What Do You Know about Scotland Scotlands Culture

What Do You Know about Scotland? Scotland’s Culture

Cf. E: • I can discuss issues of the diversity of cultures, values and customs in our society. SOC 2 -16 c • I can describe the main features of a democracy and discuss the rights and responsibilities of citizens in Scotland. SOC 2 -17 a

Scotland’s Language Although many languages are spoken in Scotland, the main three languages are Scots, English and Scots Gaelic. English is spoken everywhere! Scots language has different forms or dialects. Examples of these are Doric from the North East or Shetland if you’re on the Shetland Isles. Doric Foo, fit, far and fan are who, what where and when in the Doric of the North East. Foo ye doin’? How are you? Fit’s at? What’s that? Far ye gaun? Where are you going? Fan you gaun? When are you going? Shetland ‘Du’ is often used for you and instead of using th in words, the dialect uses d or sometimes t. For example dis for this, dat for that. Du is daft! You are daft!

Scotland’s Language You may see Scots Gaelic on public notices in Scotland. Gaelic is more commonly spoken in the Highland Western Isles. Try learning some Gaelic here. Ciamar a tha sibh? How are you? Can you collect some Scots words or Gaelic words? Perhaps you could make up your own dictionary. How many more Scots dialects can you find out about? Try this link for some help. Photo courtesy of Stanley Seung. Nyung Chung and Neil Turner (@flickr. com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

Scotland’s Food When you think about Scottish food, what do you think of first? Haggis? Shortbread? Whisky? But what about Tablet? Cullen Skink? Clootie Dumpling? These are traditional Scottish foods and there are lots more, but like most places, you can find foods in Scotland from around the world. Scotland today is known for its production of high quality seafood, meat, game, fruit (particularly berries), vegetables, cheese and dairy products. You can find some facts about Scottish produce here. Next time you’re in the supermarket, can you find any Scottish produce? How about trying out a Scottish recipe? Porridge is easy to make and is very tasty!

Scotland’s Food tablet Clootie dumpling Cullen Skink Photo courtesy of Robert Scarth, Matito and Pseph (@flickr. com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

Scotland’s Festivals and Celebrations Like people all over the world, Scottish people like to celebrate their culture and have fun! In Scotland throughout the year, festivals and celebrations are held for people to enjoy. Here are some of the most well known. Edinburgh International Festival It’s a busy time in Edinburgh as the International Festival takes place at the same time as the Festival Fringe, the Art Festival, the Book Festival and more. These festivals celebrate many aspects of the arts and culture, with performances and events like the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Photo courtesy of xlibber (@flickr. com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

Scotland’s Festivals and Celebrations Celtic Connections This festival in Glasgow celebrates Celtic music and its links with music from all around the world. Braemar Gathering Many Highland games take place across Scotland during the Summer. The Braemar Gathering is held near the Queen’s Highland home at Balmoral and members of the Royal Family often attend. Events at the games include Highland dancing, traditional Highland Games events such as tug of war and a hill race. Photo courtesy of Ron. Almog (@flickr. com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

Scotland’s Festivals and Celebrations T in the Park This is Scotland’s longest running music festival. Hogmanay Seeing the old year out and the New Year in is a particularly Scottish celebration; have you heard of Auld Lang Syne? Who wrote that song? Photo courtesy of Tom Brogan (@flickr. com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

Scotland’s Festivals and Celebrations Up Helly Aa In Lerwick, Shetland, this community festival takes place on the last Tuesday in January and ends with a torchlit procession and the burning of a Viking galley. Look out for those Vikings! There are so many more Scottish festivals and celebrations! Can you find out about other Scottish events? Where do they take place? What happens and why? Perhaps you could make a Scottish festivals map! Photo courtesy of Vincenzo Fileccia (@flickr. com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

Scottish Independence The YES, NO Question On 18 th September 2014 a referendum was held in Scotland. The people of Scotland had to vote and say YES or NO to becoming an independent country. Becoming independent would mean that Scotland would no longer be part of the United Kingdom. This could mean changes in many areas of society; for example, in the currency that could be used or in the amount of money Scotland’s government has to spend. 45% of the population voted YES to independence. 55% of the population voted NO to independence. What do YOU think? Should Scotland be an independent country? Find out more about this issue and hold a debate for or against Scottish independence!

Politics in Scotland has its own parliament in Edinburgh. The Scottish Government is presently run by the Scottish National Party and the First Minister in Scotland is Nicola Sturgeon. There are 73 constituencies represented by an M. S. P at the Scottish Parliament. The next Scottish government elections will be held in 2016. Choose a Scottish parliamentary constituency; what can you find out about it? Scotland is part of the UK so each of the 59 constituencies in Scotland are represented by an M. P. at Parliament in Westminster. Following the General Election in 2015, 56 of those constituencies are represented by the S. N. P and the 3 remaining seats are represented by the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties. Choose a Scottish UK parliamentary constituency; what can you find out about it? Are the Scottish and UK constituencies the same? Nicola Sturgeon

So what do you know about Scotland’s culture now?