Search results
Scotland (Scots: Scotland; Scottish Gaelic: Alba) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjacent islands , principally in the archipelagos of the Hebrides and the Northern Isles .
- Overview
- Land
Scotland, most northerly of the four parts of the United Kingdom, occupying about one-third of the island of Great Britain. The name Scotland derives from the Latin Scotia, land of the Scots, a Celtic people from Ireland who settled on the west coast of Great Britain about the 5th century ce. The name Caledonia has often been applied to Scotland, especially in poetry. It is derived from Caledonii, the Roman name of a tribe in the northern part of what is now Scotland.
An austere land, subject to extremes of weather, Scotland has proved a difficult home for countless generations of its people, who have nonetheless prized it for its beauty and unique culture. “I am a Scotsman,” the poet and novelist Sir Walter Scott wrote in the 19th century; “therefore I had to fight my way into the world.” Historically one of Europe’s poorest countries, Scotland has contributed much to political and practical theories of progress: forged in the Scottish Enlightenment in the hands of such philosophers as Francis Hutcheson, Adam Smith, and David Hume, who viewed humankind as a product of history and the “pursuit of happiness” as an inalienable right, this progressive ideal contributed substantially to the development of modern democracy. Scots have also played a vital role in many of the world’s most important scientific and technological innovations, with inventors, engineers, and entrepreneurs such as Alexander Graham Bell, James Watt, Andrew Carnegie, and John McAdam extending Scotland’s reach far beyond the small country’s borders. Few students of English-language literature are unacquainted with historian Thomas Carlyle, poet Robert Burns, and novelist Muriel Spark.
Scotland’s relations with England, with which it was merged in 1707 to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain, have long been difficult. Although profoundly influenced by the English, Scotland has long refused to consider itself as anything other than a separate country, and it has bound itself to historical fact and legend alike in an effort to retain national identity, as well as to the distinct dialect of English called Scots; writing defiantly of his country’s status, the nationalist poet Hugh MacDiarmid proclaimed: “For we ha’e faith in Scotland’s hidden poo’ers, The present’s theirs, but a’ the past and future’s oors.” That independent spirit bore fruit in 1996, when the highly symbolic Stone of Scone was returned to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, from London, and in 1999 a new Scottish Parliament—the first since 1707—was elected and given significant powers over Scottish affairs.
Edinburgh is a handsome city of great historical significance and one of Europe’s chief cultural centres. Other significant principal cities include Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Perth, all centres for industry, transportation, and commerce.
Britannica Quiz
Know Your UK Geography Quiz
Scotland is bounded by England to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and north, and the North Sea to the east. The west coast is fringed by deep indentations (sea lochs or fjords) and by numerous islands, varying in size from mere rocks to the large landmasses of Lewis and Harris, Skye, and Mull. The island clusters of Orkney and Shetland li...
Apr 24, 2023 · Learn about the geography, history, and culture of Scotland, a country in the northern region of the United Kingdom. Explore maps of Scotland's regions, cities, islands, lochs, rivers, and more.
Apr 22, 2022 · The bad news is that, like the rest of the U.K., Scotland's weather is far from reliable, even at the height of summer. But as long as you're prepared to accept that and pack a raincoat for the ...
Explore Scotland's attractions, events, nature, culture and more with VisitScotland. Find inspiration for your next trip, whether you want to visit castles, festivals, wildlife, or UNESCO sites.
People also ask
Is Scotland part of the UK?
What is Scotland bounded by?
How big is Scotland?
How big is Scotland compared to Great Britain?
Welcome to Scotland. Scotland is a place of epic natural landscapes, engaging cities and rich cultural heritage. Start your adventure and discover our hidden gems to create memories with friends and family. But don't just take our word for it. National Geographic has just included Scotland in their Best of the World 2024 list, and Far North ...
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjacent islands, principally in the archipelagos of the Hebrides and the Northern Isles. To the south-east, Scotland has its only land border, which is 96 miles (154 km) long and shared with ...
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/glenfinnan-railway-viaduct-scotland-lead-SCOTTG0422-6956459ed7434acf9e3bc44250eb283e.jpg&q=Scotland,%20United%20Kingdom&ck=B65B9896E018B13E2E77BE542EE2D941&idpp=rc&idpview=singleimage&form=rc2idp "Scotland, United Kingdom1")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/glasglow-scotland-SCOTTG0422-53ae8c2b18f5417cafedc6793cfe27bc.jpg&q=Scotland,%20United%20Kingdom&ck=D2F22D01AD526CF3F37F86B9D754C0B5&idpp=rc&idpview=singleimage&form=rc2idp "Scotland, United Kingdom2")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gleneagles-hotel-tea-suite-scotland-06-UKIRLRESORTWB21-075c7ece874d4e81a7247c5b8c3e64a5.jpg&q=Scotland,%20United%20Kingdom&ck=866AF03DC856ECCEC7F73E0E872B12C2&idpp=rc&idpview=singleimage&form=rc2idp "Scotland, United Kingdom3")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TAL-quiraing-SCOTTGJESMACOG0422-da1613d13e544f7f8b94590ce8ef4048.jpg&q=Scotland,%20United%20Kingdom&ck=C6454A4F5CB86D1A5F84532AF6B7EF3F&idpp=rc&idpview=singleimage&form=rc2idp "Scotland, United Kingdom4")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cairngorms-national-park-scotland-SCOTTG0422-f8f8c8aee8254473a8115e96f03709a7.jpg&q=Scotland,%20United%20Kingdom&ck=AC2233281EF761D3175717D0A80F6072&idpp=rc&idpview=singleimage&form=rc2idp "Scotland, United Kingdom5")
