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Scottish Heritage Society of Iowa
The Wonders of Scotland
Explore Scotland and discover its wonders! From stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife to ancient and historic places, Scotland has something for everyone. Uncover its fascinating history, sample Scotch whisky, and experience its modern marvels. Below is just a smattering of all that is Scotland. For more information on the wonders of Scotland, visit The National Trust for Scotland.
St Kilda
According to naturalist James Fisher, anyone who ever lays eyes on St Kilda will be haunted by it for the rest of their life. The farthest outpost of Britain, evacuated in 1930, has a dramatic rugged beauty, with the highest sea-cliffs in the UK providing an important habitat for vast numbers of puffins, fulmars and gannets.
Glasgow's Shipyards
Tens of thousands of men once worked on the shipyards of the Clyde and many of the ships they built are still in service today. Glasgow's shipbuilding industry helped forge the steely character of the city and apprentices including Sir Alex Ferguson and Billy Connolly began their working lives there.
Three Sisters of Glen Coe
Three Sisters of Glencoe is one group of Towering mountains and ever-changing weather characterise the eerie glen, redolent of the ghosts of one of the most bloody episodes in Scottish history. Standing in the depths of the valley, one cannot fail to be overpowered by the landscape and the almost tangible presence of the past.
Scottish Parliament
It may have been one of the most controversial buildings of all time, but Enric Miralles' Scottish Parliament is lauded by architecture enthusiasts as a miracle of modern design. Hugely popular with people who work there, the Parliament is now one of Edinburgh's top tourist attractions - but is still reviled by many.
Calanais Standing Stones
The ancient Callanish Stones are an arrangement of standing stones placed in a cruciform pattern with a central stone circle. They were erected in the late Neolithic era, and were a focus for ritual activity during the Bronze Age. They are near the village of Callanish on the west coast of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, and are a fascinating destination stirring many questions yet today.
Literature of Scotland
The work of Burns, Scott and Stevenson, the philosophers of the Enlightenment and the modern successes of Rankin and Welsh are what define Scotland more than any other aspect of our culture. For a small nation, we have produced a disproportionate number of world famous writers, which reflects an affinity with and appreciation of the written word which dates back to mediaeval times.
Forth of Firth Railroad Bridge
Built for rail use in 1890, the Forth Bridge was regarded as the eighth wonder of the world and it remains one of the most recognizable structures in Scotland. Sir John Fowler and Benjamin Baker's bridge is a testament to robust Victorian engineering and casts a magnificent silhouette across the waters of the Forth.
New Lanark
A rare and beautifully restored model village from the very dawn of the industrial age, New Lanark, set in a wooded valley close to the Falls of Clyde, is a shining example of idealism in action. Social visionary Robert Owen's new view of society included universal education and healthcare and an end to child labour and slavery. His vision inspired philanthropists and co-operative movements around the world.
Single Malt Whisky
The pure water, the clear fresh air and the peat moorlands of Scotland all contribute to the flavours of single malt whisky, the water of life and one of our great offerings to the world. The combination of water, malted barley and yeast result in hundreds of distinctive flavors, from the smoky island malts to the sweet ambrosia of Speyside.
Scottish Inventiveness
Scottish ingenuity, which has given an astonishing number of inventions to the world. In 1775 Alexander Cumming patented the first flush toilet to use an 'S' curve, keeping sewer gasses out of homes. In 1997, Dolly the Sheep became internationally famous as the first live mammal ever cloned from an adult cell by embryologist Ian Wilmut and his team at Roslin Institute. Scots invented the telephone (Alexander Graham Bell), Penicillin (Nobel prize winner Sir Alexander Fleming), plus color photography, the hypodermic syringe, the steam engine and much more.
p/c Alexander Cumming - http://www.theplumber.com/closet.html, Public Domain
p/c Alexander Cumming - http://www.theplumber.com/closet.html, Public Domain
Highland Stag
Whether it is watching a herd of deer running across the hills, glimpsing a golden eagle or osprey, or marveling at puffins, whales or dolphins from the side of a boat, any encounter with Scotland's wildlife is a magical experience. The Scots share their beautiful surroundings with an astonishing variety of wild animals, birds and creatures of the sea which are a hugely important part of what makes Scotland such a special place.
Men in Kilts
Not only is the kilt a national form of dress, which keeps alive the tradition of the clan tartan and identifies Scots at formal gatherings around the world, it is also a design classic. French designer Jean Paul Gaultier is a fan, Vivienne Westwood created a punk version and Howie Nicholsby of Edinburgh has made plain kilts in leather and denim for stars including Vin Diesel and Robbie Williams.
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