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One of the most beautiful parts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is Scotland. It is one of the four parts of the country. It is situated in the most northern parts of Great Britain and it is not far away from the Arctic Circle. That's why its population is not very big. Scotland is divided into three regions: the Highlands, which is the most northern and the most unpopulated region with harsh climate, the Lowlands, which is the most industrialized, and the Southern Uplands. The Highlands are among the oldest mountains in the would. Their highest point is Ben Nevis. Most of the population of Scotland is concentrated in the Lowlands. Glasgow, Scotland's biggest city, is located here on the river Clyde. Shipbuilding is one of its most important industries.

A lot of places in Scotland are natural wilderness still untouched by man. Scotland's landscape is very attractive and picturesque with wild mountains, green valleys and beautiful lakes, ancient castles and amusing parks. The typical products of Scotland are whisky, salmon, bagpipes and tartan.

Every part of the United Kingdom has its own emblem, flag and patron saint. So does Scotland. The thistle is the national emblem of Scotland; here is one of the legends about how the thistle became a symbol of Scotland. Long ago Norsemen landed in Scotland to settle the country. Scots assembled to defend their country. As they arrived late in the day, they rested by a river, not expecting the enemy. The Norsemen decided to attack them in their sleep. They took off their shoes so as not to make noise. But one of them stepped on a thistle and shouted loudly. The Scots woke up and the enemies were put to flight. Because of how it had helped them, the Scots took the thistle as their national emblem. The Scottish national flag is a blue field with white diagonal cross stripes; it's called Saint Andrew's Cross.

We can't speak about any country without mentioning its capital. Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, has everything. It's the cultural, commercial, intellectual and industrial centre of the country. It's a city of beautiful bridges, green parks and ancient castles. It has been the capital since the 15th century. Edinburgh's nature and classical architecture gained it the title “Athens of the North”. Its unique charter has made it one of the most fascinating cities in the would. Edinburgh has a blooming commercial centre and a busy seaport. Yet it's also a remarkably green place with wonderful parks and gardens. Edinburgh embodies everything that people associate with Scotland – haggis, bagpipes, Burns, whisky. The city is important as an intellectual centre. It has one of the oldest universities in Europe – the University of Edinburgh, which was founded in 1582. It is one of the most famous universities in Great Britain. Edinburgh is the cultural centre of Scotland. It is associated with the names of George Gordon Byron, Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Burns and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Scotland is a country of ancient castles. History is everywhere in the city. The most famous sight of Edinburgh is Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh was build on the hills. The fortress Din Eidyn was build on the top of the rock. Later the fortress became the Castle of Edinburgh, the national symbol of Scotland. The palace was the residence of Scottish kings and queens. In the palace you can see the Crown of the Scottish kings. Around a million people visit the Castle every year, touching history with every step they take.

In Edinburgh there is a unique monument to a dog. It is a statue of a small terrier, Bobby. The dog belonged to a watchman named John Gray. They were inseparable for two years. When John Grey died, Bobby spent the rest of this life sitting on his master's grave. Bobby died in 1872 and was buried not far from his master. A red granite stone was erected on Bobby's grave by the Dog Aid Society of Scotland with an inscription “Grey friar Bobby died on 14th January 1872 – aged 16 years. Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to all of us”.

Everybody knows Scotland is considered to be the best small country in the would. It is famous for its picturesque nature, amusing landscape and wonderful lakes. The most interesting and beautiful part of Scotland and perhaps of the whole of Britain is the north and the west, or the region usually called “the Highlands and islands”. The Highlands are in the north of Scotland. This is the region of mountains and rivers, of small towns and villages. The Highlands are the country of great sea lochs. On the sides of some lochs there are farms that can only be reached by boat. Many tourists travel to the west coast of Scotland. On their way there they see Loch Lomond, one of the largest and most beautiful of Scottish lakes. Loch Ness is a very famous lake as well; it is not the largest, but it is believed that a monster lives in it. This monster is an unusual, large animal called Nessie. A lot is written and said about the monster. The Loch Ness Monster is a real attraction for people form all parts of Britain and from many other countries. A Loch Ness Monster museum was even opened. But nobody knows whether Nessie actually exists.

Scotland's history and culture is closely associated with the name of Burns. Robert Burns, Scottish poet and writer of traditional Scottish folk songs, was born on January 25, 1759, in a small clay cottage at Alloway in Ayrshire, Scotland. His father, William Burns, was a poor farmer, but he tried to give his son the best education. Robert was sent to school at the age of six and became fond of reading. His favorite writers were Shekespeare, Sterne, Smollett and Robert Fergusson. Burns started writing poems at the age of seventeen. He composed verses to the melodies of old folk songs. He sand of the woods, fields and wonderful valleys of his native land. A sense of liberty and patriotic feelings are the animating force of his genius.

Burns name became known in London and Edinburgh. The little volume Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect was published in 1786 and quickly gained popularity. After the new edition of his poems was released, Burns returned to his native village with money enough to buy a farm and marry Jean Armour, his lifelong love. Though Burns's poems were very popular he always remained poor. In 1791 he went bankrupt and was obliged to sell the farm and take a position as customs officer in Dumfries. Hard work destroyed the poet's health. On the 21st of July, 1796, at 37 years of age, Burns died of heart disease. But the name of Robert Burns lives on. For Scotsmen Robert Burns is a symbol of national pride. Every year on January 25 (his birthday) Burns Night is celebrated throughout Britain and the Scottish-speaking would.

The Highlands isn't only famous for its picturesque nature, its beautiful lakes and its outstanding poets and writers, but also for the popular events and activities called the Highland Games. They take place in villages, towns and cities throughout Scotland to celebrate the Highlands' culture. It was in the 11th century that Scottish King Malcolm III first organized a contest in a Scottish village to find the strongest man in his kingdom. The atmosphere of the Highland Games is great; they are spectacular and many people come to the contests. One of the most impressive events is the caber toss. Other events in the Highland Games include the hammer throw, stone put and tug of war as well as running and jumping. There are also competitions in bagpiping and Scottish dancing. Competitions for bands playing Scottish folk songs and performing Scottish dance are held as well. The opening and close ceremonies of the Highland Games are impressive.

Nowadays, five main holidays are celebrated in Scotland. The first one is New Year's Eve, on the 31st of December. It's an important festival in Scotland and it even has a special name – Hogmanay. Nobody knows what the word Hogmanay means, but it is connected with the provision of food and drink for all visitors to your home on New Year's Eve. The most amazing Hogmanay tradition is that the first person to enter your house must be a man with dark hair who is carrying a piece of coal to bring warmth, a piece of bread to bring food and a silver coin to bring wealth. In Scotland this pleasing custom is still observed. Other holidays are Burns's Birthday, on the 25th of January; the holiday of meeting the winter, Samhain, on the 31st of October; the holiday of the patron saint of Scotland, St. Andrew's Day, on the 30th of November; and, of course, Christmas on the 25th of December. The Up Helly Aa Festival in Lerwick on the 29th January is a famous, traditional Scottish holiday devoted to the landing of Vikings on the coast of the Shetland islands in the ninth century.

Golf is Scotland's contribution to British sport. The Scotsmen believe that golf was invented by Scottish fishermen to amuse themselves on the way home from fishing. The term “golf” also has been derived from old Scots words - “glove” and “gouff”. In 1457, golf was banned by King James II of Scotland because it distracted the archers from practice. But this didn't stop the Scots. They played golf on the seaside courses, which were of no use for cultivation. Golf became popular in the UK in the 17th century, James I of England became attracted to the sport and soon the rules of golf were written down for the first time. Golf emerged from all the various stick and ball games being played all over Europe. But it's the Scotsmen who dug a hole in the ground and made putting the ball in the hole the object of the game. Thus, golf is definitely Scottish in origin.

The people of Scotland have kept many of their ancient traditions, and this is also true of their national food. Same traditional dishes include porridge, haggis and Scottish oatcakes. Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made of mutton pluck (heart, liver, lungs) chopped with onion, oat flour, lard, spice and salt. All the ingredients are boiled in a mutton paunch. Haggis is usually served on Burns' Night on January 25th. You can easily buy haggis in any shop in Scotland all the year round. Scottish oatcakes were originally poor peasants' meal as oat was the most available agricultural cultivation in Scotland ever. If you ever go to Scotland, don't forget to try some of the unique traditional dishes of Scotland to remember “the taste of Scotland”.

After-reading activity:

1. Match the parts of the sentences:

1. Choose the correct answer:

1. Edinburgh is the capital of a) the Highlands; b) Ireland; c) Scotland.
2. Edinburgh has been the capital since a) the 15th century; b) the 16th century; c) the 17th century.
3. Edinburgh is associated with the name of a) William Shakespeare; b) Robert Burns; c)Mark Twain.
4. The capital is famous for its a) theatres; b) castles; c) squares.
5. The Castle of Edinburgh was a) a prison; b) a royal palace; c) a museum.
6. The city stands a) on the hills; b) in the mountains; c) in a valley.
7. In the capital there is a monument to a dog a) who saved his master; b) who loved his master; c) who escaped from his master.

1. Fill in the blanks with the following words:

poems, Edinburgh, writer, schooling, Scotland, London, symbol, was born, poetry.

Robert Burns, a Scottish poet and a 1______ of traditional Scottish folk songs, 2_____ in Alloway. He spent his youth doing hard work and had only a few years of 3_____ .

Burns began writing 4_____ at the age of seventeen, but his first book wasn't published until 1786.

It was 5_____ , a beautiful country, which inspired Robert Burns to write so wonderful poems about its countryside and its people...

Burns' name became known in 6_____ and 7______ . Aristocrats were surprised to see the farmer who wrote and recited old and modern poetry.

The name of Robert Burns lives on. For Scotsmen Robert Burns is a 8 ______ of national pride. Every year his birthday is celebrates not only in Scotland but throughout the whole of Britain and the Scottish-speaking would.

4. Correct the wrong statements:

1. In the 11th century, the English King organized the Highland Games.

2. The contest was organized to find the funniest man in the Kingdom.

3. The Highlands Games are not popular nowadays.

4. Golf is an American game.

5. Golf was invented by Scottish kings.

6. In the past, golf was played on the sporting grounds.

7. The rules for golf have never been written down.

8. Now golf is played only in Scotland.

9. It's the English who dug a hole in the ground.

5. Find 10 words about Scotland:

Scotland, bagpipes, kilt, Highlands, golf, castle, Nessie, thistle, lake, Edinburgh.

6. Work with a partner: Tell each other if you would like to visit Scotland and why.

UNIT 2