BS: No Olympics Football

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BS: No Olympics Football

11 Aug 08 - 05:43 AM (#2410358)
Subject: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

Unlike the Brazilians, etc., our footballers are not able to participate in the Olympics due to the following farce...
"...a similar mess over nationality occurs in the sporting world where English children, for example, can hope to play (perhaps managed by a citizen of a nation they may compete against) football for England, rugby-league for England/Great Britain, rugby-union for England/British Isles, athletics for England/U.K., golf for England/Europe, cricket for a combined England and Wales, or tennis for Great Britain - but Wimbledon is still The All England Lawn Tennis Championships…Anyone for friendly-rival republics?!" (me).

11 Aug 08 - 05:48 AM (#2410362)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Joseph P

what?

11 Aug 08 - 06:18 AM (#2410377)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Raptor

They don't play football in Europe.

Go Niners!

Raptor

11 Aug 08 - 06:35 AM (#2410386)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Paul Burke

There's nothing mysterious about it. There is no British football association to enter a team, as there are separate English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish ones. I don't hear many people objecting when we get four goes at getting a team into the World Cup or the European championships.

11 Aug 08 - 08:20 AM (#2410451)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

Well, Raptor, there's not much gridiron in Europe - but there is plenty of Association Football/soccer...but not for us in China, because we still have this silly kingdom.

11 Aug 08 - 10:50 AM (#2410567)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: catspaw49

LOL.....You're completely fucked up aren't you? On the one hand you preach ad infinitum about the glory of separation for all things English and now you want a combined sports team.

LMAO

Spaw

11 Aug 08 - 12:16 PM (#2410644)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

No no, Catspaw - I want English, Scots, and Welsh to compete SEPARATELY for separate nations in all sports, rather than the present above farce: i.e., dissolution.

11 Aug 08 - 12:42 PM (#2410671)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: catspaw49

Oh well then I can see that......or at least I can see how it fits with your bizarro version of the world as you'd prefer it.

Spaw

11 Aug 08 - 12:47 PM (#2410683)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: PoppaGator

I don't know exectly what's going on in Olympic football/soccer, but I do know that in virtually every team sport, there are pre-Olympic tournaments to narrow the field of contending teams to a managemable number. There can only be so many teams at the Olympics, because there are only so many days (18 or 19?) during which a tournament or round-robin competition must be completed.

Futbol/soccer/association-football is already at the max ~ their Olympic tournament actually began a day or two before the opening ceremonies. There's no way a greater number of teams could be accommodated than those curretnly selected.

WV may have a point: whereas the separate English, Scots, Welch, and Ulster teams apparently all fell short of qualifying for the Olympic competition, a combined UK team might very well have made the cut.

11 Aug 08 - 01:02 PM (#2410703)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: catspaw49

Well Poppa, let's remember the rules which now preclude participation by those not playing and succeeding in international competition. And let's remember that fine ENGLISH olympian which prompted the rule. Let's here it for the all English born and bred ski jumper, Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards.

My God what a sight he was.......the Pillsbury Doughboy with Coke bottle glasses dressed all in spandex as he soared like a brick.................wow............That's the kind of thing WAV wants I believe.......Makes one proud to be English I guess................

Spaw

11 Aug 08 - 01:08 PM (#2410717)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

Poppagator - the British teams didn't 'fall short in qualifying', we simply didn't enter (as usual) because the four national associations are frightened of it setting a precedent which would lead to the end of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as discrete entities in the world of football.

11 Aug 08 - 01:12 PM (#2410722)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: catspaw49

And before it comes up.....Yeah, I know that ain't the rule problem in Soccer but I just had to get in something about that fine example of England at its best for WavyGravy........

Spaw

11 Aug 08 - 01:30 PM (#2410747)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

I remember viewing the hawk-eye shots of Eddie "The Eagle" on Australian TV, before I repatriated, Spaw.
And Terry is correct: but the simple solution is, as I say, dissolution, such that English only compete for an English nation, Scots for a Scottish nation, etc. - so God's speed to the SNP, etc.

11 Aug 08 - 01:33 PM (#2410755)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: PoppaGator

Come to think of it, as far as the Olympic movement is concerned, "Great Britain" (i.e., the UK) if a participating nation. They were in the Opening Ceremony parade. England, Sctoland, Wales and N.I. don't exist among Olympics-eligible nations any more than do New York, California, or Louisiana.

So, yeah, it was apparently the decision of the four separate national associations within the UK NOT to unite for Olympics purposes that kept them out.

11 Aug 08 - 02:31 PM (#2410811)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

In 2012 it looks that there will be a 'Great Britain' team simply because the games are on home territory and apparently it's 'inthinkable' that there shouldn't be a British team. However, it will consist solely of English players. Nothing new in that, though, the Women's team curling gold medal a few years ago was won by Britain, but all the players were Scottish.

11 Aug 08 - 02:38 PM (#2410817)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

...the Scots may have a referendum on independence before 2012..?

11 Aug 08 - 03:24 PM (#2410857)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

And while I'm at it.....the term 'soccer' as used by Americans and Canadians when they really mean 'football' is simply a corruption of Association Football. British Sunday newspapers would publish Saturday's sports results under headings such as 'Assoc. Football' and 'Rugby Football' and Public schoolboys (i.e. those in fee paying schools)started calling the 'working class' game 'soccer' to differentiate it from 'rugger.' The word 'soccer' eventually became an affectionate (?) term for the game of football. (Note to Americans, the clue's in the name - it's a game played with a ball which is overwhelmingly touched by feet, unlike 'Anerican Football'where (it seems to me....) feet are rarely in contact with the ball.

Important though the Olympics may be, the world's biggest sporting tournament is probably the (Football) World Cup. I'll stop now....

11 Aug 08 - 03:42 PM (#2410870)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Bill D

"....Anerican Football'where (it seems to me....) feet are rarely in contact with the ball. "

In the old days. they kicked the ball a lot more...once the forward pass was 'invented' and the excitement of that admired, a LOT less kicking occurred. They just didn't change the name. (a drop-kick is still legal, I suppose, but rare.)

11 Aug 08 - 09:36 PM (#2411137)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Bee-dubya-ell

The "Foot" in "American Football" actually has nothing to do with the human lower extremity.

It's an onomatopoeiaic approximation of the sound of a can of beer being opened.

12 Aug 08 - 05:19 AM (#2411304)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

No Welsh Football Association? of course there is - go to www.faw.org.uk to find out more! There's a Welsh national team, a Welsh league etc etc.

12 Aug 08 - 05:41 AM (#2411314)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: ard mhacha

Britain competed in the 1964 Association football tournament, I seen them play Greece, [from memory] at Stamford Bridge in a qualifying round, they were eliminated in the qualifiers.

12 Aug 08 - 05:45 AM (#2411315)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

Yes, we used to enter but that was in the days when the Olympics were resolutely amateur (remember Avery Brundage?) and the British team was drawn from (mainly English)amateur clubs.

12 Aug 08 - 05:57 AM (#2411318)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Backwoodsman

Bee-Dubya-Ell, that's a great one - ROFLMAO!! :-) :-)
Hail, Master! :-)

12 Aug 08 - 06:11 AM (#2411323)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Stu

Seeing as non of England's neighbours want to be associated with anything to do with it the idea's a complete non-starter.

Who gives a shit anyway?

12 Aug 08 - 06:22 AM (#2411327)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

It seems to me, Guest, the Welsh could field a pretty handy cricket team, to compete against the likes of England. Again, DISSOULTION is the solution.

12 Aug 08 - 06:43 AM (#2411333)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Stu

Yeah!

Close the borders and keep the buggers out! Rebuild Offa's Dyke and Hadrian's Wall!

Hey WAV - my Mum's Welsh and My Dad's English - what does that make me, English or Welsh? Perhaps we ought to choose by country of birth. Er, but that makes Sir Cliff Richard Indian, so WAV won't be too keen on him coming here. It also makes Andy Irvine, Kevin Burke and Shane McGowan English - they might have something to say about that.

Okay, other criteria. Any suggestions?

Or could it be a good idea for the home nations it unite under sport as tit brings us all closer together and like it or not, we're all a lot closer related than the some poor deluded souls seem to think we are.

Pah.

13 Aug 08 - 03:10 AM (#2412272)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: GUEST,MarkieB

According to the olympics website http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/BIO/NOC/GBR.shtml Britain has won 2 football gold medals in the history of the olympics; it should be worthwhile at least trying to compete, surely?

13 Aug 08 - 03:17 AM (#2412276)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Paul Burke

Look at the dates- 1908 and 1912. Strictly amateur back then.

But as for rebuilding Offa's Dyke, perhap's we could get the supermarkets to finance this- Special Offa's Dyke...

13 Aug 08 - 03:25 AM (#2412280)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: GUEST,MarkieB

Daily Mail says 3 golds: 1900, 1908, 1912
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1038129/Its-GB-United-We-WILL-football-team-2012-Olympics--Fergies-lined-boss.html

sounds as though it's a done deed already; as for repercussions with FIFA, a United Kingdom team in the World Cup / Euros would at least stand a chance..

13 Aug 08 - 03:26 AM (#2412281)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Doug Chadwick

but that makes Sir Cliff Richard Indian, so WAV won't be too keen on him coming here

Every cloud has a silver lining.

DC

13 Aug 08 - 03:57 AM (#2412293)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

Frankly Doug, I much prefer Gandhi as a person.
During discussions over the 2012 Olympics, I'm sure I heard it said that top Scottish footballers were unwilling to play for a GB team - and God's speed to them, and Scottish independence in general.

13 Aug 08 - 03:58 AM (#2412294)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

It does look like there will be a UK team in the 2012 Olympics but it will almost certainly be an all-English one. The Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish will then be able to plead that it's nothing to do with them and keep their own national teams for the European and World cups.

13 Aug 08 - 04:06 AM (#2412298)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

the reason why there will not be a British Football/soccer side is because that the ENGLISH will take over. that is why the Scots and the Welsh would just the football/soccer the way it is.

remember the 'British lions tour under the English manger where all he picked was the English,welsh and the Irish and not the Scots until the last game, and would so would the Manger of the British football team.

equality that is what we want for all in British sport

13 Aug 08 - 04:31 AM (#2412312)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

Equality is difficult in a country where 50m of its 60m people are English. And, Goatfell, the reason that the Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish won't take part is because they've said they won't take part. This is in case it jeopardises their unique status (if three teams can be unique!) as 'national' teams from countries that aren't nation states (yet.....)There are no other examples of 'regions' (which includes England)playing international football.

13 Aug 08 - 01:44 PM (#2412660)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

The UK should dissolve, an English football team should compete in the Olympics, and the manager should be English - Italians and Swedes should compete for Italy and Sweden, respectively.

21 Aug 08 - 07:48 AM (#2419307)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

I've heard our Olympics football commentators discussing this issue, and questioning whether it will be, in 2012, four home-nation teams, or a GB team, or, as with these Olympics, nought. I hope this, and other problems over monarchism, sees us follow the Nepalese and dissolve the monarchy once and for all.

21 Aug 08 - 08:21 AM (#2419322)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

There is no way that the four home countries will take part in the 2012 football. Only recognised nation states can take part in the Olympics (plus certain 'possessions' of other countries such as the Cayman Islands or Puerto Rico. For us it will either be a UK team (albeit an all-English one) or nothing. Unless, of course, the Scots vote for independence............

21 Aug 08 - 09:15 AM (#2419353)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

well if it is an all English team then it can't a all BRITISH team, because then it will have to include Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish as well won't it.

I vote for home rule for England, oh and by the way I'm Scottish

21 Aug 08 - 10:16 AM (#2419390)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Stu

"well if it is an all English team then it can't a all BRITISH team, because then it will have to include Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish as well won't it"

Jesus, what a bunch of fuck-ups we are on these Islands.

In the 21st Century we are still all in thrall to the failings and deceits of our forefathers, unable even to cobble together a football team for a kick-about sporting competition due to petty racism and the backward thinking of the majority.

If everyone is so scared their culture is going to threatened by some people with a common heritage having a game of football I would suggest you get a new culture. If it's that fragile then a gmae of football isn't going to make a difference.

It's a good thing some people have the foresight and wit to see beyond this sort of parochial crap and try to build bridges, or we'd all still be sticking car-bombs under each others cars and running away and rueing the day The Windrush docked.

But then some might like it that way.

21 Aug 08 - 10:40 AM (#2419404)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

Goatfell - so what happened in the Curling at the winter Olympics when the UK won gold with an all Scottish team? You might well regard that as a Scottish gold medal but the IOC and the rest of the world know it to be a British win. I suspect the the 2004 4 x 100m men's relay team was all English but it was, of course, a UK victory. In international law England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are simply regions of a state called the United Kingdom of Great britain and Northern Ireland. This could change, of course, but until it does that's the situation.

21 Aug 08 - 11:17 AM (#2419443)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

Sudden thought - if anybody's wondered why UK medal winners such as the brilliant Chris Hoy only wrap Union flags around them rather than (in his case) the Scottish saltire, it's because the IOC have banned the display of flags from places that are not IOC members.

21 Aug 08 - 11:21 AM (#2419449)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

I got this off the internet telling you all about Scotland.

Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article is about the country. For other uses, see Scotland (disambiguation).
Scotland (English / Scots)
Alba (Gaelic)
Flag of Scotland         Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland
Flag         Royal Coat of Arms
Motto: In My Defens God Me Defend (Scots) (Often shown abbreviated as IN DEFENS)
Anthem: Flower Of Scotland (de facto)
Location of Scotland
Location of Scotland (orange)

in the United Kingdom (camel)
Capital         Edinburgh
[show location on an interactive map] 55°57′N 3°12′W / 55.95, -3.2
Largest city         Glasgow
Official languages         English (de facto)
Recognised regional languages         Gaelic, Scots
Demonym         Scottish
Government         Constitutional monarchy
-         Monarch         Elizabeth II
-         First Minister         Alex Salmond MP MSP
-         Prime Minister         Gordon Brown MP
Legislature         Scottish Parliament
Establishment         Early Middle Ages; exact date of establishment unclear or disputed; traditional 843, by King Kenneth MacAlpin[1]
Area
-         Total         78,772 km²
30,414 sq mi
-         Water (%)         1.9
Population
-         2007 estimate         5,144,200
-         2001 census         5,062,011
-         Density         65/km²
168.2/sq mi
GDP (PPP)         2006 estimate
-         Total         US$194 billion[citation needed]
-         Per capita         US$39,680[citation needed]
HDI (2003)         0.939 (high)
Currency         Pound sterling (GBP)
Time zone         GMT (UTC0)
-         Summer (DST)         BST (UTC+1)
Internet TLD         .uk³
Calling code         +44
Patron saint         St. Andrew[2]
1         Both Scots and Scottish Gaelic are officially recognised as autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages;[3] the Bòrd na Gàidhlig is tasked, under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, with securing Gaelic as an official language of Scotland, commanding "equal respect" with English.[4]
2         Historically, the use of "Scotch" as an adjective comparable to "Scottish" was commonplace, particularly outwith Scotland. However, the modern use of the term describes only products of Scotland, usually food or drink related.
3         Also .eu, as part of the European Union. ISO 3166-1 is GB, but .gb is unused.

Scotland [ˈskɑtlənd] (help·info) (Gaelic: Alba) is a country[5][6] that occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It is part of the United Kingdom,[5] and shares a land border to the south with England. It is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the southwest. In addition to the mainland, Scotland consists of over 790 islands[7] including the Northern Isles and the Hebrides.

Edinburgh, the country's capital and second largest city, is one of Europe's largest financial centres.[8] It was the hub of the Scottish Enlightenment of the 18th century, which saw Scotland become one of the commercial, intellectual and industrial powerhouses of Europe. Scotland's largest city is Glasgow, which was once one of the world's leading industrial metropolises, and now lies at the centre of the Greater Glasgow conurbation which dominates the Scottish Lowlands. Scottish waters consist of a large sector[9] of the North Atlantic and the North Sea, containing the largest oil reserves in the European Union.

The Kingdom of Scotland was an independent state until 1 May 1707 when it joined in a political union with the Kingdom of England to create a united Kingdom of Great Britain.[10][11] This union was the result of the Treaty of Union agreed earlier and put into effect by the Acts of Union that were passed by the Parliaments of both countries despite widespread protest across Scotland.[12][13] Scotland's legal system continues to be separate from those of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; Scotland still constitutes a distinct jurisdiction in public and in private law.[14] The continued independence of Scots law, the Scottish education system, and the Church of Scotland have all contributed to the continuation of Scottish culture and Scottish national identity since the Union.[15] Although Scotland is no longer a separate sovereign state, the constitutional future of Scotland continues to give rise to debate.
Contents
[hide]

    * 1 Etymology
    * 2 History
          o 2.1 Early history
          o 2.2 Roman influence
          o 2.3 Medieval period
          o 2.4 Modern history
    * 3 Government and politics
          o 3.1 Administrative subdivisions
          o 3.2 Scotland within the UK
    * 4 Law and criminal justice
    * 5 Geography and natural history
          o 5.1 Geology and geomorphology
          o 5.2 Central Lowlands
          o 5.3 Southern Uplands
          o 5.4 Climate
          o 5.5 Flora and fauna
    * 6 Economy and infrastructure
          o 6.1 Currency
          o 6.2 Transport
    * 7 Demography
          o 7.1 Education
          o 7.2 Religion
    * 8 Military
    * 9 Culture
          o 9.1 Sport
          o 9.2 National symbols
    * 10 See also
    * 11 References
    * 12 Further reading
    * 13 External links

[edit] Etymology

    Main article: Etymology of Scotland

Scotland is from the Latin Scoti, the term applied to Gaels. The Late Latin word Scotia (land of the Gaels) was initially used to refer to Ireland. By the 11th century at the latest, Scotia was being used to refer to (Gaelic-speaking) Scotland north of the river Forth, alongside Albania or Albany, both derived from the Gaelic Alba.[16] The use of the words Scots and Scotland to encompass all of what is now Scotland became common in the Late Middle Ages.[10]

[edit] History
The founders of Scotland of late medieval legend, Scota with Goídel Glas, voyaging from Egypt, as depicted in a 15th century manuscript of the Scotichronicon of Walter Bower.
The founders of Scotland of late medieval legend, Scota with Goídel Glas, voyaging from Egypt, as depicted in a 15th century manuscript of the Scotichronicon of Walter Bower.

    Main article: History of Scotland

[edit] Early history

    Main article: Prehistoric Scotland

Repeated glaciations, which covered the entire land-mass of modern Scotland, have destroyed any traces of human habitation that may have existed before the Mesolithic period. It is believed that the first post-glacial groups of hunter-gatherers arrived in Scotland around 12,800 years ago, as the ice sheet retreated after the last glaciation.[17][18] Groups of settlers began building the first known permanent houses on Scottish soil around 9,500 years ago, and the first villages around 6,000 years ago. The well-preserved village of Skara Brae on the Mainland of Orkney dates from this period. Neolithic habitation, burial and ritual sites are particularly common and well-preserved in the Northern Isles and Western Isles, where lack of trees led to most structures being built of local stone. [19]

[edit] Roman influence

    Main article: Scotland during the Roman Empire

Skara Brae, a neolithic settlement, located in the Bay of Skaill, Orkney.
Skara Brae, a neolithic settlement, located in the Bay of Skaill, Orkney.

The written protohistory of Scotland began with the arrival of the Roman Empire in southern and central Great Britain, when the Romans occupied what is now England and Wales, administering it as a province called Britannia. Roman invasions and occupations of southern Scotland were a series of brief interludes. In 83–4 AD the general Gnaeus Julius Agricola defeated the Caledonians at the battle of Mons Graupius, and Roman forts were briefly set along the Gask Ridge close to the Highland line (none are known to have been constructed beyond that line). Three years after the battle the Roman armies had withdrawn to the Southern Uplands.[20] They erected Hadrian's Wall to control tribes on both sides of the wall,[21] and the Limes Britannicus became the northern border of the empire, although the army held the Antonine Wall in the Central Lowlands for two short periods—the last of these during the time of Emperor Septimius Severus from 208 until 210.[22] The extent of Roman military occupation of any significant part of Scotland was limited to a total of about 40 years, although their influence on the southern section of the country occupied by Brythonic tribes such as the Votadini and Damnonii would still have been considerable.[21]
A replica of the Pictish Hilton of Cadboll Stone.
A replica of the Pictish Hilton of Cadboll Stone.

[edit] Medieval period

    Main articles: Picts, Scotland in the High Middle Ages, and Scotland in the Late Middle Ages

The Kingdom of the Picts (based in Fortriu by the 6th century) was the state which eventually became known as "Alba" or "Scotland". The development of "Pictland", according to the historical model developed by Peter Heather, was a natural response to Roman imperialism.[23] Another view places emphasis on the Battle of Dunnichen, and the reign of Bridei m. Beli (671–693), with another period of consolidation in the reign of Óengus mac Fergusa (732–761).[24] The Kingdom of the Picts as it was in the early 8th century, when Bede was writing, was largely the same as the kingdom of the Scots in the reign of Alexander (1107–1124). However, by the tenth century, the Pictish kingdom was dominated by what we can recognise as Gaelic culture, and had developed an Irish conquest myth around the ancestor of the contemporary royal dynasty, Cináed mac Ailpín (Kenneth MacAlpin).[25][1][26]

From a base of territory in eastern Scotland north of the River Forth and south of the River Oykel, the kingdom acquired control of the lands lying to the north and south. By the 12th century, the kings of Alba had added to their territories the Anglic-speaking land in the south-east and attained overlordship of Gaelic-speaking Galloway and Norse-speaking Caithness; by the end of the 13th century, the kingdom had assumed approximately its modern borders. However, processes of cultural and economic change beginning in the 12th century ensured Scotland looked very different in the later Middle Ages. The stimulus for this was the reign of King David I and the Davidian Revolution. Feudalism, government reorganisation and the first legally defined towns (called burghs) began in this period. These institutions and the immigration of French and Anglo-French knights and churchmen facilitated a process of cultural osmosis, whereby the culture and language of the low-lying and coastal parts of the kingdom's original territory in the east became, like the newly-acquired south-east, English-speaking, while the rest of the country retained the Gaelic language, apart from the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland, which remained under Norse rule until 1468.[27][28][29]
The Wallace Monument commemorates William Wallace, the 13th century Scottish hero.
The Wallace Monument commemorates William Wallace, the 13th century Scottish hero.

The death of Alexander III in March 1286, followed by the death of his granddaughter Margaret, Maid of Norway, broke the succession line of Scotland's kings. This led to the intervention of Edward I of England, who manipulated this period of confusion to have himself recognised as feudal overlord of Scotland. Edward organised a process to identify the person with the best claim to the vacant crown, which became known as the Great Cause, and this resulted in the enthronement of John Balliol as king. The Scots were resentful of Edward's meddling in their affairs and this relationship quickly broke down. War ensued and King John was deposed by his overlord, who took personal control of Scotland. Andrew Moray and William Wallace initially emerged as the principal leaders of the resistance to English rule in what became known as the Wars of Scottish Independence. The nature of the struggle changed dramatically when Robert de Brus, Earl of Carrick, became king (as Robert I). War with England continued for several decades, and a civil war between the Bruce dynasty and their long-term Comyn-Balliol rivals, the flashpoint of which could be traced to the slaying in a Dumfries church of John 'the Red' Comyn of Badenoch by Bruce and his supporters, lasted until the middle of the 14th century. Although the Bruce dynasty was successful, David II's lack of an heir allowed his nephew Robert II to come to the throne and establish the Stewart Dynasty.[30][28] The Stewarts ruled Scotland for the remainder of the Middle Ages. The country they ruled experienced greater prosperity from the end of the 14th century through the Scottish Renaissance to the Reformation. This was despite continual warfare with England, the increasing division between Highlands and Lowlands, and a large number of royal minorities.[30][31]

[edit] Modern history
David Morier's painting on the "Battle of Culloden".
David Morier's painting on the "Battle of Culloden".

In 1603, James VI King of Scots inherited the throne of the Kingdom of England, and became King James I of England, and left Edinburgh for London.[32] With the exception of a short period under the Protectorate, Scotland remained a separate state, but there was considerable conflict between the crown and the Covenanters over the form of church government. After the Glorious Revolution, the abolition of episcopacy and the overthrow of the Roman Catholic James VII by William and Mary, Scotland briefly threatened to select a different Protestant monarch from England.[33] On 22 July 1706 the Treaty of Union was agreed between representatives of the Scots Parliament and the Parliament of England and the following year twin Acts of Union were passed by both parliaments to create the united Kingdom of Great Britain with effect from 1 May 1707.[11]

The deposed Jacobite Stuart claimants had remained popular in the Highlands and north-east, particularly amongst non-Presbyterians. However, two major Jacobite risings launched in 1715 and 1745 failed to remove the House of Hanover from the British throne. The threat of the Jacobite movement to the United Kingdom and its monarchs effectively ended at the Battle of Culloden, Great Britain's last pitched battle. This defeat paved the way for large-scale removals of the indigenous populations of the Highlands and Islands, known as the Highland Clearances.[11]

The Scottish Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution made Scotland into an intellectual, commercial and industrial powerhouse.[citation needed] After World War II, Scotland experienced an industrial decline which was particularly severe.[34] Only in recent decades has the country enjoyed something of a cultural and economic renaissance. Economic factors which have contributed to this recovery include a resurgent financial services industry, electronics manufacturing, (see Silicon Glen),[35] and the North Sea oil and gas industry.[36]

Following a referendum on devolution proposals in 1997, the Scotland Act 1998 [37] was passed by the United Kingdom Parliament to establish a devolved Scottish Parliament.

[edit] Government and politics

    Main articles: Politics of Scotland, Scottish Parliament, and Scottish Government
    Further information: Scottish Parliament general election, 2007

The cabinet of the Scottish Government
The cabinet of the Scottish Government

As part of the United Kingdom, Scotland's head of state is the monarch of the United Kingdom, currently Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952).

Scotland has limited self-government within the United Kingdom as well as representation in the UK Parliament. Executive and legislative powers have been devolved to, respectively, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh. The United Kingdom Parliament retains power over a set list of areas explicitly specified in the Scotland Act 1998 as reserved matters, including, for example, levels of UK taxes, social security, defence, international relations and broadcasting.[38]

The Scottish Parliament has legislative authority for all other areas relating to Scotland, as well as limited power to vary income tax, a power it has yet to exercise. The Scottish Parliament can refer devolved matters back to Westminster by passing a Legislative Consent Motion if United Kingdom-wide legislation is considered to be more appropriate for a certain issue. The programmes of legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament have seen a divergence in the provision of public services compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. For instance, the costs of a university education, and care services for the elderly are free at point of use in Scotland, while fees are paid in the rest of the UK. Scotland was the first country in the UK to ban smoking in enclosed public places.[39]
The debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament Building
The debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament Building

The Scottish Parliament is a unicameral legislature comprising 129 Members, 73 of whom represent individual constituencies and are elected on a first past the post system; 56 are elected in eight different electoral regions by the additional member system, serving for a four year period. The Queen appoints one Member of the Scottish Parliament, (MSP), on the nomination of the Parliament, to be First Minister. Other Ministers are also appointed by the Queen on the nomination of the Parliament and together with the First Minister they make up the Scottish Government, the executive arm of government.[40]
The Royal Coat of Arms of Queen Elizabeth II as used in Scotland.
The Royal Coat of Arms of Queen Elizabeth II as used in Scotland.

In the 2007 election, the Scottish National Party (SNP), which campaigns for Scottish independence, won the largest number of seats of any single party and the leader of the SNP, Alex Salmond, was elected First Minister on 16 May 2007 as head of a minority government. The Labour Party became the largest opposition party, with the Conservative Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party are also represented in the Parliament. Margo MacDonald is the only independent MSP sitting in Parliament.[41]

Scotland is represented in the British House of Commons by 59 MPs elected from territory-based Scottish constituencies. The Scotland Office represents the UK government in Scotland on reserved matters and represents Scottish interests within the UK government.[42] The Scotland office is led by the Secretary of State for Scotland, who sits in the Cabinet of the United Kingdom, the current incumbent being Des Browne.[38]

[edit] Administrative subdivisions

    Main article: Subdivisions of Scotland

Glasgow City Chambers viewed from George Square
Glasgow City Chambers viewed from George Square

Historical types subdivisions of Scotland include the mormaerdom, stewartry, earldom, burgh, parish, county and regions and districts. The names of these areas are still sometimes used as geographical descriptors.

Modern Scotland is subdivided in various ways depending on the purpose. For local government, there have been 32 council areas since 1996,[43] whose councils are unitary authorities responsible for the provision of all local government services. Community councils are informal organisations that represent specific sub-divisions of a council area.

For the Scottish Parliament, there are 73 constituencies and eight regions. For the Parliament of the United Kingdom, there are 59 constituencies. The Scottish fire brigades and police forces are still based on the system of regions introduced in 1975. For healthcare and postal districts, and a number of other governmental and non-governmental organisations such as the churches, there are other long-standing methods of subdividing Scotland for the purposes of administration.

City status in the United Kingdom is determined by letters patent.[44] There are six cities in Scotland: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, most recently Inverness, and Stirling.[45]

[edit] Scotland within the UK

A policy of devolution had been advocated by all three Great Britain-wide parties with varying enthusiasm during recent history. ex-Labour-leader John Smith described the revival of a Scottish parliament as the "settled will of the Scottish people".[46] The constitutional status of Scotland is nonetheless subject to ongoing debate. In 2007, the Scottish Government established a "National Conversation" on constitutional issues, proposing a number of options such as increasing the powers of the Scottish Parliament, federalism, or a referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. In rejecting the latter option, the three main opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament have proposed a separate Scottish Constitutional Commission to investigate the distribution of powers between devolved Scottish and UK-wide bodies.[47]

[edit] Law and criminal justice

    Main article: Scots law

Parliament House, in Edinburgh, is the home of the Supreme Courts of Scotland.
Parliament House, in Edinburgh, is the home of the Supreme Courts of Scotland.

Scots law has a basis derived from Roman law,[48] combining features of both uncodified civil law, dating back to the Corpus Juris Civilis, and common law with medieval sources. The terms of the Treaty of Union with England in 1707 guaranteed the continued existence of a separate legal system in Scotland from that of England and Wales.[49] Prior to 1611, there were several regional law systems in Scotland, most notably Udal law in Orkney and Shetland, based on old Norse law. Various other systems derived from common Celtic or Brehon laws survived in the Highlands until the 1800s.[50]

Scots law provides for three types of courts responsible for the administration of justice: civil, criminal and heraldic. The supreme civil court is the Court of Session, although civil appeals can be taken to the House of Lords. The High Court of Justiciary is the supreme criminal court. Both courts are housed at Parliament House, in Edinburgh, which was the home of the pre-Union Parliament of Scotland. The sheriff court is the main criminal and civil court. There are 49 sheriff courts throughout the country.[51] District courts were introduced in 1975 for minor offences. The Court of the Lord Lyon regulates heraldry.

The Scots legal system is unique in having three possible verdicts for a criminal trial: "guilty", "not guilty" and "not proven". Both "not guilty" and "not proven" result in an acquittal with no possibility of retrial.[52]

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) manages the prisons in Scotland which contain between them over 7,500 prisoners.[53] The Cabinet Secretary for Justice is responsible for the Scottish Prison Service within the Scottish Government.

[edit] Geography and natural history
Map of Scotland
Map of Scotland

    Main article: Geography of Scotland

The main land of Scotland comprises the northern third of the land mass of the island of Great Britain, which lies off the northwest coast of Continental Europe. The total area is 78,772 km² (30,414 sq mi),[54] comparable to the size of the Czech Republic, making Scotland the 117th largest country in the world.[citation needed] Scotland's only land border is with England, and runs for 96 kilometres (60 mi) between the basin of the River Tweed on the east coast and the Solway Firth in the west. The Atlantic Ocean borders the west coast and the North Sea is to the east. The island of Ireland lies only 30 kilometres (20 mi) from the southwestern peninsula of Kintyre;[55] Norway is 305 kilometres (190 mi) to the east and the Faroes, 270 kilometres (168 mi) to the north.
The River Tay, Scotland's longest river.
The River Tay, Scotland's longest river.

The territorial extent of Scotland is generally that established by the 1237 Treaty of York between Scotland and England[56] and the 1266 Treaty of Perth between Scotland and Norway.[11] Important exceptions include the Isle of Man, which having been lost to England in the 14th century is now a crown dependency outside of the United Kingdom; the island groups Orkney and Shetland, which were acquired from Norway in 1472;[54] and Berwick-upon-Tweed, lost to England in 1482.

The geographical centre of Scotland lies a few miles from the village of Newtonmore in Badenoch.[57] Rising to 1,344 metres (4,406 ft) above sea level, Scotland's highest point is the summit of Ben Nevis, in Lochaber, while Scotland's longest river, the River Tay, flows for a distance of 190 km (120 miles).[58][59]

[edit] Geology and geomorphology

    Main article: Geology of Scotland

Relief map of Scotland
Relief map of Scotland
The Quirang on the Island of Skye, part of the Scottish Highlands.
The Quirang on the Island of Skye, part of the Scottish Highlands.

The whole of Scotland was covered by ice sheets during the Pleistocene ice ages and the landscape is much affected by glaciation. From a geological perspective the country has three main sub-divisions. The Highlands and Islands lie to the north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault, which runs from Arran to Stonehaven. This part of Scotland largely comprises ancient rocks from the Cambrian and Precambrian which were uplifted during the later Caledonian Orogeny. It is interspersed with igneous intrusions of a more recent age, the remnants of which have formed mountain massifs such as the Cairngorms and Skye Cuillins. A significant exception to the above are the fossil-bearing beds of Old Red Sandstones found principally along the Moray Firth coast. The Highlands are generally mountainous and the highest elevations in the British Isles are found here. Scotland has over 790 islands, divided into four main groups: Shetland, Orkney, and the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides. There are numerous bodies of freshwater including Loch Lomond and Loch Ness. Some parts of the coastline consist of machair, a low lying dune pasture land.

[edit] Central Lowlands

The Central Lowlands is a rift valley mainly comprising Paleozoic formations. Many of these sediments have economic significance for it is here that the coal and iron bearing rocks that fuelled Scotland's industrial revolution are to be found. This area has also experienced intense volcanism, Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh being the remnant of a once much larger volcano. This area is relatively low-lying, although even here hills such as the Ochils and Campsie Fells are rarely far from view.

[edit] Southern Uplands

The Southern Uplands are a range of hills almost 200 kilometres (125 mi) long, interspersed with broad valleys. They lie south of a second fault line (the Southern Uplands fault) that runs from the Rhinns of Galloway to Dunbar.[60] The geological foundations largely comprise Silurian deposits laid down some 4–500 million years ago. The high point of the Southern Uplands is Merrick with an elevation of 843 m (2,766 ft).[10][61][62][63]

[edit] Climate

    Main article: Climate of Scotland

Tiree, one of the sunniest locations in Scotland.
Tiree, one of the sunniest locations in Scotland.

The climate of Scotland is temperate and oceanic, and tends to be very changeable. It is warmed by the Gulf Stream from the Atlantic, and as such has much milder winters (but cooler, wetter summers) than areas on similar latitudes, for example Copenhagen, Moscow, or the Kamchatka Peninsula on the opposite side of Eurasia. However, temperatures are generally lower than in the rest of the UK, with the coldest ever UK temperature of -27.2 °C (-16.96 °F) recorded at Braemar in the Grampian Mountains, on 11 February 1895.[64] Winter maximums average 6 °C (42.8 °F) in the lowlands, with summer maximums averaging 18 °C (64.4 °F). The highest temperature recorded was 32.9 °C (91.22 °F) at Greycrook, Scottish Borders on 9 August 2003.[65]

In general, the west of Scotland is usually warmer than the east, owing to the influence of Atlantic ocean currents and the colder surface temperatures of the North Sea. Tiree, in the Inner Hebrides, is one of the sunniest places in the country: it had 300 days of sunshine in 1975. Rainfall varies widely across Scotland. The western highlands of Scotland are the wettest place, with annual rainfall exceeding 3,000 mm (120 in).[65] In comparison, much of lowland Scotland receives less than 800 mm (31 in) annually.[65] Heavy snowfall is not common in the lowlands, but becomes more common with altitude. Braemar experiences an average of 59 snow days per year,[66] while coastal areas have an average of fewer than 10 days.[65]

[edit] Flora and fauna

    Main articles: Fauna of Scotland and Flora of Scotland

Red Deer
Red Deer

Scotland's wildlife is typical of the north west of Europe, although several of the larger mammals such as the Lynx, Brown Bear, Wolf, Elk and Walrus were hunted to extinction in historic times. There are important populations of seals and internationally significant nesting grounds for a variety of seabirds such as Gannets.[67] The Golden Eagle is something of a national icon.
Linnaea borealis, twinflower
Linnaea borealis, twinflower

On the high mountain tops species including Ptarmigan, Mountain Hare and Stoat can be seen in their white colour phase during winter months.[68] Remnants of native Scots Pine forest exist[69] and within these areas the Scottish Crossbill, Britain's only endemic bird, can be found alongside Capercaillie, Wildcat, Red Squirrel and Pine Marten.[70][71]

The flora of the country is varied incorporating both deciduous and coniferous woodland and moorland and tundra species. However, large scale commercial tree planting and the management of upland moorland habitat for the grazing of sheep and commercial field sport activities impacts upon the distribution of indigenous plants and animals.[72] The UK's tallest tree is a Douglas Fir located in Reelig Glen near Inverness, and the Fortingall Yew may be 5,000 years old and is probably the oldest living thing in Europe.[73][74] Although the number of native vascular plants is low by world standards, Scotland's substantial bryophyte flora is of global importance.[75][76]

[edit] Economy and infrastructure

    Main article: Economy of Scotland

A drilling rig located in the North Sea
A drilling rig located in the North Sea

Scotland has a western style open mixed economy which is closely linked with that of the rest of Europe and the wider world. Traditionally, the Scottish economy has been dominated by heavy industry underpinned by the shipbuilding in Glasgow, coal mining and steel industries. Petroleum related industries associated with the extraction of North Sea oil have also been important employers from the 1970s, especially in the north east of Scotland. De-industrialisation during the 1970s and 1980s saw a shift from a manufacturing focus towards a more service-oriented economy. Edinburgh is the financial services centre of Scotland and the sixth largest financial centre in Europe in terms of funds under management, behind London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich and Amsterdam,[77] with many large finance firms based there, including: the Royal Bank of Scotland (the second largest bank in Europe); HBOS (owners of the Bank of Scotland); and Standard Life.
Pacific Quay on the River Clyde, an example of the regeneration of Glasgow and the diversifying Scottish economy
Pacific Quay on the River Clyde, an example of the regeneration of Glasgow and the diversifying Scottish economy

In 2005, total Scottish exports (excluding intra-UK trade) were provisionally estimated to be £17.5 billion, of which 70% (£12.2 billion) were attributable to manufacturing.[78] Scotland's primary exports include whisky, electronics and financial services. The United States, The Netherlands, Germany, France and Spain constitute the country's major export markets.[78] In 2006, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Scotland (excluding oil and gas production from 'Scottish' waters) was just over £86 billion, giving a per capita GDP of £16,900.[79][80]

Tourism is widely recognised as a key contributor to the Scottish economy. A briefing published in 2002 by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, (SPICe), for the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and Life Long Learning Committee, stated that tourism accounted for up to 5% of GDP and 7.5% of employment.[81]

As of November 2007 the unemployment rate in Scotland stood at 4.9%—lower than the UK average and that of the majority of EU countries.[82]

The most recent government figures (for 2006/7) suggest that Scotland would be in budget surplus to the tune of more than £800m if it received its geographical share of North Sea revenues.[83] The net fiscal balance, which is the budget balance plus capital investment, reported a deficit of £2.7 billion (2.1% of GDP) including Scotland's full geographical share of North Sea revenue, or a £10.2bn deficit if the North Sea share is excluded.[84]

[edit] Currency

    Main article: Banknotes of the pound sterling

Although the Bank of England is the central bank for the UK, three Scottish clearing banks still issue their own Sterling banknotes: the Bank of Scotland; the Royal Bank of Scotland; and the Clydesdale Bank. The current value of the Scottish banknotes in circulation is £1.5 billion.[85]

[edit] Transport

    Main article: Transport in Scotland

A Loganair Twin Otter at Barra Airport, the world's only airport using a beach runway for scheduled services.
A Loganair Twin Otter at Barra Airport, the world's only airport using a beach runway for scheduled services.

Scotland has five main international airports (Glasgow International, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow Prestwick and Inverness) which together serve 150 international destinations with a wide variety of scheduled and chartered flights.[86] BAA operates three airports, (Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen), and Highland and Islands Airports operates 11 regional airports, (including Inverness), which serve the more remote locations of Scotland.[87] Infratil operates Glasgow Prestwick.

The Scottish motorways and major trunk roads are managed by Transport Scotland. The rest of the road network is managed by the Scottish local authorities in each of their areas.

Regular ferry services operate between the Scottish mainland and island communities. These services are mostly run by Caledonian MacBrayne, but some are operated by local councils. Other ferry routes, served by multiple companies, connect to Northern Ireland, Belgium, Norway, the Faroe Islands and also Iceland.
Forth Bridge
Forth Bridge

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited owns and operates the fixed infrastructure assets of the railway system in Scotland, while the Scottish Government maintains overall responsibility for rail strategy and funding in Scotland.[88] Scotland's rail network has around 340 railway stations and 3,000 kilometres of track with over 62 million passenger journeys made each year.[89]

Scotland's rail network is managed by Transport Scotland.[90] The East Coast and West Coast Main Railway lines and the Cross Country Line connect the major cities and towns of Scotland with each other and with the rail network in England. Domestic rail services within Scotland are operated by First Scotrail.

The East Coast Main Line includes that section of the network which crosses the Firth of Forth via the Forth Bridge. Completed in 1890, this cantilever bridge has been described as "the one internationally recognised Scottish landmark".[91]

[edit] Demography

    Main article: Demography of Scotland
    See also: Language in Scotland and Religion in Scotland

Bi-lingual road signs are becoming increasingly common throughout the Scottish Highlands.
Bi-lingual road signs are becoming increasingly common throughout the Scottish Highlands.

The population of Scotland in the 2001 census was 5,062,011. This has risen to 5,116,900 according to June 2006 estimates.[92] This would make Scotland the 112th largest country by population if it were a sovereign state. Although Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland it is not the largest city. With a population of just over 600,000 this honour falls to Glasgow. Indeed, the Greater Glasgow conurbation, with a population of over 1.1 million, is home to over a fifth of Scotland's population.[93][94]

The Central Belt is where most of the main towns and cities are located. Glasgow is to the west, while Edinburgh and Dundee lie on the east coast. Scotland's only major city outside the Central Belt is Aberdeen, on the east coast to the north. Apart from Aberdeen, the Highlands are sparsely populated, although the city of Inverness has experienced rapid growth in recent years. In general only the more accessible and larger islands retain human populations, and fewer than 90 are currently inhabited. The Southern Uplands are essentially rural in nature and dominated by agriculture and forestry.[95][96] Because of housing problems in Glasgow and Edinburgh, five new towns were created between 1947 and 1966. They are East Kilbride, Glenrothes, Livingston, Cumbernauld, and Irvine.[97]

Due to immigration since World War II, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee have small Asian communities.[98] Since the recent Enlargement of the European Union there has been an increased number of people from Central and Eastern Europe moving to Scotland, and it is estimated that between 40,000 and 50,000 Poles are now living in the country.[99] As of 2001, there are 16,310 ethnic Chinese residents in Scotland.[100] The ethnic groups within Scotland are as follows: White - 97.99%,South Asian - 1.09%, Black - 0.16%, Mixed - 0.25%, Chinese - 0.32% and Other - 0.19%.

Scotland has three officially recognised languages: English, Scots and Scottish Gaelic. Almost all Scots speak Scottish Standard English, and in 1996 the General Register Office for Scotland estimated that 30% of the population are fluent in Scots.[101] Gaelic is mostly spoken in the Western Isles, where a majority of people still speak it; however, nationally its use is confined to just 1% of the population.[102]

[edit] Education

    Main article: Education in Scotland

Marischal College, University of Aberdeen
Marischal College, University of Aberdeen

The Scottish education system has always remained distinct from education in the rest of United Kingdom, with a characteristic emphasis on a broad education.[103] Scotland was the first country since Sparta in classical Greece to implement a system of general public education.[104] Schooling was made compulsory for the first time in Scotland with the Education Act of 1496, then, in 1561, the Church of Scotland set out a national programme for spiritual reform, including a school in every parish. Education continued to be a matter for the church rather than the state until the Education Act of 1872.[105]

All 3 and 4 year old children in Scotland are entitled to a free nursery place with "a curriculum framework for children 3–5"[106] providing the curricular guidelines. Formal primary education begins at approximately 5 years old and lasts for 7 years (P1–P7); The "5–14 guidelines" provides the curricular framework.[107] Today, children in Scotland sit Standard Grade exams at approximately 15 or 16. The school leaving age is 16, after which students may choose to remain at school and study for Access, Intermediate or Higher Grade and Advanced Higher exams. A small number of students at certain private, independent schools may follow the English system and study towards GCSEs instead of Standard Grades, and towards A and AS-Levels instead of Higher Grade and Advanced Higher exams.[108];

There are 14 Scottish universities, some of which are amongst the oldest in the world.[109][110] The country produces 1% of the world's published research with less than 0.1% of the world's population, and higher education institutions account for nine per cent of Scotland's service sector exports.[111][112]

[edit] Religion

    Main article: Religion in Scotland

Iona Abbey arguably the birthplace of Scottish Christianity
Iona Abbey arguably the birthplace of Scottish Christianity

Since the Scottish Reformation of 1560, the national church (the Church of Scotland, also known as The Kirk) has been Protestant and Reformed in theology. Since 1689 it has had a Presbyterian system of church government, and enjoys independence from the state.[10] About 12% of the population are currently members of the Church of Scotland, with 40% claiming affinity. The Church operates a territorial parish structure, with every community in Scotland having a local congregation. Scotland also has a significant Roman Catholic population, particularly in the west. After the Reformation, Roman Catholicism continued in the Highlands and some western islands like Uist and Barra, and was strengthened, during the 19th century by immigration from Ireland. Other Christian denominations in Scotland include the Free Church of Scotland, various other Presbyterian offshoots, and the Scottish Episcopal Church. Islam is the largest non-Christian religion (estimated at around 40,000, which is less than 0.9% of the population),[113] and there are also significant Jewish, Hindu and Sikh communities, especially in Glasgow.[113] The Samyé Ling monastery near Eskdalemuir, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007, includes the largest Buddhist temple in western Europe.[114] In the 2001 census, 28% of the population claimed to have no religious adherence.
[edit] Military

    Main article: Military of Scotland

Soldiers of the five regular battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
Soldiers of the five regular battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland

Although Scotland has a long military tradition that predates the Treaty of Union with England, its armed forces now form part of the British Armed Forces, with the notable exception of the Atholl Highlanders, Europe's only legal private army. In 2006, the infantry regiments of the Scottish Division were amalgamated to form the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Other distinctively Scottish regiments in the British Army include the Scots Guards and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Due to their topography and perceived remoteness, parts of Scotland have housed many sensitive defence establishments, with mixed public feelings.[115][116][117] Between 1960 and 1991, the Holy Loch was a base for the U.S. fleet of Polaris ballistic missile submarines.[118] Today, Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde, 25 miles (40 km) west of Glasgow, is the base for the four Trident-armed Vanguard class ballistic missile submarines that comprise the UK's nuclear deterrent.

Three frontline Royal Air Force bases are also located in Scotland. These are RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Kinloss and RAF Leuchars, the last of which is the most northerly air defence fighter base in the United Kingdom.

The only open-air live depleted uranium weapons test range in the British Isles is located near Dundrennan.[119] As a result, over 7000 radioactive munitions lie on the seabed of the Solway Firth.[120]

[edit] Culture

    Main article: Culture of Scotland
    See also: Scottish People, Music in Scotland, Scottish literature, Media in Scotland, and Cuisine of Scotland

A piper playing the Great Highland Bagpipe.
A piper playing the Great Highland Bagpipe.

Scottish music is a significant aspect of the nation's culture, with both traditional and modern influences. An example of a traditional Scottish instrument is the Great Highland Bagpipe, a wind instrument consisting of three drones and a melody pipe (called the chanter), which are fed continuously by a reservoir of air in a bag. The clàrsach, fiddle and accordion are also traditional Scottish instruments, the latter two heavily featured in Scottish country dance bands. Today, there are many successful Scottish bands and individual artists in varying styles.[121]

Scottish literature includes text written in English, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, French, and Latin. The poet and songwriter Robert Burns wrote in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and in a "light" Scots dialect which is more accessible to a wider audience. Similarly, the writings of Sir Walter Scott and Arthur Conan Doyle were internationally successful during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.[122] J. M. Barrie introduced the movement known as the "Kailyard school" at the end of the 19th century, which brought elements of fantasy and folklore back into fashion.[123] This tradition has been viewed as a major stumbling block for Scottish literature, as it focused on an idealised, pastoral picture of Scottish culture.[123] Some modern novelists, such as Irvine Welsh (of Trainspotting fame), write in a distinctly Scottish English that reflects the harsher realities of contemporary life.[124] More recently, author J.K. Rowling has become one of the most popular authors in the world (and one of the wealthiest) through her Harry Potter series, which she began writing from a coffee-shop in Edinburgh.

The national broadcaster is BBC Scotland (BBC Alba in Gaelic), a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It runs two national television stations and the national radio stations, BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, amongst others. The main Scottish commercial television stations are STV and Border Television. National newspapers such as the Daily Record, The Herald, and The Scotsman are all produced in Scotland.[125] Important regional dailies include The Courier in Dundee in the east, and The Press and Journal serving Aberdeen and the north.[125]

[edit] Sport

    Main article: Sport in Scotland

The Old Course at St Andrews
The Old Course at St Andrews

Sport is an important element in Scottish culture, with the country hosting many of its own national sporting competitions. It enjoys independent representation at many international sporting events including the FIFA World Cup, the Rugby World Cup, the Cricket World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, but it is not represented at the Olympic Games. Scotland has its own national governing bodies, such as the Scottish Football Association (the second oldest national football association in the world)[126] and the Scottish Rugby Union. Variations of football have been played in Scotland for centuries with the earliest reference dating back to 1424.[127] Association football is now the national sport and the Scottish Cup is the world's oldest national trophy.[128] Scottish clubs have been successful in European competitions with Celtic winning the European Cup in 1967, Rangers and Aberdeen winning the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 and 1983 respectively, and Aberdeen also winning the UEFA Super Cup in 1983. The Fife town of St. Andrews is known internationally as the Home of Golf[129] and to many golfers the Old Course, an ancient links course dating to before 1574, is considered to be a site of pilgrimage.[130] There are many other famous golf courses in Scotland, including Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Muirfield and Royal Troon. Other distinctive features of the national sporting culture include the Highland games, curling and shinty. Scotland played host to the Commonwealth Games in 1970 and 1986, and will do so again in 2014.

[edit] National symbols

    Main article: National symbols of Scotland

The Saltire. The national flag of Scotland
The Saltire. The national flag of Scotland

The Flag of Scotland, known as the Saltire or St. Andrew's Cross, dates (at least in legend) from the 9th century, and is thus the oldest national flag still in use. Since 1606 the Saltire has also formed part of the design of the Union Flag. There are numerous other symbols and symbolic artefacts, both official and unofficial, including the thistle, the nation's floral emblem, the 6 April 1320 statement of political independence the Declaration of Arbroath, the textile pattern tartan that often signifies a particular Scottish clan, and the Lion Rampant flag.[131][132][133]
Official status as a Royal flag does not prevent the Royal Standard of Scotland appearing unofficially as a second national flag
Official status as a Royal flag does not prevent the Royal Standard of Scotland appearing unofficially as a second national flag

Flower of Scotland is popularly held to be the National Anthem of Scotland, and is played at events such as football or rugby matches involving the Scotland national team. Scotland the Brave is used for the Scottish team at the Commonwealth Games. However, since devolution, more serious discussion of the issue has led to the use of Flower of Scotland being disputed. Other candidates include Highland Cathedral, Scots Wha Hae and A Man's A Man for A' That.[134]

St Andrew's Day, 30 November, is the national day, although Burns' Night tends to be more widely observed. Tartan Day is a recent innovation from Canada. In 2006, the Scottish Parliament passed the St. Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007, designating the day to be an official bank holiday.[135]

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[edit] References

   1. ^ a b Brown, Dauvit (2001). "Kenneth mac Alpin", in M. Lynch: The Oxford Companion to Scottish History. Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 359. ISBN 978-0192116963.
   2. ^ "St Andrew—Quick Facts". Scotland.org—The Official Online Gateway. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
   3. ^ "European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages" Scottish Government. Retrieved 27 September 2007.
   4. ^ Macleod, Angus "Gaelic given official status" (22 April 2005) The Times. London. Retrieved 2 August 2007.
   5. ^ a b "Countries within a country". 10 Downing Street. Retrieved on 2007-09-10. "The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland"
   6. ^ "ISO 3166-2 Newsletter Date: 2007-11-28 No I-9. "Changes in the list of subdivision names and code elements" (Page 11)". International Organization for Standardization codes for the representation of names of countries and their subdivisions -- Part 2: Country subdivision codes. Retrieved on 2008-05-31. "SCT Scotland country"
   7. ^ "Scottish Executive Resources". Scotland in Short. Scottish Executive (17 February 2007). Retrieved on September 14, 2006.
   8. ^ "Information for Journalists". Edinburgh, Inspiring Capital. Edinburghbrand.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-20. "Edinburgh is Europe's sixth largest fund management centre".
   9. ^ "The Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order". The Stationery Office Limited (1999). Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
10. ^ a b c d Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. London. HarperCollins.
11. ^ a b c d Mackie, J.D. (1969) A History of Scotland. London. Penguin.
12. ^ Devine, T.M (1999). The Scottish Nation 1700–2000. Penguin Books, 9. ISBN 0140230041. "From that point on anti-union demonstrations were common in the capital. In November rioting spread to the south west, that stranglehold of stric

21 Aug 08 - 11:24 AM (#2419455)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

And then say Scotland id the same as the rest of Britain and the rest of the world, because we have three verdicts in court, Guilty, Not Guilty and Not Proven, no other country in the world has this legal system, and our education system is also different to Britain as well the list goes on, get your fact first and then tell me that I'm wrong.

we in Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland are COUNTRIES and not REGIONS OF ENGLAND.

21 Aug 08 - 11:26 AM (#2419457)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

I also got this one as well of the internet to about ScotlandHelp us provide free content to the world by donating today!
[close]

Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This article is about the country. For other uses, see Scotland (disambiguation).
Scotland (English / Scots)
Alba (Gaelic)
Flag of Scotland         Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland
Flag         Royal Coat of Arms
Motto: In My Defens God Me Defend (Scots) (Often shown abbreviated as IN DEFENS)
Anthem: Flower Of Scotland (de facto)
Location of Scotland
Location of Scotland (orange)

in the United Kingdom (camel)
Capital         Edinburgh
[show location on an interactive map] 55°57′N 3°12′W / 55.95, -3.2
Largest city         Glasgow
Official languages         English (de facto)
Recognised regional languages         Gaelic, Scots
Demonym         Scottish
Government         Constitutional monarchy
-         Monarch         Elizabeth II
-         First Minister         Alex Salmond MP MSP
-         Prime Minister         Gordon Brown MP
Legislature         Scottish Parliament
Establishment         Early Middle Ages; exact date of establishment unclear or disputed; traditional 843, by King Kenneth MacAlpin[1]
Area
-         Total         78,772 km²
30,414 sq mi
-         Water (%)         1.9
Population
-         2007 estimate         5,144,200
-         2001 census         5,062,011
-         Density         65/km²
168.2/sq mi
GDP (PPP)         2006 estimate
-         Total         US$194 billion[citation needed]
-         Per capita         US$39,680[citation needed]
HDI (2003)         0.939 (high)
Currency         Pound sterling (GBP)
Time zone         GMT (UTC0)
-         Summer (DST)         BST (UTC+1)
Internet TLD         .uk³
Calling code         +44
Patron saint         St. Andrew[2]
1         Both Scots and Scottish Gaelic are officially recognised as autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages;[3] the Bòrd na Gàidhlig is tasked, under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, with securing Gaelic as an official language of Scotland, commanding "equal respect" with English.[4]
2         Historically, the use of "Scotch" as an adjective comparable to "Scottish" was commonplace, particularly outwith Scotland. However, the modern use of the term describes only products of Scotland, usually food or drink related.
3         Also .eu, as part of the European Union. ISO 3166-1 is GB, but .gb is unused.

Scotland [ˈskɑtlənd] (help·info) (Gaelic: Alba) is a country[5][6] that occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It is part of the United Kingdom,[5] and shares a land border to the south with England. It is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the southwest. In addition to the mainland, Scotland consists of over 790 islands[7] including the Northern Isles and the Hebrides.

Edinburgh, the country's capital and second largest city, is one of Europe's largest financial centres.[8] It was the hub of the Scottish Enlightenment of the 18th century, which saw Scotland become one of the commercial, intellectual and industrial powerhouses of Europe. Scotland's largest city is Glasgow, which was once one of the world's leading industrial metropolises, and now lies at the centre of the Greater Glasgow conurbation which dominates the Scottish Lowlands. Scottish waters consist of a large sector[9] of the North Atlantic and the North Sea, containing the largest oil reserves in the European Union.

The Kingdom of Scotland was an independent state until 1 May 1707 when it joined in a political union with the Kingdom of England to create a united Kingdom of Great Britain.[10][11] This union was the result of the Treaty of Union agreed earlier and put into effect by the Acts of Union that were passed by the Parliaments of both countries despite widespread protest across Scotland.[12][13] Scotland's legal system continues to be separate from those of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; Scotland still constitutes a distinct jurisdiction in public and in private law.[14] The continued independence of Scots law, the Scottish education system, and the Church of Scotland have all contributed to the continuation of Scottish culture and Scottish national identity since the Union.[15] Although Scotland is no longer a separate sovereign state, the constitutional future of Scotland continues to give rise to debate.
Contents
[hide]

    * 1 Etymology
    * 2 History
          o 2.1 Early history
          o 2.2 Roman influence
          o 2.3 Medieval period
          o 2.4 Modern history
    * 3 Government and politics
          o 3.1 Administrative subdivisions
          o 3.2 Scotland within the UK
    * 4 Law and criminal justice
    * 5 Geography and natural history
          o 5.1 Geology and geomorphology
          o 5.2 Central Lowlands
          o 5.3 Southern Uplands
          o 5.4 Climate
          o 5.5 Flora and fauna
    * 6 Economy and infrastructure
          o 6.1 Currency
          o 6.2 Transport
    * 7 Demography
          o 7.1 Education
          o 7.2 Religion
    * 8 Military
    * 9 Culture
          o 9.1 Sport
          o 9.2 National symbols
    * 10 See also
    * 11 References
    * 12 Further reading
    * 13 External links

[edit] Etymology

    Main article: Etymology of Scotland

Scotland is from the Latin Scoti, the term applied to Gaels. The Late Latin word Scotia (land of the Gaels) was initially used to refer to Ireland. By the 11th century at the latest, Scotia was being used to refer to (Gaelic-speaking) Scotland north of the river Forth, alongside Albania or Albany, both derived from the Gaelic Alba.[16] The use of the words Scots and Scotland to encompass all of what is now Scotland became common in the Late Middle Ages.[10]

[edit] History
The founders of Scotland of late medieval legend, Scota with Goídel Glas, voyaging from Egypt, as depicted in a 15th century manuscript of the Scotichronicon of Walter Bower.
The founders of Scotland of late medieval legend, Scota with Goídel Glas, voyaging from Egypt, as depicted in a 15th century manuscript of the Scotichronicon of Walter Bower.

    Main article: History of Scotland

[edit] Early history

    Main article: Prehistoric Scotland

Repeated glaciations, which covered the entire land-mass of modern Scotland, have destroyed any traces of human habitation that may have existed before the Mesolithic period. It is believed that the first post-glacial groups of hunter-gatherers arrived in Scotland around 12,800 years ago, as the ice sheet retreated after the last glaciation.[17][18] Groups of settlers began building the first known permanent houses on Scottish soil around 9,500 years ago, and the first villages around 6,000 years ago. The well-preserved village of Skara Brae on the Mainland of Orkney dates from this period. Neolithic habitation, burial and ritual sites are particularly common and well-preserved in the Northern Isles and Western Isles, where lack of trees led to most structures being built of local stone. [19]

[edit] Roman influence

    Main article: Scotland during the Roman Empire

Skara Brae, a neolithic settlement, located in the Bay of Skaill, Orkney.
Skara Brae, a neolithic settlement, located in the Bay of Skaill, Orkney.

The written protohistory of Scotland began with the arrival of the Roman Empire in southern and central Great Britain, when the Romans occupied what is now England and Wales, administering it as a province called Britannia. Roman invasions and occupations of southern Scotland were a series of brief interludes. In 83–4 AD the general Gnaeus Julius Agricola defeated the Caledonians at the battle of Mons Graupius, and Roman forts were briefly set along the Gask Ridge close to the Highland line (none are known to have been constructed beyond that line). Three years after the battle the Roman armies had withdrawn to the Southern Uplands.[20] They erected Hadrian's Wall to control tribes on both sides of the wall,[21] and the Limes Britannicus became the northern border of the empire, although the army held the Antonine Wall in the Central Lowlands for two short periods—the last of these during the time of Emperor Septimius Severus from 208 until 210.[22] The extent of Roman military occupation of any significant part of Scotland was limited to a total of about 40 years, although their influence on the southern section of the country occupied by Brythonic tribes such as the Votadini and Damnonii would still have been considerable.[21]
A replica of the Pictish Hilton of Cadboll Stone.
A replica of the Pictish Hilton of Cadboll Stone.

[edit] Medieval period

    Main articles: Picts, Scotland in the High Middle Ages, and Scotland in the Late Middle Ages

The Kingdom of the Picts (based in Fortriu by the 6th century) was the state which eventually became known as "Alba" or "Scotland". The development of "Pictland", according to the historical model developed by Peter Heather, was a natural response to Roman imperialism.[23] Another view places emphasis on the Battle of Dunnichen, and the reign of Bridei m. Beli (671–693), with another period of consolidation in the reign of Óengus mac Fergusa (732–761).[24] The Kingdom of the Picts as it was in the early 8th century, when Bede was writing, was largely the same as the kingdom of the Scots in the reign of Alexander (1107–1124). However, by the tenth century, the Pictish kingdom was dominated by what we can recognise as Gaelic culture, and had developed an Irish conquest myth around the ancestor of the contemporary royal dynasty, Cináed mac Ailpín (Kenneth MacAlpin).[25][1][26]

From a base of territory in eastern Scotland north of the River Forth and south of the River Oykel, the kingdom acquired control of the lands lying to the north and south. By the 12th century, the kings of Alba had added to their territories the Anglic-speaking land in the south-east and attained overlordship of Gaelic-speaking Galloway and Norse-speaking Caithness; by the end of the 13th century, the kingdom had assumed approximately its modern borders. However, processes of cultural and economic change beginning in the 12th century ensured Scotland looked very different in the later Middle Ages. The stimulus for this was the reign of King David I and the Davidian Revolution. Feudalism, government reorganisation and the first legally defined towns (called burghs) began in this period. These institutions and the immigration of French and Anglo-French knights and churchmen facilitated a process of cultural osmosis, whereby the culture and language of the low-lying and coastal parts of the kingdom's original territory in the east became, like the newly-acquired south-east, English-speaking, while the rest of the country retained the Gaelic language, apart from the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland, which remained under Norse rule until 1468.[27][28][29]
The Wallace Monument commemorates William Wallace, the 13th century Scottish hero.
The Wallace Monument commemorates William Wallace, the 13th century Scottish hero.

The death of Alexander III in March 1286, followed by the death of his granddaughter Margaret, Maid of Norway, broke the succession line of Scotland's kings. This led to the intervention of Edward I of England, who manipulated this period of confusion to have himself recognised as feudal overlord of Scotland. Edward organised a process to identify the person with the best claim to the vacant crown, which became known as the Great Cause, and this resulted in the enthronement of John Balliol as king. The Scots were resentful of Edward's meddling in their affairs and this relationship quickly broke down. War ensued and King John was deposed by his overlord, who took personal control of Scotland. Andrew Moray and William Wallace initially emerged as the principal leaders of the resistance to English rule in what became known as the Wars of Scottish Independence. The nature of the struggle changed dramatically when Robert de Brus, Earl of Carrick, became king (as Robert I). War with England continued for several decades, and a civil war between the Bruce dynasty and their long-term Comyn-Balliol rivals, the flashpoint of which could be traced to the slaying in a Dumfries church of John 'the Red' Comyn of Badenoch by Bruce and his supporters, lasted until the middle of the 14th century. Although the Bruce dynasty was successful, David II's lack of an heir allowed his nephew Robert II to come to the throne and establish the Stewart Dynasty.[30][28] The Stewarts ruled Scotland for the remainder of the Middle Ages. The country they ruled experienced greater prosperity from the end of the 14th century through the Scottish Renaissance to the Reformation. This was despite continual warfare with England, the increasing division between Highlands and Lowlands, and a large number of royal minorities.[30][31]

[edit] Modern history
David Morier's painting on the "Battle of Culloden".
David Morier's painting on the "Battle of Culloden".

In 1603, James VI King of Scots inherited the throne of the Kingdom of England, and became King James I of England, and left Edinburgh for London.[32] With the exception of a short period under the Protectorate, Scotland remained a separate state, but there was considerable conflict between the crown and the Covenanters over the form of church government. After the Glorious Revolution, the abolition of episcopacy and the overthrow of the Roman Catholic James VII by William and Mary, Scotland briefly threatened to select a different Protestant monarch from England.[33] On 22 July 1706 the Treaty of Union was agreed between representatives of the Scots Parliament and the Parliament of England and the following year twin Acts of Union were passed by both parliaments to create the united Kingdom of Great Britain with effect from 1 May 1707.[11]

The deposed Jacobite Stuart claimants had remained popular in the Highlands and north-east, particularly amongst non-Presbyterians. However, two major Jacobite risings launched in 1715 and 1745 failed to remove the House of Hanover from the British throne. The threat of the Jacobite movement to the United Kingdom and its monarchs effectively ended at the Battle of Culloden, Great Britain's last pitched battle. This defeat paved the way for large-scale removals of the indigenous populations of the Highlands and Islands, known as the Highland Clearances.[11]

The Scottish Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution made Scotland into an intellectual, commercial and industrial powerhouse.[citation needed] After World War II, Scotland experienced an industrial decline which was particularly severe.[34] Only in recent decades has the country enjoyed something of a cultural and economic renaissance. Economic factors which have contributed to this recovery include a resurgent financial services industry, electronics manufacturing, (see Silicon Glen),[35] and the North Sea oil and gas industry.[36]

Following a referendum on devolution proposals in 1997, the Scotland Act 1998 [37] was passed by the United Kingdom Parliament to establish a devolved Scottish Parliament.

[edit] Government and politics

    Main articles: Politics of Scotland, Scottish Parliament, and Scottish Government
    Further information: Scottish Parliament general election, 2007

The cabinet of the Scottish Government
The cabinet of the Scottish Government

As part of the United Kingdom, Scotland's head of state is the monarch of the United Kingdom, currently Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952).

Scotland has limited self-government within the United Kingdom as well as representation in the UK Parliament. Executive and legislative powers have been devolved to, respectively, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh. The United Kingdom Parliament retains power over a set list of areas explicitly specified in the Scotland Act 1998 as reserved matters, including, for example, levels of UK taxes, social security, defence, international relations and broadcasting.[38]

The Scottish Parliament has legislative authority for all other areas relating to Scotland, as well as limited power to vary income tax, a power it has yet to exercise. The Scottish Parliament can refer devolved matters back to Westminster by passing a Legislative Consent Motion if United Kingdom-wide legislation is considered to be more appropriate for a certain issue. The programmes of legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament have seen a divergence in the provision of public services compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. For instance, the costs of a university education, and care services for the elderly are free at point of use in Scotland, while fees are paid in the rest of the UK. Scotland was the first country in the UK to ban smoking in enclosed public places.[39]
The debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament Building
The debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament Building

The Scottish Parliament is a unicameral legislature comprising 129 Members, 73 of whom represent individual constituencies and are elected on a first past the post system; 56 are elected in eight different electoral regions by the additional member system, serving for a four year period. The Queen appoints one Member of the Scottish Parliament, (MSP), on the nomination of the Parliament, to be First Minister. Other Ministers are also appointed by the Queen on the nomination of the Parliament and together with the First Minister they make up the Scottish Government, the executive arm of government.[40]
The Royal Coat of Arms of Queen Elizabeth II as used in Scotland.
The Royal Coat of Arms of Queen Elizabeth II as used in Scotland.

In the 2007 election, the Scottish National Party (SNP), which campaigns for Scottish independence, won the largest number of seats of any single party and the leader of the SNP, Alex Salmond, was elected First Minister on 16 May 2007 as head of a minority government. The Labour Party became the largest opposition party, with the Conservative Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party are also represented in the Parliament. Margo MacDonald is the only independent MSP sitting in Parliament.[41]

Scotland is represented in the British House of Commons by 59 MPs elected from territory-based Scottish constituencies. The Scotland Office represents the UK government in Scotland on reserved matters and represents Scottish interests within the UK government.[42] The Scotland office is led by the Secretary of State for Scotland, who sits in the Cabinet of the United Kingdom, the current incumbent being Des Browne.[38]

[edit] Administrative subdivisions

    Main article: Subdivisions of Scotland

Glasgow City Chambers viewed from George Square
Glasgow City Chambers viewed from George Square

Historical types subdivisions of Scotland include the mormaerdom, stewartry, earldom, burgh, parish, county and regions and districts. The names of these areas are still sometimes used as geographical descriptors.

Modern Scotland is subdivided in various ways depending on the purpose. For local government, there have been 32 council areas since 1996,[43] whose councils are unitary authorities responsible for the provision of all local government services. Community councils are informal organisations that represent specific sub-divisions of a council area.

For the Scottish Parliament, there are 73 constituencies and eight regions. For the Parliament of the United Kingdom, there are 59 constituencies. The Scottish fire brigades and police forces are still based on the system of regions introduced in 1975. For healthcare and postal districts, and a number of other governmental and non-governmental organisations such as the churches, there are other long-standing methods of subdividing Scotland for the purposes of administration.

City status in the United Kingdom is determined by letters patent.[44] There are six cities in Scotland: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, most recently Inverness, and Stirling.[45]

[edit] Scotland within the UK

A policy of devolution had been advocated by all three Great Britain-wide parties with varying enthusiasm during recent history. ex-Labour-leader John Smith described the revival of a Scottish parliament as the "settled will of the Scottish people".[46] The constitutional status of Scotland is nonetheless subject to ongoing debate. In 2007, the Scottish Government established a "National Conversation" on constitutional issues, proposing a number of options such as increasing the powers of the Scottish Parliament, federalism, or a referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. In rejecting the latter option, the three main opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament have proposed a separate Scottish Constitutional Commission to investigate the distribution of powers between devolved Scottish and UK-wide bodies.[47]

[edit] Law and criminal justice

    Main article: Scots law

Parliament House, in Edinburgh, is the home of the Supreme Courts of Scotland.
Parliament House, in Edinburgh, is the home of the Supreme Courts of Scotland.

Scots law has a basis derived from Roman law,[48] combining features of both uncodified civil law, dating back to the Corpus Juris Civilis, and common law with medieval sources. The terms of the Treaty of Union with England in 1707 guaranteed the continued existence of a separate legal system in Scotland from that of England and Wales.[49] Prior to 1611, there were several regional law systems in Scotland, most notably Udal law in Orkney and Shetland, based on old Norse law. Various other systems derived from common Celtic or Brehon laws survived in the Highlands until the 1800s.[50]

Scots law provides for three types of courts responsible for the administration of justice: civil, criminal and heraldic. The supreme civil court is the Court of Session, although civil appeals can be taken to the House of Lords. The High Court of Justiciary is the supreme criminal court. Both courts are housed at Parliament House, in Edinburgh, which was the home of the pre-Union Parliament of Scotland. The sheriff court is the main criminal and civil court. There are 49 sheriff courts throughout the country.[51] District courts were introduced in 1975 for minor offences. The Court of the Lord Lyon regulates heraldry.

The Scots legal system is unique in having three possible verdicts for a criminal trial: "guilty", "not guilty" and "not proven". Both "not guilty" and "not proven" result in an acquittal with no possibility of retrial.[52]

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) manages the prisons in Scotland which contain between them over 7,500 prisoners.[53] The Cabinet Secretary for Justice is responsible for the Scottish Prison Service within the Scottish Government.

[edit] Geography and natural history
Map of Scotland
Map of Scotland

    Main article: Geography of Scotland

The main land of Scotland comprises the northern third of the land mass of the island of Great Britain, which lies off the northwest coast of Continental Europe. The total area is 78,772 km² (30,414 sq mi),[54] comparable to the size of the Czech Republic, making Scotland the 117th largest country in the world.[citation needed] Scotland's only land border is with England, and runs for 96 kilometres (60 mi) between the basin of the River Tweed on the east coast and the Solway Firth in the west. The Atlantic Ocean borders the west coast and the North Sea is to the east. The island of Ireland lies only 30 kilometres (20 mi) from the southwestern peninsula of Kintyre;[55] Norway is 305 kilometres (190 mi) to the east and the Faroes, 270 kilometres (168 mi) to the north.
The River Tay, Scotland's longest river.
The River Tay, Scotland's longest river.

The territorial extent of Scotland is generally that established by the 1237 Treaty of York between Scotland and England[56] and the 1266 Treaty of Perth between Scotland and Norway.[11] Important exceptions include the Isle of Man, which having been lost to England in the 14th century is now a crown dependency outside of the United Kingdom; the island groups Orkney and Shetland, which were acquired from Norway in 1472;[54] and Berwick-upon-Tweed, lost to England in 1482.

The geographical centre of Scotland lies a few miles from the village of Newtonmore in Badenoch.[57] Rising to 1,344 metres (4,406 ft) above sea level, Scotland's highest point is the summit of Ben Nevis, in Lochaber, while Scotland's longest river, the River Tay, flows for a distance of 190 km (120 miles).[58][59]

[edit] Geology and geomorphology

    Main article: Geology of Scotland

Relief map of Scotland
Relief map of Scotland
The Quirang on the Island of Skye, part of the Scottish Highlands.
The Quirang on the Island of Skye, part of the Scottish Highlands.

The whole of Scotland was covered by ice sheets during the Pleistocene ice ages and the landscape is much affected by glaciation. From a geological perspective the country has three main sub-divisions. The Highlands and Islands lie to the north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault, which runs from Arran to Stonehaven. This part of Scotland largely comprises ancient rocks from the Cambrian and Precambrian which were uplifted during the later Caledonian Orogeny. It is interspersed with igneous intrusions of a more recent age, the remnants of which have formed mountain massifs such as the Cairngorms and Skye Cuillins. A significant exception to the above are the fossil-bearing beds of Old Red Sandstones found principally along the Moray Firth coast. The Highlands are generally mountainous and the highest elevations in the British Isles are found here. Scotland has over 790 islands, divided into four main groups: Shetland, Orkney, and the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides. There are numerous bodies of freshwater including Loch Lomond and Loch Ness. Some parts of the coastline consist of machair, a low lying dune pasture land.

[edit] Central Lowlands

The Central Lowlands is a rift valley mainly comprising Paleozoic formations. Many of these sediments have economic significance for it is here that the coal and iron bearing rocks that fuelled Scotland's industrial revolution are to be found. This area has also experienced intense volcanism, Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh being the remnant of a once much larger volcano. This area is relatively low-lying, although even here hills such as the Ochils and Campsie Fells are rarely far from view.

[edit] Southern Uplands

The Southern Uplands are a range of hills almost 200 kilometres (125 mi) long, interspersed with broad valleys. They lie south of a second fault line (the Southern Uplands fault) that runs from the Rhinns of Galloway to Dunbar.[60] The geological foundations largely comprise Silurian deposits laid down some 4–500 million years ago. The high point of the Southern Uplands is Merrick with an elevation of 843 m (2,766 ft).[10][61][62][63]

[edit] Climate

    Main article: Climate of Scotland

Tiree, one of the sunniest locations in Scotland.
Tiree, one of the sunniest locations in Scotland.

The climate of Scotland is temperate and oceanic, and tends to be very changeable. It is warmed by the Gulf Stream from the Atlantic, and as such has much milder winters (but cooler, wetter summers) than areas on similar latitudes, for example Copenhagen, Moscow, or the Kamchatka Peninsula on the opposite side of Eurasia. However, temperatures are generally lower than in the rest of the UK, with the coldest ever UK temperature of -27.2 °C (-16.96 °F) recorded at Braemar in the Grampian Mountains, on 11 February 1895.[64] Winter maximums average 6 °C (42.8 °F) in the lowlands, with summer maximums averaging 18 °C (64.4 °F). The highest temperature recorded was 32.9 °C (91.22 °F) at Greycrook, Scottish Borders on 9 August 2003.[65]

In general, the west of Scotland is usually warmer than the east, owing to the influence of Atlantic ocean currents and the colder surface temperatures of the North Sea. Tiree, in the Inner Hebrides, is one of the sunniest places in the country: it had 300 days of sunshine in 1975. Rainfall varies widely across Scotland. The western highlands of Scotland are the wettest place, with annual rainfall exceeding 3,000 mm (120 in).[65] In comparison, much of lowland Scotland receives less than 800 mm (31 in) annually.[65] Heavy snowfall is not common in the lowlands, but becomes more common with altitude. Braemar experiences an average of 59 snow days per year,[66] while coastal areas have an average of fewer than 10 days.[65]

[edit] Flora and fauna

    Main articles: Fauna of Scotland and Flora of Scotland

Red Deer
Red Deer

Scotland's wildlife is typical of the north west of Europe, although several of the larger mammals such as the Lynx, Brown Bear, Wolf, Elk and Walrus were hunted to extinction in historic times. There are important populations of seals and internationally significant nesting grounds for a variety of seabirds such as Gannets.[67] The Golden Eagle is something of a national icon.
Linnaea borealis, twinflower
Linnaea borealis, twinflower

On the high mountain tops species including Ptarmigan, Mountain Hare and Stoat can be seen in their white colour phase during winter months.[68] Remnants of native Scots Pine forest exist[69] and within these areas the Scottish Crossbill, Britain's only endemic bird, can be found alongside Capercaillie, Wildcat, Red Squirrel and Pine Marten.[70][71]

The flora of the country is varied incorporating both deciduous and coniferous woodland and moorland and tundra species. However, large scale commercial tree planting and the management of upland moorland habitat for the grazing of sheep and commercial field sport activities impacts upon the distribution of indigenous plants and animals.[72] The UK's tallest tree is a Douglas Fir located in Reelig Glen near Inverness, and the Fortingall Yew may be 5,000 years old and is probably the oldest living thing in Europe.[73][74] Although the number of native vascular plants is low by world standards, Scotland's substantial bryophyte flora is of global importance.[75][76]

[edit] Economy and infrastructure

    Main article: Economy of Scotland

A drilling rig located in the North Sea
A drilling rig located in the North Sea

Scotland has a western style open mixed economy which is closely linked with that of the rest of Europe and the wider world. Traditionally, the Scottish economy has been dominated by heavy industry underpinned by the shipbuilding in Glasgow, coal mining and steel industries. Petroleum related industries associated with the extraction of North Sea oil have also been important employers from the 1970s, especially in the north east of Scotland. De-industrialisation during the 1970s and 1980s saw a shift from a manufacturing focus towards a more service-oriented economy. Edinburgh is the financial services centre of Scotland and the sixth largest financial centre in Europe in terms of funds under management, behind London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich and Amsterdam,[77] with many large finance firms based there, including: the Royal Bank of Scotland (the second largest bank in Europe); HBOS (owners of the Bank of Scotland); and Standard Life.
Pacific Quay on the River Clyde, an example of the regeneration of Glasgow and the diversifying Scottish economy
Pacific Quay on the River Clyde, an example of the regeneration of Glasgow and the diversifying Scottish economy

In 2005, total Scottish exports (excluding intra-UK trade) were provisionally estimated to be £17.5 billion, of which 70% (£12.2 billion) were attributable to manufacturing.[78] Scotland's primary exports include whisky, electronics and financial services. The United States, The Netherlands, Germany, France and Spain constitute the country's major export markets.[78] In 2006, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Scotland (excluding oil and gas production from 'Scottish' waters) was just over £86 billion, giving a per capita GDP of £16,900.[79][80]

Tourism is widely recognised as a key contributor to the Scottish economy. A briefing published in 2002 by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, (SPICe), for the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and Life Long Learning Committee, stated that tourism accounted for up to 5% of GDP and 7.5% of employment.[81]

As of November 2007 the unemployment rate in Scotland stood at 4.9%—lower than the UK average and that of the majority of EU countries.[82]

The most recent government figures (for 2006/7) suggest that Scotland would be in budget surplus to the tune of more than £800m if it received its geographical share of North Sea revenues.[83] The net fiscal balance, which is the budget balance plus capital investment, reported a deficit of £2.7 billion (2.1% of GDP) including Scotland's full geographical share of North Sea revenue, or a £10.2bn deficit if the North Sea share is excluded.[84]

[edit] Currency

    Main article: Banknotes of the pound sterling

Although the Bank of England is the central bank for the UK, three Scottish clearing banks still issue their own Sterling banknotes: the Bank of Scotland; the Royal Bank of Scotland; and the Clydesdale Bank. The current value of the Scottish banknotes in circulation is £1.5 billion.[85]

[edit] Transport

    Main article: Transport in Scotland

A Loganair Twin Otter at Barra Airport, the world's only airport using a beach runway for scheduled services.
A Loganair Twin Otter at Barra Airport, the world's only airport using a beach runway for scheduled services.

Scotland has five main international airports (Glasgow International, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow Prestwick and Inverness) which together serve 150 international destinations with a wide variety of scheduled and chartered flights.[86] BAA operates three airports, (Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen), and Highland and Islands Airports operates 11 regional airports, (including Inverness), which serve the more remote locations of Scotland.[87] Infratil operates Glasgow Prestwick.

The Scottish motorways and major trunk roads are managed by Transport Scotland. The rest of the road network is managed by the Scottish local authorities in each of their areas.

Regular ferry services operate between the Scottish mainland and island communities. These services are mostly run by Caledonian MacBrayne, but some are operated by local councils. Other ferry routes, served by multiple companies, connect to Northern Ireland, Belgium, Norway, the Faroe Islands and also Iceland.
Forth Bridge
Forth Bridge

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited owns and operates the fixed infrastructure assets of the railway system in Scotland, while the Scottish Government maintains overall responsibility for rail strategy and funding in Scotland.[88] Scotland's rail network has around 340 railway stations and 3,000 kilometres of track with over 62 million passenger journeys made each year.[89]

Scotland's rail network is managed by Transport Scotland.[90] The East Coast and West Coast Main Railway lines and the Cross Country Line connect the major cities and towns of Scotland with each other and with the rail network in England. Domestic rail services within Scotland are operated by First Scotrail.

The East Coast Main Line includes that section of the network which crosses the Firth of Forth via the Forth Bridge. Completed in 1890, this cantilever bridge has been described as "the one internationally recognised Scottish landmark".[91]

[edit] Demography

    Main article: Demography of Scotland
    See also: Language in Scotland and Religion in Scotland

Bi-lingual road signs are becoming increasingly common throughout the Scottish Highlands.
Bi-lingual road signs are becoming increasingly common throughout the Scottish Highlands.

The population of Scotland in the 2001 census was 5,062,011. This has risen to 5,116,900 according to June 2006 estimates.[92] This would make Scotland the 112th largest country by population if it were a sovereign state. Although Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland it is not the largest city. With a population of just over 600,000 this honour falls to Glasgow. Indeed, the Greater Glasgow conurbation, with a population of over 1.1 million, is home to over a fifth of Scotland's population.[93][94]

The Central Belt is where most of the main towns and cities are located. Glasgow is to the west, while Edinburgh and Dundee lie on the east coast. Scotland's only major city outside the Central Belt is Aberdeen, on the east coast to the north. Apart from Aberdeen, the Highlands are sparsely populated, although the city of Inverness has experienced rapid growth in recent years. In general only the more accessible and larger islands retain human populations, and fewer than 90 are currently inhabited. The Southern Uplands are essentially rural in nature and dominated by agriculture and forestry.[95][96] Because of housing problems in Glasgow and Edinburgh, five new towns were created between 1947 and 1966. They are East Kilbride, Glenrothes, Livingston, Cumbernauld, and Irvine.[97]

Due to immigration since World War II, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee have small Asian communities.[98] Since the recent Enlargement of the European Union there has been an increased number of people from Central and Eastern Europe moving to Scotland, and it is estimated that between 40,000 and 50,000 Poles are now living in the country.[99] As of 2001, there are 16,310 ethnic Chinese residents in Scotland.[100] The ethnic groups within Scotland are as follows: White - 97.99%,South Asian - 1.09%, Black - 0.16%, Mixed - 0.25%, Chinese - 0.32% and Other - 0.19%.

Scotland has three officially recognised languages: English, Scots and Scottish Gaelic. Almost all Scots speak Scottish Standard English, and in 1996 the General Register Office for Scotland estimated that 30% of the population are fluent in Scots.[101] Gaelic is mostly spoken in the Western Isles, where a majority of people still speak it; however, nationally its use is confined to just 1% of the population.[102]

[edit] Education

    Main article: Education in Scotland

Marischal College, University of Aberdeen
Marischal College, University of Aberdeen

The Scottish education system has always remained distinct from education in the rest of United Kingdom, with a characteristic emphasis on a broad education.[103] Scotland was the first country since Sparta in classical Greece to implement a system of general public education.[104] Schooling was made compulsory for the first time in Scotland with the Education Act of 1496, then, in 1561, the Church of Scotland set out a national programme for spiritual reform, including a school in every parish. Education continued to be a matter for the church rather than the state until the Education Act of 1872.[105]

All 3 and 4 year old children in Scotland are entitled to a free nursery place with "a curriculum framework for children 3–5"[106] providing the curricular guidelines. Formal primary education begins at approximately 5 years old and lasts for 7 years (P1–P7); The "5–14 guidelines" provides the curricular framework.[107] Today, children in Scotland sit Standard Grade exams at approximately 15 or 16. The school leaving age is 16, after which students may choose to remain at school and study for Access, Intermediate or Higher Grade and Advanced Higher exams. A small number of students at certain private, independent schools may follow the English system and study towards GCSEs instead of Standard Grades, and towards A and AS-Levels instead of Higher Grade and Advanced Higher exams.[108];

There are 14 Scottish universities, some of which are amongst the oldest in the world.[109][110] The country produces 1% of the world's published research with less than 0.1% of the world's population, and higher education institutions account for nine per cent of Scotland's service sector exports.[111][112]

[edit] Religion

    Main article: Religion in Scotland

Iona Abbey arguably the birthplace of Scottish Christianity
Iona Abbey arguably the birthplace of Scottish Christianity

Since the Scottish Reformation of 1560, the national church (the Church of Scotland, also known as The Kirk) has been Protestant and Reformed in theology. Since 1689 it has had a Presbyterian system of church government, and enjoys independence from the state.[10] About 12% of the population are currently members of the Church of Scotland, with 40% claiming affinity. The Church operates a territorial parish structure, with every community in Scotland having a local congregation. Scotland also has a significant Roman Catholic population, particularly in the west. After the Reformation, Roman Catholicism continued in the Highlands and some western islands like Uist and Barra, and was strengthened, during the 19th century by immigration from Ireland. Other Christian denominations in Scotland include the Free Church of Scotland, various other Presbyterian offshoots, and the Scottish Episcopal Church. Islam is the largest non-Christian religion (estimated at around 40,000, which is less than 0.9% of the population),[113] and there are also significant Jewish, Hindu and Sikh communities, especially in Glasgow.[113] The Samyé Ling monastery near Eskdalemuir, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007, includes the largest Buddhist temple in western Europe.[114] In the 2001 census, 28% of the population claimed to have no religious adherence.
[edit] Military

    Main article: Military of Scotland

Soldiers of the five regular battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
Soldiers of the five regular battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland

Although Scotland has a long military tradition that predates the Treaty of Union with England, its armed forces now form part of the British Armed Forces, with the notable exception of the Atholl Highlanders, Europe's only legal private army. In 2006, the infantry regiments of the Scottish Division were amalgamated to form the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Other distinctively Scottish regiments in the British Army include the Scots Guards and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Due to their topography and perceived remoteness, parts of Scotland have housed many sensitive defence establishments, with mixed public feelings.[115][116][117] Between 1960 and 1991, the Holy Loch was a base for the U.S. fleet of Polaris ballistic missile submarines.[118] Today, Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde, 25 miles (40 km) west of Glasgow, is the base for the four Trident-armed Vanguard class ballistic missile submarines that comprise the UK's nuclear deterrent.

Three frontline Royal Air Force bases are also located in Scotland. These are RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Kinloss and RAF Leuchars, the last of which is the most northerly air defence fighter base in the United Kingdom.

The only open-air live depleted uranium weapons test range in the British Isles is located near Dundrennan.[119] As a result, over 7000 radioactive munitions lie on the seabed of the Solway Firth.[120]

[edit] Culture

    Main article: Culture of Scotland
    See also: Scottish People, Music in Scotland, Scottish literature, Media in Scotland, and Cuisine of Scotland

A piper playing the Great Highland Bagpipe.
A piper playing the Great Highland Bagpipe.

Scottish music is a significant aspect of the nation's culture, with both traditional and modern influences. An example of a traditional Scottish instrument is the Great Highland Bagpipe, a wind instrument consisting of three drones and a melody pipe (called the chanter), which are fed continuously by a reservoir of air in a bag. The clàrsach, fiddle and accordion are also traditional Scottish instruments, the latter two heavily featured in Scottish country dance bands. Today, there are many successful Scottish bands and individual artists in varying styles.[121]

Scottish literature includes text written in English, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, French, and Latin. The poet and songwriter Robert Burns wrote in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and in a "light" Scots dialect which is more accessible to a wider audience. Similarly, the writings of Sir Walter Scott and Arthur Conan Doyle were internationally successful during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.[122] J. M. Barrie introduced the movement known as the "Kailyard school" at the end of the 19th century, which brought elements of fantasy and folklore back into fashion.[123] This tradition has been viewed as a major stumbling block for Scottish literature, as it focused on an idealised, pastoral picture of Scottish culture.[123] Some modern novelists, such as Irvine Welsh (of Trainspotting fame), write in a distinctly Scottish English that reflects the harsher realities of contemporary life.[124] More recently, author J.K. Rowling has become one of the most popular authors in the world (and one of the wealthiest) through her Harry Potter series, which she began writing from a coffee-shop in Edinburgh.

The national broadcaster is BBC Scotland (BBC Alba in Gaelic), a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It runs two national television stations and the national radio stations, BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, amongst others. The main Scottish commercial television stations are STV and Border Television. National newspapers such as the Daily Record, The Herald, and The Scotsman are all produced in Scotland.[125] Important regional dailies include The Courier in Dundee in the east, and The Press and Journal serving Aberdeen and the north.[125]

[edit] Sport

    Main article: Sport in Scotland

The Old Course at St Andrews
The Old Course at St Andrews

Sport is an important element in Scottish culture, with the country hosting many of its own national sporting competitions. It enjoys independent representation at many international sporting events including the FIFA World Cup, the Rugby World Cup, the Cricket World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, but it is not represented at the Olympic Games. Scotland has its own national governing bodies, such as the Scottish Football Association (the second oldest national football association in the world)[126] and the Scottish Rugby Union. Variations of football have been played in Scotland for centuries with the earliest reference dating back to 1424.[127] Association football is now the national sport and the Scottish Cup is the world's oldest national trophy.[128] Scottish clubs have been successful in European competitions with Celtic winning the European Cup in 1967, Rangers and Aberdeen winning the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 and 1983 respectively, and Aberdeen also winning the UEFA Super Cup in 1983. The Fife town of St. Andrews is known internationally as the Home of Golf[129] and to many golfers the Old Course, an ancient links course dating to before 1574, is considered to be a site of pilgrimage.[130] There are many other famous golf courses in Scotland, including Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Muirfield and Royal Troon. Other distinctive features of the national sporting culture include the Highland games, curling and shinty. Scotland played host to the Commonwealth Games in 1970 and 1986, and will do so again in 2014.

[edit] National symbols

    Main article: National symbols of Scotland

The Saltire. The national flag of Scotland
The Saltire. The national flag of Scotland

The Flag of Scotland, known as the Saltire or St. Andrew's Cross, dates (at least in legend) from the 9th century, and is thus the oldest national flag still in use. Since 1606 the Saltire has also formed part of the design of the Union Flag. There are numerous other symbols and symbolic artefacts, both official and unofficial, including the thistle, the nation's floral emblem, the 6 April 1320 statement of political independence the Declaration of Arbroath, the textile pattern tartan that often signifies a particular Scottish clan, and the Lion Rampant flag.[131][132][133]
Official status as a Royal flag does not prevent the Royal Standard of Scotland appearing unofficially as a second national flag
Official status as a Royal flag does not prevent the Royal Standard of Scotland appearing unofficially as a second national flag

Flower of Scotland is popularly held to be the National Anthem of Scotland, and is played at events such as football or rugby matches involving the Scotland national team. Scotland the Brave is used for the Scottish team at the Commonwealth Games. However, since devolution, more serious discussion of the issue has led to the use of Flower of Scotland being disputed. Other candidates include Highland Cathedral, Scots Wha Hae and A Man's A Man for A' That.[134]

St Andrew's Day, 30 November, is the national day, although Burns' Night tends to be more widely observed. Tartan Day is a recent innovation from Canada. In 2006, the Scottish Parliament passed the St. Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007, designating the day to be an official bank holiday.[135]

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[edit] References

   1. ^ a b Brown, Dauvit (2001). "Kenneth mac Alpin", in M. Lynch: The Oxford Companion to Scottish History. Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 359. ISBN 978-0192116963.
   2. ^ "St Andrew—Quick Facts". Scotland.org—The Official Online Gateway. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
   3. ^ "European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages" Scottish Government. Retrieved 27 September 2007.
   4. ^ Macleod, Angus "Gaelic given official status" (22 April 2005) The Times. London. Retrieved 2 August 2007.
   5. ^ a b "Countries within a country". 10 Downing Street. Retrieved on 2007-09-10. "The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland"
   6. ^ "ISO 3166-2 Newsletter Date: 2007-11-28 No I-9. "Changes in the list of subdivision names and code elements" (Page 11)". International Organization for Standardization codes for the representation of names of countries and their subdivisions -- Part 2: Country subdivision codes. Retrieved on 2008-05-31. "SCT Scotland country"
   7. ^ "Scottish Executive Resources". Scotland in Short. Scottish Executive (17 February 2007). Retrieved on September 14, 2006.
   8. ^ "Information for Journalists". Edinburgh, Inspiring Capital. Edinburghbrand.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-20. "Edinburgh is Europe's sixth largest fund management centre".
   9. ^ "The Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order". The Stationery Office Limited (1999). Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
10. ^ a b c d Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. London. HarperCollins.
11. ^ a b c d Mackie, J.D. (1969) A History of Scotland. London. Penguin.
12. ^ Devine, T.M (1999). The Scottish Nation 1700–2000. Penguin Books, 9. ISBN 0140230041. "From that point on anti-union demonstrations were common in the capita

21 Aug 08 - 11:28 AM (#2419459)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

A region is like Yorkshire or Ayrshire, anyway what has this go to do with football.

let bygones be bygones

21 Aug 08 - 11:32 AM (#2419462)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

No one ever said Scotland is a region of England. Legally, like England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it's a region of the United Kingdom. You can waste all the time you like the stuff from wikipedia but until the Scots vote for independence, that's the situation.
Scotland is not unique in having a separate legal system within a larger country - Quebec has one but it's still part of Canada....until, of course, the Quebecois vote for independence.I suspect there are other examples, the Basque country, perhaps, or Catalonia. Live with the reality, Goatfell, not the wishful thinking.

21 Aug 08 - 11:50 AM (#2419478)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Stu

You should get a Gold medal for the most longest pointless cut and paste ever. That sort of thing is what blue clicky's were invented for.

Besides, how does that carry the discussion forward?

21 Aug 08 - 11:52 AM (#2419483)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Terry McDonald

Actually it's got everything to do with football because the game is a rare example of Scotland being accepted as a separate entity in the international arena. It's the same with Rugby Football, but I'd be hard pressed to think of any other examples. I always assumed that the situation arose because when international sporting fixtures were first mooted in the mid to late 19th century, we had no-one to play against, so we played each other. For sentimental reasons, plus the existence of a separate Scottish football league system, FIFA have allowed this anomaly to continue. So........Scotland, Wales and Northen ireland are refusing to be part of a UK team for 2012 in case FIFA and/or UEFA demand a UK team for future world or European cup contests.

The End.

21 Aug 08 - 12:03 PM (#2419499)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

the UK is made up of the COUNTRIES of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and not Regions, a region as I have said is a like Yorkshire or Kent or Ayrshire or Aberdeenshire, these are regions, I'll tell you what you come up to Scotland and say the Scotland is a region, since when did we get regions with Parliaments/governments or assemblies then.

Keir hardie was a man who came from our land,
And said all men should be free,
But Wilson's in his place and it's a different case,
And he won't be getting any help from me,
'Cause he lets Yankees in the Holy Loch and backs them in Vietnam
For the Ibos in Biafra he just didn't give a damn.
"It's thirteen years of Tory rule that got us in this jam!" (spoken like Wilson)
Ach I'll no' vote for Harold, no' me, no' me.
I'll be voting for the SNP.

Captain Heath wants my vote, this messer in a boat,
He says he'll tighten law and order,
They'll be polismen galore, chappin' on each Scottish door,
Till he's satisfied he's pacified the Border!
Remember back there in the good old days before the Labour came,
When the Tories were in power, they were saying just the same.
"It really isn't our fault, chin up now, play the game" (spoken like Ted heath)
Ach I'll no' vote for Edward, no' me, no' me.
I'll be voting for the SNP

Jeremy Thorpe does his bit and on the fence he'll sit,
Arguing about Federation,
But we all know the score for a Union's been before,
That's why Scotland's just a region no' a nation.
For he's a wishy-washy-waverer with Grimmond for a pal,
He thinks we're all too stupid or too poor to rule ourself,
"We're all English, I mean British, I mean, dash it, what the hell!" (spoken like Thorpe )
Ach I'll no' vote for Jeremy, no' me, no' me,
I'll be voting for the SNP.

21 Aug 08 - 12:11 PM (#2419511)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

then you wonder why so many people hate the ENGLISH, as individuals I think they are great but as a nation not, oh and by the way I have family who are English, I like them, but these people that don't think the Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are Countries with our own Parliaments/assemblies are just regions, well please explain why you think think so.

as I have said go to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and then tell them that they are just regions and not Countries and see what you get.

but as I said let bygones be bygone

The End

21 Aug 08 - 12:46 PM (#2419546)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Stu

I think they are all countries, but blood runs thicker than water and like it or not, we're all pretty much the same underneath on these Islands.

Twll dy din di!

stigweard the inhabitant of these Isles and bollocks to all your countries and misplaced nationalism my ancestors where here before they were invented anyway.

21 Aug 08 - 12:56 PM (#2419555)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Jack Blandiver

Frankly Doug, I much prefer Gandhi as a person.

Oh yeah? - see Here.

21 Aug 08 - 01:02 PM (#2419556)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: PoppaGator

TMI! (Too Much Information).

The International Olympic Committee is NOT going to allow a different set of nations to participate in a single discipline/sport (i.e., football) than in the event as a whole.

If FIFA lets the various countries of the UK enter separate teams in the World Cup, so be it, and you various nationalists should be glad of it. Such an arrangement might not last forever!

If the governing bodies of the sport can't select a UK football team that includes UK citizens other than Englishmen, that's wrong, and can only serve to field an inferior team. On the other hand, if there should be a competant and entirely fair selection process and not a single Scot, Welshman, or Irishman were skilled enough to qualify, shame on them.

How would the Opening Ceremony "parade of nations" work if the Olympics were to accept separate football teams from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while accepting UK teams and individuals for competition in track/athletics, swimming and diving, rowing, greco-roman wrestling and every other major and minor sport? Ridiculous!

21 Aug 08 - 01:04 PM (#2419559)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: McGrath of Harlow

Why do people talk about Great Britain as if it was a country . It isn't, it's an island, part of the UK, with no separate political identity.

What annoys me is that there's been virtually no coverage of the football in the Olympics, just because there's no home team to yammer on about.

21 Aug 08 - 02:03 PM (#2419600)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

Needs must - I just picked up a Bitish passport renewal form, whilst in Durham for the folk Gathering, but I'll be quite happy to fill in suchlike again if and when England becomes independent. And, further to Goatfell's further and further, Flower of Scotland is on my Top Friends if you'd like a listen (as I do now and again).

22 Aug 08 - 04:12 AM (#2419929)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

stigweard,

a bit of sense here I think,

I agree with you that we are all different COUNTRIES, but we are all part of a place called UK,

SNP/PLAID CYRMU

These are the parties for me.

and if there was an English independence party, or a Cornwall independence party I would vote for them as well.

22 Aug 08 - 04:41 AM (#2419942)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: ard mhacha

Goatfell, "go to N Ireland and tell them it is not a country", Goatfell go to any nationalist area of `the wee six` and tell them it`s not a country, and you will have all the drink you can swallow.

22 Aug 08 - 05:24 AM (#2419950)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: GUEST,Hawkwind

I am counting down the hours to the closing ceremony of the Olympic games.

Every time I turn the bloody tv on it's Olympic bloody games. In the end it all adds up to a select bunch of egotist individuals who get money thrown at them from the lottery and government and we have to tolerate their bloody faces for two weeks as the hug eachother.

It astounds me that if a coloured British athlete isn't going so well we hear his parents are from the West Indies or Jamaica. If they win a gold, it's Birmingham or Brixton will be delighted at their favourite son or daughter !

22 Aug 08 - 07:26 AM (#2419980)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

I know that N.Ireland/Scotland and Wales are Countries, and also I know that some people that live in Cornwall want to be free from London rule, but we can't unless we get the people on our side and get rid of the Unionist parties in these places, or try and tell them the truth.

Free from London rule the quicker the better I say.

22 Aug 08 - 07:27 AM (#2419981)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

but this does not mean that I hate the English, I just don't like London telling us what to do.

22 Aug 08 - 09:06 AM (#2420022)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Stu

"and if there was an English independence party"

It'll never happen. The second the flag of St. George is waved you'll start hearing cries of 'racists', 'fascists' or whatever; associations will be made with skinheads, right-wingers etc. This issue is at the heart of a struggle for identity for English people. To many, the overt displays of nationalism seen in Scotland, Ireland and Wales are something to be envied and they don't see why they can't do the same. However, this view is tempered by a sort of collective guilt for the events of the past, although I think these are spun in some quarters to further nationalist agendas; I also think the true struggle has always been a class issue to a degree and the more visionary militants (Winstanley, Connelly, Marx, Paine) of the past have recognised this. To many from Scotland, Ireland and Wales any display of English nationalism is seen as threatening and living proof the old enemy is still on the march towards imperialism. Until the home countries can truly learn to accept the past is done and we can coexist, and we can each express our national identity in non-threatening ways then things will stay as they are. I strongly believe a radical re-assessment of the history of the Isles since the Norman invasion from a class perspective would enable us all to see our modern relationships in a new light.

It's a problem. I strongly believe in independence for all the home nations, but I also believe that we're all more closely related than most countries and this is a strength that should be built upon. I personally am not a flag-waver or a nationalist of any sort, but I'm also not willing to let any my cultural heritage(s) go meekly into the night, either wandering lost or forced out by others.

"I just don't like London telling us what to do."

What you call England, the English call London (er, sort of). What I mean is the Isles have been ruled from the South-East of England since the arrival of William the Bastard and that area of England has had a disproportionate influence on all of the home countries and many English counties ever since. What it might interest out neighbours to know is for many English people the government in London is as ignorant, misunderstanding and uncaring of their cultures as they are of yours. Fact. Always have been, always will be.

So we don't like London telling us what to do either.

22 Aug 08 - 09:16 AM (#2420028)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

good

22 Aug 08 - 09:24 AM (#2420033)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

we who want freedom from London, we don't care what race or gender or what tickles yer fancy, there are people in Scotland/Wales think that the SNP/PLAID CYRMU are anti English, we are not we are as I have said we're anti London/Westminster, and we believe that the people have the right to make their own mistakes.

give the people a voice it is like someone coming into your house and then telling you what to do I mean would like that I don't think so.

22 Aug 08 - 11:02 AM (#2420089)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Stu

Whatever.

As I've said, I'm not subscribing to anyone else's ideas of country when it comes to these Islands. My family have been here since the year dot and even if they'd only arrived yesterday but felt at home in the dales and fells, glens and becks, cwms and loughs they have as much right to be here as anyone else as long as they contribute and are tolerant.

I love the land, languages and cultures of the islands I live on, and not one person owns any bit of them any more or less than I do as far as I am concerened. And in the spirit of that, I would gladly enter a football team made up of my brothers and sisters from across the isles to represent all of us who can see beyond our flags and sad little nationalistic viewpoints.

Up yer arse!

diddley diddley diddley dum di diddley
diddley diddley diddley diddley
diddley diddley diddley dum di diddley
diddle diddle dee dum dee diddley

22 Aug 08 - 01:04 PM (#2420173)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

"I just don't like (Scottish New Labour in) London telling us what to do." (Goatfell; plus me, in parenthesis). I, too, much prefer the SNP, English Democrats, etc.

22 Aug 08 - 06:09 PM (#2420344)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: McGrath of Harlow

What's needed is an MRL - Movement for a Republic of London. Non-racist, multicultural, and left of centre, like the SNP and Plaid Cymru.

23 Aug 08 - 04:00 AM (#2420552)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: GUEST,Earlyriser

Who the hell is the Benny Hill look a like with the Birmingham accent presenting the Olympics for the BBC ?

Christ where do the find them ???????????

23 Aug 08 - 06:43 AM (#2420582)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

(Morning - I think you mean Adrian Chiles, Earlyriser.)
I'm not going to start another thread about it, but some of the sports that females are participating at in this Olympics is, frankly, offensive to me. I.e., sports that require brute strength, such that medal winners nearly always have bulging muscles and veins in their limbs, or sports where they try and kick each other in the head, or wrestle in ways that produce cauliflower ears. Here, rather, are a couple of good sports for females - table tennis and netball.

23 Aug 08 - 07:27 AM (#2420588)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

I like him Adrian(His name)?

23 Aug 08 - 07:36 AM (#2420594)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

walkaaboutverse,

I think that statement is rather offensive and sexist to boot, women have the right as any man to do any sports they feel they can do, and who is to say that they can, If they want to compete with the men then let them compete with the men, after all they are human the same as you.

And Walkaboutverse welcome to the 21 century.

equality in sport for both Men and Women.

23 Aug 08 - 03:47 PM (#2420828)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Nigel Parsons

... And why is it that the team for England, N.Ireland, Scotland & Wales is labelled as "Team GB"? Northern Ireland has no representation in that title.
Similarly, Wales has no representation on the Union flag. Is it any wonder that in the past Welsh athletes have done their 'lap of honour' carrying the Welsh flag?

Anyhow, back to the soccer. At least the English Football Association never tried to claim that the F.A.Cup was for world competition (unlike American footballers). They only changed the name from "The English Cup" after Cardiff (Wales) won it!

Cymru am byth!
Nigel

23 Aug 08 - 04:01 PM (#2420833)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

I'd be quite happy for the next Archbishop of Canterbury to be a female, or to work under a female managing director, Goatfell, but, as a production manager, if I saw a female trying to pick up a 25KG bag of polymer, e.g., I'd stop her and do it myself - somethings/attitudes WERE better mid-way through last century, frankly. For more on this, see poems 210 and 211, if you like.

23 Aug 08 - 04:11 PM (#2420839)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

...and then there's cricket, Nigel...from what I've gathered, the Welsh could field a pretty handy cricket team these days.

24 Aug 08 - 10:08 AM (#2421167)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

Just watched the handover Olympics performance - there was "Olympics football" for one Englishman, David Beckham, as he kicked a ball out to athletes who did participate; but the rest was American culture performed around a bus, a hedge, and umbrellas (which were lookin up).

24 Aug 08 - 01:05 PM (#2421261)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Nigel Parsons

In a one day Cricket match in Cardiff in 2002 Wales beat England by eight wickets!
BBC Sports

24 Aug 08 - 01:34 PM (#2421276)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

So, Nigel, the England and Wales Cricket Board should definitely dissolve, along with the monarchy.

25 Aug 08 - 08:40 AM (#2421688)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

Apparently, Alex Ferguson has been appoached to manage a GB 2012 team - if he wishes to go beyond managing a wealthy world-11 against other wealthy world-11s in England, I suggest he applies, rather, to manage Scotland's NATIONAL team.

25 Aug 08 - 08:44 AM (#2421691)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: GUEST,Fife

"Apparently, Alex Ferguson has been approached to manage a GB 2012 team"

What are they going to allow bath chairs on the side lines ? Sorry but the ex Rangers Ferguson is getting too old and hasn't he had a few brushes with the law that exposed an alcohol problem ?

25 Aug 08 - 12:31 PM (#2421834)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

...and George Burley, a Scot who competes for his OWN country as manager, has said that the Scottish FA remains against a GB football team - and God's speed to them.

25 Aug 08 - 12:50 PM (#2421850)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Stu

"but some of the sports that females are participating at in this Olympics is, frankly, offensive to me"

Jesus wept on a Sunday morning - who are you to decide what people do with their lives WAV?

Good luck to each and every one of them, they've more integrity in their little fingers than some people have in their entire body.

25 Aug 08 - 01:17 PM (#2421860)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

Any limitations on that Stigweard - how about females playing rugby, or boxing? How much harm can be done to a lady's breasts in such heavy contact sports?

25 Aug 08 - 01:33 PM (#2421868)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: PoppaGator

One of my former coworkers is on an all-girl rugby team; she's not in the office now since she recently returned to active duty in the Marines. More power to her, I say ~ even though we may not see eye-to-eye on politics and international relations. And, while she may be a bit on the "big-boned" side, she is certainly attractive and feminine enough in her own postmodern fashion.

I know a few young women in our local neo-roller-derby contingent; their sport may be even rougher-and-tougher than rugby, and I have no problem with any of them, either.

I've yet to hear of any mammary injuries in connectiton with such athletic persuits. Like WAV, I occasionally wonder just why that's not a more serious concern, but I figure that, as someone lacking those anatomical features myself, I can't really imagine what's involved in maintaining their integrity while participating in contact sports. However, I have been able to observe that those who do have to deal with such complications manage to do so easily enough.

25 Aug 08 - 01:44 PM (#2421876)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Stu

"Any limitations on that Stigweard - how about females playing rugby, or boxing"

No - they're quite capable of making their own minds up on what sports (or anything else for that matter) they pursue. I think you'll find one of the daughter's of a Mudcatter was in the weight-lifting competition for Team GB.

In fact, despite the fact I'm a bloke I'm also a lardy git and I do have a pair of tits (moobs) and can vouch for the fact I've never injured them playing rugger or boxing (two sports I never actually play, as it happens).

I think you're winding me up WAV - and if you're not, norks to you my son.

25 Aug 08 - 02:14 PM (#2421891)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

No kidology intended Stigweard - and, the fact is, as with many other matters, in the 1950s, e.g., most here would have agreed with me. Attitudes don't always change for the better - can we at least agree on that?

25 Aug 08 - 02:18 PM (#2421893)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Stu

Well luckily some of live in more enlighted times.

25 Aug 08 - 05:43 PM (#2422019)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

"Norks" you say, on The Weekly Walkabout thread, Stigweard?...Sounds more like Aussie cutlery!

26 Aug 08 - 11:39 AM (#2422506)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: goatfell

well I take it you have never heard of female weight lifters then, that could maybe lift you over their shoulders.

26 Aug 08 - 12:30 PM (#2422540)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Jack Blandiver

Attitudes don't always change for the better - can we at least agree on that?

I thought I'd dreamt this one in the depth of a terrible nightmare, but now I see that it's all too terribly real...

Anyway, back in the 1950s such prejudices were positively encouraged by the powers that be by way of pacifying the potential unruliness of proletariat. The best that working-class women could hope for was to live in constant drudgery & servitude, destroying their knees by daily-polishing their oven ranges & doorsteps for fear of being ostracised by their so-called communities. Black & white times; well & truly the Dark Ages, but they're mostly all dead & buried now along with all the repressive insanity that enslaved them.

You want a golden age of England, WAV, you're going to have go a long way further back than the 1950s, which was probably one of the bleakest times in our history, with few compensatory factors for those unfortunate enough to have lived through them. I see them yet, those dark-eyed refugees of the mid-years of the 20th century; the sort of people who express sympathy for the BNP because of the repressions they were forced to take such pride in. Washed-up, washed-out, alienated & cast aside, they can't even smoke in their pubs & clubs any more; having become addicted to cigarettes at a time when their GP would have encouraged them to take it up.

These people would no doubt agree with you, WAV - and... but hey, wait a minute, what the fuck am I saying? That was before immigration right? So it must have been better...

26 Aug 08 - 12:42 PM (#2422551)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Rapunzel

Regarding danger to breasts and people of the 1950s agreeing with you, design and technology of supportive underwear has moved on a lot since then. With the invention of lycra in 1959 and advancing technology since then, we now have supportive bras designed specifically for sport activity. This means most women, even those fairly generously endowed, can enjoy physical activity without pain or damage to breasts.

26 Aug 08 - 12:52 PM (#2422561)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

A masculine female weight lifter possibly could lift 74kg me over her shoulders, Goatfell; and the top female players (often with heavy strapping on their limbs, these days) probably would beat me at tennis - for what it's worth..?

27 Aug 08 - 04:47 AM (#2423114)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: Stu

""Norks" you say, on The Weekly Walkabout thread, Stigweard?...Sounds more like Aussie cutlery!"

Brummie vernacular.

27 Aug 08 - 06:08 AM (#2423148)
Subject: RE: BS: No Olympics Football
From: WalkaboutsVerse

Okay then, Stigweard...so I guess you Brummies won't start saying: "Dinner's nearly ready - can someone set the norks on the table, please"...or maybe you do?! :-)>