Kilt Culture
People often associate kilts as being the symbols of Scotland, and they are right to do so! Having a kilt is a right of passage for a young boy in Scotland. Oftentimes, the kilt is passed down through generations, making it even more sentimental and traditional. To us Americans, walking down the street and seeing people in kilts (or “skirts” as we might say) would be strange or out of the ordinary, but for the Scots, this is the norm. Kilts are proper attire at Scottish weddings and also our equivalent of “black tie,” making them an important part of Scottish culture.
Reusable bags
In Scotland, reusable bags are the way to go. Instead of handing out plastic bags in every store the way the United States does, Scotland charges extra for a plastic bag. As an American - even with a Scottish dad- I was shocked by this, and had to learn the hard way. Sticking out like a sore thumb, I got to the counter of a shop in Scotland and had to turn back to buy a reusable canvas bag. Conveniently enough, the only ones they had were “I HEART SCOTLAND” bags, so it's safe to say I stuck out like a tourist that day. Lesson learned: bring a reusable bag on every shopping encounter in Scotland!
Dialect
One of the most distinctable aspects of Scotland is their dialect, or how they say certain words. Even now, being around Scottish family can be challenging. I find myself frequently wondering “what did you say?” or “what did that mean?” a lot of the time\. For instance, growing up my Grandma would always refer to my sister and I as ‘pet.’ To us Americans, this may seem like a strange term. Pet? Like a dog or cat… what?! But, to her this is a term of endearment, similar to ‘sweetheart’ or ‘love.’ Here are just a few common terms you’re sure to hear on your Scottish vacation:
Tea - Dinner time
Pants - Trousers
Aye - Yes
Nae - No
Chips - Fries
Crisps - Chips
Size & Population
On a map, Scotland is not the biggest or most obvious find. In comparison to the size of my home country of the United States, Scotland is a mere state. More specifically, a South Carolina-sized state. I know what you’re thinking: that’s one small country. Scotland’s small size also means a small population. The United States sits with roughly 330 million population, and Scotland with only 5.5 million. That’s about 2 percent of the US population. I attribute this small number to the fact that there are more sheep than people in Scotland.
Climate
As beautiful of a country as it is, Scotland is one of the wettest and coldest in the world. Many say you can experience all 4 seasons in the span of a few hours in Scotland. Climate was the biggest adjustment when I first visited. I figured traveling in the middle of July would mean a warm vacation. I thought I may even get some beach time. Boy, was I wrong. Even in the summer, the air has a crisp chill to it, and once the inevitable drizzle comes, you are sure to start shivering. I learned a few days into the trip to not leave the house without a rain jacket and a hat. Pro tip: have an umbrella readily accessible on your Scottish adventures!
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