Recording 22, page 40
EXTRA READING. Read about Scotland, and answer the questions.
Scotland
Scotland is one of the countries in the United Kingdom.
The UK consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Scotland occupies about one third of the island of Great Britain.
In the south, it borders on England. This is Scotland’s only land border.
To the west and north, it has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, and to the east on the North Sea.
The west coast is highly indented, which means it doesn’t have an even length.
There are many sea lochs, fjords, and islands there. The population of Scotland is 5.4 million.
Scotland is usually divided into three geographical areas: the Highlands in the north, the Central Lowlands, and the Southern Uplands (near the English border).
In the Highlands, there are many lochs (lakes), the largest of which is Loch Ness, famous for its mysterious monster.
In the Highlands, there is also Britain’s highest mountain – Ben Nevis (1,343 metres).
Scotland is a mountainous country, and less than a sixth of the land is fit for ploughing.
Summers are short, cool and rainy.
At the eastern end of the lowland is Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.
It is built on seven hills, like Rome! There are many centuries-old buildings in Edinburgh, such as Edinburgh Castle and the University of Edinburgh.
Other major cities in Scotland are Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Perth.
Scotland is famous for kilts (Scotland’s national costume) and bagpipes, although they don’t originate from Scotland.
The Scots are hardworking, practical, and proud of their traditions.
Travellers to the country say the Scots are friendly, generous and helpful.
Long ago, great families, or clans, lived in the northern highlands.
Their chiefs lived in castles, but their clansmen lived in sod huts.
The Highlanders wore kilts. From time to time they attacked one another’s land as well as lowland farms to get enough food.
