LANGUAGE Scotland has three distinct languages: English, Gaelic, and Scots. Almost all Scots speak Scottish Standard English. It is estimated by the General Register Office for Scotland that 30% of the population are also fluent in Scots, a West Germanic language sister to the English language. Slightly more than 1% of the population are native Gaelic speakers, a Celtic language similar to Irish. Eilean Siar is the only unitary council region of Scotland where Gaelic is spoken by a majority of the population and that fact is reflected in the use of Gaelic in its official name. Almost all Gaelic speakers also speak fluent English. The Scottish Parliament recognises both English and Gaelic as official languages of Scotland, both receiving "equal respect" although not equal validity. Gaelic received official recognition through the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act The Scots language was also officially recognised as a "regional or minority language" under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages ratified by the United Kingdom in 2001, and the Scottish Executive, has promised to provide support in their Partnership Agreement 2003.

CULTURE Scotland has a civic and ethnic culture distinct from that of the rest of the British Isles. It originates from various differences, some entrenched as part of the Act of Union, others facets of nationhood not readily defined but readily identifiable

MONUMENTS OF SCOTLAND Prince Charlie MonumentThe National Wallace MonumentGlenelg's War Memorial

NATIONAL SYMBOLS - The Flag of Scotland dates from the 9th century making it one of the oldest flags in the world. It now forms part of the Union Flag, the national flag of the United Kingdom. However the Flag of Scotland, known as the Saltire or St Andrew's Cross can be found flying all over Scotland. - The Royal Standard of Scotland, a banner showing the old royal arms of the Kings of Scotland is also frequently to be seen, particuarly at sporting events involving a Scottish team. - The unicorn is also used as a symbol of Scotland. - The thistle, the national flower of Scotland, features in many Scottish symbols and logos, and UK currency. - Flower of Scotland is popularly held to be the national anthem of Scotland, but as Scotland remains part of the United Kingdom, God Save the Queen legally is the national anthem. The thistle is widely regarded as the emblem of Scotland. There are several varieties of thistle, most of them common weeds throughout the British Isles and nearly all characterised by extreme prickliness. The legend of how the thistle came to be adopted by the Scots tells of how a group of Scots were sleeping in a field when a group of marauding Vikings crept up to attack. Fortunately one of the Vikings stood on a thistle, whose prickles penetrated through to his foot and made him yell with pain, waking the sleeping Scots who were able to fight off their attackers. So, from that day, or so the story goes, the thistle has been adopted as Scotland's national emblem.

Saint Andrew Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland, and Saint Andrew's Day is celebrated by Scots around the world on the 30th November. The flag of Scotland is the Cross of Saint Andrew, and this is widely displayed as a symbol of national identity. The first Apostle. Fisherman. Brother of Simon Peter. Follower of John the Baptist. Went through life leading people to Jesus, both before and after the Crucifixion. Missionary in Asia Minor and Greece, and possibly areas in modern Russia and Poland. Martyred on an saltire (x-shaped) cross, he is said to have preached for two days from it. Andrew was a simple fisherman who lived with his brother Peter in Galilee. One day a man named Jesus came to him and his brother and asked them to follow Him – “I will make you fishers of men,” Jesus promised them. So the two men put down their nets and followed

Tradictional food Food from Scotland - Scotland is justly famous for her wonderful, traditional food. Haggis, Aberdeen Angus beef, smoked salmon, raspberries, shortbread oatcakes and porridge are just some of the food that spring to mind when you think of Scotland. Scottish food has an ancient tradition and many of the specialities are unique to Scotland.

Drink Irn-Bru Irn-Bru (pronounced "Iron Brew") is the most popular caffeinated soft drink in Scotland. It is made by A.G. Barr plc, of Glasgow. Barr's Irn-Bru is available in the United Kingdom,Ireland,Russia, Canada, Australia, and throughout much of Europe. Its advertising slogan used to be "Made in Scotland from girders ", though the closest one can come to substantiating this claim is the 0.002% ammonium ferric citrate listed in the ingredients. It has long been the most popular soft drink in Scotland, outselling even Coca-Cola, but recent fierce competition between the two brands has brought their sales to roughly equal levels (perhaps leaning to Coca-Cola). This success in defending its home market (a feat claimed only by Irn-Bru, South Australia's Farmers Union Iced Cofee,Peru's Inca kola and Sweden's Julmust) has led to ongoing speculation that either Coke, or its arch-rival Pepsico, Inc.,would attempt to buy A.G. Barr.

MAJOR CITIES

It is situated on the east coast of Scotland's central lowlands on the south shore of the Firth of Forth and in the unitary local authority of City of Edinburgh. It has been the capital of Scotland since 1437 and is the seat of the country's devolved government. The city was one of the major centres of the enlightenment, led by the University of Edinburgh.The Old Town and New Town districts of Edinburgh were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in In the census of 2001, Edinburgh had a total resident population of 448,624. Edinburgh is well known for the annual Edinburgh Festival, the largest performing arts festival in the world, and for the Hogmanay street party. At the time of the art festivals the population of the city doubles. The city is one of the world's major tourist destinations, attracting roughly 13 million visitors a year. Edinburgh

Glasgow Glasgow (or Glaschu in Gaelic) is Scotland's largest city and unitary council, situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands. People from Glasgow are called Glaswegians. Glaswegian is also the name of the local dialect, commonly known as the Glasgow Patter (see Dialect, below).The city was formerly a royal burgh, and the "Second City of the British Empire

Dundee Dundee (Dùn Dèagh in Gaelic) is Scotland's fourth largest city, population 154,674 (2001), situated on the north bank of the Firth of Tay. Dundee celebrated its 800th anniversary in 1991, and is known as the 'City of Discovery' in honor of the RRS Discovery, Robert Falcon Scott's famous Antarctic exploration vessel

Aberdeen Aberdeen (Obar Dheathain in Scottish Gaelic) is Scotland's third largest city, with a population of 212,125. It is the chief commercial centre and seaport in the north-east of Scotland. It boasts the title of Oil Capital of Europe thanks to the plentiful supply of crude oil in the North Sea, and stands on a bay of the North Sea, between the mouths of the rivers Don and Dee. Aberdeen is also one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, officially known as the City of Aberdeen. The city is currently run by a coalition of 20 Scottish Liberal Democrat and 3 Conservative councillors.

Scottish country dancing The Society was established in 1923 by its co-founders to protect and promote the standards of Scottish country dancing. Today we are an International organisation catering to the needs of many thousands of members in many countries throughout the world. We even have an International Branch for those who do not have strong links to one locality.

Music Bagpipes Bagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aerophones using enclosed reeds. The term is equally correct in the singular or plural, although pipers most commonly talk of "pipes" and "the bagpipe".

SPORT Scotland also has its own sporting competitions distinct from the rest of the UK, such as the Scottish Football League and the Scottish Rugby Union. The gives the country independent representation at many international sporting events such as the football World Cup and various rugby tournaments such as the Six Nations. Scotland cannot compete in the Olympic Games independently however, and Scottish athletes must compete as part of the Great Britain team if they wish to take part. Scotland is considered the “Home of Golf”, and is well known for its many courses, including the Old Course that is synonymous with the game. As well as its world famous Highland Games, where several traditional events such as the McGlashan stones are now common in world strongman events, Scotland has also given the world curling, and shinty, a stick game related to Ireland’s hurling, and similar to England’s field hockey.

Mete realized: Diogo Junqueiro nº D Andreia Pereira nº D