Sport in scotland

Hi everyone!

You know, Scotland is the country today which demonstrates a true love for the sport. The sporting traditions are legendary worldwide. This country boasted the invention of many sports such as : Tennis, golf, and rugby. But we can take into account : Hockey, Curling, and the Scottish Higland Games plays an important role in the history of Scottish sport.

The first thing that we can say, is that football is the most popular . William McGregor, a Scotsman set up the first English football league, and the first international football match was played in Scotland in 1872.
We can also consider Scotland like the home of golf. Scotsmen have been playing golf – or ‘gowf’, as it was once known here as far back as the 15th century. It was later banned by King James II as a distraction from military training, but has since grown into a multi-billion dollar industry and holds the title of the biggest amateur sport in the world. Today there are over 570 golf courses in Scotland. In many places, golf is still regarded as an exclusive pastime. This is not the case in Scotland, in which members of the public can play on some of the finest municipal golf courses in the world for a very small fee.

2014 Ryder Cup

   In 2014, the year of Homecoming, Scotland will host what is now one of the world’s biggest sporting tournament and the biggest event on the global golf calendar. The 2014 Ryder Cup, at Gleneagles, will be the event that puts Scotland’s golfing events on the world stage.

Olympic Games success

   Scottish sport is a breeding ground for talent. In the 2012 London Olympic Games, 55 Scottish Olympians and 27 Scottish Paralympians were selected to compete. Team GB won an unprecedented 185 medals in total at the Olympics, exceeding all expectations.The 24 medals won by Scotland were in a range of events including judo, rowing, cycling, athletics, sailing, swimming, slalom canoeing, and tennis. There are opportunities for Scottish people to become addict to the sport.

Commonwealth games

 Nobody know the Commonwealth games? It's an international multi-national event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of nations. The games are overseen by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), which also controls the sporting programme and selects the host cities. But Commonwealth games include also games which are practiced by Commonwealth countries such as : lawn bowls, netballs...Only six teams have attended every Commonwealth Games: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales.

The traditional Highland Games

This event attract more and more people. It's refers to those sports which are taking place during the summer month. We can see a link between sport, socialisation and culture because everyone can intend to be the best in one of these sports. So, if you're interested you can try to go just once time and if you're lucky maybe you could see the Royal's family..


 fander.

William Wallace, a free man

Wallace statue by D. W. Stevenson
 on the Scottish National
Portrait Gallery,Edinburgh

Hi! I am going to write about a Scottish hero, William Wallace.

This man, William Wallace (in medieval gaelic Uilliam Uallas), was one of the main leaders  during the Wars of Scottish Independence (13th and 14th centuries).  Since 1297 he managed the insurrection against Edward I of England, who had occupied the Scottish throne.  Even nowadays he is the emblem of the Scottish independence, because he fought and died for it.

There is no much information about Wallace or his parentage. Every reference to his life is from a medieval epic poem by Blind Harry named The Wallace (15th century). Here are the opening lines, translated into modern English by William of Gilbertfield in 1722:

Life of Sir William Wallace

Of our ancestors, brave true ancient Scots,
Whose glorious scutcheons knew no bars or blots;
But blood untainted circled ev'ry vein,
And ev'ry thing ignoble did disdain;
Of such illustrious patriots and bold,
Who stoutly did maintain our rights of old,
Who their malicious, invet'rate foes,
With sword in hand, did gallantly oppose:
And in their own, and nation's just defence,
Did briskly check the frequent insolence
Of haughty neighbours, enemies profest,
Picts, Danes, and Saxons, Scotland's very pest;
Of such, I say, I'll brag and vaunt so long
As I have power to use my pen or tongue;
And sound their praises in such modern strain
As suiteth best a Scot's poetic vein,
First, here I honour, in particular,
Sir William Wallace, much renown'd in war,
Whose bold progenitors have long time stood,
Of honourable and true Scottish blood.

Along with Andrew Moray, William Wallace defeated an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297, and was appointed Guardian of Scotland, serving until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in July 1298. William Wallace lived as an outlaw until his capture in 1305. What we certainly know about his life is his death date: 23^rd August 1305, everything else, like his birthplace (that is thought to be Elderslie) is speculating. He was captured by the English and tried for treason and for atrocities against civilians in war, "sparing neither age nor sex, monk nor nun." He was crowned with a garland of oak to suggest he was the king of outlaws. He responded to the treason charge, "I could not be a traitor to Edward, for I was never his subject." His execution was horrible, he was hanged, drawn and quartered — strangled by hanging but released while he was still alive, emasculated, eviscerated and his bowels burnt before him, beheaded, then cut into four parts. His preserved head (dipped in tar) was placed on a pike atop London Bridge as a warning to traitors to England.

Wallace’s life has been brought to the big screen several times. The most known movie of him is “Braveheart”, in which Mel Gibson acted as William Wallace. I love this film, my favourite scene is Wallace´s speech about freedom.This scene gives me goosebumps everytime i watch it!

I hope you enjoyed this Scottish history tour!! Bye!!

marmarter

Traditional Scottish Dance

In Scotland, we can find a lot of things to do..
We can dance ..


Traditional Scottish Dance

We know that, Dance is common to all cultures and this is especially true of the people of Scotland who take their traditional forms of dance very seriously. Dancing in Scotland dates back very far and over time many variations have emerged. Each dance has its own background and beginning. Whilst there are many Scottish dances, you'll find that traditional dancing normally falls into one of four main categories: Ceilidh, Cape Breton Step Dancing, Scottish Country Dancing and Highland Dancing.

Ceilidh

The Ceilidh dances are easy to learn and often look more difficult than they really are. Learning them is easy because the musicians and fellow dancers are always happy to help beginners learn the steps. The Ceilidh dances are very sociable, easy-going and good exercise. Scottish country dancing is similar to Ceilidh dancing but they are usually a little more formal, complex and better well-organized. Once you know the Ceilidh dance steps, you can join in anywhere in the world.



Cape Breton Step Dancing

This dance is mainly done solo and is done purely for stage performances where it is combined with traditional Scottish music. Cape Breton step dancing was almost lost in Scotland but fortunately it was preserved in Nova Scotia by Scottish emigrants. Recent years has seen it making a comeback in Scotland. It is very similar to the Irish hardshoe dances and the same types of shoes are used for this dance form.

This video shows one men who dance the "Cape Breton Step Dancing".

 Scottish Country Dancing

Scottish Country Dancing is mostly used at sociable gatherings - although it is often performed and there are even occasional competitions. This dance form is done in sets, normally of 3, 4 or 5 couples, that arrange themselves either in two lines (men facing ladies) or in a square. During the course of the dance, the dancers complete a set of formations enough times to bring them back to their opening positions.

 

Highland Dancing

Highland Dancing is usually performed solo by young people and is a very colorful and lively style of dance. Many Scots quote that there is no better scenery in Scotland than seeing a young kilted dancer, swaying and turning to the sounds of the traditional Scottish bagpipes. This form of dancing has become a very competitive one and the levels of standard had gone up immensely.


 If you like to dance, you can travel in Scotland and discover the way to dance of Scottish people. It's interesting and very diferent of our propper culture.


Fander.