Changes

==Symbol==

==Symbol==

The symbol of Scotland is the [[thistle]]. The Scottish [[flag]] is the Cross of St. Andrew, a white diagonal cross on a dark blue background. The design originated in the 9th century.  

The symbol of Scotland is the [[thistle]]. The Scottish [[flag]] is the Cross of St. Andrew, a white diagonal cross on a dark blue background. The design originated in the 9th century.  

Scotland's motto is ''Nemo Me Impune Lacessit'' ("No one provokes me with impunity")<ref>http://www.scotland-guide.co.uk/ALL_AREAS_IN_SCOTLAND/Glasgow/Areas/Centre/Mercat_Cross.htm </ref>  

Scotland's motto is ''Nemo Me Impune Lacessit'' ("No one provokes me with impunity")<ref>http://www.scotland-guide.co.uk/ALL_AREAS_IN_SCOTLAND/Glasgow/Areas/Centre/Mercat_Cross.htm</ref>  

==Geography==

==Geography==

Scotland is split into three distinct geographical regions; the mountainous Highlands to the north, the rolling countryside of the Central Lowlands (where the major urban centres are located) and the hilly Southern Uplands that lie next to the English border. Scotland also includes the island groups of [[Orkney]], [[Shetland]], the [[Inner Hebrides|Inner]] and [[Outer Hebrides]], the islands of the [[Firth of Clyde]] including [[Arran]], [[Bute]], [[Cumbrae]] and [[Wee Cumbrae]], as well as the outlying [[St. Kilda]] archipelago, [[Rockall]] and various other smaller islands.

Scotland is split into three distinct geographical regions; the mountainous Highlands to the north, the rolling countryside of the Central Lowlands (where the major urban centres are located) and the hilly Southern Uplands that lie next to the English border. Scotland also includes the island groups of [[Orkney]], [[Shetland]], the [[Inner Hebrides|Inner]] and [[Outer Hebrides]], the islands of the [[Firth of Clyde]] including [[Arran]], [[Bute]], [[Cumbrae]] and [[Wee Cumbrae]], as well as the outlying [[St. Kilda]] archipelago, [[Rockall]] and various other smaller islands.

[[Ben Nevis]], the highest mountain in the [[United Kingdom]], is in the Scottish [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]], as are most of the nation's highest mountains. Those with heights above 3000 feet are eponymously named [[Munro|Munros]] after Sir Hector Munro, the first person to compile a list of such mountains.<ref> for a complete list of Munros see http://www.sol.co.uk/d/dickwall/munroes.htm</ref>

[[Ben Nevis]], the highest mountain in the [[United Kingdom]], is in the Scottish [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]], as are most of the nation's highest mountains. Those with heights above 3000 feet are eponymously named [[Munro]]s after Sir Hector Munro, the first person to compile a list of such mountains.<ref>for a complete list of Munros see http://www.sol.co.uk/d/dickwall/munroes.htm</ref>

Scotland has some 2,300 miles of coastline, including numerous estuaries called ''firths'' and sea lochs.  Major rivers include the Spey, Tweed, Clyde, and Forth with the Tay being Scotland's longest river. Lakes, called ''lochs'' in the region, are abundant, with the name applied both to freshwater lakes and to sea inlets; Lochs Lomond, Morar, and Ness are the largest in the British Isles and well-known for their picturesque beauty, with [[Loch Ness]] having additional fame as the home of a [[Loch Ness Monster|legendary monster]].

Scotland has some 2,300 miles of coastline, including numerous estuaries called ''firths'' and sea lochs.  Major rivers include the Spey, Tweed, Clyde, and Forth with the Tay being Scotland's longest river. Lakes, called ''lochs'' in the region, are abundant, with the name applied both to freshwater lakes and to sea inlets; Lochs Lomond, Morar, and Ness are the largest in the British Isles and well-known for their picturesque beauty, with [[Loch Ness]] having additional fame as the home of a [[Loch Ness Monster|legendary monster]].

The '''Scottish Government''' is the government in Scotland for devolved matters. Responsibility for all devolved matters was passed to the Scottish Executive from the  

The '''Scottish Government''' is the government in Scotland for devolved matters. Responsibility for all devolved matters was passed to the Scottish Executive from the  

'''Scottish Office''' and other UK Government departments in 1999. The members of the Scottish Government are chosen from the party or parties holding most seats in the Parliament. The Scottish Government is led by the First Minister, who forms a ministerial team of Cabinet Secretaries. In the election on May 5 2011, the [[Scottish National Party]] won a majority, a remarkable achievement given that the Scottish electoral system is intended to produce coalition governments.

'''Scottish Office''' and other UK Government departments in 1999. The members of the Scottish Government are chosen from the party or parties holding most seats in the Parliament. The Scottish Government is led by the First Minister, who forms a ministerial team of Cabinet Secretaries. In the election on May 5, 2011, the [[Scottish National Party]] won a majority, a remarkable achievement given that the Scottish electoral system is intended to produce coalition governments.

===Principal Government Officials===

===Principal Government Officials===

He pointed out that he as MP for West Lothian could vote on matters affecting English constituencies but not his own constituency.

He pointed out that he as MP for West Lothian could vote on matters affecting English constituencies but not his own constituency.

On January 10th 2012, [[Alex Salmond]], First Minister of Scotland and [[Michael Moore]], British Secretary of State for Scotland agreed on an independence referendum in the autumn of 2014. According to Alex Salmond, it would be Scotland’s “most important decision for 300 years.” <ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/world/europe/scotland-plans-independence-vote.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=scotland&st=cse</ref>

On January 10, 2012, [[Alex Salmond]], First Minister of Scotland and [[Michael Moore]], British Secretary of State for Scotland agreed on an independence referendum in the autumn of 2014. According to Alex Salmond, it would be Scotland’s “most important decision for 300 years.” <ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/world/europe/scotland-plans-independence-vote.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=scotland&st=cse</ref>

===Lockerbie bombing===

===Lockerbie bombing===

The Government of Scotland has recently come under global scrutiny for its decision, led by Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill, to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahl, the only man convicted of the terrorist attack leading to the destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 over [[Lockerbie]], Scotland in 1988. He had served only 8 years of his term when he was released on grounds of compassion because he had terminal cancer, as required by Scots Law. A majority of the victims were American, and this decision received strong criticism from many Americans as well as the FBI Director Robert Mueller.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/22/fbi-director-slams-scotland-lockerbie-bomber-release/</ref>. The original conviction of al-Magrahi was controversial, however, both within Scotland and in the UK in general because the evidence leading to his conviction was extremely flimsy and it has been alleged that the key witness had been paid for giving his evidence by the [[Clinton]] administration or [[Blair]] government<ref>http://www.private-eye.co.uk/sections.php?section_link=in_the_back&article=122</ref>.

The Government of Scotland has recently come under global scrutiny for its decision, led by Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill, to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahl, the only man convicted of the terrorist attack leading to the destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 over [[Lockerbie]], Scotland in 1988. He had served only 8 years of his term when he was released on grounds of compassion because he had terminal cancer, as required by Scots Law. A majority of the victims were American, and this decision received strong criticism from many Americans as well as the FBI Director Robert Mueller.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/22/fbi-director-slams-scotland-lockerbie-bomber-release/</ref> The original conviction of al-Magrahi was controversial, however, both within Scotland and in the UK in general because the evidence leading to his conviction was extremely flimsy and it has been alleged that the key witness had been paid for giving his evidence by the [[Clinton]] administration or [[Blair]] government.<ref>http://www.private-eye.co.uk/sections.php?section_link=in_the_back&article=122</ref>

Libyan ruler Qaddafi profusely thanked British officials, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, for helping secure the release of the terrorist back to Libya. British Prime Minister Brown replied with a confusing set of denials, a disapproval of the hero's welcome that the terrorist received upon return to Libya, and a partial release of voluminous communications leading up to the release.<ref>http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14376240</ref>

Libyan ruler Qaddafi profusely thanked British officials, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, for helping secure the release of the terrorist back to Libya. British Prime Minister Brown replied with a confusing set of denials, a disapproval of the hero's welcome that the terrorist received upon return to Libya, and a partial release of voluminous communications leading up to the release.<ref>http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14376240</ref>

   

   

'''House Of Alpin'''

'''House Of Alpin'''

*[[Malcolm II         (1005-1034)]]

*[[Malcolm II (1005-1034)]]

'''House Of Dunkeld'''

'''House Of Dunkeld'''

*[[Duncan I           (1034-1040)]]

*[[Duncan I (1034-1040)]]

*[[Macbeth             (1040-1057)]]

*[[Macbeth (1040-1057)]]

*[[Malcolm III         (1057-1093)]]

*[[Malcolm III (1057-1093)]]

*[[Donald Bane         (1093-1094)]]

*[[Donald Bane (1093-1094)]]

*[[Duncan II           (1094)]]

*[[Duncan II (1094)]]

*[[Donald Bane         (1093-1097)]]

*[[Donald Bane (1093-1097)]]

*[[Edgar               (1097-1107)]]

*[[Edgar (1097-1107)]]

*[[Alexander I         (1107-1124)]]

*[[Alexander I (1107-1124)]]

*[[David I             (1124-1153)]]

*[[David I (1124-1153)]]

*[[Malcolm IV         (1153-1195)]]

*[[Malcolm IV (1153-1195)]]

*[[William (The Lion) (1165-1214)]]

*[[William (The Lion) (1165-1214)]]

*[[Alexander II       (1214-1249)]]

*[[Alexander II (1214-1249)]]

*[[Alexander III       (1249-1286)]]

*[[Alexander III (1249-1286)]]

*[[Margaret of Norway (1286-1290)]]

*[[Margaret of Norway (1286-1290)]]

'''House Of Balliol'''

'''House Of Balliol'''

*[[John Balliol]]      (1292-1296)

*[[John Balliol]]      (1292-1296)

*[[Edward Balliol]]    (periods between 1332 and 1356)

*[[Edward Balliol]]    (periods between 1332 and 1356)

'''House Of Bruce'''

'''House Of Bruce'''

*[[Robert I           (1306-1329)]]

*[[Robert I (1306-1329)]]

*[[David II|David II   (1329-1371)]]

*[[David II|David II (1329-1371)]]

'''House Of Stewart'''  

'''House Of Stewart'''  

*[[Robert II|Robert II]] (1371-1390)

*[[Robert II]] (1371-1390)

*[[Robert III]]          (1390-1406)

*[[Robert III]]          (1390-1406)

*[[James I]]            (1406-1437)

*[[James I]]            (1406-1437)

*[[Dirk]]

*[[Dirk]]

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.n-cyclopedia.com/scottish-history/index.htm A Brief History of Scotland]

*[http://www.n-cyclopedia.com/scottish-history/index.htm A Brief History of Scotland]