Scots

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Scots

LOCATION: United Kingdom (Scotland)
POPULATION: Over 5 million
LANGUAGE: Scottish dialect of English (also called Scots); Gaelic
RELIGION: Church of Scotland, a Presbyterian sect; Roman Catholic; small numbers of Baptists, Anglicans, and Methodists

INTRODUCTION

Scotland is one of four nations that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the other three are England, Wales, and Northern Ireland). A small country— only 442 km (275 mi) long—it covers the northern portion of the island of Great Britain, which it shares with England and Wales. The name Scotland, first used during the 11th century, is derived from the name of a Celtic tribe from Ireland, the Scotti, who settled western Scotland during the 6th century. The Romans called the area Caledonia.

For centuries, social and political life in the northern (Highland) area of Scotland was organized around clans, communities of people with strong family ties, whose powerful chieftains commanded their loyalty in exchange for protecting them from invasion. (Today, the cultural tradition of clans such as MacGregor or MacDonald survives at ceremonial gatherings such as weddings.) The southern areas of the country were much more affected by English patterns of organization. Repeated disputes with the English sometimes led to war, and before the early 14th century, the Scottish were dominated by English monarchs. In 1603 a new era of cooperation began when James VI of Scotland became James I, King of Great Britain. In 1707 the Act of Union made Scotland, together with England and Wales, part of the United Kingdom, sharing a single parliament.

Scotland saw difficult times in the 20th century. The depression of the 1930s wrought havoc on its economy and began an era of unemployment which forced thousands to emigrate in search of a better life. However, the discovery of North Sea oil in the 1960s created as many as 100,000 new jobs, and emigration slowed. As a part of Britain, Scotland joined the European Community (now European Union—EU) in 1973. Since the late 1980s there has been a resurgence of Scottish national sentiment in favor of separation from England. In September 1997 Scotland voted in favor of establishing its own parliament. The 129-seat Scottish Parliament, which saw its first elections in 1999, has the power to increase or cut income taxes by up to 3%. The vote marked the most profound change in Scotland's relationship with the rest of Great Britain since the Act of Union in 1707. As of 2007 there were calls for television production and broadcasting to be devolved to the Scottish parliament, as some saw Scotland as being marginalized by the British broadcasting industry. For example, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) had decreased its investment in Scotland by £30 million.

LOCATION AND HOMELAND

Located in the northern part of the island of Great Britain, Scotland can be divided into three principal areas: the South-ern Uplands, a hilly region noted for its sheep-raising industry; the more densely populated Central Lowlands, consisting of flatter, more fertile land; and the Highlands, which account for the northern two-thirds of the country and include lochs (lakes), glens, mountains, and numerous small islands.

Scotland has a population of over 5 million, about three-fourths of whom live in the central Lowland area. Two hundred years ago, almost half the Scottish population lived in the Highlands. Ethnically, most Scots are descended from Celtic tribes that were the original inhabitants of their lands, as well as the Viking, Norman, and English invaders who followed each other in succession. There are fundamental population divisions between Highland and Lowland Scots, as well as between mainland dwellers and those living on the small islands off the coast, such as the Shetlanders and Hebrideans.

LANGUAGE

Scotland's official language is English, but it is spoken in distinctive dialects and with a unique Scottish accent, or "burr," that is especially prominent in words containing "r" sounds. Scottish English (also called Scots) contains words borrowed from Gaelic, French, Dutch, and Scandinavian languages, and its grammar sometimes differs from that of standard English, as in expressions like "Are you no going?" and "I'm away to bed." Some examples of Scots dialects are Doric, spoken in the northeast, and Lallans, spoken in the southwest (and the dialect of poet Robert Burns). Gaelic is spoken as a second language by less than 2% of the population, mostly in the Highlands and Hebridean islands, although all Scots recognize at least a few words of Gaelic.

dinnae, cannae, willnae	don't, can't, won't
wee	small
aye	yes
ken	know
greet	weep
kirk	church
breeks	pants
lassie	girl
bairn	child
bonny	pretty
bide	stay

Ah'm fair farfochen.	I'm exhausted.
The bairn's a wee bit wabbit.	The child's a little tired.

FOLKLORE

The oldest Gaelic songs recount legends of warrior heroes battling Norsemen, magic rowan trees, and monstrous old women living in the sea. There is also a rich folk tradition revolving around belief in fairies and other supernatural forces. The most famous character in Scottish folklore is the dinosaur-like Loch Ness monster. Although this creature has supposedly been seen swimming in the deep by hundreds of people, no scientific evidence of its existence has ever been produced.

The "border ballads" of the southern regions and a wealth of urban folk songs, especially in the Glasgow region, comprise another segment of Scottish folklore.

RELIGION

With about 587,000 members, the Church of Scotland, a Presbyterian sect founded in the 16th century by John Knox, is the country's dominant religion. Commonly known as "the Kirk," it has been Scotland's official religion since 1690. The Roman Catholic Church has about 212,500 members and other trinitarian churches have about 164,000 members. Catholics live mainly on the west coast. Scotland also has smaller populations of Baptists, Anglicans, and Methodists, as well as more modern evangelical sects. Church attendance in Scotland is very low with less than 10% of the population attending regularly.

MAJOR HOLIDAYS

Aside from the major holidays of the Christian calendar, the Scots celebrate the commemoration of Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland, on November 30.

Another unique holiday is the Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) celebration. Until the 1960s, this holiday far outpaced Christmas as the major winter celebration. It involves the ceremony of "first footing," the custom of visiting the homes of friends, neighbors, and even strangers, in the "wee sma' hours" of New Year's Day. Christmas, which was formerly frowned on by the Scottish church and only became a public holiday in 1967, resembles a modern Christmas in England or the U.S., with fir trees, carols, and gift-giving. Scots gather for dinner on Burns Night, January 25, to honor the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Traditionally, the Scottish national dish, haggis, is served as Burns's poem, "Address to a Haggis," is recited. Scottish Quar-ter Day (40 days after Christmas) was a holiday celebrated widely until the 1950s; it is rarely celebrated today.

Interestingly, one of the most important celebrations of the Scottish year is Halloween, on October 31. Like "trick-or-treat-ers" in the United States, Scottish "guisers" go from door to door in costumes asking for candy or money. However, unlike their counterparts in the United States, they must perform a song or poem before receiving their treat. Another possible feature of the Halloween celebration is a party with supernatural themes and decorations such as the Scottish version of the American "jack-o'-lantern": a scooped-out rutabaga called a "neep lantern."

RITES OF PASSAGE

The Scots live in a modern, industrialized, Christian country. Although Scots are relatively casual about the practice of religion, many of the rites of passage that young people undergo are religious rituals, such as baptism, first Communion, confirmation, and marriage. In addition, a student's progress through the education system is marked by many families with graduation parties.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS

The Scottish are known for their taciturn and reserved manner. It is unusual for Scots to be seen holding hands, kissing, or touching in public. Within the household, however, family members maintain close relationships that include many "inside jokes." The humor of the Scots tends toward the dead-pan and ironic, and they tend to minimize direct expressions of enthusiasm. However, it is also considered unacceptable to criticize others in public, or to discuss personal problems with anyone other than close associates. As a form of greeting, the handshake is less common than in other parts of Britain.

LIVING CONDITIONS

Most Scottish houses have a small garden, and many are built in rows called terraces. Homes built before World War I were generally made of stone (single-story cottages of this type can still be found in some highland areas as well as urban areas), while most newer dwellings are built of brick or concrete blocks. Slate roofs are common, and many houses are covered by a painted coating of cement. Many Scottish houses are protected from harsh winters by the traditional "double door" arrangement: a heavy outer door, a vestibule, and a lighter inner door. Over half of all Scots live in "council houses," low-cost housing built by local authorities. These generally consist of high-rise apartment complexes with small rental units. In the late 20th century, complexes of this type began to give way to terraced housing.

Scotland's National Health Service has significantly raised the country's level of medical care since it was instituted following World War II. However, as of 2007 Scotland was the worst performing small country in Western Europe in terms of health and other factors. The Federation of Small Businesses' annual Index of Wealth compared 10 countries on economic performance, employment rates, health and education. Scotland also fell by one place, to 17th, in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s table of the world's 24 most developed countries. Scotland had the lowest life expectancy in the UK for both men and women in 2007. The figures were 74.2 for men and 79.3 for women, compared to the UK average of 76.6 and 81 years. As well, the gap between rich and poor is widening. In 2007 Glasgow City was the worst performing local authority area in Scotland, with the poorest record in three of the four indicators: mortality, education, and employment. The leading causes of death in Scotland are heart disease, strokes, and cancer. The Scots smoke more and eat more sugar and fats than any other nationality in Europe.

Scotland has a modern system of highways and two-lane roads totaling some 88,500 km (55,000 mi) of paved roads altogether. In the western Highlands, however, many of the roads are single lanes with periodic passing places. Double-decker buses with an extra passenger level above the normal one are a common sight in cities and towns. The government-run railway system operates both diesel and electric trains and serves all major cities, linking Glasgow and Edinburgh to each other and to London. The mainland and the islands are linked by ferries and air service. Glasgow has a major international airport and Edinburgh and Aberdeen are served by both national and international air services.

FAMILY LI FE

The traditional role of women as laborers in the textile, jute, and fish-processing industries can be traced as early as the 19th century—and the economic independence it brought them has given them a relatively high degree of authority within the family. While traditionally male skilled trades like steelmaking and mining still do not hire female employees, increasing numbers of women are entering the professions, and there are nearly as many women as men at Scotland's colleges and universities. Scots are legally allowed to marry by the age of 16, and many do marry as teenagers, although the early 20s are still the most typical marriage age. Although the divorce rate has risen in Scotland, it is still low relative to the American rate of divorce.

CLOTHING

When people throughout the world think of the Scots, most probably picture them in their famous traditional costume, the kilt. However, this skirtlike garment is only worn on ceremonial occasions by Scottish regiments of the British army, by ordinary citizens on formal occasions such as weddings and black-tie dinners, and for traditional festive events such as the Highland Games. Otherwise, the Scots wear standard Western-style clothing. Because of the climate, Scottish clothing tends to be made of heavier fabrics such as wool, including the native tweed . Each of Scotland's clans has its own tartan (or plaid) developed over the centuries—there are at least 300 different designs in all. Women's ceremonial costumes include tartan skirts and white blouses worn under snug black button-down bodices. Between 7 and 10 m (7–10 yds) of wool tartan are required for the average kilt.

FOOD

The Scottish national dish is haggis, a sausage-like food made from chopped organ meat of a sheep or calf mixed with oatmeal and spices and traditionally boiled in the casing of a sheep's stomach (although today a plastic bag is often used). Dietary staples include oats (in porridge, oatcakes, and other forms) and potatoes, or "tatties." These are commonly eaten as french fries ("chips"), as well as boiled, baked, or mashed. A
side dish of mashed potatoes and rutabaga, called "clapshott," is sometimes served with haggis. The main meal of the day is tea, served at dinnertime, usually around 6:00 PM (the midday meal is called "dinner"). However, in rural areas, the midday meal is still the main one. Besides oatcakes, typical Scottish desserts include shortbread, a rich fruitcake called "Dundee cake," and a New Year's specialty called "black bun."

EDUCATION

Despite the information seen in "Living Conditions" above, the Scots remain a well-educated people. Universal education has been an institution in their country for centuries, and Scots read more newspapers than any other European people. About 95% of adult Scots are literate. Their educational system is operated separately from England's. After seven years of primary school, Scottish children attend secondary school for six years. The school day generally ends at 4:00 PM. Many private schools require students to wear uniforms, but they are optional at most other institutions. After secondary school, students can attend one of Scotland's 20 institutions of higher learning, including universities and vocational schools. A great value is placed on higher education, and the universities of St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Glasgow are especially prestigious.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Of all the arts, the Scots have particularly distinguished themselves in the realm of literature, especially poetry and novels. Scotland's most famous poet, Robert Burns, lived and wrote at the end of the 18th century, dying at the age of 37. Writing both poems and songs, he popularized the dialect of his homeland both at home and in England. The poet Lord Byron was born and educated in Aberdeen. Scotland produced the famous philosophers Thomas Carlyle and David Hume, as well as the renowned economist Adam Smith, who became famous for his work, The Wealth of Nations. Scotland's other important writers include two authors of adventure novels, Sir Walter Scott, whose romantic tales often dealt with Scottish history, and Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Arthur Conan Doyle, another Scot, created the famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, and his countryman J. M. Barrie authored the play Peter Pan, which has delighted generations of audiences throughout the 20th century. A contemporary Scottish author is fiction writer A.L. Kennedy (born in Dundee, 1965), who is also a stand-up comedienne and an Associate Professor with the Warwick University Creative Writing Program.

WORK

Since the 1960s there has been a marked shift in the economy from manufacturing to service industries—including tour-ism, with the service sector accounting for nearly four times the number of jobs as the manufacturing sector. Private services contribute about two-fifths of Scotland's gross domestic product (GDP), while public services account for more than one-fifth. Retail trade also creates many jobs in Scotland. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing make up a very small percentage of the economy. However, Scotland has a unique agricultural tradition, primarily in the Highlands, called crofting. Farmers living on crofts (a term that refers to both their land and to the family home) raise grains or vegetables individually on their own plots of land, and animals communally on a larger grazing area. Today, crofting rarely serves as a primary source of income or food, although some still rely on it for supplementary income. Most manufacturing is concentrated in the Central Lowlands. Important industries include textiles, chemicals, steel, electronics, whiskey, and petroleum products.

SPORTS

The Scottish national sport, soccer (called football), is associated with fierce rivalries between Catholic and Protestant teams that sometimes erupt into violence. The most famous pair of rival teams both belong to Glasgow: Celtic and Rangers, collectively referred to as the "Old Firm." Competition between the Scottish and English teams also arouses a high level of national feeling. The nation's second most popular sport (which it claims to have invented) is golf, which is on record as having been banned by the Scottish king, James II, in 1457. Present-day Scotland boasts over 400 golf courses. Scotland's third favorite sport is rugby, which is similar to American football. Tennis, lawn bowling, skiing, and curling are other popular sports.

ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION

Many Scots relax after work by watching television programs broadcast by Great Britain's government-owned broadcasting service, the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). Others visit local bars called pubs (short for public houses), where they can eat, drink, and socialize with friends. Popular outdoor recreation includes fishing, hunting, hiking, and mountain-climbing.

Scottish teenagers have many interests in common with other Western teenagers, such as popular music, clothes, and dating (according to local customs). The presence of fast food restaurants and U.S. television shows and movies are helping to narrow the gap between Scottish teens and their American peers.

FOLK ART, CRAFTS, AND HOBBIES

Crafts such as pottery (especially in the Celtic tradition), hand-knitting, jewelry-making, and weaving are widely practiced.

Scotland has two main traditions of folk song, Gaelic and Lowland Scots. Traditionally, each clan had a bard (a sort of poet/composer) to sing its praises and preserve its musical traditions. Bards commonly memorized as many as 350 different stories and poems. Many Gaelic work songs that were sung as accompaniment to such tasks as milking and harvesting have survived up to modern times. Women cloth-makers traditionally sang "waulking songs" around a narrow table, providing a steady beat for the music by thumping on the table. The most famous feature of Scotland's traditional music is its national instrument, the bagpipe, which is played at weddings and other celebrations, in military marching bands, and as a hobby.

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Scotland has a high rate of alcoholism, particularly on the islands of Lewis and Harris. Scots also have the United Kingdom's highest rate of hospitalization for depression. Another problem confronting Scotland is its dwindling population. Unemployment has traditionally been well above the British average, and thousands of people have emigrated to England and other countries in search of better job opportunities. As a result, the birthrate has fallen. In an effort to stem the tide of emigration and its attendant "brain drain" of many of the country's best and brightest, government and industry are cooperating to create new industries.

GENDER ISSUES

Women in Scotland have made great gains in equality with men since the 1960s. However, as of 2008 Scotland had one of the highest rates of unwanted pregnancies in Europe. Women made up 89% of single parent families in Scotland and 53% of single parent households are in poverty. In Scotland women in full-time employment still earn on average 75% of the average of their male counterparts.

Regarding homosexuality, the first International Gay Rights Conference was held in Edinburgh in 1974. In 1980 male homosexuality was decriminalized in Scotland (female homosexuality had not previously been criminalized in Scotland). In 2004 the UK passed the Civil Partnership Act, giving same-sex couples the same rights and responsibilities as married heterosexual couples. The first civil partnerships took place in Northern Ireland on 19 December 2005, followed by Scotland on 20 December and then England and Wales on 21 December 2005. Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh have large gay communities.