Editing Scotland (section)

==Culture and society==
{{main|Culture of Scotland}}
===World Heritage Sites===
{{main|List of World Heritage Sites in Scotland}}

Scotland has seven [[List of World Heritage Sites in Scotland|World Heritage Sites]] – [[St Kilda, Scotland|St. Kilda]], [[Edinburgh Old Town]] and [[Edinburgh New Town|New Town]], The [[Heart of Neolithic Orkney]], [[New Lanark]], The [[Antonine Wall]], The [[Forth Bridge]] and The [[Flow Country]].<ref>{{cite web |title=World Heritage Sites in Scotland |url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support/listing-scheduling-and-designations/world-heritage-sites/world-heritage-sites-in-scotland/ |website=www.historicenvironment.scot |access-date=3 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref> [[Zenith of Iron Age Shetland]] is currently a candidate for World Heritage Site status from [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The iron age sites seeking world heritage status |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-65231943 |website=BBC News |access-date=3 May 2025 |date=10 April 2023}}</ref> [[Historic Environment Scotland]] is responsible for 'cultural' sites as part of their wider responsibility towards the historic environment. The [[Environment Directorate]] is responsible for natural sites.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support/listing-scheduling-and-designations/world-heritage-sites/what-is-a-world-heritage-site/ |title=What is A World Heritage Site? |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=9 October 2016}}</ref>

===Scottish music===
{{Main|Music of Scotland|}}
[[File:Edinburgh Scottish bagpiper (49552292312).jpg|thumb|right|The [[bagpipes]] are an instrument largely associated with Scotland, and an early example of popular Scottish music]]

[[Scottish music]] is a significant aspect of the nation's culture, with both traditional and modern influences. A famous traditional Scottish instrument is the [[Great Highland bagpipe]], a woodwind reed instrument consisting of three drones and a melody pipe (called the chanter), which are fed continuously by a reservoir of air in a bag. The popularity of [[pipe band]]s—primarily featuring bagpipes, various types of snares and drums, and showcasing Scottish traditional dress and music—has spread throughout the world. Bagpipes are featured in holiday celebrations, parades, funerals, weddings, and other events internationally. Many military regiments have a pipe band of their own. In addition to the Great Highland pipes, several smaller, somewhat quieter [[bellows]]-blown varieties of bagpipe are played in Scotland, including the [[Scottish smallpipes|smallpipes]] and the [[Border pipes]].

[[Music of Scotland#Pop, rock and fusion|Scottish popular music]] has gained an international following, with artists such as [[Lewis Capaldi]], [[Amy Macdonald]], [[KT Tunstall]], [[Nina Nesbitt]], [[Chvrches]], [[Gerry Cinnamon]] and [[Paolo Nutini]] gaining international success. DJ [[Calvin Harris]] was one of the [[List of most-streamed artists on Spotify|most streamed artists on Spotify]] in 2023,<ref>{{cite web |title=Spotify Wrapped 2023 top song predictions ahead of release |url=https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23875288.spotify-wrapped-2023-top-song-predictions-ahead-release/ |website=www.bracknellnews.co.uk |date=25 October 2023 |publisher=Bracknell News |access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/united-kingdom/top-25-most-popular-scottish-singers/#:~:text=1.,help%20of%20his%20eldest%20brother.|title=Top 25 Most Popular Scottish Singers|author=Lydia|date=4 February 2023|website=discoverwalks.com}}</ref> whilst [[Susan Boyle]]'s [[I Dreamed a Dream (album)|debut album]] was [[List of best-selling albums of the 21st century|one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century]], and was the best-selling album internationally in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrities-gone-bad/tragedies-feuds-and-public-tantrums-is-the-dream-finally-over-for-susan-boyle/news-story/bdfa00d9c14b9ccf1ec22d59ebdc80fa |title=Tragedies, feuds and public tantrums: Is the dream finally over for Susan Boyle? |first=Ryan |last=Kisiel |date=2 May 2016 |work=news.com.au}}</ref> [[Runrig]] popularised [[Celtic rock]] and frequently performed in [[Scottish Gaelic]], with their 1995 single "[[An Ubhal as Àirde (The Highest Apple)|An Ubhal as Àirde]]" the first song in the language to reach the UK Top 20.<ref>{{cite web |title=RUNRIG – The Story (Ridge RR078) |url=https://folking.com/runrig-the-story-ridge-rr078/ |website=Folking.com |access-date=27 December 2024 |date=22 January 2016}}</ref> Musical talent in Scotland is recognised via the [[Scottish Music Awards]], [[Scottish Album of the Year Award]], the [[Scots Trad Music Awards]] and the [[BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician]] award.

===Literature and media===
{{Main|Scottish literature|Media of Scotland|Scottish art|Comedy in Scotland|Festivals in Scotland|Cinema of Scotland}}
[[File:PG 1063Burns Naysmithcrop.jpg|thumb|right|190px|World renowned poet [[Robert Burns]] is considered the national poet, best known for works such as "[[Auld Lang Syne]]" and writing in the Scots language]]

Scotland has a literary heritage dating back to the early Middle Ages. The earliest extant literature composed in what is now Scotland was in [[Brythonic languages|Brythonic]] speech in the 6th century, but is preserved as part of [[Welsh-language literature|Welsh literature]].<ref>R. T. Lambdin and L. C. Lambdin, ''Encyclopedia of Medieval Literature'' (London: Greenwood, 2000), {{ISBN|0-313-30054-2}}, p. 508.</ref> Later medieval literature included works in Latin,<ref>I. Brown, T. Owen Clancy, M. Pittock, S. Manning, eds, ''The Edinburgh History of Scottish Literature: From Columba to the Union, until 1707'' (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2007), {{ISBN|0-7486-1615-2}}, p. 94.</ref> Gaelic,<ref>J. T. Koch, ''Celtic Culture: a Historical Encyclopedia'' (ABC-CLIO, 2006), {{ISBN|1-85109-440-7}}, p. 999.</ref> Old English<ref>E. M. Treharne, ''Old and Middle English c.890-c.1400: an Anthology'' (Wiley-Blackwell, 2004), {{ISBN|1-4051-1313-8}}, p. 108.</ref> and French.<ref>M. Fry, ''Edinburgh'' (London: Pan Macmillan, 2011), {{ISBN|0-330-53997-3}}.</ref> The first surviving major text in [[Early Scots]] is the 14th-century poet [[John Barbour (poet)|John Barbour]]'s epic ''[[The Brus|Brus]]'', focusing on the life of Robert I,<ref>N. Jayapalan, ''History of English Literature'' (Atlantic, 2001), {{ISBN|81-269-0041-5}}, p. 23.</ref> and was soon followed by a series of vernacular romances and prose works.<ref name="Wormald1991pp60-7">J. Wormald, ''Court, Kirk, and Community: Scotland, 1470–1625'' (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1991), {{ISBN|0-7486-0276-3}}, pp. 60–67.</ref> In the 16th century, the crown's patronage helped the development of Scots drama and poetry,<ref name="Brownetalpp256-7">I. Brown, T. Owen Clancy, M. Pittock, S. Manning, eds, ''The Edinburgh History of Scottish Literature: From Columba to the Union, until 1707'' (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2007), {{ISBN|0-7486-1615-2}}, pp. 256–257.</ref> but the accession of James VI to the English throne removed a major centre of literary patronage and Scots was sidelined as a literary language.<ref>[[R. D. S. Jack]], "Poetry under King James VI", in C. Cairns, ed., ''The History of Scottish Literature'' (Aberdeen University Press, 1988), vol. 1, {{ISBN|0-08-037728-9}}, pp. 137–138.</ref> Interest in Scots literature was revived in the 18th century by figures including [[James Macpherson]], whose [[Ossian|Ossian Cycle]] made him the first Scottish poet to gain an international reputation and was a major influence on the European Enlightenment.<ref>{{Cite book |last=J. Buchan |url=https://archive.org/details/crowdedwithgeniu00buch/page/163 |title=Crowded with Genius |publisher=Harper Collins |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-06-055888-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/crowdedwithgeniu00buch/page/163 163]}}</ref> It was also a major influence on [[Robert Burns]], whom many consider the national poet,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=L. McIlvanney |date=Spring 2005 |title=Hugh Blair, Robert Burns, and the Invention of Scottish Literature |journal=Eighteenth-Century Life |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=25–46 |doi=10.1215/00982601-29-2-25 |s2cid=144358210}}</ref> and [[Walter Scott]], whose [[Waverley Novels]] did much to define Scottish identity in the 19th century.<ref>{{Cite book |last=N. Davidson |url=https://archive.org/details/originsscottishn00davi |title=The Origins of Scottish Nationhood |publisher=Pluto Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-7453-1608-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/originsscottishn00davi/page/n141 136] |url-access=limited}}</ref> Towards the end of the Victorian era a number of Scottish-born authors achieved international reputations as writers in English, including [[Robert Louis Stevenson]], [[Arthur Conan Doyle]], [[J. M. Barrie]] and [[George MacDonald]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Cultural Profile: 19th and early 20th century developments |url=http://www.culturalprofiles.net/scotland/Directories/Scotland_Cultural_Profile/-5402.html |url-status=dead |journal=Visiting Arts: Scotland: Cultural Profile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930034445/http://www.culturalprofiles.net/scotland/Directories/Scotland_Cultural_Profile/-5402.html |archive-date=30 September 2011}}</ref>

In the 20th century the [[Scottish Renaissance]] saw a surge of literary activity and attempts to reclaim the Scots language as a medium for serious literature.<ref name="VisitingArtsScotland">{{Cite journal |title=The Scottish 'Renaissance' and beyond |url=http://www.culturalprofiles.net/scotland/Directories/Scotland_Cultural_Profile/-5403.html |url-status=dead |journal=Visiting Arts: Scotland: Cultural Profile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930034437/http://www.culturalprofiles.net/scotland/Directories/Scotland_Cultural_Profile/-5403.html |archive-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> Members of the movement were followed by a new generation of post-war poets including [[Edwin Morgan (poet)|Edwin Morgan]], who would be appointed the first Makar by the Scottish Government in 2004.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=16 February 2004 |title=The Scots Makar |url=http://www.gov.scot/News/Releases/2004/02/5075 |url-status=dead |publisher=Scottish Government |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204042020/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2004/02/5075 |archive-date=4 February 2012 |access-date=28 October 2007}}</ref> [[Sorley MacLean]] was described by the [[Scottish Poetry Library]] as "one of the major Scottish poets of the modern era" because of his "mastery of his chosen medium and his engagement with the European poetic tradition and European politics".<ref name=library>{{cite web |title=Sorley MacLean |url=http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poets/sorley-maclean |publisher=[[Scottish Poetry Library]] |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817225519/http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poets/sorley-maclean |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nobel Prize Laureate [[Seamus Heaney]] credited MacLean with saving [[Scottish Gaelic literature|Scottish Gaelic poetry]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Edinburgh streets could be given Gaelic names under plans to celebrate language |date=18 March 2022 |url=https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-streets-could-given-gaelic-23437071 |publisher=Edinburgh Live |access-date=28 December 2023}}</ref> From the 1980s Scottish literature enjoyed another major revival, particularly associated with a group of writers including [[Irvine Welsh]].<ref name=VisitingArtsScotland/> Scottish poets who emerged in the same period included [[Carol Ann Duffy]], who, in May 2009, was the first Scot named the monarch's [[Poet Laureate]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1 May 2009 |title=Duffy reacts to new Laureate post |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8029388.stm |url-status=dead |journal=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030093931/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8029388.stm |archive-date=30 October 2011}}</ref> Scotland's national poet is known as the [[Makar]] and is appointed by the first minister to promote literacy, writing and poetry across the country, as well as to produce work for national events and produce annual reports to the government.<ref>{{cite web |title=The story of the Makar - National Poet of Scotland |url=https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/the-story-of-the-makar-national-poet-of-scotland/ |website=Scottish Poetry Library |access-date=18 January 2025}}</ref> The incumbent Makar is [[Pàdraig MacAoidh]], the first Scottish Gaelic writer to hold the position.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lewis-born Gaelic poet Peter Mackay appointed Scotland's Makar |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0x31w69d1o |website=BBC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=3 December 2024}}</ref>

National newspapers such as the [[Daily Record (Scotland)|''Daily Record'']], [[The Herald (Glasgow)|''The Herald'']], ''[[The Scotsman]]'' and ''[[The National (Scotland)|The National]]'' are all produced in Scotland.<ref name="Newspapers">{{Cite web |title=Newspapers and National Identity in Scotland |url=http://archive.ifla.org/IV/ifla68/papers/051-127e.pdf |access-date=12 December 2006 |publisher=IFLA University of Stirling}}</ref> Important regional dailies include the [[Edinburgh Evening News|Evening News]] in Edinburgh, ''[[The Courier (Dundee)|The Courier]]'' in Dundee in the east, and ''[[The Press and Journal]]'' serving Aberdeen and the north.<ref name="Newspapers"/> Scotland is represented at the [[Celtic Media Festival]], which showcases film and television from the Celtic countries. Scottish entrants have won many awards since the festival began in 1980.<ref name="Media 1">{{Cite web |year=2014 |title=About Us::Celtic Media Festival |url=http://www.celticmediafestival.co.uk/about |access-date=3 January 2014 |website=Celtic Media Festival website |publisher=[[Celtic Media Festival]]}}</ref> Scotland's national broadcaster is [[BBC Scotland]], a division of the [[BBC]], which runs three national [[Scottish television stations|television stations]], [[BBC One Scotland]], [[BBC Scotland (TV channel)|BBC Scotland]] and the Gaelic-language [[BBC Alba]], and the national radio stations, ''[[BBC Radio Scotland]]'' and ''[[BBC Radio nan Gàidheal]]''. The main Scottish commercial television station is [[STV (TV network)|STV]] which broadcasts on two of the three [[ITV (network)|ITV]] regions of Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ITV Media – STV |url=https://www.itvmedia.co.uk/itv-regions/stv |website=www.itvmedia.co.uk}}</ref> Scotland's [[Cinema of Scotland|film industry]] is supported by [[Creative Scotland|Screen Scotland]], the [[Non-departmental public body|executive non-departmental public body]] of the Scottish Government which provides funding and support for film production in the country.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scotland |first1=Screen |title=About Us |url=https://www.screen.scot/about |website=Screen Scotland |access-date=21 March 2025 |language=en |date=12 January 2021}}</ref>
{{clear}}

=== Celtic connections ===
{{Further|Celtic nations}}
As one of the [[Celtic nations]], Scotland and Scottish culture are represented at inter-Celtic events at home and over the world. Scotland hosts several music festivals including [[Celtic Connections]] (Glasgow), and the [[Hebridean Celtic Festival]] (Stornoway). Festivals celebrating Celtic culture, such as [[Festival Interceltique de Lorient]] ([[Brittany]]), the [[Pan Celtic Festival]] (Ireland), and the National Celtic Festival ([[Portarlington, Victoria|Portarlington]], Australia), feature elements of Scottish culture such as language, music and dance.<ref name="Celtic connections 1">{{Cite web |year=2010 |title=Celtic connections:Scotland's premier winter music festival |url=http://www.celticconnections.com |access-date=23 January 2010 |website=Celtic connections website |publisher=[[Celtic Connections]]}}</ref><ref name="Festival 1">{{Cite web |year=2009 |title=Site Officiel du Festival Interceltique de Lorient |url=http://www.festival-interceltique.com/le-monde-des-celtes-et-de-la-celtie.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305062016/http://www.festival-interceltique.com/le-monde-des-celtes-et-de-la-celtie.php |archive-date=5 March 2010 |access-date=23 January 2010 |website=Festival Interceltique de Lorient website |publisher=[[Festival Interceltique de Lorient]]}}</ref><ref name="Dingle 1">{{Cite web |year=2010 |title=Welcome to the Pan Celtic 2010 Home Page |url=http://www.panceltic.ie |access-date=26 January 2010 |website=Pan Celtic Festival 2010 website |publisher=[[Fáilte Ireland]]}}</ref><ref name="Festival 3">{{Cite web |year=2009 |title=About the Festival |url=http://www.nationalcelticfestival.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24&Itemid=26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119080041/http://www.nationalcelticfestival.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24&Itemid=26 |archive-date=19 January 2012 |access-date=23 January 2010 |website=National Celtic Festival website |publisher=National Celtic Festival}}</ref>

=== National identity ===
{{Further|Scottish people|National symbols of Scotland}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 320
| image_style       = border:yes;
| image1            = Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland.svg
| alt1              = Royal Arms of Scotland
| caption1          = The [[Royal Arms of Scotland]]
| image2            = Mooie bloeiwijze van een Speerdistel (Cirsium vulgare) 03.jpg
| alt2              = Scottish Thistle
| caption2          = The [[spear thistle]], the [[national emblem]] of Scotland
}}

The image of [[Saint Andrew|St. Andrew]], martyred while bound to an X-shaped cross, first appeared in the [[Kingdom of Scotland]] during the reign of [[William the Lion|William I]].<ref name="NAS">[http://www.nas.gov.uk/about/051124.asp "Feature: Saint Andrew seals Scotland's independence"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916085046/http://www.nas.gov.uk/about/051124.asp |date=16 September 2013 }}, ''The National Archives of Scotland'', 28 November 2007, retrieved 12 September 2009.</ref> Following the death of [[Alexander III of Scotland|King Alexander III]] in 1286 an image of Andrew was used on the [[Seal (emblem)|seal]] of the [[Guardians of Scotland]] who assumed control of the kingdom during the subsequent [[interregnum]].<ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite web |date=28 November 2007 |title=Feature: Saint Andrew seals Scotland's independence |url=http://www.nas.gov.uk/about/051124.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916085046/http://www.nas.gov.uk/about/051124.asp |archive-date=16 September 2013 |access-date=9 December 2009 |publisher=The National Archives of Scotland}}</ref> Use of a simplified symbol associated with Saint Andrew, the [[saltire]], has its origins in the late 14th century; the [[Parliament of Scotland]] decreeing in 1385 that Scottish soldiers should wear a white Saint Andrew's Cross on the front and back of their tunics.<ref>Dickinson, Donaldson, Milne (eds.), A Source Book Of Scottish History, Nelson and Sons Ltd, Edinburgh 1952, p.205</ref> Use of a blue background for the Saint Andrew's Cross is said to date from at least the 15th century.<ref>G. Bartram, [http://www.flaginstitute.org/images/page10_large.gif www.flaginstitute.org ''British Flags & Emblems''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109055700/http://www.flaginstitute.org/images/page10_large.gif |date=9 November 2012 }} (Edinburgh: Tuckwell Press, 2004), {{ISBN|1-86232-297-X}}, p. 10.</ref> Since 1606 the saltire has also formed part of the design of the [[Union Flag]]. 

There are numerous other symbols and symbolic artefacts, both official and unofficial, including the [[thistle]], the nation's [[national emblem|floral emblem]] (celebrated in the song, [[The Thistle o' Scotland]]), the [[Declaration of Arbroath]], incorporating a statement of political independence made on 6 April 1320, the textile pattern [[tartan]] that often signifies a particular [[Scottish clan]] and the royal [[Royal Standard of Scotland|Lion Rampant]] flag.<ref>"National identity" in M. Lynch (ed.), ''The Oxford Companion to Scottish History'', (Oxford, 2001), pp. 437–444.</ref><ref>Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) ''Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland''. London. HarperCollins. Page 936.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Symbols of Scotland—Index |url=http://www.rampantscotland.com/symbols/blsymbols_index.htm |access-date=17 September 2014 |website=Rampantscotland.com}}</ref> Highlanders can thank [[James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose]], for the repeal in 1782 of the [[Dress Act 1746]], which prohibiting the wearing of tartans.<ref name="Works">{{Cite book |last=Bain |first=Robert |title=Clans & Tartans of Scotland (revised) |publisher=William Collins Sons & Co., Ltd. |others=P.E. Stewart-Blacker (heraldic advisor), foreword by The R. Hon. C/refountess of Erroll |year=1959 |editor-last=Margaret O. MacDougall |page=108}}</ref>

Scotland has its own [[regalia]] known as the [[Honours of Scotland]] (informally the [[Scottish Crown Jewels]]) which consists of the [[Crown of Scotland]], a Sceptre and [[Scottish Sword of State]]. The Scottish crown was worn by [[Scottish monarchs]] during their coronation, and today is kept in the Crown Room at [[Edinburgh Castle]]. The Crown of Scotland is present at each state opening of the Scottish Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scottish Parliament opening: Crown returns to seat of parliament |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/06/99/scottish_parliament_opening/378157.stm |website=BBC News |access-date=6 December 2024}}</ref> Collectively, the Honours of Scotland are the oldest regalia in the [[British Isles]], dating from the late 15th and early 16th centuries.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Honours of Scotland |url=https://www.royal.uk/honours-scotland |website=www.royal.uk |access-date=6 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:The Queen at the Scottish Parliament - crop.jpg|thumb|left|170px|The [[Crown of Scotland]]]] 

Although there is no official [[national anthem of Scotland]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 March 2006 |title=Action call over national anthem |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4828454.stm |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref> ''[[Flower of Scotland]]'' is played on special occasions and sporting events such as football and rugby matches involving the Scotland national teams and since 2010 is also played at the Commonwealth Games after it was voted the overwhelming favourite by participating Scottish athletes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 January 2010 |title=Games team picks new Scots anthem |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8449939.stm}}</ref> Other currently less popular candidates for the National Anthem of Scotland include ''[[Scotland the Brave]]'', ''[[Highland Cathedral]]'', ''[[Scots Wha Hae]]'' and ''[[A Man's A Man for A' That]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 May 2014 |title=Background Info |url=http://www.parliament.scot/gettinginvolved/petitions/PE01500-PE01599/PE01541_BackgroundInfo.aspx |access-date=17 January 2021 |website=www.parliament.scot}}</ref>

[[St Andrew's Day]], 30 November, is the [[national day]], although [[Burns' Night]] tends to be more widely observed, particularly outside Scotland. In 2006, the Scottish Parliament passed the [[St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007]], designating the day an official [[bank holiday]].<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/en2007/2007en02.htm "Explanatory Notes to St. Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001002638/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/en2007/2007en02.htm |date=1 October 2007 }} Office of Public Sector Information. Retrieved 22 September 2007.</ref> [[Tartan Day]] is a recent innovation from Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tartan Day in Canada {{!}} Scotland.org |url=https://www.scotland.org/events/scotland-week/tartan-day-in-canada |access-date=17 August 2021 |website=Scotland |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425221329/https://scotland.org/events/scotland-week/tartan-day-in-canada |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The national animal of Scotland is the [[unicorn]], which has been a Scottish heraldic symbol since the 12th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish fact of the week: Scotland's official animal, the Unicorn |url=http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/heritage/scottish-fact-of-the-week-scotland-s-official-animal-the-unicorn-1-2564399 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016033524/http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/heritage/scottish-fact-of-the-week-scotland-s-official-animal-the-unicorn-1-2564399 |archive-date=16 October 2015 |access-date=17 September 2014 |website=Scotsman.com}}</ref> The [[Court of the Lord Lyon]] regulates [[Scottish heraldry]] and the Public Register of All Armorial Bearings in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |title=About us |url=https://www.courtofthelordlyon.scot/about%20us.htm|website=The Court of the Lord Lyon |access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Scottish cuisine}}
[[File:Haggis neeps and tatties.jpg|thumb|[[Haggis]], [[Rutabaga|neeps]] and [[Potato|tatties]]]]
Scottish cuisine has distinctive attributes and recipes of its own but shares much with wider [[British cuisine|British]] and [[European cuisine]] as a result of local and foreign influences, both ancient and modern. Traditional Scottish dishes exist alongside international foodstuffs brought about by migration. Scotland's natural larder of [[Game (food)|game]], dairy products, fish, fruit, and vegetables is the chief factor in traditional Scots cooking, with a high reliance on simplicity and a lack of [[spice]]s from abroad, as these were historically rare and expensive.<ref>{{cite web |title=Edinburgh's Pantry: Tatties, neeps, oranges and lemons |url=https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/edinburghs-pantry-tatties-neeps-oranges-and-lemons |website=www.nts.org.uk |publisher=National Trust for Scotland |access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref>

[[Irn-Bru]] is the most common Scottish carbonated soft drink, often described as "Scotland's other national drink" (after whisky).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Libby |date=30 May 2007 |title=Scotland's other national drink |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/may/30/scotlandsothernationaldrink |access-date=5 January 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |oclc=60623878}}</ref> During the [[Late Middle Ages]] and [[early modern era]], [[French cuisine]] played a role in Scottish cookery due to cultural exchanges brought about by the "[[Auld Alliance]]",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gail Kilgore |title=The Auld Alliance and its Influence on Scottish Cuisine |url=http://www.historichighlanders.com/auldfood.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030355/http://www.historichighlanders.com/auldfood.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=29 July 2006}}</ref> especially during the reign of [[Mary, Queen of Scots]]. Mary, on her return to Scotland, brought an entourage of French staff who are considered responsible for revolutionising Scots cooking and for some of Scotland's unique food terminology.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Traditional Scottish Food – Brief History of Food in Scotland |url=https://www.taste-of-scotland.com/traditional-scottish-food-scotlands-cuisine |access-date=17 January 2021 |website=Taste of Scotland |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sport in Scotland}}
[[File:Brazil v Scotland 25 (5575226993).jpg|thumb|right|Scotland's [[Scotland national football team|national football team]]'s fans are commonly known as ''The Tartan Army'']]

Scotland hosts its own national sporting competitions and has independent representation at several international sporting events, including the [[FIFA World Cup]], the [[UEFA Nations League]], the [[UEFA European Championship]], the [[Rugby Union World Cup]], the [[Rugby League World Cup]], the [[Cricket World Cup]], the [[Netball World Cup]] and the [[Commonwealth Games]]. Scotland has its own national governing bodies, such as the [[Scottish Football Association]] (the second oldest national football association in the world)<ref>''Soccer in South Asia: Empire, Nation, Diaspora'' by James Mills, Paul Dimeo: Page 18 – Oldest Football Association is England's FA, then Scotland and third oldest is the Indian FA.</ref> and the [[Scottish Rugby Union]]. Variations of football have been played in Scotland for centuries, with the earliest reference dating back to 1424.<ref name="FIFA">{{Cite web |last=Gerhardt, W. |title=The colourful history of a fascinating game. More than 2000 Years of Football |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/history/history/0,1283,1,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060810202927/http://www.fifa.com/en/history/history/0%2C1283%2C1%2C00.html |archive-date=10 August 2006 |access-date=11 August 2006 |publisher=[[FIFA]]}}</ref>

The world's first official international association football match, between [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] and [[England national football team|England]] was held in Glasgow on 30 November 1872, and resulted in a 0–0 draw.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/027c-16b892bcfd7e-1d75251aa5cc-1000--first-ever-international-football-match-recreated-in-glasgow/|title=First ever international football match recreated in Glasgow|date=1 December 2022|website=[[UEFA]]}}</ref> The [[Scottish Cup]] was first contested in 1873, and is the oldest trophy in association football.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish-cup/archive/scottish-cup-history/|title=Scottish Cup History {{!}} Scottish Cup {{!}} Scottish FA|website=scottishfa.co.uk}}</ref> The [[Scottish Football Association]] (SFA) is the main [[sport governing body|governing body]] for Scottish association football, and a founding member of the [[International Football Association Board]] (IFAB) which governs the [[Laws of the Game (association football)|Laws of the Game]]. Scotland is one of only four countries to have a permanent representative on the IFAB; the other four representatives being appointed for set periods by [[FIFA]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/organisation/ip-100_04e_ifab_9481.pdf|title=IFAB Meetings 1914-2008|website=[[FIFA]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410113056/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/organisation/ip-100_04e_ifab_9481.pdf|archive-date=10 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Moore |first=Kevin |title=What you think you know about football is wrong |publisher=Bloomsbury |year=2019 |isbn=9781472955678 |chapter=FIFA does not make the rules, and never has}}</ref> The SFA has responsibility for the [[Scotland national football team]] and the [[Scotland women's national football team|Scotland women's team]].

[[File:Old 18th tee lr.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Old Course at St Andrews]], the oldest [[golf]] course in the world]]

With the modern game of [[golf]] originating in 15th-century Scotland, the country is promoted as the [[Golf in Scotland|home of golf]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotland is the home of golf |url=http://www.pgatour.com/2008/tourlife/travel/04/08/trans_atlantic/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828200541/http://www.pgatour.com/2008/tourlife/travel/04/08/trans_atlantic/index.html |archive-date=28 August 2008 |access-date=4 December 2008 |publisher=[[PGA Tour]] official website |quote=Scotland is the home of golf...}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2007 |title=The Home of Golf |url=http://www.gov.scot/News/Releases/2007/03/06090032 |access-date=4 December 2008 |publisher=Scottish Government |quote=The Royal & Ancient and three public sector agencies are to continue using the Open Championship to promote Scotland as the worldwide home of golf.}}</ref><ref>Keay (1994) ''op cit'' page 839. "In 1834 the [[The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews|Royal and Ancient Golf Club]] declared St. Andrews 'the Alma Mater of golf'".</ref> To many golfers the [[Old Course at St Andrews|Old Course]] in the Fife town of [[St Andrews]], an ancient [[links (golf)|links]] course dating to before 1552,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1574 St Andrews – The Student Golfer |url=http://www.scottishgolfhistory.org/oldest-golf-sites/1574-st-andrews |access-date=1 August 2018 |publisher=Scottish Golf History}}</ref> is considered a site of pilgrimage.<ref>Cochrane, Alistair (ed) ''Science and Golf IV: proceedings of the World Scientific Congress of Golf''. Page 849. Routledge.</ref> In 1764, the standard 18-hole golf course was created at St Andrews when members modified the course from 22 to 18 holes.<ref>Forrest L. Richardson (2002). "Routing the Golf Course: The Art & Science That Forms the Golf Journey". p. 46. John Wiley & Sons</ref> The world's oldest golf tournament, and golf's first major, is [[The Open Championship]], which was first played on 17 October 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club, in Ayrshire, Scotland, with [[Men's major golf championships#Major championship winners|Scottish golfers winning the earliest majors]].<ref>[http://www.pgatour.com/2007/travel/07/16/trans_071607/index.html The Open Championship – More Scottish than British] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002214520/http://www.pgatour.com/2007/travel/07/16/trans_071607/index.html |date=2 October 2012 }} PGA Tour. Retrieved 23 September 2011</ref> There are many other famous [[Golf in Scotland|golf courses in Scotland]], including [[Carnoustie Golf Links|Carnoustie]], [[Gleneagles (Scotland)|Gleneagles]], [[Muirfield]], and [[Royal Troon]].

The Scottish Rugby Union is the second oldest rugby union in the world. [[Murrayfield Stadium]] in Edinburgh is the national stadium of the [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scottish national rugby team]]. The Scotland rugby team played [[1871 Scotland versus England rugby union match|their first official]] [[Test match (rugby union)|test match]], winning 1–0 against England at [[Raeburn Place]] in 1871. Scotland has competed in the [[Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]] from the inaugural tournament in 1883, winning it 14 times outright—including the last Five Nations in [[1999 Five Nations Championship|1999]]—and sharing it another 8 times. The Rugby World Cup was introduced in 1987 and Scotland have competed in all nine competitions, the most recent being in the [[2023 Rugby World Cup]]. Scotland competes with the England rugby team annually for the [[Calcutta Cup]]. Each year, this fixture is played out as part of the Six Nations, with Scotland having last won in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Calvert |first1=Lee |title=Scotland 30-21 England: Six Nations 2024 – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2024/feb/24/scotland-v-england-six-nations-2024-live |website=the Guardian |access-date=7 June 2024 |date=24 February 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Murrayfield Autumn 2017.jpg|thumb|right|[[Murrayfield Stadium]], the national stadium of the [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scottish national rugby team]]]]

Other distinctive features of the national sporting culture include the [[Highland games]], [[curling]] and [[shinty]]. In [[boxing]], Scotland has had 13 world champions, including [[Ken Buchanan]], [[Benny Lynch]] and [[Jim Watt (boxer)|Jim Watt]]. Scotland has also been successful in [[motorsport]], particularly in [[Formula One]]. Notable drivers include; [[David Coulthard]], [[Jim Clark]], [[Paul Di Resta]], and [[Jackie Stewart]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2015 |title=10 Scottish motor racing great |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/other_sports/13199539.10-scottish-motor-racing-great |access-date=30 January 2015 |website=heraldscotland.com}}</ref> In [[IndyCar Series|IndyCar]], [[Dario Franchitti]] has won 4 consecutive [[IndyCar Series|IndyCar world championships]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oreovicz |first=John |date=4 October 2010 |title=Dario Franchitti seals his place as the greatest Indy car driver of the modern era |url=https://www.espn.com/racing/racing/indycar/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=5649822 |access-date=4 October 2010 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

Scotland has competed at every [[Commonwealth Games]] since 1930 and has won 356 medals in total—91 Gold, 104 Silver and 161 Bronze.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Medal Tally |url=http://www.cgcs.org.uk/team-scotland/medal-tally |access-date=17 September 2014 |website=Cgcs.org.uk |archive-date=4 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104205624/http://www.cgcs.org.uk/team-scotland/medal-tally/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Scotland has [[List of Commonwealth Games venues|hosted the Commonwealth Games]] three times – Edinburgh played host to the Commonwealth Games in [[1970 British Commonwealth Games|1970]] and [[1986 Commonwealth Games|1986]], and most recently [[Glasgow]] in [[2014 Commonwealth Games|2014]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview and History |url=http://www.cgcs.org.uk/past-games/overview-and-history |access-date=17 September 2014 |website=Cgcs.org.uk |archive-date=4 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104205508/http://www.cgcs.org.uk/past-games/overview-and-history/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Glasgow was confirmed as the host city for the [[2026 Commonwealth Games]] in September 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games - What do we know so far? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czj978gnmgpo |website=BBC News |access-date=22 September 2024 |date=18 September 2024}}</ref> Edinburgh was the host city for the inaugural [[2000 Commonwealth Youth Games|Commonwealth Youth Games in 2000]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Edinburgh 2000 Commonwealth Youth Games |url=https://www.commonwealthsport.com/commonwealth-youth-games/edinburgh-2000 |website=Commonwealth Sport |access-date=22 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref>