A tradition, almost resurrected, but very much alive!
The visibility of Scottish culture, as we know it today, has come a long way... Indeed, it is only recently that Scottish history is being taught again. It was not until the 1990s that students were able to discover more than just the broad outlines of their country's history. English culture and the silence of episodes that could arouse a Scottish national feeling were then de rigueur. From that time on, the interest of the Scots in their culture took on a new momentum. Politics and institutions followed, with the birth of the first charter for the arts in Scotland in 1993. The National Archives of Scotland, based in Edinburgh, offers one of the richest document bases in Europe for consultation. The public has access to a wealth of historical sources concerning Scotland and its relations with neighbouring nations throughout history. Historic Scotland was created in 1991 to preserve the heritage and restore listed buildings. The Scottish Natural Heritage, in charge of natural sites, and the National Trust for Scotland, which, even if it is private, works in a major way for the development of castles, great houses and natural spaces of the country, are also part of the same approach of preservation of a precious ancestral culture.
The Scots have a great affection for the culture of their country, which characterizes them and distinguishes them from their English neighbors. The kilt is worn a lot at weddings, student parties and for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Celtic music is also very popular and there are countless festivals dedicated to it. Traditional events punctuate the year and are unmissable: Highland games, combining sports demonstrations, music and traditional dances, or Common Ridings, typical communal races of the Borders region, each one lasting several days, even a week. The cultural scene also has its events, always tinged with local culture, such as the Edinburgh International Festival (August) or its TradFest (April), the Spirit of Speyside Festival (Dufftown, end of April/beginning of May), the Celtic Connection (January-February, Glasgow) or the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in Portsoy (end of June)... Few countries can boast such a strong cultural identity as Scotland.
Scotland has remained a country of clans
The word "clan" comes from the Gaelic clann, for "child" or "family. In its earliest origins, the clan was a single family, identifiable by name - as evidenced by the prefix " Mac " meaning "son of" - but this has since changed. The term "clan" refers to a family in the broad sense, not necessarily a family in the sense of genetic descent. The members of the same clan did not systematically belong to the same family, but were grouped under the command of the same leader. This system had been in force since Celtic times and continued officially as a system of governance until the battle of Culloden in 1746. It is at this date that the clan system, with its hereditary jurisdictions, but also its distinctive signs such as the tartans, disappeared. One cannot talk about clan without mentioning the tartans. Symbol of Scotland, the tartan is a woollen fabric decorated with colored bands crossing each other perpendicularly. The term originates from the Middle French "tiretaine", meaning a coarsely woven woolen sheet. Another etymology splits the word into tuar for "color" and tan for "district". Each clan, each region, had its own tartan, with its own patterns. Each clan also had its motto and a plant badge, which it wore on a pike or on its cap. Some examples? Clan Mackenzie has two mottos: "I Shine Without Burning" and "Help the King". Clan Macdonald's motto is "On the sea and in the land". Clan Scott's motto is "I love". They also have their own war cries, some of which are particularly funny, such as the Camerons' "Sons of dogs, come and get the meat!"
The clans lived by working the land and raising livestock. This mode of subsistence was both their source of wealth and the cause of territorial conflicts, both internal and external. Many brawls, sometimes bloody, punctuate the history of Scottish clans. Among the most notable confrontations, we can cite the one between the Campbells and the MacGregors, popularized by Walter Scott in his novel Rob Roy. The Glencoe massacre of January 1692 is also tragically famous.
Clans remain a tangible reality in Scotland. If they have strongly marked its history, we continue to talk about them in the present. The clans still exist and, even more, they are a real craze today. Many people, regardless of nationality, are researching their history and finding their Scottish clan origins. The number of genealogical and clan associations worldwide is impressive. They keep this ancestral tradition alive by organizing large gatherings where the clan and, even more, the Scottish soul and heritage are celebrated.
"Living differently and outside the current world": it is possible in Scotland
The dream of a different life, in autarky, close to nature and with a spiritual approach is possible in Scotland. Between islands where people live in autarky without police and independent communities, the possibilities are concrete. Different initiatives marking a will of autonomy of management can be quoted. For example, the Assynt Crofters' Trust, north of Ullapool, is an estate owned by crofters (or small landowners), consisting of 13 townships and covering 9 hectares. It describes itself as a community that has taken its future into its own hands and stands up for the rural Scotland it believes in. His story is an interesting one and sheds light on the Scottish mindset. In 1989, the land in question was sold to a Swedish speculator, without any consideration of the interests of the local people and the social impact of such a project. Three years later, the purchasing company was liquidated, still without anyone soliciting the people using the plots. A public meeting changed everything: what if the territory was bought back by its inhabitants? A fundraising campaign was launched, a steering committee set up and a feasibility study carried out. These Highlanders were going to fight to reclaim the land of their ancestors! The press got involved and the public embraced the project, supporting it with donations. Perhaps a detour off the NC 500 in search of a view or a sandy beach will lead you to these areas, which are open to all.
Let's also mention the island of Eigg, bought back by its inhabitants. Between deserted island and alternative life, the fantasy of a return to the roots in a simple, rural life, made of mutual aid and fraternity is not far away... and it has both feet in reality! The territory is managed by a trust, with 4 inhabitants elected for 4 years. A ferry provides regular connections. On the spot, no police: it's useless... everyone has to respect the rules. The electrical network is 100% renewable and autonomous, and most of the food is produced locally. Tourism is welcome, in a reasonable and reasonable way, of course.
Some surprising Scottish habits
It is always amusing, and surprising, to note the small and large differences from one culture to another. Even if there are no great differences in lifestyle, there are habits and customs that, as French people, will surprise us for sure. It is these details, unnoticed by the locals, that contribute to the travel experience.
Dinner at 6pm. Don't expect to have dinner at 8 p.m., or you'll find only restaurants with closed doors. Here, dinner is served around 6 p.m. or even earlier.
A tea lunch. Tea can accompany anything. So there's nothing strange about drinking tea with sausage and French fries, savory pie or toasted sandwiches for lunch!
Tea stronger than coffee. A filter coffee served in a coffeepot, Scottish coffee is more like a long Americano than a ristretto. On the contrary, the tea, brewed for a long time, is strong.
Children on a leash! It is neither rare nor shocking to see a child with a harness and leash. On the street and in supermarkets, it could almost be commonplace.
Attention, elderly people. The British Highway Code announces the possible crossing of elderly people, just as in France are marked the areas frequented by children.
Dogs: yes; children: no. It is not uncommon to see signs at the entrance to pubs and restaurants indicating that dogs are welcome, but not children.
Calories everywhere. On the menus of chain restaurants, but also at independent restaurants, on all food, the number of calories and nutriscore are present.
Courtesy at the wheel. Drivers let each other pass, thank each other, leave the necessary safety distances, don't honk... What a pleasure!
Politeness, everywhere! Everywhere, good manners are required. We greet each other, we thank each other, we offer help, we smile. All is well in the best of the worlds!
Commemorative benches invite you to take a break
It is a tradition in the UK and Scotland to have a bench with a memorial plaque installed for a loved one. You will find these "memorial benches" everywhere: in gardens, in cities, in castle parks, but also in the most beautiful landscapes, at the height of beautiful views. They are dedicated to a deceased person, remind us of their memory and how much they appreciated this place. Sometimes these benches evoke a couple, sometimes they invite to read some verses, and always, they speak about love and life. Pausing on one of these benches invites us to think of the deceased, who is no longer a complete stranger, and to respect the beauty and tranquility of the place.
Scotland is relatively close to the European Union
In terms of health, education and integration, the Scottish system remains relatively close to what we know in France - free public services, reimbursement of care and medication, etc. - and more broadly in Western countries. Responsibility for health care was devolved to Scotland in 1999 and it has taken up the challenge of reforming its National Health Service (NHS). It is focused on publicly funded facilities with little room for the private sector. The health policies work in favor of a quality public service (even if it is criticized for its lack of resources and long waiting times to obtain a medical appointment) and focus on the prevention of risky behaviors. It is in particular to reduce alcohol consumption that recommendations are visible everywhere and that taxes have increased. The subject of nutrition and sports practice is also at the heart of these policies.
The education system is divided into two sectors: primary and secondary. As in France, public and private schools coexist. For the rest, the practices differ. Schoolchildren have shorter days and shorter classes: they leave the classroom at around 3:30 p.m., and the duration of teaching sessions does not exceed 50 minutes. Uniforms are recommended, with the idea of erasing social differences, and grades are, for the youngest students, measured as a percentage of achievement, then with the famous letters (A to F). As in France, students can leave the school system at age 16 or take the "Higher Grade" which, depending on their results, will allow them access to university.
The social and civic education role of the school is very important, as shown, for example, by the introduction in 2018 of teaching on the rights of the LGBTI community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex), in order to combat homophobia and transphobia. The Scots are tolerant and open towards homosexuality, but there is still room for improvement, depending on the region and location. Small gay communities are developing and are active in Edinburgh, and even more so in Glasgow.
Finally, in terms of gender equality, there is still progress to be made across the UK, with a gender pay gap, but also few women in senior positions (1/20 of UK listed company directors are women), on company boards and in government (only 34% of MPs are women).
