Experiencing ScotlandExperiencing Scotland

Scotland is a unique and austere place, laScotland is a unique and austere place, laden with history, where you can find aristoden with history, where you can find aristocratic palaces and castles, as well as the trcratic palaces and castles, as well as the traditional parades in national costumes. It haditional parades in national costumes. It has some of the most beautiful cities in Euras some of the most beautiful cities in Europe, a living testimony of a proud and spleope, a living testimony of a proud and splendid past.ndid past.

In order to see and discovIn order to see and discover the true soul of Scotlaner the true soul of Scotland today, what forged the cd today, what forged the character of this splendid rharacter of this splendid region, we have to go towegion, we have to go towards the northern regions, ards the northern regions, to the Grampian Mountaito the Grampian Mountains. Beautiful and unspoilens. Beautiful and unspoiled, it was difficult to farm. d, it was difficult to farm. The Scots subdued the eThe Scots subdued the environment with simple spnvironment with simple spades and strong arms. ades and strong arms.

The history of this ancient struggle, and its The history of this ancient struggle, and its people’s ancient love affair with the hard land, is people’s ancient love affair with the hard land, is enclosed within the walls of the Angus Folk enclosed within the walls of the Angus Folk Museum. You are able to get a feel of the typical Museum. You are able to get a feel of the typical rural atmosphere of times past from the everyday rural atmosphere of times past from the everyday artifacts displayed here. artifacts displayed here.

Perhaps the most uplifting moment for Scottish autonomy Perhaps the most uplifting moment for Scottish autonomy is the one experienced inside this ancient abbey of Arbis the one experienced inside this ancient abbey of Arbroath, where, in 1320; the Declaration of Independence roath, where, in 1320; the Declaration of Independence was celebrated, at the instigation of King Robert the Brwas celebrated, at the instigation of King Robert the Bruce. He carried out the plan for autonomy drawn up by uce. He carried out the plan for autonomy drawn up by the great popular hero William Wallace, to whom cinemthe great popular hero William Wallace, to whom cinema has dedicated the wonderful film "Braveheart", the wia has dedicated the wonderful film "Braveheart", the winner of five Oscars.nner of five Oscars.

From coastal Aberdeen in towards From coastal Aberdeen in towards the interior of the Grampian Mountthe interior of the Grampian Mountains there runs the Castle Trail, a ains there runs the Castle Trail, a road that touches on many fortresroad that touches on many fortresses, which are witnesses of continses, which are witnesses of continual revolts against the dominion of ual revolts against the dominion of neighboring England in Scottish hineighboring England in Scottish history.story.

　　 Another attraction here Another attraction here is a legendary monster: this a legendary monster: the Loch Ness Monster. Is ie Loch Ness Monster. Is it real or imaginary, this mt real or imaginary, this monster, which has been nionster, which has been nicknamed Nessie, has collcknamed Nessie, has collected a good 3000 sightinected a good 3000 sightings over the last 50 years? gs over the last 50 years? To fuel the debate about tTo fuel the debate about the monster, and perhaps he monster, and perhaps also curiosity about the laalso curiosity about the lake, a price of 500,000 poke, a price of 500,000 pounds sterling has been puunds sterling has been put on Nessie’s head. t on Nessie’s head.

This is Glamis Castle. It is This is Glamis Castle. It is often remembered for beioften remembered for being the residence of King ng the residence of King Macbeth and Queen ElizaMacbeth and Queen Elizabeth in her childhood. Ambeth in her childhood. Among the most assiduous gong the most assiduous guests here are the inevitauests here are the inevitable ghosts, which are nouble ghosts, which are nourished, if not actually crearished, if not actually created, by ancient popular beted, by ancient popular beliefs. These have been haliefs. These have been handed down over the centunded down over the centuries by a people inclined tries by a people inclined to live with mystery, with to live with mystery, with the forces of the supernathe forces of the supernatural. ural.

The true flag of ScotlaThe true flag of Scotland, tartan, is recognisnd, tartan, is recognisable from the brightly able from the brightly coloured plaid patterncoloured plaid patterns which are used to dis which are used to distinguish the various stinguish the various clans. Over the last feclans. Over the last few decades this fabric w decades this fabric has made a comebachas made a comeback and is part of the daik and is part of the daily life of this country.ly life of this country.

The typical Scottish garmeThe typical Scottish garment, the kilt, is de rigeur whent, the kilt, is de rigeur when the Scots play the Great n the Scots play the Great Highland bagpipes, especiHighland bagpipes, especially when they march in parally when they march in parades. ades.

　　 Bagpipes and dancinBagpipes and dancing open the competitions g open the competitions of local sporting events, of local sporting events, which are called Highlanwhich are called Highland Gatherings. The gamed Gatherings. The games, which have strange rs, which have strange rules, involve a spirit that ules, involve a spirit that has more to do with bruthas more to do with brute force than with athletice force than with athletics. s.