Scotland – True Home of Celtic Pride
Scotland is one of the four constituent nations (along with England, Wales and Northern Ireland) that together make up the country of Great Britain. Located in the northern part of the British Isles and including hundreds of islands, Scotland is world renowned for its captivating scenery comprising deep lochs, windswept moors and lush meadows of wild heather. Scotland can be roughly divided into rugged Highland and fertile Lowlands, and both areas have a distinctive history and culture that are still vibrant to this day.
The original inhabitants of the land known today as Scotland were the Picts, a pagan Celtic tribethat resisted invasions from the Britons and Romans to the south for centuries. Gradual emigration to Scotland from Ireland and the Norse countries has resulted in the Scottish ethnicity and culture that has been a profound influence on the English-speaking world and beyond. Although English is the language commonly used in Scotland, other languages are used and two of them have received official recognition. The original Celtic tongue known as Gaelic is still used for place names and in literature. About 1% Scotland’s inhabitants regularly use Gaelic. “Scots” is an English dialect used mainly in traditional Lowland Scottish homes and businesses.
Scotland is a popular tourist destination. The beauty of the land and sea combines with the ancient character of the country’s human history to form an alluring attraction for visitors from around the world. A typical tourist itinerary might include ancient castles and Celtic ruins, a Scotch whiskey distillery or two, and a cruise into mysterious Loch Ness in hopes of catching a glimpse of its legendary sea monster.