About Scottish clans and castles

The name of Scottish national clothes is Kilt.

The usual beginning of Scottish family names is M ac.

The name of the special pattern on the kilt is Tartan. Every Scottish clan has its own tartan.

Their national musical instruments called Bagpipes.

There were times when kilts, tartan and bagpipes were forbidden (prohibited, not allowed). It was in 1746 after the Culloden battle, when the troops of Bonnie Prince Charlie were defeated by the English troops. The right to wear tartan, kilts and play the bagpipes was gained by the Scots only in 1782.

Scottish emblem. The history of it is rather a curious one. As a matter of fact, for many centuries the Scottish people had been struggling for their independence. The story goes back as far as the Vikings’ invasion.

The Thistle has been recognized as a Scottish symbol for centuries, and the most popular and well-known legend surrounding this choice dates back around 800 years.

This particular legend describes how, in the 13th Century, Norse invaders (under orders from King Haakon IV of Norway) attempted to spring a 'surprise night-raid' on a portion of King Alexander III's army in Northern Scotland.

ScottishHighlands

So that they wouldn't wake the sleeping Scots, the Vikings crept (подкрадываться) stealthily (украдкой) and barefoot (босиком) across the Scottish landscape.

Unfortunately for them, they weren't aware that this area was home to an abundant /ə`bɅndəd/ (изобильный) growth of Scottish Thistles, and when an unlucky Norseman happened to step on the vicious /`viᶘəs/ (ужасный) thorns /θↄ:n/ (колючка, шип;)of this native plant - well, his cries definitely gave away the raiding (внезапноенападение)!

The Scottish army sprang into action, and was victorious in battle. Naturally superstitious /¸sjupə`stiᶘəs/ (суеверный) and big on symbolism, the Scots declared the Thistle to have been their savior, and this humble/ʌ/ (простой, незнатныйпопроисхождению) plant became a celebrity. The prickly purple thistle is Scotland’s national emblem which was first used in the 15th century as a symbol of defense.

In 1503, the marriage of King James IV of Scotland to Princess Margaret Tudor of England, seems to have been the inspiration behind the poem entitled 'The Thrissil and The Rois' ('The Thistle and The Rose') penned by the Scottish poet William Dunbar. As King James was presumably the 'Thrissil', it shows how representative of Scotland this plant was considered to be.

Today the Thistle is seen on everything from sporrans (кожанаясумкасмехомснаружи (обычноскисточками; частькостюмашотландскогогорца)) and jewelry to soap and tea-towels, and it's a Scottish symbol recognized all over the world.