was passed by the [[United Kingdom Parliament]] to establish a devolved [[Scottish Parliament]]. |
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==Government and politics== |
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{{main|Politics of Scotland|Scottish Parliament|Scottish Government}} |
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{{see|Scottish Parliament general election, 2007}} |
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As part of the United Kingdom, the [[head of state]] in Scotland is the [[monarch of the United Kingdom]], currently [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] (since 1952). |
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[[Image:Edinburgh Scottish Parliament01 2006-04-29.jpg|thumb|The [[Scottish Parliament Building]]]] |
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Scotland has limited [[self-government]] within the United Kingdom as well as representation in the UK Parliament. Executive and legislative powers have been devolved to, respectively, the [[Scottish Government]] and the Scottish Parliament at [[Holyrood, Edinburgh|Holyrood]] in [[Edinburgh]]. The [[United Kingdom Parliament]] retains power over a set list of areas explicitly specified in the [[Scotland Act 1998]] as [[reserved matters]], including, for example, levels of UK [[UK tax system|taxes]], [[UK social security|social security]], [[UK military|defence]], [[UK international relations|international relations]] and [[UK broadcasting|broadcasting]].<ref name=Gate/> |
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The Scottish Parliament has [[legislative]] authority for all other areas relating to Scotland, as well as [[Tartan Tax|limited power to vary income tax]], a power it has yet to exercise. The Scottish Parliament can refer devolved matters back to Westminster by passing a [[Legislative Consent Motion]] if United Kingdom-wide legislation is considered to be more appropriate for a certain issue. The programmes of legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament have seen a divergence in the provision of [[public services]] compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. For instance, the costs of a [[university]] education, and care services for the elderly are free at point of use in Scotland, while fees are paid in the rest of the UK. Scotland was the first country in the UK to ban smoking in enclosed public places.<ref>BBC Scotland News Online "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4845260.stm Scotland begins pub smoking ban]", ''BBC Scotland News'', [[2006-03-26]]. Retrieved on [[2006-07-17]].</ref> |
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[[Image:Scotparialmentinside.jpg|left|thumb|The debating chamber of the [[Scottish Parliament Building]]]]The Scottish Parliament is a [[unicameral]] [[legislature]] comprising 129 [[Members of the Scottish Parliament|Members]], 73 of whom represent individual [[Scottish Parliament constituencies|constituencies]] and are elected on a [[first past the post]] system; 56 are elected in eight different electoral regions by the [[additional member system (Scottish Parliament)|additional member system]], serving for a four year period. The Queen appoints one [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]], (MSP), on the nomination of the Parliament, to be [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]]. Other Ministers are also appointed by the Queen on the nomination of the Parliament and together with the First Minister they make up the [[Scottish Government]], the [[Executive (government)|executive]] arm of [[government]].<ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Ministers "About Scottish Ministers"] Scottish Government. Retrieved [[September 26]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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In the [[Scottish Parliament election, 2007|2007 election]], the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP), which campaigns for [[Scottish independence]], won the largest number of seats of any single party. The leader of the SNP, [[Alex Salmond]], was elected as First Minister, heading a [[minority government]], on [[May 16]] [[2007]]. In addition to the SNP, the [[Scottish Labour Party|Labour Party]], the [[Scottish Conservative Party|Conservative Party]], the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrats]], and the [[Scottish Green Party|Green Party]] are also represented in the Parliament. [[Margo MacDonald]] is the only [[Independent (politician)|independent]] MSP sitting in Parliament.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=104&id=513662005|title =''Somewhere over the Rainbow Coalition...''|date=2005-05-12|accessdate=2007-05-07|last=Kerevan|first=George|work=[[The Scotsman]]}}</ref> |
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Scotland is represented in the [[British House of Commons]] by [[List of MPs for Scottish constituencies 2005-|59 MPs]] elected from territory-based [[Scottish Westminster constituencies from 2005|Scottish constituencies]]. The [[Scotland Office]] represents the UK government in Scotland on reserved matters and represents Scottish interests within the UK government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/our-communications/doc.php?id=11|title=Scotland Office Charter|work=Scotland Office website|date=2004-08-09|accessdate=2007-12-22}}</ref> The Scotland office is led by the [[Secretary of State for Scotland]], who sits in the [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom]], the current incumbent being [[Des Browne]].<ref name= Gate>[http://www.scotland.org/about/fact-file/government/index.html "Government of Scotland Facts"] Scotland.org - The Official Online Gateway. Retrieved [[September 26]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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===Administrative subdivisions=== |
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{{main|Subdivisions of Scotland}} |
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[[Image:City Chambers dusk.jpg|thumb|right|[[Glasgow]] City Chambers viewed from George Square]] Historical subdivisions of Scotland include the [[mormaerdom]], [[Stewartries|stewartry]], [[earldom]], [[burgh]], [[parish]], [[Counties of Scotland|county]] and [[Regions and districts of Scotland|regions and districts]]. The names of these areas are still sometimes used as geographical descriptors. |
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Modern Scotland is subdivided in various ways depending on the purpose. For [[Local government of Scotland|local government]], there have been 32 [[council areas]] since 1996,<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1994/Ukpga_19940039_en_1.htm "Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994"] Office of Public Sector Information. Retrieved on [[26 September]] [[2007]].</ref> whose councils are [[unitary authorities]] responsible for the provision of all local government services. [[Community council]]s are informal organisations that represent specific sub-divisions of a council area. |
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For the [[Scottish Parliament]], there are 73 [[Scottish Parliament constituencies and regions|constituencies]] and eight regions. For the Parliament of the United Kingdom there are 59 [[list of UK Parliamentary constituencies in Scotland|constituencies]]. The Scottish fire brigades and police forces are still based on the system of regions introduced in 1975. For healthcare and postal districts, and a number of other governmental and non-governmental organisations such as the churches, there are other long-standing methods of subdividing Scotland for the purposes of administration. |
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City status in the United Kingdom is determined by [[letters patent]].<ref>[http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/city/cityhome.htm "City status"] Department for Constitutional Affairs. Retrieved on [[26 September]] [[2007]].</ref> There are six cities in Scotland: [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]], [[Edinburgh]], [[Glasgow]] and more recently [[Inverness]], and [[Stirling]].<ref>[http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/city/citygj.htm "UK Cities"] Department for Constitutional Affairs. Retrieved on [[26 September]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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===Scotland within the UK=== |
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A policy of [[devolution]] had been advocated by all three [[Great Britain|GB]]-wide parties with varying enthusiasm during recent history and Labour leader [[John Smith (UK politician)|John Smith]] described the revival of a Scottish parliament as the "settled will of the Scottish people".<ref>Cavanagh, Michael (2001) ''[http://gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/aspect/docs/aspectcampaigns.htm The Campaigns for a Scottish Parliament]''. University of Strathclyde. Retrieved [[12 April]] [[2008]].</ref> The constitutional status of Scotland is nonetheless subject to ongoing debate. In 2007, the Scottish Government established a [[National Conversation]] on constitutional issues, proposing a number of options such as increasing the powers of the Scottish Parliament, [[federation|federalism]] or a referendum on [[Scottish independence]] from the United Kingdom. In rejecting the latter option, the three main opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament have proposed a separate Constitutional Commission to investigate the distribution of powers between devolved Scottish and UK-wide bodies.<ref>''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7195800.stm Party people confront new realities]''. [[BBC]] News. Retrieved on [[January 18]] [[2008]].</ref> |
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==Law== |
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{{main|Scots law}} |
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[[Image:Parliament House, Edinburgh.JPG|thumb|[[Parliament House, Edinburgh|Parliament House]], in Edinburgh, is the home of the [[Supreme Courts of Scotland]].]]Scots law has a basis derived from [[Roman law]],<ref>"Tradition and Environment in a time of change", J. A. Lillie (1970). "The law of Scotland has many roots in and affinities with the law of the Romans, the 'Civil Law' ":{{cite web|title=History of the Faculty of Law.|url=http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/history/chpt4.aspx|publisher=The University of Edinburgh School of Law |accessdate=2007-10-22}}</ref> combining features of both uncodified [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]], dating back to the ''[[Corpus Juris Civilis]]'', and [[common law]] with [[Legal institutions of Scotland in the High Middle Ages|medieval sources]]. The terms of the Treaty of Union with England in 1707 guaranteed the continued existence of a separate [[Legal systems of the world|legal system]] in Scotland from [[English law|that of England and Wales]].<ref>The Articles: legal and miscellaneous, UK Parliament House of Lords (2007). "Article 19: The Scottish legal system and its courts was to remain unchanged":{{cite web|title=Act of Union 1707|url=http://www.parliament.uk/actofunion/04_05_legal.html|publisher=House of Lords|accessdate=2007-10-22}}</ref> Prior to 1611, there were several regional law systems in Scotland, most notably [[Udal law]] in [[Orkney]] and [[Shetland]], based on old [[Norse law]]. Various other systems derived from common [[Celtic law|Celtic]] or [[Brehon laws]] survived in the [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] until the 1800s.<ref>"Law and institutions, Gaelic" & "Law and lawyers" in M. Lynch (ed.), ''The Oxford Companion to Scottish History'', (Oxford, 2001), pp. 381–382 & 382–386. Udal Law remains relevant to land law in Orkney and Shetland: {{cite web|title=A General History of Scots Law (20th century) |url=http://www.lawscot.org.uk/uploads/Ad-Hoc/AGeneralHistoryofScotsLaw_20thCentury.pdf |publisher=Law Society of Scotland |accessdate=2007-09-20}}</ref> |
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Scots law provides for three types of [[Courts of Scotland|courts]] responsible for the administration of justice: [[Private law|civil]], [[criminal law|criminal]] and [[Law of Arms|heraldic]]. The supreme civil court is the [[Court of Session]], although civil [[Appeal (law)|appeals]] can be taken to the [[Judicial functions of the House of Lords|House of Lords]]. The [[High Court of Justiciary]] is the supreme criminal court. Both courts are housed at [[Parliament House, Edinburgh|Parliament House]], in Edinburgh, which was the home of the pre-Union [[Parliament of Scotland]]. The [[sheriff court]] is the main criminal and civil court. There are 49 sheriff courts throughout the country.<ref>[http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/locations/index.asp "Court Information"] www.scotcourts.gov.uk. Retrieved on [[26 September]] [[207]].</ref> [[District court]]s were introduced in 1975 for minor offences. The [[Court of the Lord Lyon]] regulates heraldry. |
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Scots law is also unique in that it allows three verdicts in criminal cases including the controversial '[[not proven]]' verdict.<ref name="Parliament of Victoria, Australia">{{cite web | title = Jury Service in Victoria, Chapter 6| work = This three verdict system is unique to Scotland and has existed there for around 300 years| url = http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/lawreform/jury/jury4/chap6.html#Heading45 | publisher = Parliament of Victoria |accessdate =2006-09-13}}</ref><ref name="The Journal Online">{{cite web | title = England may adopt "Not Proven" Verdict| work = The Journal online | publisher = Law Society of Scotland | url = http://www.journalonline.co.uk/news/1002964.aspx | accessdate =2006-09-13}}</ref> |
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==Geography and natural history== |
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[[Image:Scotland map-en.jpg|thumb|right|Map of Scotland]] |
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{{main|Geography of Scotland}} |
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Scotland comprises the northern third of the island of [[Great Britain]], which lies off the northwest coast of [[Continental Europe]]. The total land mass is 78,772 [[square kilometres|km²]] (30,414 [[square mile|sq mi]]).<ref name=Whitaker>''Whitaker's Almanack'' (1991) London. J. Whitaker and Sons.</ref> Scotland's only land border is with England, and runs for 96 [[kilometres]] (60 mi) between the basin of the [[River Tweed]] on the east coast and the [[Solway Firth]] in the west. The [[Atlantic Ocean]] borders the west coast and the [[North Sea]] is to the east. The island of [[Ireland]] lies only 30 kilometres (20 mi) from the southwestern peninsula of [[Kintyre]];<ref name="Atlas">{{cite book |author=Munro, D |title=Scotland Atlas and Gazetteer |pages=pp1-2 |publisher=Harper Collins |year=1999}}</ref> [[Norway]] is 305 kilometres (190 mi) to the east and the [[Faroes]], 270 kilometres (168 mi) to the north. |
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The territorial extent of Scotland is generally that established by the 1237 [[Treaty of York]] between Scotland and [[Kingdom of England|England]]<ref>[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/utk/scotland/conquered.htm "Uniting the Kingdoms?"] National Archives. Retrieved [[2006-11-21]]</ref> and the 1266 [[Treaty of Perth]] between Scotland and [[Norway]].<ref name=Mackie> Mackie, J.D. (1969) ''A History of Scotland''. London. Penguin.</ref> Important exceptions include the [[Isle of Man]], which having been lost to England in the 14th century is now a [[crown dependency]] outside of the United Kingdom; the island groups [[Orkney]] and [[Shetland]], which were acquired from Norway in 1472;<ref name=Whitaker/> and [[Berwick-upon-Tweed]], lost to England in 1482. |
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The geographical [[centre of Scotland]] lies a few miles from the village of [[Newtonmore]] in [[Badenoch]].<ref>See [http://www.highlandhostel.co.uk/wherearewe.htm "The 'Where Are We' page"] highlandhostel.co.uk. Retrieved [[22 September]] [[2007]].</ref> Rising to 1,344 metres (4,406 ft) above sea level, Scotland's highest point is the summit of [[Ben Nevis]], in [[Lochaber]], while Scotland's longest river, the [[River Tay]], flows for a distance of 190 km (120 miles).<ref>Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) ''Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland''. London. HarperCollins. Pages 734 and 930.</ref><ref>[http://ca.encarta.msn.com/dictionary_561508579/Tay.html "Tay"] Encarta. Retrieved [[21 March]] [[2008]].</ref> |
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===Geology and geomorphology=== |
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{{main|Geology of Scotland}} |
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[[Image:Scotland (Location) Named (HR).png|float|left|thumb|upright|Relief map of Scotland]]The whole of Scotland was covered by ice sheets during the [[Pleistocene]] [[ice ages]] and the landscape is much affected by [[glaciation]]. From a [[geology|geological]] perspective the country has three main sub-divisions. The [[Highlands and Islands]] lie to the north and west of the [[Highland Boundary Fault]], which runs from [[Isle of Arran|Arran]] to [[Stonehaven]]. This part of Scotland largely comprises ancient rocks from the [[Cambrian]] and [[Precambrian]] which were uplifted during the later [[Caledonian Orogeny]]. It is interspersed with [[igneous]] intrusions of a more recent age, the remnants of which have formed mountain massifs such as the [[Cairngorms]] and [[Skye]] [[Cuillins]]. A significant exception to the above are the fossil-bearing beds of [[Old Red Sandstone]]s found principally along the [[Moray Firth]] coast. The [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] are generally mountainous and the highest elevations in the [[British Isles]] are found here. Scotland has over 790 islands, divided into four main groups: [[Shetland Islands|Shetland]], [[Orkney Islands|Orkney]], and the [[Inner Hebrides]] and [[Outer Hebrides]]. There are numerous bodies of [[freshwater]] including [[Loch Lomond]] and [[Loch Ness]]. Some parts of the coastline consist of [[Machair (geography)|machair]], a low lying dune pasture land. |
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The [[Central Lowlands]] is a [[rift valley]] mainly comprising [[Paleozoic]] formations. Many of these sediments have economic significance for it is here that the coal and iron bearing rocks that fuelled Scotland's [[industrial revolution]] are to be found. This area has also experienced intense [[volcanism]], [[Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh|Arthur’s Seat]] in [[Edinburgh]] being the remnant of a once much larger volcano. This area is relatively low-lying, although even here hills such as the [[Ochil Hills|Ochils]] and [[Campsie Fells]] are rarely far from view. |
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The [[Southern Uplands]] are a range of hills almost 200 kilometres (125 mi) long, interspersed with broad valleys. They lie south of a second fault line (the Southern Uplands fault) that runs from the [[Rhinns of Galloway]] to [[Dunbar]].<ref>[http://www.scottishgeology.com/geology/regional_geology/geo_maps/southern_uplands_map.html "Regional Geology, Southern Uplands - Map"] Scottishgeology.com. Retrieved [[21 March]] [[2008]].</ref> The geological foundations largely comprise [[Silurian]] deposits laid down some 4–500 million years ago. The high point of the Southern Uplands is [[Merrick, Galloway|Merrick]] with an elevation of 843 m (2,766 ft).<ref name=Keay>Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) ''Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland''. London. HarperCollins.</ref><ref>Murray, W.H. (1973) ''The Islands of Western Scotland''. London. Eyre Methuen ISBN 978-0413303806</ref><ref>Murray, W.H. (1968) ''The Companion Guide to the West Highlands of Scotland''. London. Collins. ISBN 0002111357</ref><ref>Johnstone, Scott ''et al'' (1990) ''The Corbetts and Other Scottish Hills''. Edinburgh. Scottish Mountaineering Trust. Page 9.</ref> |
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===Climate=== |
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{{main|Climate of Scotland}} |
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[[Image:BenNevis2005.jpg|thumb|[[Ben Nevis]], the highest peak in the [[British Isles]]]]The climate of Scotland is [[temperate]] and [[Oceanic climate|oceanic]], and tends to be very changeable. It is warmed by the [[Gulf Stream]] from the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]], and as such has much milder winters (but cooler, wetter summers) than areas on similar latitudes, for example [[Copenhagen]], [[Moscow]], or the [[Kamchatka Peninsula]] on the opposite side of [[Eurasia]]. However, temperatures are generally lower than in the rest of the UK, with the coldest ever UK temperature of -27.2 °[[Celsius|C]] (-16.96 °[[Fahrenheit|F]]) recorded at [[Braemar]] in the [[Grampian Mountains (Scotland)|Grampian Mountains]], on [[11 February]] [[1895]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/understanding/uk_records.shtml BBC Weather: UK Records] BBC.co.uk. Retrieved on [[21 September]] [[2007]]. The same temperature was also recorded In Braemar on [[10 January]] [[1982]] and at [[Altnaharra]], [[Highland (council area)|Highland]], on [[30 December]] [[1995]].</ref> Winter maximums average 6 °C (42.8 °F) in the lowlands, with summer maximums averaging 18 °C (64.4 °F). The highest temperature recorded was 32.9 °C (91.22 °F) at [[Greycrook]], [[Scottish Borders]] on [[9 August]] [[2003]].<ref name="Met Office UK">{{cite web | title = Climate: Scotland| url = http://www.met-office.gov.uk/climate/uk/location/scotland/index.html | publisher= Met Office| accessdate = 2006-09-14}}</ref> |
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In general, the west of Scotland is usually warmer than the east, due to the influence of Atlantic [[ocean currents]] and the colder surface temperatures of the [[North Sea]]. [[Tiree]], in the [[Inner Hebrides]], is one of the sunniest places in the country: it had 300 days of sunshine in 1975. Rainfall varies widely across Scotland. The western highlands of Scotland are the wettest place, with annual rainfall exceeding 3,000 [[Millimetre|mm]] (120 [[inch|in]]).<ref name="Met Office UK"/> In comparison, much of lowland Scotland receives less than 800 mm (31 in) annually.<ref name="Met Office UK"/> Heavy snowfall is not common in the lowlands, but becomes more common with altitude. [[Braemar]] experiences an average of 59 snow days per year,<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/understanding/scotland_01.shtml Scottish Weather Part One] BBC.co.uk Retrieved on [[21 September]] [[2007]]</ref> while coastal areas have an average of fewer than 10 days.<ref name="Met Office UK"/> |
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===Flora and fauna=== |
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{{main|Fauna of Scotland}} |
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<!-- Wikipedia has so far declined to provide a style for all species names. The main article (Fauna of Scotland) uses the convention of capitalising them. If you wish to change this please discuss in advance on the talk page.--> |
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[[Image:Red deer.jpg|thumb|right|[[Red Deer]]]]Scotland's wildlife is typical of the north west of [[Europe]], although several of the larger mammals such as the [[Eurasian Lynx|Lynx]], [[Eurasian Brown Bear|Brown Bear]], [[Eurasian wolf|Wolf]], [[Moose|Elk]] and [[Walrus|Walrus]] were hunted to extinction in historic times. There are important populations of [[pinniped|seals]] and internationally significant nesting grounds for a variety of [[seabird]]s such as [[Northern Gannet|Gannet]]s.<ref> Fraser Darling, F. & Boyd, J.M. (1969) ''Natural History in the Highlands and Islands.'' London. Bloomsbury.</ref> The [[Golden Eagle]] is something of a national icon. |
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On the high mountain tops species including [[Ptarmigan|Ptarmigan]], [[Mountain Hare|Mountain Hare]] and [[Stoat|Stoat]] can be seen in their white colour phase during winter months.<ref>[http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/resource/docs/publications/CNPA.Paper.225.State%20of%20the%20Park%20Report%20-%20Chapter%202%20Natural%20Resources.pdf "State of the Park Report. Chapter 2: Natural Resources"](pdf) (2006) Cairngorms National Park Authority. Retrieved [[14 October]] [[2007]].</ref> Remnants of native [[Scots Pine|Scots Pine]] forest exist<ref>Preston, C.D., Pearman, D.A., & Dines, T.D. (2002) ''New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora''. Oxford University Press.</ref> and within these areas the [[Scottish Crossbill|Scottish Crossbill]], Britain's only [[endemism|endemic]] bird, can be found alongside [[Capercaillie]], [[Wildcat]], [[Red Squirrel]] and [[Pine Marten]].<ref>Gooders, J. (1994) ''Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland''. London. Kingfisher.</ref><ref>Matthews, L.H. (1968) ''British Mammals''. London. Bloomsbury.</ref> |
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The flora of the country is varied incorporating both [[deciduous]] and [[coniferous]] woodland and [[moorland]] and [[tundra]] species. However, large scale commercial tree planting and the management of upland moorland habitat for the grazing of sheep and commercial field sport activities impacts upon the distribution of [[Indigenous (ecology)|indigenous]] plants and animals.<ref>[http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/f01as01.pdf ''Integrated Upland Management for Wildlife, Field Sports, Agriculture & Public Enjoyment''] (pdf) (September 1999) Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved [[14 October]] [[2007]]</ref> The [[Fortingall Yew]] may be 5,000 years old and is probably the oldest living thing in Europe.<ref>[http://www.treefestscotland.org.uk/forestry/INFD-6UFC5F "The Fortingall Yew"] Forestry Commission. Retrieved [[24 June]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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==Economy and Infrastructure== |
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{{main|Economy of Scotland}} |
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[[Image:Oil platform in the North SeaPros.jpg|thumb|right|A [[drilling rig]] located in the [[North Sea]]]]Scotland has a western style [[Open economy|open]] [[mixed economy]] which is closely linked with that of the rest of Europe and the wider world. Traditionally, the Scottish economy has been dominated by [[heavy industry]] underpinned by the [[shipbuilding]] in [[Glasgow]], [[coal mining]] and [[steel industries]]. [[Image:modernclyde.JPG|thumb|left|Pacific Quay on the [[River Clyde]], an example of the regeneration of Glasgow and the diversifying Scottish economy]] Petroleum related industries associated with the extraction of [[North Sea oil]] have also been important employers from the 1970s, especially in the north east of Scotland. De-industrialisation during the 1970s and 1980s saw a shift from a manufacturing focus towards a more [[Tertiary sector of economic activity|services]] orientated economy. Edinburgh is the financial services centre of Scotland and the sixth largest financial centre in Europe in terms of funds under management, behind London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich and Amsterdam,<ref name=Milner>{{cite news |
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|author = Milner M. and Treanor J. |
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|url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/Scotland/Story/0,,205573,00.html |
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|title = Devolution may broaden financial sector's view |
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|publisher = The Guardian |
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|pages = |
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|page = |
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|date = 1999-06-02 |
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|accessdate = 2006-08-08 |
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}}</ref> with many large finance firms based there, including: the [[Royal Bank of Scotland]] (the second largest bank in Europe); [[HBOS plc|HBOS]] (owners of the [[Bank of Scotland]]); and [[Standard Life]]. |
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In 2005, total Scottish [[exports]] (excluding intra-UK trade) were provisionally estimated to be £17.5 billion, of which 70% (£12.2 billion) were attributable to manufacturing.<ref name="Trade">{{cite web |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/933/0020661.pdf |title=Global Connections Survey |publisher=Scottish Executive |accessdate=2006-12-03}}</ref> Scotland's primary exports include [[whisky]], electronics and financial services. The [[United States]], [[The Netherlands]], [[Germany]], [[France]] and [[Spain]] constitute the country's major export markets.<ref name="Trade"/> In 2006, the [[Gross Domestic Product]] (GDP) of Scotland was just over £86 billion, giving a per capita GDP of £16,900.<ref name=GDP>{{cite web |
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|author = The Scottish Executive |
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|url = http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/ses/ses-00m.asp |
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|title = Scottish Economic Statistics |
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|publisher = The Scottish Executive |
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|date = 2006 |
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|accessdate = 2007-04-12 |
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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |
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|author = Office of National Statistics |
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|url = http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/gva1206.pdf |
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|title = Regional, sub-regional and local gross value added 2005 |
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|publisher = Office of National Statistics |
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|date = 2006-12-15 |
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|accessdate = 2007-04-12 |
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}}</ref> |
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Tourism is widely recognised as a key contributor to the Scottish economy. A briefing published in 2002 by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, (SPICe), for the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and Life Long Learning Committee, stated that tourism accounted for up to 5% of GDP and 7.5% of employment.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Economics of Tourism|url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/pdf_res_brief/sb02-97.pdf|publisher=SPICe|accessdate=2007-10-22|year=2002}}</ref> |
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As of November 2007 the [[unemployment]] rate in Scotland stood at 4.9%—lower than the UK average and that of the majority of EU countries.<ref name="Unemployment">{{cite web |url=http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/our-communications/release.php?id=3633 |title=November Labour Market statistics for Scotland |publisher=Scotland Office |accessdate=2007-11-14}}</ref> |
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===Currency=== |
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{{main|Banknotes of the pound sterling}} |
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Although the [[Bank of England]] is the [[central bank]] for the UK, three Scottish [[clearing banks]] still issue their own [[Pound sterling|Sterling]] [[banknote]]s: the [[Bank of Scotland]]; the [[Royal Bank of Scotland]]; and the [[Clydesdale Bank]]. The current value of the Scottish banknotes in circulation is £1.5 billion.<ref name="Banknotes">{{cite web |url=http://www.scotbanks.org.uk/banknote_history.php |title=Banknote History |publisher=Scottish Clearing Banks |accessdate=2007-10-26}}</ref> |
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===Transport=== |
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{{main|Transport in Scotland}} |
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[[Image:Plane arrival at Barra Airport.jpg|thumb|A [[Loganair]] [[Twin Otter]] at [[Barra Airport (Scotland)|Barra Airport]], the world's only airport using a [[beach runway]] for scheduled services.]] Scotland has five main [[international airports]] ([[Glasgow International Airport|Glasgow]], [[Edinburgh Airport|Edinburgh]], [[Aberdeen Airport|Aberdeen]], [[Glasgow Prestwick Airport|Glasgow Prestwick]] and [[Inverness Airport|Inverness]]) which together serve 150 international destinations with a wide variety of scheduled and [[chartered flights]].<ref>''The Scotsman'' [[27 March]] [[2007]]. "Special Report—Business Class"</ref> [[BAA Limited|BAA]] operates three airports, (Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen), and [[Highlands and Islands Airports Limited|Highland and Islands Airports]] operates 11 regional airports, (including Inverness), which serve the more remote locations of Scotland.<ref name="HIAL">[http://www.hial.co.uk/ "Highlands and Islands Airports - Airport Information"] Highlands and Islands Airports Limited. Retrieved on [[26 September]] [[2007]].</ref> [[Infratil]] operates Glasgow Prestwick. |
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The Scottish [[motorway]]s and major [[trunk roads]] are managed by [[Transport Scotland]]. The rest of the road network is managed by the [[Scottish local authorities]] in each of their areas. |
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Regular [[ferry]] services operate between the Scottish mainland and [[Scottish island|island]] communities. These services are mostly run by [[Caledonian MacBrayne]], but some are operated by local councils. Other ferry routes, served by multiple companies, connect to [[Northern Ireland]], [[Belgium]], [[Norway]], the [[Faroe Islands]] and also [[Iceland]]. |
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[[Image:Bb-forthrailbridge.jpg|thumb|left|[[Forth Bridge (railway)|Forth Bridge]]]]Scotland's rail network is managed by [[Transport Scotland]].<ref name="TRANSSCOT">[http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/defaultpage1221cde0.aspx?pageID=30 "Rail"] Transport Scotland. Retrieved on [[26 September]] [[2007]].</ref> The [[East Coast Main Line|East Coast]] and [[West Coast Main Line|West Coast]] Main Railway lines and the [[Cross Country Route (MR)|Cross Country Line]] connect the major cities and towns of Scotland with each other and with the rail network in England. Domestic rail services within Scotland are operated by [[First Scotrail]]. |
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The East Coast Main Line includes that section of the network which crosses the [[Firth of Forth]] via the [[Forth Bridge (railway)|Forth Bridge]]. Completed in 1890, this [[cantilever bridge]] has been described as "the one internationally recognised Scottish landmark".<ref>Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) ''Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland''. London. HarperCollins.ISBN 0-00-255082-2</ref> |
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[[Network Rail|Network Rail Infrastructure Limited]] owns and operates the fixed infrastructure assets of the railway system in Scotland, while the [[Scottish Government]] maintains overall responsibility for rail strategy and funding in Scotland.<ref name="Office of Rail Regulation">[http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/238.pdf "Disaggregating Network Rail's expenditure and revenue allowance and future price control framework: a consultation (June 2005)"] Office of Rail Regulation. Retrieved on [[02 November]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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==Demography== |
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{{main|Demography of Scotland}} |
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{{seealso|Language in Scotland|Religion in Scotland}} |
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[[Image:Wfm buchanan street.jpg|thumb|left|Although on the rise again, Scotland's population has declined from its peak in the mid-1970s.]]The population of Scotland in the 2001 census was 5,062,011. This has risen to 5,116,900 according to June 2006 estimates.<ref name="population>{{cite web |url=http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/press/2007-news/scotlands-mid-year-population-estimates.html |title=Scotland's mid year population estimates |date=2007-04-26 |publisher=General Register Office for Scotland |accessdate=2007-04-26}}</ref> This would make Scotland the 112th largest [[List of countries by population|country by population]] if it were a [[Sovereignty|sovereign]] [[state]]. Although [[Edinburgh]] is the capital of Scotland it is not the largest city. With a population of just over 600,000 this honour falls to [[Glasgow]]. Indeed, the [[Greater Glasgow]] conurbation, with a population of over 1.1 million, is home to over a fifth of Scotland's population.<ref>[http://www.citypopulation.de/UK-ScotlandUA.html "Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Scotland. All settlements (urban areas) in Scotland of more than 20,000 inhabitants."] citypopulation.de. Retrieved [[26 September]] [[2007]].</ref><ref>[http://rampantscotland.com/know/blknow_cities.htm "Did You Know?—Scotland's Cities"] rampantscotland.com Retrieved [[26 September]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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The [[Central Lowlands|Central Belt]] is where most of the main towns and cities are located. Glasgow is to the west whilst the other three main cities of [[Edinburgh]], [[Aberdeen]] and [[Dundee]] lie on the east coast. The Highlands are sparsely populated, although the city of [[Inverness]] has experienced rapid growth in recent years. In general only the more accessible and larger islands retain human populations and fewer than 90 are currently inhabited. The Southern Uplands are essentially rural in nature and dominated by agriculture and forestry.<ref>Clapperton, C.M. (ed) (1983) ''Scotland: A New Study''. London. David & Charles.</ref><ref>Miller, J. (2004) ''Inverness''. Edinburgh. Birlinn. ISBN 9781841582962</ref> Because of housing problems in Glasgow and Edinburgh, five [[New town#United Kingdom|new towns]] were created between 1947 and 1966. They are [[East Kilbride]], [[Glenrothes]], [[Livingston, West Lothian|Livingston]], [[Cumbernauld]], and [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/as/sixties/standard/rural/new_towns.shtml "New Towns"] BBC Scotland. Retrieved [[24 July]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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Due to immigration since [[World War II]], Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee have small Asian communities.<ref>[http://www.urdustan.net/2004/11/scotland-speaks-urdu.html "Scotland speaks Urdu"] (2004)Urdustan.net. Retrieved [[26 September]] [[2007]].</ref> Since the recent [[Enlargement of the European Union]] there has been an increased number of people from [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Eastern Europe]] moving to Scotland, and it is estimated that between 40,000 and 50,000 [[Poles]] are now living in the country.<ref>''The Pole Position'' ([[August 6]], [[2005]]). Glasgow. Sunday Herald newspaper.</ref> As of 2001, there are 16,310 [[Overseas Chinese|ethnic Chinese]] residents in Scotland.<ref>Statistics [http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/02/18876/32939 Analysis of Ethnicity in the 2001 Census - Summary Report] Scottish Government. Retrieved [[27 September]] [[2007]].</ref> The ethnic groups within Scotland are as follows: White - 97.99%,South Asian - 1.09%, Black - 0.16%, Mixed - 0.25%, Chinese - 0.32% and Other - 0.19%. |
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Scotland has three officially recognised<!-- The "s" in recognised is the correct Scottish English spelling. It is not spelt with a "z" --> languages: [[English language|English]], [[Scots language|Scots]] and [[Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic]]. Almost all Scots speak [[Scottish Standard English]], and in 1996 the [[General Register Office for Scotland]] estimated that 30% of the population are [[Fluency|fluent]] in [[Scots language|Scots]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/census/censushm/censcr02/census-user-needs-and-legislation/cenrep10.html | title = Scotland's Census 2001, Part 1: Census User Needs and Legislation | publisher = General Register Office for Scotland |accessdate = 2007-09-26|}}</ref> Gaelic is mostly spoken in the [[Western Isles]], where a majority of people still speak it, however nationally its use is confined to just 1% of the population.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www2.arts.gla.ac.uk/SESLL/STELLA/STARN/lang/GAELIC/focus.htm | title = A Century on the Census—Gaelic in Twentieth Century Focus | author = Dr. Kenneth MacKinnon | publisher = [[University of Glasgow]]|accessdate = 2007-09-26|}}</ref> |
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===Education=== |
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{{main|Education in Scotland}} |
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[[Image:College-1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Marischal College]], [[University of Aberdeen]]]]The Scottish education system has always remained distinct from education in the rest of United Kingdom, with a characteristic emphasis on a [[Liberal education|broad education]].<ref>{{cite web | title = A Guide to Education and Training in Scotland - "the broad education long regarded as characteristic of Scotland" | url = http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/03/16743/19914|publisher= Scottish Government | accessdate = 2007-10-18}}</ref> Scotland was the first country since [[Sparta]] in [[classical Greece]] to implement a system of general [[public education]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Intro to Scottish Education| work = The Scottish Education Act of 1696 heralded the first National system of education in the World since ancient Sparta| url = http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/17_1.html |publisher = www.siliconglen.com| accessdate =2007-03-07}}</ref> Schooling was made compulsory for the first time in Scotland with the [[Education Act 1496|Education Act of 1496]], then, in 1561, the [[Church of Scotland]] set out a national programme for spiritual reform, including a school in every [[parish]]. Education continued to be a matter for the church rather than the state until the [[Education Act (1872)|Education Act of 1872]].<ref>"Schools and schooling" in M. Lynch (ed.), ''The Oxford Companion to Scottish History'', (Oxford, 2001), pp. 561–563.</ref> |
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All 3 and 4 year old children in Scotland are entitled to a free [[nursery school|nursery]] place with "a curriculum framework for children 3–5"<ref>{{cite web | title = A Curriculum Framework for Children 3–5|url = http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/earlyyears/images/CF3to5_tcm4-115469.pdf|publisher= Scottish Executive |format= pdf | accessdate = 2007-05-06 }}</ref> providing the curricular guidelines. Formal [[primary education]] begins at approximately 5 years old and lasts for 7 years (P1–P7); The "5–14 guidelines" provides the curricular framework.<ref>{{cite web | title = 5–14 Curriculum: Guidelines | url = http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/5to14/guidelines/index.asp|publisher= Learning and Teaching Scotland |accessdate = 2007-05-06 }}</ref> Today, children in Scotland sit [[Standard Grade]] exams at approximately 15 or 16. The school leaving age is 16, after which students may choose to remain at school and study for [[Access exams|Access]], [[Intermediate exams|Intermediate]] or [[Higher Grade]] and [[Advanced Higher (Scottish)|Advanced Higher]] exams. A small number of students at certain private, [[Independent school (UK)|independent schools]] may follow the [[Education in England|English system]] and study towards [[GCSE]]s instead of Standard Grades, and towards [[Advanced Level (UK)|A]] and [[Advanced Level (UK)|AS-Levels]] instead of Higher Grade and Advanced Higher exams.<ref>[http://www.scis.org.uk/genInfo/genInfo_scott_exam.html "The Scottish Exam System"] Scottish Council of Independent Schools. Retrieved on [[26 September]] [[2007]].</ref>; |
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There are 14 [[Scottish universities]], some of which are amongst the [[List of oldest universities in continuous operation|oldest in the world]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Welcome to the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland | url = http://www.carnegie-trust.org/what_we_do.htm|publisher= Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland | accessdate = 2007-10-18 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Understanding Scottish Qualifications | url = http://www.sac.ac.uk/learning/prospective/international/ireland/IrelandScotsqual|publisher= Scottish Agricultural College | accessdate = 2007-10-18 }}</ref> The country produces 1% of the world's [[Academic publishing|published research]] with less than 0.1% of the world's population, and higher education institutions account for nine per cent of Scotland's service sector exports.<ref>{{cite web | title = A Framework for Higher Education in Scotland: Higher Education Review Phase 2 | url = http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/03/16786/20354|publisher= Scottish Government | accessdate = 2007-10-18 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = What is higher education? | url = http://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/Facts%20and%20Figures/HigherEducation.pdf|publisher= Universities Scotland | accessdate =2007-10-18 }}</ref> |
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===Religion=== |
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{{main|Religion in Scotland}} |
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[[Image:Iona Abbey.jpg|thumb|right|[[Iona Abbey]] arguably the birthplace of Scottish Christianity]]Since the [[Scottish Reformation]] of 1560, the [[Church of Scotland]], also known as [[Kirk|The Kirk]], has been Scotland's [[national church]]. The Church is [[Protestant]] and [[Reformed theology|Reformed]] with a [[Presbyterian]] system of church government, and enjoys independence from the state.<ref name=Keay/> About 12% of the Scottish population are currently members of the Church of Scotland, with around 40% of the population claiming affiliation at the 2001 census. The Church operates a territorial [[parish]] structure, with every community in Scotland having a local congregation. Scotland also has a significant [[Roman Catholic Church in Scotland|Roman Catholic]] population, particularly in the west. After the Reformation, Roman Catholicism continued on in the [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] and some western islands like [[Uist]] and [[Barra]], and was strengthened, during the 19th century by [[immigration]] from [[Ireland]]. Other [[Christian]] denominations in Scotland include the [[Free Church of Scotland (post 1900)|Free Church of Scotland]], various other Presbyterian offshoots, and the [[Scottish Episcopal Church]]. [[Islam]] is the largest non-Christian [[religion]] (estimated at around 40,000, which is less than 0.9% of the population),<ref name="GROSCOT">{{cite web | url = http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/press/news2005/analysis-of-religion-in-the-2001-census.html | publisher = General Register Office for Scotland |title = Analysis of Religion in the 2001 Census|accessdate = 2007-09-26}}</ref> and there are also significant [[History of the Jews in Scotland|Jewish]], [[Hinduism in Scotland|Hindu]] and [[Sikh]] communities, especially in Glasgow.<ref name="GROSCOT"/> The [[Samyé Ling]] monastery near [[Eskdalemuir]], which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007, includes the largest [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] temple in western Europe.<ref>[http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=3,4102,0,0,1,0 "In the Scottish Lowlands, Europe's first Buddhist monastery turns 40"] The Buddhist Channel. Retrieved [[24 June]] [[2007]].</ref> In the 2001 census, 28% of the population professed 'no religion' whatsoever. |
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==Military== |
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{{main|Military of Scotland}} |
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[[Image:ScotHackles.jpg|thumb|left|Soldiers of the five regular battalions of the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]]]Although Scotland has a long military tradition that predates the [[Treaty of Union]] with England, its [[armed force]]s now form part of the [[British Armed Forces]], with the notable exception of the [[Atholl Highlanders]], Europe's only legal private army. In 2006, the infantry [[regiments]] of the [[Scottish Division]] were amalgamated to form the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]. Other distinctively Scottish regiments in the [[British Army]] include the [[Scots Guards]] and [[Royal Scots Dragoon Guards]]. |
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Due to their [[topography]] and perceived remoteness, parts of Scotland have housed many sensitive defence establishments, with mixed public feelings.<ref>The large number of military bases in Scotland has led some to use the euphemism "Fortress Scotland". See Spaven, Malcolm (1983) ''Fortress Scotland''. London. Pluto Press in association with Scottish CND.</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6186213.stm "Pensioner, 94, in nuclear protest"] BBC.co.uk. Retrieved [[29 July]] [[2007]].</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4083933.stm "Reprieve for RAF Lossiemouth base"] BBC.co.uk. Retrieved [[29 July]] [[2007]].</ref> Between 1960 and 1991, the [[Holy Loch]] was a base for the U.S. fleet of [[Polaris ballistic missile|Polaris]] [[ballistic missile submarine]]s.<ref>[http://www.argyllonline.co.uk/index.asp?id=206 "Dunoon and the US Navy"] Argyll online. Retrieved [[29 July]] [[2007]].</ref> Today, [[List of fleet bases of the Royal Navy|Her Majesty's Naval Base]] [[HMNB Clyde|Clyde]], 25 miles (40 km) west of Glasgow, is the base for the four [[Trident missiles|Trident]]-armed [[Vanguard class submarine|''Vanguard'' class]] [[ballistic missile submarine]]s that comprise the [[Nuclear weapons and the United Kingdom|UK's nuclear deterrent]]. |
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Three frontline [[Royal Air Force]] bases are also located in Scotland. These are [[RAF Lossiemouth]], [[RAF Kinloss]] and [[RAF Leuchars]], the last of which is the most northerly air defence [[Fighter aircraft|fighter]] base in the United Kingdom. |
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The only open-air live [[depleted uranium]] weapons test range in the British Isles is located near [[Dundrennan Range|Dundrennan]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1179662.stm "DU shell test-firing resumes"] ''BBC Scotland News'', [[2001-02-21]]. Retrieved [[2006-09-13]].</ref> As a result, over 7000 radioactive munitions lie on the seabed of the [[Solway Firth]].<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmhansrd/vo010207/debtext/10207-35.htm Depleted Uranium (Shelling)] Parliament of the United Kingdom: Science and Technology Committee—Debates [[7 February]] [[2001]]. Hansard. Retrieved on [[26 September]] [[2007]]</ref> |
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==Culture== |
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{{main|Culture of Scotland}} |
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{{seealso|Music in Scotland|Scottish literature|Media in Scotland|Cuisine of Scotland}} |
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[[Image:Bagpipe performer.jpg|thumb|right|upright|A piper playing the [[Great Highland Bagpipe]].]] |
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[[Scottish music]] is a significant aspect of the nation's culture, with both traditional and modern influences. An example of a traditional Scottish instrument is the [[Great Highland Bagpipe]], a [[wind instrument]] consisting of three drones and a melody pipe (called the chanter), which are fed continuously by a reservoir of air in a bag. The [[clàrsach]], [[Musical styles (violin)#Fiddle|fiddle]] and [[accordion]] are also traditional Scottish instruments, the latter two heavily featured in [[Scottish country dance]] bands. Today, there are many successful Scottish bands and individual artists in varying styles.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.list.co.uk/article/2658-belle-sebastian-revealed-as-best-scottish-band-of-all-time/ | title=Best Scottish Band of All Time | publisher = The List |accessdate=2006-08-02}}</ref> |
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[[Scottish literature]] includes text written in [[English language|English]], [[Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic]], [[Scots language|Scots]], [[French language|French]], and [[Latin language|Latin]]. The poet and songwriter [[Robert Burns]] wrote in the [[Scots language]], although much of his writing is also in English and in a "light" Scots dialect which is more accessible to a wider audience. Similarly, the writings of [[Sir Walter Scott]] and [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] were internationally successful during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.<ref name="Scotti">{{cite web | url= |
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http://external.oneonta.edu/cooper/articles/suny/1997suny-buchenau.html | title='Wizards of the West'? How Americans respond to Sir Walter Scott, the 'Wizard of the North' | author= Barbara Buchenau | publisher=Goettingen University | accessdate=2006-12-11}}</ref> [[J. M. Barrie]] introduced the movement known as the "[[Kailyard school]]" at the end of the 19th century, which brought elements of [[fantasy]] and [[folklore]] back into fashion.<ref name="Kailyard">{{cite web | url=http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/sesll/ScotLit/bibliography/4thsection.html | title=Scottish Literature | publisher=University of Glasgow Faculty of Arts | accessdate=2006-12-11}}</ref> This tradition has been viewed as a major stumbling block for Scottish literature, as it focused on an idealised, pastoral picture of Scottish culture.<ref name="Kailyard"/> Some modern novelists, such as [[Irvine Welsh]] (of ''[[Trainspotting (novel)|Trainspotting]]'' fame), write in a distinctly [[Scottish English]] that reflects the harsher realities of contemporary life.<ref name="Dialect">{{cite web | url=http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth120 | title=Contemporary Writers | publisher=British Council | accessdate=2006-12-12}}</ref> More recently, author [[J.K. Rowling]] has become one of the most popular authors in the world (and one of the wealthiest) through her [[Harry Potter]] series, which were originally written from a coffee-shop in Edinburgh. |
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The national broadcaster is [[BBC Scotland]] ([[BBC Alba]] in Gaelic), a constituent part of the [[British Broadcasting Corporation]], the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It runs two national [[Scottish television stations|television stations]] and the national radio stations, ''[[BBC Radio Scotland]]'' and ''[[BBC Radio nan Gaidheal]]'', amongst others. The main Scottish commercial television stations are [[STV]] and [[Border Television]]. National [[List of Scottish newspapers|newspapers]] such as the [[Daily Record (Scotland)|''Daily Record'']], [[The Herald (Glasgow)|''The Herald'']], and ''[[The Scotsman]]'' are all produced in Scotland.<ref name="Newspapers">{{cite web | url=http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla68/papers/051-127e.pdf | title=Newspapers and National Identity in Scotland | publisher=IFLA University of Stirling | accessdate=2006-12-12}}</ref> Important regional dailies include ''[[The Courier and Advertiser|The Courier]]'' in Dundee in the east, and ''[[Press and Journal (Scotland)|The Press and Journal]]'' serving Aberdeen and the north.<ref name="Newspapers"/> |
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===Sport=== |
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{{main|Sport in Scotland}} |
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[[Image:18th Green and Clubhouse.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Old Course at St Andrews]]]] |
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[[Sport in Scotland|Sport]] is an important element in Scottish culture, with the country hosting many of its own national sporting competitions, and enjoying independent representation at many international sporting events such as the [[FIFA World Cup]], the [[Cricket World Cup]] and the [[Commonwealth Games]] (although not the [[Olympic Games]]). Scotland has its own national [[sport governing body|governing bodies]], such as the [[Scottish Football Association]] (the second oldest national football association in the world)<ref>Soccer in South Asia: Empire, Nation, Diaspora. By James Mills, Paul Dimeo: Page 18 - Oldest Football Association is England's FA, then Scotland and third oldest is the Indian FA.</ref> and the [[Scottish Rugby Union]]. Variations of football have been played in Scotland for centuries with the earliest reference dating back to 1424.<ref name=FIFA>{{cite web | author=Gerhardt, W. | publisher=[[FIFA]] | publishyear= | url=http://www.fifa.com/en/history/history/0,1283,1,00.html | title=The colourful history of a fascinating game. More than 2000 Years of Football | accessdate = 2006-08-11 }}</ref> [[Football in Scotland|Association football]] is now the [[national sport]] and the [[Scottish Cup]] is the world's oldest national trophy.<ref name="Trophy">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottishcup.org/museum.html |title=Official Site of the Tennents Scottish Cup |publisher=The Tennents Scottish Cup |accessdate=2006-12-10}}</ref> Scottish clubs have been successful in European competitions with [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] winning the [[European Cup]] in 1967, [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] and [[Aberdeen Football Club|Aberdeen]] winning the [[Cup Winners' Cup]] in 1972 and 1983 respectively, and [[Aberdeen Football Club|Aberdeen]] also winning the [[European Supercup]] in 1983. The [[Fife]] town of [[St. Andrews]] is known internationally as the ''Home of [[Golf]]''<ref>Keay (1994) ''op cit'' page 839. "In 1834 the [[The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews|Royal and Ancient Golf Club]] declared St. Andrews 'the Alma Mater of golf' ".</ref>and to many golfers the [[Old Course at St Andrews|Old Course]], an ancient [[Links (golf)|links]] course dating to before 1574, is considered to be a site of pilgrimage.<ref>Cochrane, Alistair (ed) ''Science and Golf IV: proceedings of the World Scientific Congress of Golf''. Page 849. Routledge.</ref> There are many other famous golf courses in Scotland, including [[Carnoustie Golf Links|Carnoustie]], [[Gleneagles, Scotland|Gleneagles]], [[Muirfield (Scotland)|Muirfield]] and [[Royal Troon]]. Other distinctive features of the national sporting culture include the [[Highland games]], [[curling]] and [[shinty]]. Scotland played host to the Commonwealth Games in [[1970 British Commonwealth Games|1970]] and [[1986 Commonwealth Games|1986]], and will do so again in [[2014 Commonwealth Games|2014]]. |
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===National symbols=== |
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{{main|National symbols of Scotland}} |
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[[Image:Saltire.jpg|thumb|left|The Saltire]] The [[Flag of Scotland]], known as the Saltire or St. Andrew's Cross, dates (at least in legend) from the 9th century, and is thus the oldest national [[flag]] still in use. The Saltire now also forms part of the design of the [[Union Flag]]. There are numerous other symbols and symbolic artefacts, both official and unofficial, including the [[thistle]], the nation's [[national emblem|floral emblem]], the 1320 statement of political independence the [[Declaration of Arbroath]], the textile pattern [[tartan]] that often signifies a particular [[Scottish clan]], and the [[Lion Rampant]] flag.<ref>"National identity" in M. Lynch (ed.), ''The Oxford Companion to Scottish History'', (Oxford, 2001), pp. 437–444.</ref><ref>Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) ''Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland''. London. HarperCollins. Page 936.</ref><ref>[http://www.rampantscotland.com/symbols/blsymbols_index.htm "Symbols of Scotland—Index"] Rampant Scotland. Retrieved on [[20 September]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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''[[Flower of Scotland]]'' is popularly held to be the [[National Anthem of Scotland]], and is played at events such as football or rugby matches involving the Scotland national team. However, since devolution, more serious discussion of the issue has led to this being disputed. Other candidates include ''[[Highland Cathedral]]'', ''[[Scotland the Brave]]'' and ''[[A Man's A Man for A' That]]''.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4036123.stm| title=Anthem demand falls on deaf ears| work=BBC Scotland News| date=2004-11-24| accessdate=2006-09-13}}</ref> |
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[[St Andrew's Day]], [[30 November]], is the [[national day]], although [[Burns' Night]] tends to be more widely observed. [[Tartan Day]] is a recent innovation from [[Canada]]. In 2006, the Scottish Parliament passed the [[St. Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007]], designating the day to be an official [[bank holiday]].<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/en2007/2007en02.htm "Explanatory Notes to St. Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007"] Office of Public Sector Information. Retrieved [[22 September]] [[2007]]</ref> |
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{{clear}} |
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==See also== |
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{{portalpar|Scotland|Flag of Scotland.svg}} |
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{{British topics}} |
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{{Template group |
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|title = [[Image:Flag of Scotland.svg|border|32px|Scotland]]{{spaces|2}}Scotland |
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|list = |
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{{Scottish topics}} |
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{{United Kingdom constituents and affiliations}} |
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{{British Isles}} |
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{{Celtic nations}} |
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}} |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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==Further reading== |
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Brown, Dauvit, (1999) "Anglo-French acculturation and the Irish element in Scottish Identity", in Smith, Brendan (ed.), ''Insular Responses to Medieval European Change'', Cambridge University Press, pp. 135–53 |
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Brown, Michael (2004) ''The Wars of Scotland, 1214–1371'', Edinburgh University Press., pp. 157–254 |
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Devine, T.M [1999] (2000). ''The Scottish Nation 1700–2000'' (New Ed. edition). London:Penguin. ISBN 0-14-023004-1 |
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{{cite book|first= David N.|last=Dumville|chapter=St Cathróe of Metz and the Hagiography of Exoticism|editor|John Carey ''et al'' (eds.)|title=Irish Hagiography: Saints and Scholars|location=Dublin|year= 2001|publisher=Four Courts Press|pages=pp. 172–176|isbn=978-1851824861}} |
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{{cite book|first=Maire|last=Herbert|chapter=Rí Érenn, Rí Alban, kingship and identity in the ninth and tenth centuries|editor=Simon Taylor (ed.)|title=Kings, Clerics and Chronicles in Scotland, 500–1297|location=Dublin|year=2000|publisher=Four Courts Press|pages=pp. 63–72|isbn=1851825169}} |
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MacLeod, Wilson (2004) ''Divided Gaels: Gaelic Cultural Identities in Scotland and Ireland: c.1200–1650''. Oxford University Press. |
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Sharp, L. W. ''The Expansion of the English Language in Scotland'', (Cambridge University Ph.D. thesis, 1927), pp. 102–325; |
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==External links== |
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{{sisterlinks|Scotland}} |
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*[http://www.scotland.org/ Scotland.org] - the official online gateway to Scotland, managed by the Scottish Government |
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*[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/ Scottish Government] - official site of the [[Scottish Government]] |
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*[http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/ Scottish Parliament] - official site of the [[Scottish Parliament]] |
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*[http://www.nas.gov.uk/ National Archives of Scotland] - official site of the [[National Archives of Scotland]] |
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*[http://www.nls.uk/digitallibrary/map/index.html Maps] and [http://www.nls.uk/digitallibrary/index.html digital collections] at the [[National Library of Scotland]] |
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*[http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/ Gazetteer for Scotland] - Extensive guide to the places and people of Scotland, by the [[Royal Scottish Geographical Society]] and [[University of Edinburgh]] |
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*[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/resource/doc/76169/0019773.pdf Scottish economic statistics 2005] (pdf) - from the Scottish Executive |
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*[http://www.scrol.gov.uk/ Scottish Census Results On Line] - official government site for Scotland's census results |
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*[http://www.sns.gov.uk Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics] - Scottish Executive's programme of small area statistics in Scotland |
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*[http://www.visitscotland.com/ Visit Scotland] - official site of Scotland's national tourist board |
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*[http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ ScotlandsPeople] - official government resource for Scottish genealogy |
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*{{wikitravel}} |
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Revision as of 19:04, 27 April 2008
{{Infobox Country--99.242.247.94 (talk) 19:04, 27 April 2008 (UTC)--99.242.247.94 (talk) 19:04, 27 April 2008 (UTC)--99.242.247.94 (talk) 19:04, 27 April 2008 (UTC)--99.242.247.94 (talk) 19:04, 27 April 2008 (UTC)--99.242.247.94 (talk) 19:04, 27 April 2008 (UTC)|native_name = Scotland (English / Scots)
Alba (Gaelic)
|=2006-12-12}}</ref> More recently, author J.K. Rowling has become one of the most popular authors in the world (and one of the wealthiest) through her Harry Potter series, which were originally written from a coffee-shop in Edinburgh.
The national broadcaster is BBC Scotland (BBC Alba in Gaelic), a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded [[[bat-smg:Škotėjė]]