|
The United Kingdom is an immensely popular place to visit for a vacation. The United Kingdom consists of four countries; England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland and each are very different with distinctive cultures accents and languages. The vast majority of the citizens readily place their own country above all others within Britain stating their nationality but all can also call themselves to be British. So, a person from Scotland can be both Scottish while also being British. However, even since Scotland first joined the Union in 1707 there have been a large number of Scottish folk who wish to be independent of England.
by FrankGoddard
The United Kingdom is an immensely popular place to visit for a vacation. The United Kingdom consists of four countries; England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland and each are very different with distinctive cultures accents and languages. The vast majority of the citizens readily place their own country above all others within Britain stating their nationality but all can also call themselves to be British. So, a person from Scotland can be both Scottish while also being British. However, even since Scotland first joined the Union in 1707 there have been a large number of Scottish folk who wish to be independent of England.
When most folk think of Scotland pictures of a tartan clad piper, or something similar, spring to mind. Much of what we see as wholly Scottish was, in fact, a Victorian creation with influential characters such as the famous novelist and poet, Sir Walter Scott, did much to promote Scotland and all things Scottish. While the majority of Scottish Highlanders did indeed wear tartan it was not until the marketing exploits of a Lowland company, William Wilson, that specific tartans were assigned to the different clans or regions. Unfortunately a great many patterns for historical tartans that were in existence before 1746 are now lost forever having been replaced with newer patterns. So what is truly Scottish, well to discover this we need to study the history of the nation and understand a little more about the different regions and cities of Scotland which can differ considerably within only short distances.
While Sir Walter Scott took much from the Highland way of life and repackaged it, in what he considered a more suitable form for the English aristocracy, the basic elements are distinctively Highland. The tartan kilt is the traditional dress of the region and is still seen throughout the area today, though more often at weddings and in traditional pipe bands. Besides the tartan cloth, kilts and bagpipes, there is much to interest the tourist in the Highlands not least the most incredible countryside which consists of the most spectacular mountains and misty glens. Towns such as Fort William and the city of Inverness are few and far between with little more than rough open countryside, dotted with numerous tiny villages, between them. Even more remote are the islands of the Hebrides, while the Isle of Skye (Inner Hebrides) may be the most popular the islands of the Outer Hebrides are increasingly popular with tourists keen to enjoy the distinctive Gaelic culture.
One of the most famous Scottish landmarks is Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh is Scotland's capital city and the home of the Scottish Government. While Edinburgh is a thoroughly modern city it's facade is ancient, with truly awesome architecture to be found along the Royal Mile and in the New Town. One of the reasons why the city is one of the top tourist destinations in Europe is the shear number of important multi-national festival which seem to take place continually through the year ranging from the International Book Festival to the Hogmanay celebrations
Glasgow is a much more modern city in that it sprang up, from what was little more than a village to the metropolis it is today, during the industrial revolution. The height of the city's success was during the Victorian period when the tobacco merchants made their fortunes which they invested in large civic buildings which remain in use today and give Glasgow it's distinctive looks. Strangely it is Glasgow, rather than Edinburgh, which is the largest city in Scotland.
Besides the two cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow there are plenty of other towns and cities, such as Sterling, Perth, Dundee and Aberdeen, that are worth visiting as each are very different from one another. Each has it's own tourist attractions such as St Andrews and it's famous golf courses. One of the most popular tourist attractions is actually a modern work of engineering, the Falkirk Wheel but, in the main, most tourist attractions in Scotland are historical buildings or sites such as Stirling Castle.
Whatever your interests Scotland can provide the location for your perfect vacation. When you have chosen where to base yourselves you can investigate all of the tourist attractions but it is also well worth finding out what tours are available. One of the most popular types of tours in Scotland is the whisky tour but others are just as popular, such as Edinburgh's many ghost tours. So, when you are next choosing a vacation destination give Scotland some thought.
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.
 Add as favourites (0) |  Quote this article on your site | Views: 56
Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved |
