Scotland is a country in the UK which is situated to the north of England

Scotland is a country in the UK which is situated to the north of England.

The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh.

It is a popular tourist centre. Tourists come to see Scotland's beautiful landscapes: the lakes, such as Loch Lomond or Loch Ness, famous for the Loch Ness Monster; and the Grampian mountains, with heir highest peak Ben Nevis (1343 m).

The most important river in Scotland is the Clyde, which flows through Glasgow.

The population of Scotland is 5 million people. Although Scotland is part the United Kingdom, it has its own currency, a separate educational and legal system, and its own parliament.

The national symbols of Scotland are: the flag the white cross on the blue background; the plant — the thistle; the fabric  
the tartan; and the patron saint of the country — St. Andrew.

Glasgow – the heart of industry and business 
Aberdeen – a prosperous city with spectacular architecture 
Dundee – the 4^th largest city, commercial, artistic and cultural center.

Scotland is washed by the North sea from the east  
the Atlantic ocean from the west.

Scotland is divided into Highlands and Lowlands.

Scotland is known as  
the Athens of the North.

Edinburgh is divided into 
the Old Town and the New Town

The oldest building in Edinburgh is Edinburgh Castle. It was used as a fortress and then as a royal palace.

The military tattoo takes place every August and September, they play military music and march.

New  Facts about Scotland.

The kilt is a knee-length check (клетчатый) clothes with pleats (складки), it is the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. It is most often made of woolen cloth. It is worn on formal occasions and as an item of fashionable informal male clothing in nowadays.

The dog belonged to John Grey. When he died Bobby lived on his grave for twenty-six years. Later Bobby was buried near his master and his statue is situated in the Old Town now. The monument to Bobby is a symbol of great devotion

Bagpipe 
 
The origin of the bagpipe leads from the most ancient civilizations.  
The bagpipe is an instrument which was played in villages in many cultures because a cattleman (пастух) had the necessary materials at hand: a goat or sheep skin and a reed pipe(тростник).  
The bagpipe is one of the oldest reed instruments.

There are many traditional folk songs, which are generally melodic, haunting or rousing. These are often very specific to certain regions and are performed today by a burgeoning variety of folk groups. Popular songs were originally produced by music hall performers such as Harry Lauder and Will Fyffe for the stage. More modern exponents of the style have included Andy Stewart, Glen Daly, Kenneth McKellar and the Alexander Brothers