Scotland : the land, its people, culture and heritage
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Find out about Scotland
Scotland, is rich in history, the land is majestic, the places unique. Scotland's people and their culture, from mesolithic times to the present day are fascinating.
Some of the best places to visit in Scotland are listed here. Take a virtual tour of parts of Scotland.
Included in this lens are selections of books, photos, links to interesting websites and even postcards. Take a look and see for yourself!
Photo of Church, Inverness, gateway to the higlands, Scotland by ashroc 2007
Some of the best places to visit in Scotland are listed here. Take a virtual tour of parts of Scotland.
Included in this lens are selections of books, photos, links to interesting websites and even postcards. Take a look and see for yourself!
Photo of Church, Inverness, gateway to the higlands, Scotland by ashroc 2007
Contents at a Glance
Ancient Scotland
People have inhabited Scotland since prehistoric times. When the last Ice Age ended, flora and fauna began to slowly come back to the North of Scotland. The first people to move back into the region were nomadic Hunter-Gatherers. Archaeologists refer to their time period as the Mesolithic or "Middle Stone Age."
Ancient Pine Forest Emerging from Dawn Mist, Strathspey, Scotland,
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In small family groups, the people of the Mesolithic Age made much use of the woods & waterways in Northeastern Scotland, they
Ancient Pine Forest Emerging from Dawn Mist, Strathspey, Scotland,
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In small family groups, the people of the Mesolithic Age made much use of the woods & waterways in Northeastern Scotland, they
- used tools made from flint, bone, wood, antlers people hunted deer, boar, and fowl.
- gathered fruits, nuts, wild cereal crops and fungi from the woods which made up the landscape.
- made complex tools, domesticated wolves, fished and gathered shellfish from the waterways
- managed to thrive despite harsh living conditions.
The land
The Northern Highlands are rugged and mountainous. Scotland's highest point is Ben Nevis, at 1,344 meters (4,409 ft). Scotland has approximately 800 islands. Including the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. Scotland is home to many wide green valleys, flat areas and hills. The Tweed and Clyde are the largest rivers. Loch Ness is a long lake with dark cold water.Generally, Scotland is cool, damp and cloudy, but daily weather is unpredictable and quite changeable. January and February are the coldest months, averaging 41°F (5°C), and summer has average temperatures of 66°F (19°C) during its warmest months of July and August. The coldest areas are the highlands.
Photo of Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness by ashroc 2007
The people
The clans of Scotland feature prominently in Scottish history. The original Scottish clans were like large extended families. Each clan was associated with a geographical area and was led by a Chieftain whose family often lived in their ancestral castle.
The early heritage of the Scots is varied. Many people are descendants of the Celts. Some are descended from Norse Vikings, some from the Normans and some Dutch.
Map of Scotland in the 1520s, Showing Territories of the Highland Clans
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The early heritage of the Scots is varied. Many people are descendants of the Celts. Some are descended from Norse Vikings, some from the Normans and some Dutch.
Map of Scotland in the 1520s, Showing Territories of the Highland Clans
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- The Clans of Scotland
- Scotland is famous for its clans and tartans but they actually belong to the highland Gaelic culture - not the whole of Scotland. Many things now associated with Scotland in general stem from the highland culture, such as clans, tartans, bagpipes, kilts and Gaelic.
- Map of the clans in Scotland
- A map showing where the clans of Scotland originated from.
- Scottish clans, tartans, kilts and crests
- A guide to the Clans and Tartans of Scotland: from Scottish Clan Information to Clan Merchandise, Handmade Kilts, Highland Outfits ... everything a true Scot should need and know.
- Official Scottish clans and families
- This is a list of Official Clans and Families registered by the Court of the Lord Lyon
Clan MacDonald
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Clan MacLeod
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Clan Cameron
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Scotland's actors
Scotland's people are prominent in many walks of life. Actors are among the most celebrated and popular in our culture today.
Robert Carlyle
Ewan McGregor
Sean Connery
Dougray Scott
Robbie Coltrane
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Tartan
A number of aspects Highland dress are controversial and Tartan in particular, is surrounded by myth.
Tartan has its origins as a type and quality of cloth rather than to a design. This has since changed. As has making Tartan from light instead of warm material. These days, tartan is usually said to be a fabric woven in repeating bands of coloured yarn across the width and the length of the cloth.
Some say the word Tartan comes from IrishScots, others from the French and even Spanish. Wherever the word has originated, Tartan has become a way for Scottish clan members identify themselves with pride.
Harlequin Portrait of Prince Charles Edward Stewart (1720-1788), in Red Tartan Coat, Breeches
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Tartan has its origins as a type and quality of cloth rather than to a design. This has since changed. As has making Tartan from light instead of warm material. These days, tartan is usually said to be a fabric woven in repeating bands of coloured yarn across the width and the length of the cloth.
Some say the word Tartan comes from IrishScots, others from the French and even Spanish. Wherever the word has originated, Tartan has become a way for Scottish clan members identify themselves with pride.
Harlequin Portrait of Prince Charles Edward Stewart (1720-1788), in Red Tartan Coat, Breeches
Buy This at Allposters.com
- Tartan pattern book
- for the clans of Scotland
The language
- Scottish Words
- A collection of common Scottish words used every day in Scotland with their meanings
- Learn Gaelic (Scottish) online
- Learn Gaelic (Scottish) online by practicing with a native speaker who is learning your language. Write or speak Gaelic (Scottish) online to improve grammar or conversation.
- Learn Scottish Gaelic
- Scottish Gaelic language courses from Magnum Language Systems
Virtual tour of Scotland
Get an idea of the variety and the beauty of the Scottish countryside through this video.
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Travel books
Accommodation
- Accomodation in Scotland
- Accommodation deals in locations across Scotland, from Edinburgh and the Borders through to the Scottish Highlands and Skye.
- Where to stay in Scotland
- Accommodation listing site with thousands of hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, hostels, cottages, caravans and other self-catering accommodation the length and breadth of the country.
- Welcome to Scotland
- From cosy highland holiday cottages to luxury Edinburgh hotels, Georgian townhouse B&Bs to hostels and campsites.
Places to visit in Scotland
Make sure you add one or two of these places to your list
- Edinburgh
- Edinburgh, the inspiring capital of Scotland, is a historic, cosmopolitan and cultured city.
- Attractions in Edinburgh
- See Craigmillar and Edinburgh Castles, ghost tours and dungeons
- Glasgow's Victoria Park & Fossil Grove
- Scotland's biggest city is a blend of internationally-acclaimed museums and galleries, stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, fabulous shopping and superlative wining and dining
- Guide to Glasgow
- Glasgow's Main Tourist Attractions
- Inverness capital of the highlands
- The thriving city of Inverness is crowned by a pink castle lavishly decorated with flowers. There are plenty of shops, places to eat and drink,
- James Pringle Weavers of Inverness
- Discover 'The Story of Tartan' and join in our weaving exhibition. A working factory site with exhibition. Mill shop offering a superb range of tartans, knitwear, gifts and souvenirs. Situated off Dores Road B862 from City Centre.
- Aberdeen, Granite city
- The city boasts spectacular architecture and captivating museums, fascinating history, a wealth of art and culture and a lively social scene.
- Orkney Islands
- Orkney is a truly unique destination. A deep sense of history can be felt everywhere in the 70 or so scattered islands that make up the archipelago, islands where life is defined by the past and sculpted by the sea.
- New Lanark
- New Lanark is a preserved historical UNESCO World Heritage Site in south Lanarkshire.
- The Borders Abbeys Way
- One of the best ways to explore this rich and intriguing history is by walking the Borders Abbeys Way over the course of five days. The route links the four magnificent ruined abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh and also the Borders towns of Hawick and Selkirk to return to Melrose.
- Iona Abbey
- One of Scotland's most historic sites, lona Abbey is a celebrated Christian centre and the burial place of early Scottish kings.
- Clan tours and research
- clan-themed touring itineraries
Regions and maps of Scotland
- Scotlands regions
- Findout what each the different regions of the country has to offer
- Virtual Scotland
- Maps and more
Guestbook
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ShirleySunshine
Nov 24, 2011 @ 2:35 pm | delete
- I love Scotland, visited once years ago, happy memories!
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agent009
Nov 21, 2011 @ 2:33 pm | delete
- The most Scottish thing I'm familiar with is kilts and haggis. I'm sure the highlands and major cities are very beautiful and full of history too.
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by ashroc
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