Scotland
TYPICALLY
SCOTTISH
What makes The Scots so Scottish?
THE FLAG
The Scottish flag, Saltire, consists of a white Andrew's cross on an azure blue field. The apostle St. Andrew, Peter's younger brother, is the patron saint of Scotland.
St. Andrew's Day, November 30th, is the national feast-day of Scotland. According to the legend, Saltire originates from the Battle of Athelstaneford in 832 A.D. Angus mac Fergus, King of the Picts, defeated the army of Athelstane, King of Northumbria. On the eve of the battle the Picts saw a formation of clouds that looked like the Andrew's cross. After the victory they incorporated this heavenly sign into their flag as token of their gratitude.
The most important elements of the Saltire can be found again in the British flag, the Union Jack. Much to the anger of the Scots the azure blue field was changed into navy blue.
one of the many books
These are based on the ones the Celts used two thousand years ago. The number of colours used rose according to your status: seven colours for the king, six for druids, six for noblemen. Since the 16th century every region in the Scottish Highlands has its own checked pattern, the tartan. In the Scottish Lowlands, the region between Edinburgh and Glasgow, the men who wore a tartan were considered thieves and barbarians. Later, after the battle of Culloden in 1746, the tartan was prohibited by law because it stood for anarchy and insurrection.
Nowadays the tartan has recovered the whole of Scotland led by folklore fans and the tourist industry.
Joe Caution, member of
the Clan Fergus(s)on Society
THE BAGPIPE
Originally it was probably used in the Highlabda to convey signals over great distances. Later it became the instrument for marching-music when the Highland regiments went to war. After the battle at Culloden in 1746 a judge pronounced the bagpipe to be a weapon. The player was sentenced to death. Nowadays every self-respecting village has at least one bagpipe-band and the bagpipe is used on a large scale at festivities, official ceremonies and demonstrations.
putting the weight
HIGHLAND GAMES
Sports events held throughout Scotland from May until mid-September. Important items are tossing the caber and putting the stone. These events date from the 14th century when they were held to recrute the best warriors. At the end of the 19th century Queen Victoria put new life into the games in order to stimulate traditional dress, music and customs. Important Highland Games are held in Braemar, Oban and Cowal.
SCHOTTISH KILTS
The kilt is invented by the English to dress the Highland Regiments, made up by men from the Scottish Highlands.
Originally a longer skirt was worn. The kilt, as it is worn today, dates from around 1800. At official gatherings men prefer to wear their kilts. The English origin has been evicted from the national memory.
For more than 500 years whisky (not: whiskey which is Irish and American) has been distilled in Scotland. The basic ingredients are: barley, water, yeast and usually peatsmoke. There are two main varieties: malt whisky and grain whisky. In malt whisky only malted barley is used. Grain whisky also uses othe malted grains. A large part of the Highlands and the Isles depend on the production of whisky. In 1997 whisky was the third export product of Scotland, after gas and oil, with a total worth of almost £ 2,4 billion. Americans like to call their whisky "Scotch", which the Scots never do.
bringing in the
haggis at the AGM in Fergus-Canada 1996
HAGGIS
Haggis is considered Scotland's national dish. This delicacy consists of a sheep's stomach-bag stuffed with seasoned heart, lungs and liver of sheep and chopped up with suet, onions and oatmeal. Haggis is usually eaten with bashed neeps (mashed turnips) and chappi tatties (mashed potatoes). During the last decades it has become more fashionable. Even a vegetarian variety may be served in the cities.
HOGMANAY
New Year's Eve. For the Scots much more important than Christmas. Hogmany in the old centre of Edinburgh is the biggest New Year's Eve party in Europe.
NRC 29 april 1999