25 Curiosities of Scotland, the land of legends

Located in the north of the United Kingdom, Scotland It is a country of beautiful and surprising landscapes, old castles , islands, bagpipes, lakes, men who wear kilts and an ancient and rich history. Join us to know these 25 Curiosities of Scotland , the country of legends.

25 Curiosities of Scotland

Scotland is one of the four nations that make up the United Kingdom. It is a country with almost 5.4 million inhabitants and its capital is Edinburgh, although the most populated city is Glasgow, in whose metropolitan area almost a quarter of the Scots live. We have divided these curiosities of Scotland in sections to facilitate reading. We hope you like them!

25 Curiosities of Scotland, the land of legends

Scotland's geographical, political and human curiosities.

1. The word "Scotland" comes from the word "Scot" that already appears in Latin texts of the fourth century referring to a tribe that sailed from Ireland to attack the Romans who occupied Britain.

2. Scotland has approximately 790 islands, but of these only 130 are inhabited.

3. One of the curiosities of Scotland Most sympathetic is that his official animal is the Unicorn.

4. The symbol of Scotland is a very humble plant: the Thistle, that is, the thistle.

25 Curiosities of Scotland, the country of legends 1

5. Being red-haired is much more common in Scotland than anywhere else in the world. Between 11% and 13% of its population has red hair and 40% of Scots have that gene in their DNA. Ireland ranks second with 10% redheads.

6. Another of the curiosities of Scotland is that in your territory you can make the shortest commercial flight in the world. It lasts 47 seconds and covers 2.7 km. Join two islands of the Orkneys: Westray and Papa Westray.

7. The Scottish clans They differ by the pattern of the tartan with which they elaborate their kilts. The kilt is the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands since the sixteenth century. Although currently only used in folkloric festivals or formal occasions.

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8. In Scotland there are about 3,000 castles . This is because they were socially grouped into clans since the birth of the nation.

9. Glasgow does not claim to be one of the most romantic cities in the world, however in St. John's Church Duns Scotus of the city claim they have the authentic remains of St. Valentine.

25 Curiosities of Scotland, the country of legends 3

Rests of Valentine's Day in Glasgow

10. In Glasgow international football was born. In 1872 the first international match between Scotland and England was played. By the way, the match apparently ended 0-0.

11. In 1136 the "Aberdeen Harbor Board" was founded, which is the oldest business in Great Britain and is on the west coast of Scotland.

12. Among the curiosities of Scotland He notes that 11% of the Nobel prizes have been awarded to Scots.

Capital of Scotland

13. The capital of Scotland It's Edinburgh. It was the first modern city to have a fire brigade in the world. It was in the year 1824.

14. Curiously, that same year (1824), a mournful event occurred: "The Great Fire of Edinburgh" that left the city reduced to Ash.

15. Edinburgh is a city that is built on 7 hills and is part of a select club of cities with this same characteristic: Edinburgh, Rome, Moscow and Madrid.

Edinburgh Castle

If you are in the capital of Scotland you can not stop visiting:

16. The Edinburgh Castle, since it is the most famous and important of Scotland. It has remained dominating the skyline of the city for hundreds of years and there have been many battles and historical events that have affected the country.

25 Curiosities of Scotland, the land of legends, capital of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle in the capital of Scotland

If you want to know more about the legends and ghosts of Edinburgh Castle , You can read: Haunted Places: Edinburgh Castle.

Scotland flag

17. The flag of Scotland is called "Saltire" which means cross diagonally. It is effectively a white cross diagonally on a blue background. It represents the cross on which Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, was crucified.

25 Curiosities of Scotland, the land of legends, the flag of Scotland

Flag of Scotland with the cross of Saint Andrew

Language of Scotland

18. The language of Scotland It is triple. English, Scottish and also Scottish Gaelic is spoken, which is of Celtic origin. In this last language Scotland is called "Alba".

Scotland food

19. The Scotland food more typical can be shocking to many. It's called Haggis and it's the national dish. It is made with pieces of liver, heart and lungs of sheep that are boiled in the stomach of the animal itself.

25 Curiosities of Scotland, the land of legends

Haggis

20. Between the Scotland food his breakfasts are more popular. A Scottish breakfast consists of poached eggs, toast, black pudding, Lorne sausage, beans, buns and tea or coffee.

21. Although it can not be said that it is Scotland food , yes that is one of its most famous products: the Scotch Whiskey. Translated from Gaelic, Whiskey means "water of life".

Traveling in Scotland

Traveling in Scotland It can be an unforgettable experience, not in vain has one of the best and most beautiful tourist destinations in the world been chosen. In addition to its lakes, islands and mountains, you can see something curious:

22. The oldest tree in Europe It is in Fortingall, Scotland, and it is more than 3000 years old.

23. When traveling in Scotland you have to take into account that, as in the whole United Kingdom, you drive on the left.

Scottish Legends

24. The folklore of Scotland is intimately related to mythical creatures, fairies, ghosts, elves, beasts and also heroes like the popular William Wallace , who by the way did not have the nickname of Braveheart . Mel Gibson took it from another character that appears in the film: Robert the Bruce. After his death, the legend says that Robert's heart was taken to battle and that's where the nickname came from. The Scottish legends They are plagued with fantastic beings and heroes.

25. One of the Scottish legends most famous in the world is that of Loch Ness Monster. The nickname of the monster is Nessie and some think it is a plesiosaurus. Since 1933 the alleged child has been photographed and filmed many times and in most cases it has been shown that it was a hoax.

25 Curiosities of Scotland, the land of legends, Scottish legends

Eilean Donan Castle

If you want to know other Scottish legends we invite you to read some of those that we have echoed in Supercurioso: The legend of the Egyptian princess who founded Scotland , The Blue Men of the Minch (Scottish Legend) or The Scottish legend of "Redcap", the inhabitant of the ruins . Although my favorite is that of The Fairy Flag of the MacLeod Clan considered magical.

Did you know these curiosities of Scotland ? Do you know any more? Share it with us!

Images: fir0002 , zoonabar


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