Scotland, Constituent country in northern Great Britain, United Kingdom
Scotland is a country in the northern part of Great Britain and covers the northern third of the main island plus hundreds of smaller islands off the coast. The terrain shifts between flat coastal strips, rugged mountains in the Highlands, and wide moorlands.
Different Celtic kingdoms united in the 9th century into one realm that remained independent until 1707. After that it formed a joint state with England through the Acts of Union and lost its crown.
Bagpipe music accompanies many public events, and tartan patterns still show the connection to individual clans. In rural areas, people drink whisky neat and favor local distilleries.
Weather can change several times a day, so layered clothing and rain protection are advisable. The west coast is much wetter than the east, especially in autumn and winter.
The parliament in Edinburgh decides on many internal matters independently, including education and health. The legal system and church also differ from the rest of the United Kingdom.
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