Every country has a favorite song its people rally to and call their own.

Scotland is no exception.

But, Scotland does not have an official national anthem of its own as ‘God Save The Queen’ is the national anthem of the United Kingdom.

Nevertheless, Scottish people are a passionate people who are proud of their country and their heritage and so the demand for a Scotland national anthem is gathering pace.

The Scottish Parliament have the legal power to choose a national anthem for Scotland but have still to debate the matter. They need to hurry up!

An unofficial poll by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in 2006 asking visitors to their website to vote for their favorite song to be Scotland’s national anthem came up with the following result:

10,000 votes were recorded.

1. Flower of Scotland – 41%
2. Scotland the Brave – 29%
3. Highland Cathedral – 16%
4. A Man’s A Man For A’ That – 7%
5. Scot’s Wha Hae – 6%

In this post I’m having a look at Scotland the Brave…

Scotland the Brave is a wonderful song full of the Highland traditions of Scotland.

It brings to mind images of the old times in Scotland with the bagpipes calling the people together in the hills and glens of the Scottish Highlands.

Images of passionate people proud of the beauty of their country and the friendships to be found there.

Thoughts of home for Scottish people who have traveled to distant shores and have a homesickness in their hearts for their country and a burning desire to return.

It is a stirring song with a lively rhythm bringing a spring to your step and a swirl of your kilt as you hear it played on the bagpipes…

It is a fitting contender to be chosen as Scotland’s national anthem.

Have a listen to this utube video and you will see what I mean…

The tune was written about the beginning of the 20th century.

The lyrics were written by a Scottish journalist… Cliff Hanley… round about 1950 for a popular Scottish entertainer of the time… Robert Wilson.

Have a read through the lyrics below and if you feel inclined sing them as you listen to the bagpipes playing in the video.

Scotland the Brave

Lyrics by Cliff Hanley

Hark! When the night is falling
Hark! Hear the pipes are calling,
Loudly and proudly calling, down through the glen.
There where the hills are sleeping,
Now feel the blood a-leaping,
High as the spirits of the old Highland men.

Chorus
Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud standards gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart for ever, Scotland the brave.

High in the misty Highlands,
Out by the purple islands,
Brave are the hearts that beat beneath Scottish skies.
Wild are the winds to meet you,
Staunch are the friends that greet you,
Kind as the love that shines from fair maidens’ eyes.

Chorus

Far off in sunlit places,
Sad are the Scottish faces,
Yearning to feel the kiss of sweet Scottish rain.
Where tropic skies are beaming,
Love sets the heart a-dreaming,
Longing and dreaming for the homeland again.

Chorus

Scotland travel information would not be complete without including some of the countries fascinating facts. Scotland is an old country rich in history with magnificent scenery and enticing cities.

I am pleased to bring you 7 fascinating facts about Scotland and hope you find them interesting.
 
Fact #1: The Passion For Football In Scotland

Football, also known as soccer, is a game played with passion, spirit, pride and great skill all over Scotland. Organised and supervised by the Scottish Football Association it is without question the most popular spectator sport in the country.

The game is played at all levels of age and experience with most towns and cities having their own local team and supporters.

The two top teams are based in Glasgow and are ‘Rangers’ and ‘Celtic’. They compete fiercely every year to become Scottish league champions and to win the Scottish cup. There is something special about being in the crowd, soaking up the atmosphere when both teams play each other.

The Scotland team plays at Hampden, Scotland’s national stadium, where massive crowds, affectionately called ‘The Tartan Army’, gather to
support the team.
 
Fact #2: What About Scotland’s History?

The first people arrived in what is now known as Scotland in about 7000BC during the Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) period. The people of that time settled around the coast on the west of Scotland and lived on shellfish and by spear-fishing.

The Battle of Bannockburn is considered to be the most significant battle held upon Scottish soil when Robert the Bruce leading the Scots army defeated the English army on 24th June 1314.

An uneasy peace lasted for the next few hundred years sprinkled with the occasional battle with the English until finally in 1707 the two countries united and fell under the governance of the same parliament.

Today, the proud people of Scotland once again have their own parliament sitting in a brand new building in Edinburgh.

Fact #3: How Many People Live In Scotland?

According to the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS). At the last census in 2001 the total population of Scotland is estimated to be 5,144,200.

The main cities share of the population is:

• Glasgow           577,980
• Edinburgh        446,110
• Aberdeen        179,950
• Dundee            141,930
• Inverness           42,400
• Stirling               33,060

The population growth rate is shown to be 0.4%.

Fact #4: Edinburgh – The Capital Of Scotland

Edinburgh is situated near the estuary of the Firth of Forth on the eastern side of the country in Lothian region.

It is a vibrant city having one of the most beautiful cityscapes anywhere in the world. Visitors love this city with its mix of modern and traditional architecture proving a delight to all who walk along its scenic streets.

Fact #5: The Stunning Beauty Of The Highlands Of Scotland

The Highlands of Scotland contain some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery you will visit anywhere in the world. There are many mountain ranges in the region including Britain’s highest mountain… Ben Nevis.

Inverness is the main city in the Highlands situated at the top of the Caledonian canal and quite near to Loch Ness.

The Highlands are a haven for hill walkers, skiers, mountain climbers and all kinds of outdoor sports are available.

Fact #6: How Scotland Teaches Its People

Scotland recognised very early on the importance of giving all its people a good standard of education. The Scottish education system is very different from the education system used in other parts of the British Isles.

Scotland has 14 universities with the oldest being the ‘University of St. Andrews’ established in 1413 to ‘Queen Margaret University’, Edinburgh, originally founded in 1875 as a college, being converted to a university in 2007.

Fact #7: Opportunities For Employment In Scotland

Scotland offers lots of employment opportunities to people ranging from senior positions in large companies across a broad spectrum of industries to positions in the teaching, medical and legal professions.

The discovery of oil and gas in the North Sea in the early 1960’s strengthened Scotland’s industrial base creating many jobs for local people.

Aberdeen is now the offshore oil capital of Europe providing technical expertise to the oil industry worldwide.

More about Scotland Travel Information from around the web

Homecoming Scotland

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND BLOG AND DISCUSSION FORUMS CELEBRATING THE 250TH YEAR OF THE LIFE AND WORKS OF ROBERT BURNS ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER AND BEST KNOWN SCOTTISH POETS Click here to read more…

 Photo: SeaDave

Scotland Travel Information To Help You Plan Your Trip

Knowing what to expect when you get here can make the difference between a good time and a GREAT time, so let me help you prepare.  Click here to read more…