Презентация по теме "Scotland"

Scotland

Scotland

• Scotland, one of the four national units that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
• Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, and Glasgow is its largest city.
• The official head of Scotland is the British Monarch.
• The population of Scotland is about 5,480,000.
• National day: June 24 - independence Day

Location and area

Scotland and its offshore islands comprise the northernmost part of the United Kingdom. The largest of the other islands is the Island of Arran. The total land area of Scotland, including the islands, is 78,790 sq km (30,420 sq mi).

History

The Kingdom of Scotland emerged as an independent sovereign state in the Europea nEarly Middle Ages and continued to exist until 1707. By inheritance in 1603, James VI of Scotland became king of England and Ireland, thus forming a personal union of the three kingdoms. Scotland subsequently entered into a political union with the Kingdom of England on 1 May 1707 to create the new Kingdom of Great Britain. The union also created the Parliament of Great Britain, which succeeded both the Parliament of Scotland and the Parliament of England. In 1801, the Kingdom of Great Britain entered into a political union with the Kingdom of Ireland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (in 1922, the Irish Free State seceded from the United Kingdom, leading to the latter being officially renamed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1927).

National symbols

The national flower of Scotland is the thistle.

Thistle is a prickly leaved purple flower which was first used in the 15th century as a symbol of defence. The thistle has been a Scottish symbol for more than 500 vears. It was found on ancient coins and coats of arms.

Coat of arm

Emblem of Scotland - on a gold field, red, blue weapons(claws and tongue),heraldic lion, around double red border, sprouted lilies.

Flag

The official flag of the country consists of a white cross on a blue background and is known as St. Andrew’s Cross.

Animal

The official symbol of Scotland is the mythical animal called the Unicorn. It symbolizes the spiritual purity and great wisdom .

National holidays

The Scottish people (or Scots) have many holidays. St. Andrew’s Day, Independence Day of Scotland, Walpurgis Night, Viking Festival, Highland Gathering and so on. But the most famous holiday is Hogmanay.

National holidays

• Independence Day of Scotland is celebrated on the 24th of June.
• St. Andrew’s Day is a National festival that takes place on the 30th of November.
• Legend has it that on Walpurgis Night (the 30th of April) , witches fly their broomsticks to meet the devil. In towns and villages people make bonfires, dress in devil or witch costumes and dance into the new month of May.
• In Scotland, New Year’s day is called Hogmanay. It is celebrated on the 1st of January. Hogmanay is the oldest of the existing holidays.

Edinburgh. Sight- seeing

Edinburgh, capital of Scotland, is one of Britain's most attractive cities. It's a city for people who like to walk. You are never far from green parks, gardens and hills - even in the main shopping streets. It's a busy and modern city, but history is everywhere.

At the top of the highest hill in Edinburgh is Edinburgh Castle. Soldiers have marched through its gates for nearly a thousand years. It was the home of Scotland's royal family until the year 1603 when King James the Sixth of Scotland became king of England as well and went south to live in London.

Edinburgh. Sight- seeing

The Royal Mile, the most famous road in Edinburgh, begins at the castle and goes eastwards. Off the Royal Mile you can explore old narrow streets on foot. You'll find some interesting shops.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

It was built by a Scottish king before Scotland and England were united to make Great Britain. Now Holyroodhouse is a second home for the British king or queen, who usually visits Edinburgh in the summer. When the royal family is not there, you can visit the palace. You can see the staterooms and walk around the gardens and the ruins of the abbey, a much older building.

Sight-seeing in the country

Loch Ness

Ben Nevis

Loch Ness is a large, deep, freshwater loch in Scotland. Loch Ness is famous for  the Loch Ness Monster , also known affectionately as "Nessie".

Ben Nevis is a mountain in the Scottish Highlands.  It is the highest mountain in the British Isles.  Its height is  1,344 metres.

Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth, it is the largest by volume in the British Isles.

Ben Nevis is a very popular tourist destination. The mountain is also of great interest to experienced climbers.

The summit of the mountain is a big plateau with an observatory, shelter and war memorial.

Sight-seeing in the country

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Callanish

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh