Elisa's Daily Scoop Scotland FactsHow was your week? It was truly a great one! Extremely productive and I was able to valuable one on one time with my girls!! I must say that the drive to and from the barn - an hour each way - gives me and my daughters some serious bonding time. Between singing and arguing over the radio stations, we have had hours and hours to talk about everything! From every last detail about their riding, to discussions about college and future careers to me sharing tons of old stories from my childhood. What a great Summer it has been!! I had fun taking some pictures at the barn yesterday! How cute are these beasts!  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com One place I've always wanted to go is Scotland - and that is where Tanya is this week. Let's take a look at some of the wonderful and unusual facts about this country... 16 Fun and Unusual Facts About Scotland  1. Scotland, the U.K.’s northernmost country, is a land of mountain wildernesses such as the Cairngorms and Northwest Highlands, interspersed with glacial glens (valleys) and lochs (lakes). 2. Its major cities are Edinburgh, the capital, with its iconic hilltop castle, and Glasgow, famed for its vibrant cultural scene. 3. Scotland is also famous for golf, the game first played at the Old Course at St Andrews in the 1400s. 4. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh but its largest city is Glasgow. 5. Official languages spoken are English, Gaelic and Scots.  Scotland (c)travelincousins.com 6. Earliest known occupation of Scotland by man is from the Palaeolithic era – also known as the Stone Age around 10,000 BC when humans gathered fruit, nuts, plants, roots and shells. 7. Skara Brae, on the island of Orkney, is the most complete Neolithic village in Europe. It is also the oldest building in Britain, dating from 3100 BCE and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 8. Around 124 AD, Scotland’s recorded history began with the arrival of the Roman Empire. 9. Vikings made their entrance to Scotland around 800 AD, migrating from Norway and Denmark, crossing the treacherous North Sea to trade and settle in Scotland. 10. Macbeth ruled as King of Alba from 1040 to his death in battle in 1057. 11. Mary, newly born at Linlithgow Palace, was just six days old when her father, James V, died and she was crowned Queen of Scots. Her reign was marked by Catholic-Protestant conflict and civil unrest in a period known as the ‘rough wooing’.  Scotland (c)travelincousins.com 12. In 1707 The Act of Union brought Scotland even closer to Britain by creating a single Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain at the Palace of Westminster. 13. The Encyclopædia Britannica, the world's oldest surviving encyclopedia and one of the most scholarly of encyclopaedias, was first published between 1768 and 1771 in Edinburgh. The first nine editions (out of fifteen so far) were all edited in Scotland. From 1901 it was edited conjointly in New York City and London.  St Andrews Golf Club, the birthplace of modern golf. (credit: http://www.eupedia.com) 14. In 1999 the Scottish Parliament reconvened for the first time in nearly 300 years, ushering in a new era for the Scottish people. 15. Scotland is reputed for its whisky, known outside Scotland as Scotch Whisky. What few people know is that whisky was invented in China, and was first distilled by monks in Ireland in the early 15th century before reaching Scotland 100 years later. 16. Notable Scottish inventions include the method of logarithms (1614), tarmac (1820), the waterproof raincoat (1823), the hot blast furnace (1828), and the pneumatic tyre (1887). and here is one more.... 17. Scotland is reputed for its whisky, known outside Scotland as Scotch Whisky. What few people know is that whisky was invented in China, and was first distilled by monks in Ireland in the early 15th century before reaching Scotland 100 years later. Pretty cool place!!! Can't wait to go!! Well, with the start of the weekend, I'll be doing some errands and chores today. It's an absolutely gorgeous day - a little humid, but perfect for a morning walk!!! I'll be back tomorrow with some more great information piggy-backing on Tanya's Magical Anniversary trip throughout Europe!! -E xoxo  | Tanya's Daily Scoop |
