Scotland, United Kingdom

Eilean Donan Castle in Castle
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eilean_Donan.jpg
Author: Bigar


Scotland is one of the component countries of the United Kingdom. It is located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain, sharing a border with England. Scotland is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and the Irish Sea to the south west. It also includes over 790 islands including the Northern Isles and the Hebrides.

Scotland covers 78,772 sq km (30,414 sq mi). It has a population of 5.2 million people (2011 estimate). Its largest city is Glasgow while its second largest and capital is Edinburgh. Its third largest city, Aberdeen, is known as Europe's Oil Capital, as it is the main city off the Scottish waters, which has the largest oil reserves in the European Union.

Cities and Towns of Scotland

Council Areas of Scotland

Major Tourist Destinations of Scotland

World Heritage Sites in Scotland

Places of Interest in Scotland

A brief history of Scotland

Scotland has been settled for thousands of years, although evidence of human habitation has been erased by repeated glaciation. Hunter-gatherers are believed to have lived in Scotland since 12,500 years ago, with permanent houses being built as early as 9,500 years ago. Among evidences of early habitation that have been discovered include the well-preserved prehistoric village of Skara Brae, along with burial and ritual sites in the Northern Isles and Western Isles.

During Roman times, the Romans occupied the southern and central part of Great Britain, including southern Scotland. That was the earliest written protohistory of the land. Roman historian Tacitus mentioned of an ancient Scottish tribe, known as the Caledonians, who resisted Roman occupation, attacking the Roman defences and nearly overcoming an entire legion.

Blair Castle
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blair_castle_-_facade.jpg
Author: Eusebius


In the 5th century, the Gaels from Ireland established the kingdom of Dál Riata on the western coast of Scotland. However it was the Kingdom of the Picts that was the direct predescessor to the Kingdom of Alba, a Gaelic name for the Kingdom of Scotland. According to some historians, it was established in response to Roman imperialism.

The Kingdoms of Scotland and England are to share the same king since the Union of the Crowns in 1603. It began with James VI, the King of Scotland, accending to the throne of England, effectively merging England under Scottish Crown. This happened after his cousin and preceding monarch, Queen Elizabeth I of England, died unmarried and childless in 1603. Charles II was the last Scottish monarch to be crowned in Scotland, at Scone in 1651.

Smoo Cave in Durness, Scotland
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Entrance_to_Smoo_Cave.jpg
Author: Florian Fuchs


During the Industrial age, Scotland produced many scientists and engineers, among them James Watt, Robert Stevenson and John MacAdam. By 1911, it already had a population of 4.8 million people. It provided manpower, ships and machinery, among others, to assist British effort in the First World War. By the end of the Second World War, however, Scotland's economy was already in decline, faced by stiff competition from overseas and mired by industrial disputes and inefficiencies.

By the mid 20th century, many of the urban areas of Scotland were facing high unemployment and economic stagnation. The country only began to recover in the later part of the 20th century, with a resurgence in financial industry and electronics manufacturing, boosted by the gas and petroleum industries of the North Sea.

Islay, Scotland
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wfm_islay.jpg
Author: Finlay McWalter

Geography

Scotland is about the same size as the Czech Republic. It is on the whole more mountainous than England and Wales. The tallest mountain in Scotland is Ben Nevis at 1,344 m (4,409 ft). River Tay, the longest river in Scotland as well as in the whole United Kingdom, flows from western Scotland, across the Highlands, in the centre of Scotland, to its mouth south of Dundee, a distance of 190 km (118 mi).

Climate

Scotland experiences a temperate and oceanic climate. The Gulf Streams from the Atlantic moderates the climate, making winters milder but summers colder and wetter. In general, Scotland is colder than the rest of the United Kingdom.

Glenfinnan Viaduct
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glenfinnan_Viaduct.jpg
Author: Nicolas17

Going to Scotland

By Plane
There are now international airports in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness providing connection with a growing number of destinations in the United Kingdom and Europe.

By Train
There are five train operators offering services linking Scotland with England. From London, you can take a train from London Kings Cross and London Euston to all the major cities of Scotland.

By Road
The M74 is the main motorway linking Scotland with England, running from the south of Scotland to Carlisle in England.

The island of Tiree, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tiree_3.JPG
Author: Milady G

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