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The Scottish Enlightenment, which began in the mid-18th century, marked a shift from religion to reason. James Hutton, David Hume, and Adam Smith were three of the most influential figures of the period.
Soccer, or football, is an important part of Scottish culture. Scottish football sees nearly four million tickets sold throughout the year, making it the best-supported league in Europe.
Shinty, mainly played in the Scottish Highlands, is derived from the Irish game of hurling. It features curved sticks and tall goalposts and resembles hockey.
The Lion Rampant is Scotland's unofficial national flag. The flag legally belongs to a king or queen of Scotland, and according to an Act of Parliament passed in 1672, it is an offense to fly the flag unless with the monarch's permission or on a royal residence.
Haggis hurling is a sport involving throwing haggis as far as possible. The current world record for haggis hurling is a distance of 217 feet (66 meters.)
While English is Scotland's primary language, the ancient Celtic language of Gaelic is spoken throughout the country. Scots, dominant in the Lowlands of Scotland, is recognized as a regional language by the UK government.
Halloween's origins trace back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Celts believed that on October 31, ghosts of the dead would walk again amongst them, and large bonfires warded off any evil spirits. Collecting food, fuel, and offerings for Samhain has evolved into today's tick or treating.
Tartan is crisscrossed lines of different colors, forming squares and rectangles. Each tartan pattern is unique to a particular Scottish clan or family and is an important part of Scottish culture and identity.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the world's largest performance arts festival. It began in 1947 and takes place every August in Edinburgh.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo features soldiers from different countries performing military music, drills, and displays. The show celebrates military traditions and skills and takes place on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
Burns Night marks the anniversary of Robert Burns' birth. Robert Burns is a renowned Scottish poet, and on January 25, people come together to celebrate Burns' life with a meal of haggis, reciting poetry, and listening to bagpipes.
The Loch Ness monster is a large marine creature that is believed by some to inhabit Loch Ness. The first written account appears in a 7th-century biography, and a photo of the alleged creature was published in 1934.
Hogmanay is the Scottish word for New Year's Eve. People come together to say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new one with parties, fireworks, and crossing arms, joining hands, and singing 'Auld Lang Syne' at midnight.
Kilts, made of tartan fabric, are worn by men around the waist and secured with a belt or straps. The fabric is pleated at the back and draped over the shoulder. Kilts are worn on special occasions like weddings, formal events, or celebrations of Scottish pride.
A ceilidh is a traditional Scottish social gathering or party that involves live traditional Scottish music, dancing, and storytelling.
Bagpipes are a traditional musical instrument consisting of a bag, a chanter (a pipe with finger holes,) and usually one or more drones (the longer pipes that produce a constant sound.) Bagpipes are often associated with ceremonial occasions, such as weddings, funerals, and military events.
A Scottish clan is a group of people who are joined together by familial bonds or a strong sense of kinship. Lineage is often traced back to a particular clan chief. Each clan typically has its own tartan, coat of arms, and motto.
Scotland's Highland games usually comprise field and track events, piping, and Highland dancing competitions. Traditional Highland sports include the tug-o-war, the hammer throw, and tossing the caber.
Since 1861, a gun at Edinburgh Castle has been fired every day at 1 pm, except on Sundays, Good Friday, and Christmas Day. A businessman called John Hewat brought the idea to Edinburgh from Paris.
The sport of curling began in Scotland in the 16th century. The earliest known curling stone dates back to 1511. Curling, in its early days, was played on frozen lochs and ponds, but now it mostly takes place in indoor rinks.
In Scottish folklore, the first foot is the first person to enter a home on New Year's Day. The tradition traces back to the 8th century; the first foot should be a dark-haired male to ensure good luck for the house.
Edinburgh and Glasgow are the cultural capitals of Scotland. Glasgow is home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Scottish Opera, and the Scottish Ballet. Edinburgh is also the headquarters of the National Library of Scotland.
Dating back 5,000 years, the Calanais Standing Stones are located on the Isle of Lewis. The purpose of the Neolithic stones remains a mystery, but they are believed to have had religious or ceremonial significance.
It is a local custom to spit on the Heart of Midlothian. The heart is located where the door to the Old Tolbooth prison once stood, which was infamous for its horrific conditions. When the building was destroyed, spitting showed contempt for the past cruelty.
The Kelpies are a pair of steel horse-heads between Falkirk and Grangemouth. They reflect the Scottish folklore of a kelpie, a shape-changing aquatic spirit that can appear on land as a horse.
The St Andrew's Cross, or Saltire, is Scotland's national flag. The white saltire on a blue background is said to be the oldest flag in Europe and the Commonwealth.
St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, and on November 30, Scottish people come together to celebrate St Andrew with food, drink, music, and ceilidh dancing.
Sources: (Scotland Info Guide) (The Scotsman) (Visit Scotland)
See also: Scotland's most haunted castles
Whisky's history in Scotland stretches back as far as the 11th century. Scottish whisky is known as 'Scotch,' and there are 141 (and counting) distilleries across the country.
Every year since 1987, people dress up in a costume or silly outfit and plunge into the icy waters of the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry on New Year's Day.
Scotland boasts a rich heritage of unique customs and traditions. You may know that the flag is blue and white, and the national dish is haggis, but do you know the first-footing tradition or what the Loony Dook is?
This gallery covers it all, so whether you're planning a vacation or simply curious about the country's practices, click through to find out all you need to know about Scotland's cultural tapestry.
Everything you need to know about Scottish culture and traditions
From 'Auld Lang Syne' to Halloween
LIFESTYLE Scotland
Scotland boasts a rich heritage of unique customs and traditions. You may know that the flag is blue and white, and the national dish is haggis, but do you know the first-footing tradition or what the Loony Dook is?
This gallery covers it all, so whether you're planning a vacation or simply curious about the country's practices, click through to find out all you need to know about Scotland's cultural tapestry.