Discover the culture of Scotland

1. SCOTLAND
KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY
KNOW YOUR WORLD
A PROGRAM OF GLOBAL TIES
AKRON

2. Scotland
Know Your Community—Know Your World

3. If you were to go from Akron, Ohio to
Edinburgh, Scotland, your flight would
last about 13 hours and 10 minutes.

4. Scotland Facts
Full name: Part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland
Population: Around 5.47 million (2019)
Capital: Edinburgh
Most populous city: Glasgow
Major languages: English, Gaelic, Scots
Major religions: Church of Scotland and other Christian faiths
Life expectancy: Male: 77.1 years , Female: 81.1 years
Monetary unit: Pound sterling
GPD per capita: £23,300 (about $36,000)

5. Historic Events and Famous Sites
• In Prehistoric Times, the Celts began to settle in the area that would become Scotland.
• 1296: Edward I of England invades Scotland, but fails to completely defeat the Scots.
• 1603: James VI of Scotland becomes king of England after the death of Elizabeth I,
uniting the kingdoms.
• 1746: Supporters of James VI’s family claim to the throne are defeated at Culloden.
• 1838: Queen Victorian is crowned.
Edinburgh Castle Loch NessSt Andrews

6. Gaelic Language
Hello: Halò
Bye: Beannachd leat
THANK YOU: Tapadh leat
YOU’RE WELCOME: 'S e do bheatha
SORRY: Gabh mo leisgeul!
I LOVE YOU: Tha gaol agam ort
HOW ARE YOU: Ciamar a tha thu?

7. Government
Leaders: Prime Minister (of the UK)- David Cameron and
First Minister of Scotland- Nicola Sturgeon (SINCE 2014)
Government: Constitutional monarchy-
Queen Elizabeth II currently reigns, but nearly all governmental power rests in the hands of the
parliament and prime minister.
(Photo of Scottish Parliament Building)

8. Current Events and Key Issues (Summer 2015)
Scottish Independence
In the fall of 2014, the people of Scotland voted on a Referendum that would declare them
them an independent and sovereign nation separate from the United Kingdom. By a
narrow margin, they chose to remain a part of the United Kingdom, but the issue, which
which has been a central issue in Scottish politics since the formation of the UK, is far
from wholly resolved.

9. Scottish Economy
Main exports:
• Food and drink
• Oil
• Business services
• Machinery and equipment
• Electronic products

10. Everyday Life in Scotland
Daily life of student:
Daily life of adult:

11. Traditional Scottish Clothing

12. Scottish Holidays and Festivals
St. Andrews Day: On November 30 Scots celebrate the feast
day of their patron saint.
Burns Night: The birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns is
celebrated on January 25 with feasts featuring traditional
foods and readings of his poetry.
Braemar Gathering: The major festival for the Highland
Games at which ancient Scots compete in ancient
challenges like the caber toss and hammer throw or enjoy
enjoy Highland dancing and music.
Guy Fawkes Night (Bonfire Night): Across the UK on
November 5, Britons burn effigies or models of the traitor
traitor Guy Fawkes who tried to blow up the British
parliament building in 1605.

13. Sports in Scotland
Most Popular Sport:
Football (Soccer)
Traditional Sports:
Golf
Tennis
Rugby
Highland Games

14. Traditional Scottish Foods
Breakfast:
Porridge, Kippers, or a full Scottish Breakfast (sausage,
bacon, a potato scone, eggs, fried mushrooms, grilled
tomatoes, buttered toast, baked beans, and black pudding)
Meat Dishes:
Black Pudding- a sausage filled with blood and grain
Haggis- similar to black pudding but made from the internal
internal organs of sheep, pig, or cow and traditionally cooked
cooked in a sheep’s stomach
Stovies- a meat or poultry stew
Sweets and Desserts:
Shortbread- divine crumbly buttery cookies (or biscuits as
Britons call them)
Cranachan- whipped cream, raspberries, toasted oats, and
honey
Tablet- a sweet made from butter, condensed milk, and sugar
sugar similar to fudge

15. Scottish Highland Dancing

16. Resources and Links
http://www.scotland.org/us/
http://www.bbc.com/news/scotland
Scottish independence referendum