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The two principal regions of Scotland are the Lowlands and Highlands. The Highlands are the more traditional northern area of Scotland. The Islands are often associated with the Highlands. The Highland tribes were the center of resistance to English domination. The Lowlands is the southern area. The Lowlands became heavily Anglicized and often cooperated with the English in the pacification of the Highlands. This regional split was reflected in the culture of the two areas. English became widely spoken in the Lowlands before the Highlands and Lowlanders adopted English fashions while Highlanders continued to war traditional garments like the kilt. The offshore islands are another region of Scotland. In modern times there has been a rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Edinburgh and Glasgow have recently been trying to patch over their traditional rivalries so that they can co-operate in marketing both cities - and Scotland in general. But quite what Edinburgh will make of a new masterplan by Glasgow City Council to improve the city's image and presence in Europe by promoting Glasgow as "Scotland's international capital" is anyone's guess. A City Council spokesman pointed out that Glasgow is Scotland's largest city (factually correct) and is its largest provider of jobs and production. It also provides service, retail, educational, cultural, leisure and entertainment facilities on a national scale. He went on to say that it is no idle boast to claim Glasgow is Scotland's international capital. Hopefully, Edinburgh will haughtily disdain such upstart comments, safe in the knowledge that it has been Scotland's capital city and seat of government for centuries.
The Lowlands is the southern-most area of scotlnd birdering on northern Englamd. The Lowlands became heavily Anglicized and often cooperated with the English in the pacification of the Highlands. This regional split was reflected in the culture of the two areas. English became widely spoken in the Lowlands before the Highlands and Islanders adopted English fashions while Highlanders continued to wear traditional garments like the kilt. Historically the Lowlanders were often English allies in the supression of the Higlands. In modern politics the Highland/Lowland divergence seems to be disappearing. both Lowlands and Highlands seem to be moving in the same direction (independence referendum, shift to the Scottish National Party, and the EU Referendum). In modern times there has been a rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Edinburgh and Glasgow have recently been trying to patch over their traditional rivalries so that they can co-operate in marketing both cities -- and Scotland in general. But quite what Edinburgh will make of a new masterplan by Glasgow City Council to improve the city's image and presence in Europe by promoting Glasgow as 'Scotland's international capital' is anyone's guess. A City Council spokesman pointed out that Glasgow is Scotland's largest city (factually correct) and is its largest provider of jobs and production. It also provides service, retail, educational, cultural, leisure and entertainment facilities on a national scale. He went on to say that it is no idle boast to claim Glasgow is Scotland's international capital. Hopefully, Edinburgh will haughtily disdain such upstart comments, safe in the knowledge that it has been Scotland's capital city and seat of government for centuries.
The Highlands are surely in the public imagination surely seen as the a romantic region of Scotland. This is true both in history and landscape. Much of the most iconic Scottish historical events took place in the Highlands. And the unspoilt nature neauty of the Higlands with the rugged mountains, deep blue lochs, and largely empty glens are stunning. Majestic Red Deer still rule the landscpe hills and Eagles populate the skies. The weather can be stunning as well, especially how rapidly itcan change. On a sunny day you see the hills, than suddenly they are gone shroded by clouds and mist. The Highlands are the more traditional northern area of Scotland. The Highlands became culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages as England began to increasingly impact the Lowlands. Mostlt notably, the Lowland Scots began replacing Gaelic with English. Gaelic persisted in the Higland into the modern era. The Highland tribes were the center of resistance to English domination. It is the Highlands that most people imagine when they think of Scotland. The Scotts are an ethnic an cultural blend. In the erly medieval cotland was created by the blending of the Gaels and other peoples, especially the Picts. The dividing line was everything west from the Great Glen (Inverness to Loch Lynnhe and the islands) and something like 50 miles east of the Great Glen. This geographic line of course still exists and there are still cultural differences.
The offshore islands are another region of Scotland. The ruged coast of Scotland is a natural beauty. The Scottish coast stretches for thousands of miles when the coasts of the islans are considered. The variety of coast line is stinning, from rocky shores. steep cliffs, and secluded sandy beaches. Each is populated with a variety of flora and fauna. Along with the natural treasure of the mainland coast are hundreds of stark jewels -- islands and islets. A few are know to the wider world, most are not. The coast and the islands have been pounded and formed. The wildly beautiful coast of Scotland is scattered with hundreds of islands and islets -- one source counts 790. They have been shaped by the relentless pounding of the sea. For centurues they were secluded and isolated. And as result all are unique -- virtually a world apart. The also tended to be very poor, especially as Britain developed its modern economy. The modern economy has approached living stndards in the maimlnd, but is fragile. They are divuded into several main groups. Each of these groups consist of islands of different sizes, including tiny islets. Only a few have a population if ny size and most are unihbited. There are something like 95 inhabited Scottish islands with a total population of approximately 100,000 people. Here we see a scene from Barra in the outer Hebredes. The islands are mostly located along the western coast, the Inner and Outer Hebrides. There are also the Northern Isles, the Orkneys nd the hetlands, exposed to the wild North sea with their Nordic heritage. The Scottish Islands are often associated with the Highlands. Most Gaelic speakers are today confined largely to the Islands in the west with a particularly important Gaelic stronghold in the Outer Hebrides.
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