The Scottish clans system has ancient origins in the Celtic, Norman-French and Norse traditions, and can be traced back to a time when people lived off the land, and border disputes were a common occurrence.

Scottish names are widely used and really capture the spirit of Scottish heritage. But now, their usage is becoming more widespread, namely thanks to television, movies and books, with more and more Scottish names becoming popular throughout the rest of the UK and even around the world.

Folklore in the Scottish Highlands has a way of blending landscape, mystery and imagination, and few creatures capture that spirit better than the Cat Sìth. This ghostly black cat, said to roam the moors and glens, appears again and again in old tales – always half-seen, half-believed, and wholly enchanting.

When you think about Scottish traditions, I think it’s safe to say that the Scottish kilt would be one of the very first to spring to mind. But do you know why the distinctive tartan item is the staple of a good Scot’s wedding, where it originated from or what the different colours and patterns represent?

This article explores some of the most famous Scots from the 20th and 21st centuries and their contributions to the world, offering insights into how their work continues to shape our lives today.

You could be forgiven for thinking that Scottish slang is an entirely different language to the rest of the UK; between the broad accents and regional variations in which they speak, as well as words carried over from Gaelic and languages of old, it’s almost as if they don’t want to be understood at all in some areas!

From Bell and Baird to Dolly the Sheep, Scotland shaped modern living. Learn about world-changing Scottish inventions and where they were created.