Scotland (Spotlight 10)

Scotland

Edinburgh

Edinburgh, capital of Scotland.

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.

Edinburgh Castle

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.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Palace of Holyroodhouse

At the other end of the Royal Mile is the 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.

Kilt

The kilt, the most important part of Scotland's national dress, is made from tartan cloth. To make a kilt takes eight metres of tartan cloth. Kilts are worn by men and women, but a man's kilt has a pocket made from leather and silver. It's worn in front and it's called a sporran. For a souvenir, how about a tartan hat? Or perhaps a useful tartan umbrella.

Bagpipes - the national instrument of Scotland. In local workshop, craftsmen make the wooden pipes. The bag is made of leather and covered in tartan.