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Green forests, towering mountains, vast lochs and a lively culture form this spectacular country! Join us on a bonnie adventure in our facts about Scotland…<\/strong><\/p>\n Official name:<\/strong>\u00a0Scotland, Alba<\/p>\n Form of government:\u00a0<\/strong>constitutional monarchy<\/p>\n Capital city:\u00a0<\/strong>Edinburgh<\/p>\n Largest city:<\/strong>\u00a0Glasgow<\/p>\n Population:<\/strong>\u00a0around 5.2 million<\/p>\n Monetary unit:<\/strong>\u00a0Pound sterling (GBP)<\/p>\n Official languages:<\/strong>\u00a0English\/Gaelic\/Scots<\/p>\n Area:<\/strong>\u00a078,772 km\u00b2 (30,414 sq mi)<\/p>\n Major mountain ranges:<\/strong>\u00a0Southern Uplands, Central Lowlands, Grampian Mountains, North West Highlands<\/p>\n Major rivers:<\/strong> Tay, Spey, Dee, Tweed, Clyde<\/p>\n Scotland is a country in Europe and is part of the island of Great Britain (Europe\u2019s largest island) alongside England, Wales and Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n This lush beautiful country is bursting with green spaces, lush forests, towering mountains and vast\u00a0lochs\u00a0(the Scottish word for lakes!).<\/p>\n The country can be roughly divided into three areas \u2013 lowlands, Highlands and islands. The\u00a0lowlandsare known for their fertile farmland and thick woodlands, the\u00a0Highlands\u00a0for their towering mountains, sweeping moorland and deep lochs, and the\u00a0islands\u00a0for their compact wild landscapes, beautiful beaches and far-reaching sea views.<\/p>\n Did you know? With so many habitats, there\u2019s plenty of fascinating wildlife to see in Scotland. You’ll find river dwellers such as\u00a0 otters, salmon and trout and red squirrels and birds, such as capercaillies, find refuge in the thick forests.<\/p>\n Out on the mountains and in the moorland you might spot majestic red deer<\/strong> or mountain hares<\/strong> while the islands are the perfect place to spot seals<\/strong> and seabirds, such as puffins<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Many animal species are protected in Scotland and there are two National Parks \u2013 the Cairngorms National Park<\/strong> and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park<\/strong> \u2013 as well as numerous beautiful nature reserves, that have been set up to protect the land and the wildlife that lives there.<\/p>\n Psst! Read VisitScotland\u2019s Scottish Wildlife Series<\/a> to find out about six of the country’s coolest animals!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Scotland has been populated for\u00a012,000\u00a0years, and has a rich and complex history. In 43 AD the\u00a0Romans<\/a>\u00a0successfully invaded Britain and fought frequently with the native Scots, called the\u00a0Caledonians.<\/p>\n From the\u00a01200s to the 1300s\u00a0the Scottish clan system became firmly established in the Highlands. Ruled over by a clan\u00a0chief, these clans were like tribes and were made up of family members and people who had a loyalty to the chief. Each clan held a particular territory and clan members could be distinguished by the clothes they wore – the origins of what we now know as Scottish clan\u00a0tartan!<\/p>\n In\u00a01707\u00a0the\u00a0Act of Union\u00a0was signed, meaning Scotland, England and Wales were now a single state with one monarch (known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain).<\/p>\n In 1745\u00a0Charles Edward Stuart, or ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ as he is often known, travelled to Scotland to reclaim the thrones that his grandfather, once king of England, Ireland and Scotland, had lost in 1668. He had support from lots of Scottish clans but despite their early victories, they were defeated at the\u00a0Battle of Culloden\u00a0in\u00a01746.<\/p>\n Following the battle, the British government was determined to bring the Highlanders under their control and harsh laws were passed to eradicate all aspect of Highland culture, including the Gaelic language and traditional clothing. This signalled the end of the Highland clan system.<\/p>\n Despite these uncertain times, the 1700s also saw the beginning of one of the greatest periods in Scotland\u2019s history \u2013 the\u00a0Scottish Enlightenment. From the mid\u00a01700s\u00a0to the early\u00a01800s\u00a0educated Scottish people, such as professors, doctors and writers, began to question what was previously believed and instead formulate new theories and ideas. The discoveries and advances that were made during this time went on to shape the modern world as we know it.<\/p>\n The Scots are a nation of innovators. Throughout the centuries Scottish people have brought us a huge range of new concepts, architectural techniques, scientific discoveries, inventions and more. Some of these wonderful things include the telephone, the television, tarmac, the steam engine, anaesthesia, penicillin, the pedal bicycle and the decimal point!<\/p>\n Many famed athletes and Olympic medal winners come from Scotland, including tennis player Andy Murray<\/strong>, rower Katherine Grainger<\/strong> and cyclist Sir Chris Hoy<\/strong>. Scotland also has a strong history for producing influential writers, including the poet Robert Burns<\/strong> (you can find out more about him in VisitScotland\u2019s<\/em> Rabbie for Weans eBook<\/a>), JM Barrie<\/strong>, author of Peter Pan<\/em> and Sir Conan Doyle<\/strong>, author of the Sherlock Holmes<\/em> novels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Did you know?<\/p>\n In the Harry Potter<\/em> series, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry<\/em> is thought to be located in the Highlands of Scotland.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nFacts about Scotland<\/h2>\n
Scottish flag<\/h2>\n
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Map of Scotland<\/h2>\n
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Scotland’s geography and landscape<\/h2>\n
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\nHundreds of millions of years ago Scotland\u2019s landmass was once completely separate from England and Wales \u2013 it was actually joined to America and Greenland!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/h2>\n
Scottish wildlife and nature<\/h2>\n
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Scottish history<\/h2>\n
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Scottish people and culture<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Check out these 25 amazing things about Scotland!<\/h2>\n