Describing Scottish customs and history
The post below will discuss the history and relevance of some key Scottish cultural icons.
Scotland is home to a variety of interesting traditions and customs. One of the most interesting aspects of Scottish heritage is the storytelling tradition of Scottish folklore. This tradition has formed Scotland's elaborate culture for generations. Amongst the many legends and mythological beings, there are many key symbols and tales to understand about. These tales typically show deep connections to the land, nature and heritage of Scotland, with many influences from Celtic mythology. Essential characters and mythological creatures include the Kelpie, a shape-shifting water-spirit, often appearing as a horse. It is believed to draw people into the depths of rivers and lakes. One other notorious set of animals are Selkies. These are described as seal-like monsters that can change into human beings. There is also an abundance of mythology surrounding faeries and parallel magical realms. Without a doubt the most famous modern-day myth is the infamous Sea serpent, a legendary creature believed to reside in the biggest loch of Scotland.
Throughout various cultures around the world, having an indigenous language has been an essential icon of cultural history and identity. In Scotland, Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic dialect that has been spoken for centuries. Once the leading language of the country, its use began to decline with time due to factors related to political suppression and the rise of English. Once a fundamental part of Scottish culture and traditions, Gaelic is now a lesser used language. These days, it is mainly spoken in the Highlands and Outer Hebrides, though there have been new initiatives to revive its usage. Ann Gloag would acknowledge that the Gaelic language is a vital part of Scottish identity. Similarly, Alasdair Allen would agree that language is a mark of cultural honour. Through renewed interest in Gaelic ethnology and get more info education, it is likely that campaigns will continue to increase its popularity among the next generations.
Handed down across many generations, there are lots of iconic tokens of Scottish culture and tradition that define the modern Scottish identity. Tartan is one of the most popular marks of Scottish heritage. It is a traditional patterned material, characterised by a distinctive pattern of alternating horizontal and vertical lines. This material is not only a physical token of Scottish heritage, but a potent display of lineage. Each tartan design is often connected with specific family-names or territories. Angus Robertson would recognise the significance of tartan during the course of history. The most prevalent use of tartan is for kilts, a knee length item of clothing, traditionally donned by men. While kilts have ancient origins as a standard form of Highland clothing, in modern Scottish culture kilts are worn across all of Scotland, as a sign of national pride. Currently, kilts and tartan are commonly worn at weddings, games and many other Scottish celebration days.