Scottish collection.

1. Culture in a box
Scotland

2. Scotland Flag
The flag of Scotland is known as the Saltire or St Andrew’s
cross. St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and was a
fisherman whose name means “strong”. He is also the
patron saint of Greece, Russia, Romania and Barbados.
We are very proud of our flag and our school uniform has
this flag as its badge. There is a city in Scotland called St
Andrews, where Prince William and his wife met at
university.
On our school badge, we have a book for learning, a thistle,
the hand of friendship and the world.

3. Scottish music
Scottish music is famous across the world.
The CD has some famous Scottish songs,
including Flower of Scotland, our National
Anthem. Some of these songs were written
by Robert Burns, our National Bard, who died
in Dumfries near Lockerbie in 1796.
Scottish music is played at ceilidhs (traditional parties) and
people do Scottish country dancing. We learn these dances
in our PE lessons and most Scottish weddings have a piper and
traditional dancing. Men usually wear the kilt at weddings,
which is tartan. Your box is wrapped in tartan paper.

4. Bagpipes
Lots of our children in school are learning to play the Scottish
bagpipes. They learn by playing the chanter then
progressing to the full pipes. Bagpipes are constructed of four
main parts and are played by the ‘piper'. The four main parts of
the pipes are known as the blowstick, the bag, the chanter and
usually one or more drones. The piper blowing through the
blowstick into the bag and filling it provides the air supply for the
bag. The bag is first filled by the piper before playing starts and is
continuously refilled as it continues. The bag itself holds the air,
which comes out and makes the music.

5. Thistle
The thistle is the emblem of Scotland. It is a prickly purple plant
which grows wild all over Scotland. We have given you some
thistle seeds so that you might grow them at your school. If you
look carefully at our school badge again, you will see the thistle.
It is also on lots of sports strips (including the Scotland
international rugby team).

6. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is our capital city. It is about an hour on the train
from Lockerbie. The little book shows you some of Edinburgh
and your teachers have visited the city. Many people who fly to
visit Scotland come into Edinburgh airport. There is a very
important university there.
Edinburgh Castle was built in the 12th
century and sits on a dormant volcano.
It can be seen from the main shopping
area on Princes Street. The Royal Mile is
from Edinburgh Castle at the top to
Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament at the bottom.

7. Robert the Bruce
Robert the Bruce was the most famous King of Scotland and
lived over 600 years ago. During one of his missions, he met
others at Greyfriars Church in Dumfries which is near Lockerbie.
His most famous story is when he was in hiding in a cave and
was wondering whether he should give up trying to be a king
over all of Scotland. He watched a spider swinging on its thread
and trying to reach the roof of the cave. Bruce decided he
would be like the spider and never give up.
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!”

8. Highland Cattle
Highland Cattle are a breed of cow which have long horns and
long wavy coats. They are found all over Scotland and are often
symbolised by cuddly toys which we have sent you in your box.
You may see them in the fields if you
come to visit Scotland.

9. Golf
Golf was invented in Scotland in the Middle Ages. There are
many thousands of golf courses in Scotland and some of our
pupils are members of the Lockerbie Golf Club. We have sent
you a golf ball. Do you have a golf course near your school?

10. Loch Ness Monster (Nessie)
There is a famous legend that there is a monster living deep in
Loch Ness. Loch is the Scottish word for a lake and you can see
Loch Ness on the map. There is more water in Loch Ness than all
the other lakes in England, Scotland and Wales put together.
It is around twenty two and a half miles long and between one
and one and a half miles wide.
You can look on Nessie’s own website
for more information:
www.nessie.co.uk

11. Quaich
A quaich is a two handled friendship
cup. It is used to hold whisky and share
a welcome and goodbye drink with
visitors and friends.