Scotland (Gaelic: Alba) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom.[6][7][8] Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the southwest. In addition to the mainland, Scotland consists of over 790 islands[9] including the Northern Isles and the Hebrides.
Edinburgh, the country's capital and second largest city, is one of Europe's largest financial centres.[10][11] Edinburgh was the hub of the Scottish Enlightenment of the 18th century, which transformed Scotland into one of the commercial, intellectual and industrial powerhouses of Europe. Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, was once one of the world's leading industrial cities and now lies at the centre of the Greater Glasgow conurbation. Scottish waters consist of a large sector[12] of the North Atlantic and the North Sea, containing the largest oil reserves in the European Union.
The Kingdom of Scotland was an independent sovereign state before 1 May 1707 when it entered into a political union with the Kingdom of England to create the united Kingdom of Great Britain.[13][14] This union resulted from the Treaty of Union agreed in 1706 and enacted by the twin Acts of Union passed by the Parliaments of both countries, despite widespread protest across Scotland.[15][16] Scotland's legal system continues to be separate from those of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and Scotland still constitutes a distinct jurisdiction in public and in private law.[17] The continued independence of Scots law, the Scottish education system, and the Church of Scotland have all contributed to the continuation of Scottish culture and Scottish national identity since the Union.[18] Although Scotland is no longer a separate sovereign state, the constitutional future of Scotland continues to give rise to debate.
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The Highlands is a very special part of Scotland and any visitor who ventures up into these parts has many treats in ...
Three of Scotland's best Highland gems PGA Tour
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It includes coverage of all major and minor outdoor activities hiking trails and mountain bike routes Tour Scotland Road Map Frommer s Scotland s Best Loved Driving Driving Tours Everything You Need to See the Best of Scotland by Car Let Frommer s
jonny
Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:29:47 GM
i have finally finished uploading . scotland. photos from our holiday (well apart from a few from edinburgh but they can come later). there's a set here - scotland09 if you're interested.
