When we think about Scottish people, probably the first thing that crosses our minds is a man wearing a skirt!
Are the Scottish people so different from the rest? Do they have the same habits as other cultures? Many books and articles have been written on this topic, and many people said their opinion after getting in contact with Scottish people.
The majority of the population lives in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland’s two largest cities. Edinburgh, the capital city, is the most important financial, educational, economical and industrial centre in the country and the probably one of the most attractive touristic destinations in the world. Every year it attracts more than 300,000 tourists at the International Festival of Music and Drama.
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How could somebody living in such a splendid country be ugly and unkind? Scotland is famous for the beautiful landmarks which attract thousands of tourists every single year. Besides the beauty, the country is also an important intellectual and industrial powerhouse and one of Europe’s largest financial centres. Thanks to the unique landmarks, there is no wonder why so many tourists choose Scotland as their destination.
Scottish culture and history are wide and complex. The Scots emerged from a merger of the Picts and the Gaels. During different periods in history, other peoples influenced the culture: the Dalriadans, the Britons, the Norse, the Angles and the Saxons. Nowadays, most people living in Scotland are British citizens.
Unlike other European nations, Scottish people are famous for their enthusiast and hospitality. In Scotland, visitors are always welcomed and well-treated. The over five million people living in Scotland represent five million possibilities of meeting someone nice and kind, different from other nations. It is not only their enthusiasm and positivism which attracts people from different countries but also their history and hobbits.
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Despite the myth of men wearing skirts every day, it is worth-mentioning that their special outfits are called ‘kilts’ and they only wear them at special occasions, like weddings and formal functions. As for the haggis, they only eat this meal about once a year. Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish, consisting of a pudding made of sheep of lamb, boiled in the stomach of the same animal, usually served on the week of January 25 in the memory of Robert Puns.
Whoever likes whisky should know that it is Scotland’s national drink and it is considered ‘life’s water’. Scotland’s home grown soft drink is called ‘Irn Bru’ and one of their national delicious deserts is called ‘shortbread’. They have many symbols like flags, icons or cultural expressions but only few of them are official.
The most attractive part about Scottish remains their positive attitude, friendliness and hospitality. They say no other place in the world is so warmth and friendly as Scotland and this seems to be true since about three quarters of Europeans choose this destination in place of other European countries.
The Scots simply love people and embrace other cultures. Unlike other countries, Scottish people are not racist or insidious. This is what makes the country the land of friendship where the color of the skin and the social status are not so important.
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The many pubs, bars and night-clubs in Scotland strengthen the idea that Scots really know how to have fun. In Scotland, stress is not such a big problem like in other European countries for Scots know how to find new ways of relaxation every single day. A day without going out with family or friends, without at least playing some sports like golf or football is wasted. From the public parties like the street parties or music festivals to the more private parties like birthday parties or St. Andrew’s Day, the Scots always seek for a new fun event. And since the more people, the better, they make sure to spend such an occasion with as many friends as possible.
Another important aspect related to the Scots is that they give education a great importance. In Scotland, education is free from nursery school to secondary school and most of the people, during the history, have acquired university studies. They believe the only way of achieving excellence is by means of culture and not being aware of knowledge’s importance stands for not being able to surpass the ignorance. Taking into consideration that only the smart people lead the world, it seems great for a nation to have such standards and beliefs.
Besides the many stereotypes, something is for sure: not all of the Scots are the same. Even if most Scots are considered meager, prudent and careful to details nobody is the same even if they live in the same country. However, they share some common beliefs and this is what characterizes them as a nation.
