The stereotypical image of Scotland is men in kilts, lots of tartan, and royals on vacation. But the real Scotland is one of the most beautiful, most diverse, and most interesting places in all of Europe.

Scotland is the country that introduced the world to golf (and there are those who believe that golf is Scotland’s most important contribution to the world). But it is also a country that saw some of the world’s most historic battles. Castles still dot the moors. Vikings once landed on Scotland’s beaches. Balmoral Castle is one of Scotland’s more famous landmarks, and it remains the vacation home for Queen Elizabeth II and her family.

History of Scotland

Scotland was first settled by the English and Irish over 6000 years ago. The settlers introduced agriculture to the country. As the years passed, more Europeans came to Scotland, including the Celts and Vikings, and later the Romans, who tried to bring religion to these warrior settlers. During the thirteenth century, William Wallace became the country’s greatest patriot and hero renowned for his battles with England. One year after Wallace was executed in London, Robert the Bruce named himself King of Scotland. Through the centuries, Scotland continued to do battle with England, and sometimes France. The Scots fought internally, as well, as different factions tried to take over the country’s ruling powers. In 1745, Bonnie Prince Charles came from England and put an end to this division and strife. Scotland has been part of the United Kingdom ever since.

Scotland Today

Scotland’s ethnic background today is Celtic and Anglo-Saxon, and its population is over 5 million. The languages spoken in Scotland are English and Gaelic. The country is a member of the European Union.

The country is divided into three major regions: Southern Uplands, Central Lowlands, and Highlands. The Southern Uplands is home to the famous moors, with plenty of rivers and valleys between the country’s central plain and the border with England. The Central Lowlands make up the fertile farmland between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. The Highlands is made up of lakes (lochs), glens, and mountains, plus hundreds of small islands off the coast.