National Flag  

Scotland's flag is one of the oldest of any country in the world, dating back to at least the 12th century.

Royal Standard Flag

This centuries old design of the "Rampant Lion" is reserved for the Queen and her representatives. It was first used  by Alexander II (1214-1249).

 

Some Scottish Inventions

Telephone - Alexander Graham Bell

Penicillin - Sir Alexander Fleming

Steam Engine -  James Watt

Fax Machine - Alexander Bain

Logarithms - John Napier

Golf

 

Famous Novelists of Scotland:

Sir Walter Scott - the innovator of the literary form, the historical novel

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Robert Louis Stevenson

R. M. Ballentyne

Kenneth Graham

William McGonagall

 

           Scottish Naming Customs 

"The general custom, to which there were some variations, was to name children as follows:-

The eldest son after the paternal grandfather
The second son after the maternal grandfather
The third son after the father
The eldest daughter after the maternal grandmother
The second daughter after the paternal grandmother
The third daughter after the mother

Younger children would be named after earlier forebears, but the pattern in their case was less settled."

("In search of Scottish Ancestry" by Gerald Hamilton-Edwards, Phillimore, 1983 Edition).

 

The Belted Plaid (or Kilt)

Contrary to what you see shown in Hollywood films, the first belted plaid wasn't even depicted until the early 1600's. Also, in the late 1500's women were forbidden to wear the plaids (arisaid) out of doors, lest they be confused for "loose women."  

                                

Old Scottish Recipes:

Whisky Toddy (for cold and flu, or whatever ails ya)

Ingredients
Well Matured Scotch Whisky - 50 ml (2 fl oz)
Boiling water
Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
Cube sugar (four pieces)

Method:
Half-fill a tumbler with hot water. When the glass has reached a comfortable temperature, pour it out and put 3/4 pieces of cube sugar in the glass. Pour in a wineglass of boiling water and stir (silver spoons are recommended!). When the sugar is dissolved, add a wineglass of whisky and stir. Sip with "tender loving care" If one doesn't work - try another!

Traditional Haggis  

        1 sheep's pluck (stomach bag)
        2 lb.. dry oatmeal 
        1 lb. suet
        1 lb. lamb's liver
        2 1/2 cups stock
        1 large chopped onion
        1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, Jamaica pepper and salt

Boil liver and parboil the onion, then mince them together. Lightly brown the oatmeal. Mix all ingredients together. Fill the sheep's pluck with the mixture pressing it down to remove all the air, and sew up securely. Prick the haggis in several places so that it does not burst. Place haggis in boiling water and boil slowly for 4-5 hours. Serves approximately 12.

Shepherd's Pie

1 - 1 1/2 lb. ground lamb or beef
1 medium yellow onion, sliced thinly
1 - 1 1/2 c. mashed potatoes
1/2 c. diced cooked carrots
1 c. brown stock or prepared onion gravy)
2 tbs. melted butter
salt and pepper to taste

1. Brown onions thoroughly in large skillet or stock pot.
2. Add ground lamb or beef, cook until browned, stirring frequently.
3. Add stock or gravy, make fairly moist to allow absorbtion when baking.
4. Season to taste.
5. Layer carrots and meat, in bottom of deep, 5-quart (5 litre) casserole dish, spread with mashed potatoes.
6. Drizzle melted butter on top, and criss-cross with a fork.
7. Bake in preheated 350°F (180°C) oven.
8. Serve after 40 - 45 minutes or when potatoes form browned, crispy crust.
Serves 2 - 4.

Other Traditional Scottish foods:

Scotch broth  - barley and vegetable soup

Cullen Skink - cream of smoked haddock soup

Cock-a-leekie - leek and chicken soup served with prunes

Bannocks - oatcakes

Scotch Eggs - boiled eggs surrounded in sausage meat and deep fried in bread crumbs

Birdie - minced steak and onion pie

Clootie Dumpling - a sweet dumpling made with currants, sultanas, cinnamon, brown sugar, 

      syrup, and ginger

Cranachan - a misture of whipped cream and oatmeal

Arbroath Smokie - smoked herrin

Dundee Cake - heavy dark fruit cake

Oh, and just in case you were wondering....    

 

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