**Scotland**: Gaelic name Alba
Capital City Edinburgh
Languages English, Scots and Gaelic
Pop 5000.000(aprox)
Highest Peak [Ben Nevis] 1344 m ([4409] ft)
Patron Saint [St Andrew]
Flag St Andrews Cross or [Saltire], oldest National Flag in The world (still in use)
[Nation State] within the UK
Scotland has a long and bloody history with as much internal conflict as well as having to fend off repeated invasions from such [foe's] as the Romans,saxons,Vikings and the Anglo Normans English.
Scotland was an Independent Sovereign State until 1707 when the 'act of union' was agreed upon Joining Scotland with England and Wales to Form Great Britain.Although never popular with the common people The New State did bring Benefits for all three nations The British EmpireWas one such example with Scots playing a major role.By the time of the Industrial Revolution ,Scotland Was at the centre of innovation and invention.Glasgow became known as the second city of the Empire and The industry in Central Scotland and Clydeside made it known as the 'workshop of the world' Recent Times have seen a shift in the Nations fortunes With the decline of [shipbuilding] coal mines and steelworks being replaced with technological industries.
1999 witnesed the first Scots Parliament in Edinburgh in nearly 300 years.The current First Minister (at time of writing) is Jack McConnell
*Having Read many Opinions on Scotland on here I thought I would Write a [Factual] One See [Scottish Inventions] for more [insight] to our unique heritage*
*(<http://scotland.urbanup.com/1823355>)* *9 more results*
