SCOTLAND
Read the text Scottish Clans and Their Tartans. Find out what things are usually associated with Scotland. Use a dictionary when necessary.
One of the first things that people associate with Scotland is the kilt. The kilt is only worn by men and it is a relic of the time when the clan system existed in the Scottish Highlands. The clan was like a very large family and everyone had the same family name, like MacDonald or MacGregor (Mac means "son of). The clan had its particular territory and was governed by a chieftain. Each clan had its own tartan, which both men and women wore.
The kilt and the tartan are very much connected with Scottish history, which was a long story of struggle for independence. The highlanders from the clans took part in many rebellions against the English rule but they were defeated. The rebels were hunted down and the clan settlements were destroyed. To break up the clans and to make people remember that they were ruled by the English, a law was passed that made it a crime to wear the tartan. The punishment was death. The tartans were no longer woven and in time were forgotten.
The ones that people can buy in the shops nowadays are new designs, different from the ones worn by the clans long ago. The old fabrics woven from local sheep's wool disappeared, and the secret of making them is lost. But the machine-made tartans are picturesque and popular.
The clans are dangerous no longer.
Answer the questions on the text:
1 What was a Scottish clan like?
2 What is a kilt and by whom is it worn?
3 How can you explain the fact that Scottish names begin with Mac?
4 Why were the clan settlements in the Highlands destroyed?
5 Are the present-day tartans exact copies of the Scottish tartans of long ago?
Read the text The Scottish Thistle and say why the Scots made this plant their national emblem.Use a dictionary when necessary.
The thistle is the national emblem of Scotland. This is how, according to a curious legend, that homely plant came to be chosen as a badge, in preference to any other.
In very ancient times the Norsemen once landed somewhere on the east coast of Scotland, with the intention of plundering and settling in the country. The Scots assembled with their arms and took their station behind the river Tay, the largest in Scotland, as the only practicable fort. As they arrived late in the day, weary and tired after a long march, they pitched their camp and rested, not expecting the enemy before the next day.
The Norsemen however were near; noticing that no guards or sentinels protected the camp, they crossed the Tay, intending to take the Scots by surprise and slaughter them in their sleep. To this end, they took off their shoes so as to make the least noise possible. But one of the Norsemen stepped on a thistle. The sudden and sharp pain he felt caused him to shriek. The alarm was given in the Scots' camp. The Norsemen were put to fight, and as an acknowledgement for the timely and unexpected help from the thistle, the Scots made it their national emblem.
Answer the questions on the text:
1. Who were the Norsemen?
2. Why did they land on the coast of Scotland?
3. How did the Norsemen, according to the old legend, want to outwit the Scots?
4. What alarmed the Scots?
5. Do you find the legend about the Scottish thistle really curious?
Expert detailed instructions for how to wear a full Prince Charlie kilt outfit (in MacDonald of Clanranald Muted tartan) as Highland Dress, with step by step tips and tricks, by Scotweb, home of the world's largest range of top quality authentic kilts and tartans.
Here you'll be shown how to correctly fold and wear the old Scottish plaid (tartan), a step by step guide to becoming a real highlander!