Kilt Store
Huge range of Scottish and Irish kilts, Kilt outfits and accessories. For men and women. Thousands of tartans and tartan products. Also modern kilts and accessories. Great value.
www.kiltstore.net

Scotland - The Facts
The official site for visitors to scotland to plan their holiday.
VisitBritain.us

Scotland Travel
Save 40% on escorted tours over independent travel. Book a deal now.
www.TourVacationsToGo.com

Scotland Travel
Race to Savings Sale - Up to 50% Off Hotels & Vacation Packages.
www.Travelocity.com

Scottish Foods
Home andGarden Deals at Yahoo! Low Prices On scottish foods.
shopping.yahoo.com

Scotland Travel
Exexutive chahffeur driven Mini-Bus Hire for Scottish golf tours.
www.rowantravel.co.uk

USA Kilts - Made in USA from UK Material
Kilts and accessories for EVERY budget. Free shipping over $200.
www.USAKilts.com

Fly Cheap to Scotland
70% Off Scotland Airfare Compare Scotland Flights - Save.
Scotland.Flights.Asia.com

Scotland Flags from $1.80
Find Flags of Every Country in the World. Order Online Today.
www.flagsimporter.com

Scottish Genealogy
Trace your ancestry. Genetic genealogy. Paternal and maternal origins.
www.genebase.com

Warning: mkdir() [function.mkdir]: Permission denied in /home/webs/affiliatelib2/CacheManager.php on line 12

Warning: mkdir() [function.mkdir]: No such file or directory in /home/webs/affiliatelib2/CacheManager.php on line 12

Warning: fopen(/home/templatecore2cache//*cluesnet.com/63/6300d48233a8054fb5efcb8603d390c5f88d5ed2.tc2cache) [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/webs/affiliatelib2/CacheManager.php on line 130

Warning: fwrite(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/webs/affiliatelib2/CacheManager.php on line 131

Warning: fclose(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/webs/affiliatelib2/CacheManager.php on line 132

{{Infobox Country|native_name = ScotlandAlba|conventional_long_name =|common_name = Scotland|image_flag = Flag of Scotland.svg|image_coat = Royal coat of arms of Scotland.svg|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms|national_motto = (Latin)"No one provokes me with impunity""Cha togar m'fhearg gun dioladh" (Scottish Gaelic Language)"Wha daur meddle wi me?"(Scots language)1|national_anthem = (National Anthem of Scotland)|patron_saint = Saint Andrew|image_map = Europe location SCO 2.png|map_caption = |capital = Edinburgh|latd=55| latm=57 |latNS=N |longd=3 |longm=12 |longEW=W|official_languages = [Scottish English (de facto)|regional_languages = Scottish Gaelic language, Scots language1|ethnic_groups =|ethnic_groups_year =|demonym = Scot, Scots and Scottish²]|leader_title1 = British monarchy|leader_name1 = Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|leader_title2 = Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|leader_name2 = Gordon Brown MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 2005|leader_title3 = First Minister of Scotland|leader_name3 = Alex Salmond Members of the 3rd Scottish Parliament|sovereignty_type = Unification united under [Bridei III of the Picts|established_date1 = c. 685|established_event2 = Dál Riata incorporated by Óengus I of the Picts|established_date2 = c. 741|established_event3 = Lothian and Strathclyde finally incorporated on accession of David I of Scotland|established_date3 = 1124 (confirmed Treaty of York, 1237)] incorporated|established_date4 = 1234/5|established_event5 = Orkney and Shetland annexed]172 billion|GDP_PPP_rank =|GDP_PPP_year = 2006|GDP_PPP_per_capita = US$33,680]|currency_code = GBP|time_zone = GMT|utc_offset = 0|time_zone_DST = BST|DST_note =|utc_offset_DST = +1|cctld = .uk³]s under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages; "European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages" Scottish Government. Retrieved 27 September 2007. the Bòrd na Gàidhlig is tasked, under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, with securing Gaelic as an official language of Scotland, commanding "equal respect" with English.Macleod, Angus "Gaelic given official status" (22 April 2005) The Times. London. Retrieved 02 August 2007.]" as an adjective comparable to "Scottish" was commonplace, particularly outwith Scotland. However, the modern use of the term describes only products of Scotland, usually food or drink related.|footnote3 = Also .eu, as part of the European Union. ISO 3166-1 is Great Britain, but .gb is unused.-->Scotland (Scottish Gaelic language: Alba, Scots language: Scotland) is a nation in northwest Europe and one of the four constituent country "Welcome to the UK" 10 Downing Street. The website of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, which refers to "Countries within a country", stating "The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland". Retrieved on 21 September 2007. of the United Kingdom. It occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shares a Anglo-Scottish border to the south with England. It is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel (British Isles) and Irish Sea to the southwest. Apart from the mainland, Scotland consists of over 790 List of islands of Scotland.

Edinburgh, the country's capital and second largest city, is one of Europe's largest financial centres. "Edinburgh is Europe's sixth largest fund management centre". Scotland's largest city is Glasgow, which is the centre of the Greater Glasgow conurbation. Greater Glasgow is home to approximately 41% of Demographics of Scotland. Scottish waters consist of a large sector of the North Atlantic and the North Sea, containing the largest Oil resources in the European Union.

The Kingdom of Scotland was an independent state until 1 May 1707, when the Acts of Union 1707 (despite widespread protest across Scotland) Devine, T.M (1999) The Scottish Nation 1700–2000. Penguin Books. Page 9. ISBN 0-14-023004-1 "From that point on anti-union demonstrations were common in the capital. In November rioting spread to the south west, that stranglehold of strict Calvinism and covenanting tradition. The Glasgow mob rose against union sympathisers in disturbances which lasted intermittently for over a month" resulted in a union with the Kingdom of England to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. Scotland's Legal systems of the world continues to be separate from those of English law, and Northern Ireland law; and Scotland still constitutes a discrete jurisdiction in public international law and in private international law law.Collier, J.G. (2001) Conflict of Laws (Third edition)(pdf) Cambridge University Press. "For the purposes of the English conflict of laws, every country in the world which is not part of England and Wales is a foreign country and its foreign laws. This means that not only totally foreign independent countries such as France or Russia... are foreign countries but also British Colonies such as the Falkland Islands. Moreover, the other parts of the United Kingdom - Scotland and Northern Ireland - are foreign countries for present purposes, as are the other British Islands, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey." The continued independence of Scots law, the Scottish education system, and the Church of Scotland have all contributed to the continuation of Scottish culture and Scottish national identity since the Union. Devine, T.M (1999), The Scottish Nation 1700–2000, P.288–289, ISBN 0-14-023004-1 "created a new and powerful local state run by the Scottish bourgeoisie and reflecting their political and religious values. It was this local state, rather than a distant and usually indifferent Westminster authority, that in effect routinely governed Scotland" However, Scotland is no longer a separate Sovereignty state and does not have independent membership of either the United Nations or the European Union.

Etymology with Goídel Glas, voyaging from Egypt, as depicted in a 15th century manuscript of the Scotichronicon of Walter Bower.Some of the earliest surviving documents to mention the word Scotland include the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles of Abingdon, Worcester and Laud, written during the 11th Century, which state that prior to the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, Earl Tostig Godwinson had sought refuge in Scotland under the protection of Malcolm III, King of Scots. Swanton, M. (2000) The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. London. Phoenix Press. Quoted by bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 October 2007. "The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles" Source: Garmonsway, G.N. (1994) The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Everyman. Retrieved 14 October 2007. The word Scotland was derived from the Latin Scoti, of uncertain origin, applied to Gaels of Hibernia, the Roman name for modern Ireland. The Late Latin word Scotia (land of the Gaels) was eventually used only of Gaelic-speaking Scotland. This name was employed alongside Albania or Albany, from the Gaelic Alba. The use of the words Scots and Scotland to encompass all of Scotland became common only in the Scotland in the Late Middle Ages. In a modern political context, the word Scot is applied equally to all Demography of Scotland, regardless of their ancestral ethnicity. However, a 2006 study published by the University of Edinburgh suggest that segments of Scottish society continue to distinguish between those who claim to be Scots on Scottish people and those who claim to be Scots on the grounds of Civil society. Institute of Governance Identity Briefing "Who is Scottish? Political arguments, popular understandings and the implications for social inclusion. Briefing No. 14. January 2006" Retrieved 14 Oct 2007 "Scots" is also used to refer to the Scots language, which a large proportion of the Scottish population speak to a greater or lesser degree. " Initial Periodical report presented to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in Accordance with Article 15 of the Charter" (pdf) European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. (01/07/2002). Part 1, Section 3 states "However, surveys have indicated that 30% of respondents said they could speak Scots; a large proportion of the Scottish population speak Scots to a greater or lesser degree. Scots is on a linguistic continuum with English. Many Scots literally switch between English and Scots in mid-sentence by using Scots words and Scottish grammar". Retrieved on 26 September 2007.

History Early Scotland , a neolithic settlement, located in the Bay of Skaill, Orkney.Repeated glaciations, which covered the entire land-mass of modern Scotland, have destroyed any traces of human habitation before the mesolithic period. It is believed that the first post-glacial group(s) of hunter-gatherers arrived in Scotland around 11,000 years ago, as the ice sheet retreated after the Wisconsin glaciation. Groups of settlers began building the first permanent houses on Scottish soil around 9,500 years ago, and the first villages around 6,000 years ago. A site from this period is the well-preserved village of Skara Brae on the Mainland of Orkney. Neolithic habitation, burial and ritual sites are particularly common and well-preserved in the Northern Isles and Western Isles, where lack of trees led to most structures being built of local stone.Pryor, Francis, Britain BC, (London, 2003), pp. 98–104 & 246–250.

The written history of Scotland began with the arrival of the Roman Empire in southern and central Great Britain, when the Romans occupied what is now England and Wales, administering it as a Roman province called Roman Britain. Roman occupation of Scotland was a series of brief interludes. In 83/4 AD the general Gnaeus Julius Agricola defeated the Caledonians at the battle of Mons Graupius, and Roman forts were briefly set along the Gask Ridge close to the Highland Boundary Fault (none are known to have ever been constructed beyond that line). Three years after the battle the Roman armies had withdrawn to the Southern Uplands.Hanson, William S. The Roman Presence: Brief Interludes, in Edwards, Kevin J. & Ralston, Ian B.M. (Eds) (2003) Scotland After the Ice Age: Environment, Archeology and History, 8000 BC - AD 1000. Edinburgh. Edinburgh University Press They erected Hadrian's Wall to control tribes on both sides of the wall, but it effectively became the main northern border for the Romans throughout much of the later occupation of Britain, although they held the Antonine Wall in the Central Lowlands for two short periods. The last of these was during the time of Emperor Septimius Severus from 208 until 210.Robertson, Anne S. (1960) The Antonine Wall. Glasgow Archaeological Society. The extent of Roman occupation of any significant part of Scotland was limited to a total of about 40 years, although their influence on the southern section of the country occupied by Brythonic tribes such as the Votadini and Damnonii would still have been considerable. Hilton of Cadboll Stone.

Medieval Scotland The Kingdom of the Picts (based in Fortriu by the 6th century) was the state which eventually became known as "Alba" or "Scotland". The development of "Pictland", according to the historical model developed by Peter Heather, was a natural response to Roman imperialism.Peter Heather, "State Formation in Europe in the First Millennium A.D.", in Barbara Crawford (ed.), Scotland in Dark Ages Europe, (Aberdeen, 1994), pp. 47–63 Another view places emphasis on the Battle of Dunnichen, and the reign of Bridei III of the Picts (671–693), with another period of consolidation in the reign of Óengus I of the Picts (732–761).For instance, Alex Woolf, "The Verturian Hegemony: a mirror in the North", in M. P. Brown & C. A. Farr, (eds.), Mercia: an Anglo-Saxon Kingdom in Europe, (Leicester, 2001), pp. 106–11. The Kingdom of the Picts as it was in the early 8th century, when Bede was writing, was largely the same as the kingdom of the Scots in the reign of Alexander I of Scotland (1107–1124). However, by the tenth century, the Pictish kingdom was dominated by what we can recognise as Gaels culture, and had developed an Irish conquest myth around the ancestor of the contemporary royal dynasty, Kenneth I of Scotland (Kenneth MacAlpin). Dauvit Broun, "Dunkeld and the origin of Scottish identity", in Innes Review, 48 (1997), pp. 112–124, repr. in eds. Dauvit Broun and Thomas Owen Clancy (eds.), Spes Scotorum: Hope of Scots, (1999), pp. 95–111; Dauvit Broun, "Kenneth mac Alpin", in M. Lynch (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Scottish History, (New York, 2001), p.359; Sally Foster, Picts, Gaels and Scots: Early Historic Scotland, (London, 1996); Simon Taylor, "Place-names and the Early Church in Eastern Scotland", in Barbara Crawford (ed.), Scotland in Dark Age Britain, (Aberdeen, 1996), pp. 93–110; David N. Dumville, "St Cathróe of Metz and the Hagiography of Exoticism," in John Carey et al (eds.), Irish Hagiography: Saints and Scholars, (Dublin, 2001), pp. 172–176; Maire, Herbert, "Rí Érenn, Rí Alban, kingship and identity in the ninth and tenth centuries", in Simon Taylor (ed.), Kings, Clerics and Chronicles in Scotland, 500–1297, (Dublin, 2000), pp. 63–72.

, victor of the Battle of Bannockburn.From a base of territory in eastern Scotland north of the River Forth and south of the River Oykel, the kingdom acquired control of the lands lying to the north and south. By the 12th century, the kings of Alba had added to their territories the English-speaking land in south-east and attained overlordship of Galloway and Norse-speaking Caithness; by the end of the 13th century, the kingdom had assumed approximately its Anglo-Scottish border. However, processes of cultural and economic change beginning in the 12th century ensured Scotland looked very different in the later Middle Ages. The stimulus for this was the reign of David I of Scotland and the so-called Davidian Revolution. Feudalism, government reorganisation and the first legally defined towns, called burghs, began in this period. These institutions and the immigration of French and Anglo-French knights and churchmen facilitated a process of cultural osmosis, whereby the culture and language of the low-lying and coastal parts of the kingdom's original territory in the east became, like the newly-acquired south-east, English-speaking, while the rest of the country retained the Gaelic language.The only extensive study of this is L. W. Sharp, The Expansion of the English Language in Scotland, (Cambridge University Ph.D. thesis, 1927), pp. 102–325; another more concise and more recent survey can be found in Derick S. Thomson, Gaelic in Scotland, 1698–1981, (Edinburgh, 1984), pp. 16–41; the best place to look for studies of the transformation of Gaelic institutions will be the two collections of essays by G.W.S. Barrow, The Kingdom of the Scots, 2nd Edn, (Edinburgh, 2003) and Scotland and Its Neighbours In the Middle Ages, (London, 1992); see also Dauvit "Broun, Anglo-French acculturation and the Irish element in Scottish Identity", in Brendan Smith (ed.), Insular Responses to Medieval European Change, (Cambridge, 1999), pp. 135–53; Wilson MacLeod, Divided Gaels: Gaelic Cultural Identities in Scotland and Ireland: c.1200–1650, (Oxford, 2004), and .

The death of Alexander III of Scotland in 1286, followed by the death of his grand-daughter Margaret, Maid of Norway, broke the succession line of Scotland's kings. This led to the intervention of Edward I of England. Edward established John of Scotland as a sub-king, but this relationship broke down, leading to an ultimately unsuccessful attempt at total takeover by the English crown. This was famously opposed by William Wallace and others in the Wars of Scottish Independence, and in the divided country Robert I of Scotland, became king (as Robert I). War with England continued for several decades, and a civil war between the Bruce dynasty and the English-backed Balliols lasted until the middle of the 14th century. Although the Bruce dynasty was successful, David II of Scotland's lack of an heir allowed his nephew Robert II of Scotland to come to the throne and establish the Stewart Dynasty.For accounts of these events, see Alexander Grant, Independence and Nationhood: Scotland, 1306–1469, (Edinburgh, 1984), pp. 3–57; Michael Brown, The Wars of Scotland, 1214–1371, (Edinburgh, 2004), pp. 157–254; G. W. S. Barrow, Robert Bruce & the Community of the Realm of Scotland, 4th Edition, (Edinburgh, 2005) The Stewarts ruled Scotland for the remainder of the Middle Ages. The country they ruled experienced greater prosperity from the end of the 14th century through the Scottish Renaissance to the Scottish Reformation. This was despite continual warfare with England, the increasing division between Scottish Highlands and Scottish Lowlands, and a large number of royal minorities.See Alexander Grant, Independence and Nationhood: Scotland, 1306–1469, (Edinburgh, 1984) and Jenny Wormald, Court, Kirk and Community, New Edition, (Edinburgh, 1991).

Modern Scotland In 1603, James VI of Scotland inherited the throne of the Kingdom of England, and became also King James I of England. With the exception of a short period under The Protectorate, Scotland remained a separate state, but there was considerable conflict between the crown and the Covenanters over the form of Presbyterian church governance. After the Glorious Revolution and the overthrow of the Roman Catholic James VII of Scotland by William and Mary, Scotland briefly threatened to select a different Protestant monarch from England.TM Devine (1999) op cit "...Stated that the Scots Parliament had the right to decide on Queen Anne's successor, and that England and Scotland could not have the same sovereign in the future unless the London Parliament granted Scots 'Free Communication of trade'..." In 1707, however, following English threats to end trade and free movement across the border, known as the Alien Act, the Parliament of Scotland and the Parliament of England enacted the twin Acts of Union 1707, which created the Kingdom of Great Britain.

The deposed Jacobitism claimants had remained popular in the Highlands and north-east, particularly amongst non-Presbyterians. However, two major Jacobite risings launched from the Scottish Highlands in 1715 and 1745 failed to remove the House of Hanover from the British throne. This paved the way for large scale removals of the indigenous populations of the Highlands and Islands, known as the Highland Clearances.

Following the Scottish Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution, Scotland became one of the commercial, intellectual and industrial powerhouses of Europe. After World War II, Scotland experienced an industrial decline which was particularly severe.Harvie, Christopher (1981) No Gods and Precious Few Heroes: Scotland 1914-80. London. Edward Arnold. Only in recent decades has the country enjoyed something of a cultural and economic renaissance. Factors which have contributed to this recovery include a resurgent financial services and electronics sector (see Silicon Glen), and the proceeds of North Sea oil and gas.See Stewart, Heather, " Celtic Tiger Burns Brighter at Holyrood, The Guardian, 6 May 2007 for an account of Scotland's economic challenges, especially after the dotcom downturn, as it competes with the emerging Eastern European economies. The Scottish Parliament was established by the Government of the United Kingdom under the Scotland Act 1998.

Politics .As one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom, the head of state in Scotland is the British monarch, currently Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (since 1952). (In Scotland, the title Queen Elizabeth II is controversial, as there has never been an Elizabeth I in Scotland.)In a rare act of sabotage, new Royal Mail post boxes in Scotland, bearing the initials "E II R", were vandalised. (Prior to Queen Elizabeth II, Scottish boxes had borne the monarch's initials, but no crown.) To avoid further problems, post boxes and Royal Mail vehicles in Scotland now bear only the Crown of Scotland and no Royal Cypher. A legal case, MacCormick v. Lord Advocate (1953 SC 396), was taken to contest the right of the Queen to style herself Elizabeth II within Scotland, arguing that to do so would be a breach of the Act of Union. The case was lost on the grounds that the pursuers had no title to sue the Crown, and also that the numbering of monarchs was part of the royal prerogative, and not governed by the Act of Union. Constitutionally the United Kingdom is a unitary state with one sovereign parliament and government. Under a system of devolution (or home rule) Scotland was granted limited self-government after a Scottish devolution referendum, 1997. The British Parliament in Westminster retains the ability to amend, change, broaden or abolish the devolved government system at will. As such the Scottish Parliament is not Sovereignty.

Executive power in the United Kingdom is vested in the Queen-in-Council, while legislative power is vested in the Queen-in-Parliament (the Crown and the Parliament of the United Kingdom at Palace of Westminster in London). Under devolution executive and legislative powers in certain areas have been constitutionally delegated to the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh respectively. The United Kingdom Parliament retains active power over Scotland's UK tax systemes, UK social security system, the UK military, UK international relations, UK broadcasting, and some other areas explicitly specified in the Scotland Act 1998 as reserved matters.

The Scottish Parliament has legislative authority for all other areas relating to Scotland, and has limited power to vary income tax but has never exercised this power. The Scottish Parliament can refer devolved matters back to Westminster to be considered as part of United Kingdom-wide legislation by passing a Legislative Consent Motion if United Kingdom-wide legislation is considered to be more appropriate for certain issues. The programmes of legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament have seen a divergence in the provision of public services compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. For instance, the costs of a university education, and care services for the elderly are free at point of use in Scotland, while fees are paid in the rest of the UK. Scotland was the first country in the UK to ban smoking in public places.BBC Scotland News Online " Scotland begins pub smoking ban", BBC Scotland News, 2006-03-26. Retrieved on 2006-07-17.

The Scottish Parliament is a unicameral legislature comprising 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament, 73 of whom represent individual Scottish Parliament constituencies and are elected on a first past the post system; 56 are elected in eight different electoral regions by the additional member system (Scottish Parliament), first elected on the May 6 1999 and serving for a four year period. The Queen appoints one Member of the Scottish Parliament, (MSP), on the nomination of the Parliament, to be First Minister of Scotland. Other Ministers are also appointed by the Queen on the nomination of the Parliament and together with the First Minister they make up the Scottish Government, the Executive (government) arm of government. "About Scottish Ministers" Scottish Government. Retrieved September 26 2007.

In the Scottish Parliament election, 2007, the Scottish National Party (SNP), which campaigns for Scottish independence, won the greatest number seats of any single party. The leader of the SNP, Alex Salmond, was elected as First Minister of a minority government on May 16 2007. In addition to the SNP, the Labour Party (UK), led by Wendy Alexander, the Scottish Conservative Party, led by Annabelle Goldie, the Liberal Democrats, led by Nicol Stephen and the Scottish Green Party, co-led by Robin Harper, are also represented in the Parliament. In addition Margo MacDonald is the only Independent (politician) MSP sitting in Parliament.

Scotland is represented in the British House of Commons by 59 Member of Parliament elected from territory-based List of UK Parliamentary constituencies in Scotland. The Scotland Office, a department of the United Kingdom government led by The Secretary of State for Scotland, is responsible for reserved matters. The Secretary of State for Scotland sits in the Cabinet of the United Kingdom, the current incumbent being Des Browne. "Government of Scotland Facts" Scotland.org - The Official Online Gateway. Retrieved September 26 2007.

Law , in Edinburgh, is the home of the Supreme Courts of Scotland.Scots law has a basis derived from Roman law, combining features of both uncodified Civil law (legal system), dating back to the Corpus Juris Civilis, and common law with Legal institutions of Scotland in the High Middle Ages. The terms of the Treaty of Union with England in 1707 guaranteed the continued existence of a separate Legal systems of the world in Scotland from English law. Prior to 1611, there were several regional law systems in Scotland, most notably Udal law in Orkney and Shetland, based on old Norse law. Various other systems derived from common Celtic law or Brehon laws survived in the Scottish Highlands until the 1800s."Law and institutions, Gaelic" & "Law and lawyers" in M. Lynch (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Scottish History, (Oxford, 2001), pp. 381–382 & 382–386. Udal Law remains relevant to land law in Orkney and Shetland:

Scots law provides for three types of Courts of Scotland responsible for the administration of justice: Private law, criminal law and Law of Arms. The supreme civil court is the Court of Session, although civil Appeal (law) can be taken to the Judicial functions of the House of Lords. The High Court of Justiciary is the supreme criminal court. Both courts are housed at Parliament House, Edinburgh, in Edinburgh, which was the home of the pre-Union Parliament of Scotland. The sheriff court is the main criminal and civil court. There are 49 sheriff courts throughout the country. "Court Information" www.scotcourts.gov.uk. Retrieved on 26 September 207. District courts were introduced in 1975 for minor offences. The Court of the Lord Lyon regulates heraldry.

Scots law is also unique in that it allows three verdicts in criminal cases including the controversial 'not proven' verdict.

Administrative subdivisions in George SquareHistorical subdivisions of Scotland include the mormaerdom, Stewartries, earldom, burgh, parish, Counties of Scotland and Regions and districts of Scotland. The names of these areas are still sometimes used as geographical descriptors.

Modern Scotland is subdivided in various ways depending on the purpose. For Local government of Scotland, 32 council areas were set up in 1996, "Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994" Office of Public Sector Information. Retrieved on 26 September 2007. which are administered by unitary authorities responsible for the provision of all local government services. Community councils are informal organisations that represent specific sub-divisions of a council area.

For the Scottish Parliament, there are 73 Scottish Parliament constituencies and regions and eight regions. For the Parliament of the United Kingdom there are 59 list of UK Parliamentary constituencies in Scotland. The Scottish fire brigades and police forces are still based on the system of regions introduced in 1975. For health-care and postal districts, and a number of other governmental and non-governmental organisations such as the churches, there are other long-standing methods of subdividing Scotland for the purposes of administration.

City status in the United Kingdom is determined by letters patent. "City status" Department for Constitutional Affairs. Retrieved on 26 September 2007. There are six cities in Scotland: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and more recently Inverness, and Stirling. "UK Cities" Department for Constitutional Affairs. Retrieved on 26 September 2007.

Geography and natural history

Scotland comprises the northern third of the island of Great Britain, which lies off the coast of north west Europe. The total land mass is 78,772 square kilometres (30,414 square mile).Whitaker's Almanack (1991) London. J. Whitaker and Sons. Scotland's only land border is with England, and runs for 96 kilometres (60 miles) between the River Tweed on the east coast and the Solway Firth in the west. The Atlantic Ocean borders the west coast and the North Sea is to the east. The island of Ireland lies only 30 kilometres (20 mi) from the south western peninsula of Kintyre, Norway is 400 kilometres (250 mi) to the north east, the Faroes 310 kilometres (193 mi) and Iceland 798 km (496 mi) to the north west. The geographical centre of Scotland lies a few miles from the village of Newtonmore in Badenoch, far to the north of the modern population heartlands.See "The 'Where Are We' page" highlandhostel.co.uk. Retrieved 22 September 2007.

The territorial extent of Scotland is generally that established by the 1237 Treaty of York between Scotland and England "Uniting the Kingdoms?" National Archives. Retrieved 21.11.06 and the 1266 Treaty of Perth between Scotland and Norway. Mackie, J.D. (1969) A History of Scotland. London. Penguin. Exceptions include: the Isle of Man, which is now a crown dependency outside the United Kingdom, the 15th century acquisitions of Orkney and Shetland from Norway; and Rockall, a small rocky islet in the North Atlantic which was annexed by the UK in 1955 and later declared part of Scotland by the Island of Rockall Act 1972. "On this day - 21 September" bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 22 September 2007. "In 1972 the Isle of Rockall Act was passed, which made the rock officially part of Inverness-shire, Scotland." "Daily Hansard" June 24 1997. Parliament.uk. Retrieved 22 September 2007. However, the legality of the claim is disputed by the Republic of Ireland, Denmark and Iceland and it is probably unenforceable in international law. Oral Questions to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Dáil Éireann, November 1 1973 Retrieved 17.01.2007.MacDonald, Fraser (2006) The last outpost of Empire: Rockall and the Cold War. Journal of Historical Geography 32. P627–647. available in pdf

Geology and geomorphology The whole of Scotland was covered by ice sheets during the Pleistocene ice ages and the landscape is much affected by glaciation. From a geology perspective the country has three main sub-divisions. The Highlands and Islands lie to the north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault, which runs from Isle of Arran to Stonehaven. This part of Scotland largely comprises ancient rocks from the Cambrian and Precambrian which were uplifted during the later Caledonian Orogeny. These foundations are interspersed with many igneous intrusions of a more recent age, the remnants of which have formed mountain massifs such as the Cairngorms and Skye Cuillins. A significant exception to the above are the fossil-bearing beds of Old Red Sandstones found principally along the Moray Firth coast. The Scottish Highlands are generally mountainous and are bisected by the Great Glen. The highest elevations in the British Isles are found here, including Ben Nevis, the highest peak at 1,344 metres (4,409 ft). Scotland has over 790 islands, divided into four main groups: Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, and the Hebrides, sub-divided into the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides. There are numerous bodies of freshwater including Loch Lomond and Loch Ness. Some parts of the coastline consist of Machair (geography), a low lying dune pasture land.

The Central Lowlands is a rift valley mainly comprising Paleozoic formations. Many of these sediments have economic significance for it is here that the coal and iron bearing rocks that fuelled Scotland's industrial revolution are to be found. This area has also experienced intense volcanism, Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh in Edinburgh being the remnant of a once much larger volcano active in the Carboniferous period some 300 million years ago. Also known as the Midland Valley, this area is relatively low-lying, although even here hills such as the Ochil Hills and Campsie Fells are rarely far from view.

The Southern Uplands are a range of hills almost 200 km (125 miles) long, interspersed with broad valleys. They lie south of a second fault line running from Stranraer towards Dunbar. The geological foundations largely comprise Silurian deposits laid down some 4–500 million years ago.Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. London. HarperCollins.Murray, W.H. (1973) The Islands of Western Scotland. London. Eyre MethuenMurray, W.H. (1977) The Companion Guide to the West Highlands of Scotland. London. Collins.

Climate , the highest peak in the British IslesThe climate of Scotland is temperate and Oceanic climate, and tends to be very changeable. It is warmed by the Gulf Stream from the Atlantic Ocean, and as such has much milder winters (but cooler, wetter summers) than areas on similar latitudes, for example Oslo or Moscow. However, temperatures are generally lower than in the rest of the UK, with the coldest ever UK temperature of -27.2 °Celsius (-16.96 °Fahrenheit) recorded at Braemar in the Grampian Mountains (Scotland), on 11 February 1895 and 10 January 1982 and also at Altnaharra, Highland, on 30 December 1995. BBC Weather: UK Records BBC.co.uk. Retrieved on 21 September 2007 Winter maximums average 6 °C (42.8 °F) in the lowlands, with summer maximums averaging 18 °C (64.4 °F). The highest temperature recorded was 32.9 °C (91.22 °F) at Greycrook, Scottish Borders on 9 August 2003.

In general, the west of Scotland is usually warmer than the east, due to the influence of the Atlantic ocean currents, and the colder surface temperatures of the North Sea. Tiree, in the Inner Hebrides, is one of the sunniest places in the country: it had 300 days of sunshine in 1975. Rainfall varies widely across Scotland. The western highlands of Scotland are the wettest place, with annual rainfall exceeding 3,000 Millimetre (120 inches). In comparison, much of lowland Scotland receives less than 800 mm (31 inches) annually. Heavy snowfall is not common in the lowlands, but becomes more common with altitude. Braemar experiences an average of 59 snow days per year, Scottish Weather Part One BBC.co.uk Retrieved on 21 September 2007 while coastal areas have an average of fewer than 10 days.

Flora and fauna courtship displayScotland's wildlife is typical of the north west of Europe, although several of the larger mammals such as the European Brown Bear, Eurasian wolf, Eurasian Lynx, European Beaver, Reindeer, Alces alces and Walrus were hunted to extinction in historic times. There are important populations of pinniped and internationally significant nesting grounds for a variety of seabirds such as Northern Gannets. Fraser Darling, F. & Boyd, J.M. (1969) Natural History in the Highlands and Islands. London. Bloomsbury. The Golden Eagle is something of a national icon, with White-tailed Eagles, Ospreys and Red Kites being recent re-introductions following persecution to the point of extinction.

A population of Snow Bunting summers on the high mountain tops and at such elevations species including Ptarmigan, Mountain Hare and Stoat can be seen in their white colour phase during winter months. "State of the Park Report. Chapter 2: Natural Resources"(pdf) (2006) Cairngorms National Park Authority. Retrieved 14 October 2007. Remnants of native Scots Pine forest existPreston, C.D., Pearman, D.A., & Dines, T.D. (2002) New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora. Oxford University Press. and within these areas the Scottish Crossbill, Britain's only endemism bird, can be found alongside Capercaillie and Black Grouse.Gooders, J. (1994) Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland. London. Kingfisher. The Wildcat, Red Squirrel and Pine Marten also favour this habitat.Matthews, L.H. (1968) British Mammals. London. Bloomsbury.

The flora of the country is varied incorporating both deciduous and coniferous woodland and moorland and tundra species. However, large scale commercial planting of non-native coniferous tree species and the management of upland moorland habitat for the grazing of sheep and commercial field sport activities, (principally the Deer stalking of Red Deer and shooting of Red Grouse), Integrated Upland Management for Wildlife, Field Sports, Agriculture & Public Enjoyment (pdf) (September 1999) Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 14 October 2007 impacts upon the distribution of Indigenous (ecology) plants and animals. The Fortingall Yew may be 5,000 years old and is probably the oldest living thing in Europe. "The Fortingall Yew" Forestry Commission. Retrieved 24 June 2007.

Economy

scottish education news, training news, government news scotland ...
Scottish education news from the Scottish Government. Read the latest devolved government news, find the latest Scottish government publications on education and training and ...

scottish government, scottish office - devolved government scotland ...
Scottish government. Scottish Office news and information covering government publications, reports and Executive consultations from the Scottish Executive, the devolved government ...

Scottish Tourist Board - accommodation, activities, events and ...
The Visit Scotland guide to Scottish hospitality. The official site of the Scottish Tourist Board provides information on Scotland travel, vacations, tours, holidays and ...

Scotland.com - Scotland Travel, Hotels in Scotland, Visit Scotland ...
A guide to the beautiful and fascinating country of Scotland. Learn about Scotland's Culture, People, its Regions, Cities and more. Visit Scotland.com today!

Scotland Holidays Hotels Tours Cottages Travel Scotland
Holidays in Scotland from Travel Scotland ... Welcome to Travel Scotland One of Scotland's best holiday travel sites. TravelScotland is Scotland's best holiday site.

Scotland – The Official Online Gateway to Scotland
Launched by the Scottish Executive, provides information on living, working, studying, visiting, and doing business in Scotland and includes links to other official Scottish sites ...

Scottish Football Association: The Scottish FA: Scotland :
Includes a list of fixtures and results, archived news items, a squads listing, sponsors, coaching information and publications.

UNISON Scotland Home
UNISON, Scotland's public service union, representing 150,000 members delivering Scotland's public services.

BBC NEWS | Scotland
Visit BBC News for up-to-the-minute news, breaking news, video, audio and feature stories. BBC News provides trusted World and UK news as well as local and regional perspectives.

General Register Office for Scotland
Registrar of births, marriages and deaths for Scotland. Provides information for researchers and genealogists.