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2° culture lesson SCOTLAND: TRADITIONS&SYMBOLS OF SCOTLAND

Silvia Fiorillo

Created on March 17, 2025

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BY MRS FIORILLO SILVIA
2° CULTURE LESSON

TRADITIONS & SYMBOLS OF SCOTLAND

The firts largest island of the "British Isles", is the "GREAT BRITAIN" composed by ENGLAND/SCOTLAND/ WALES The second one is Ireland

Most of us are maybe familiar with the film BRAVE, which details a Scottish princess called MERIDA,her independent attitude, and her relationship with her mother. The film looks fantastic and has a distinctly Scottish feel, but were any elements of Brave actually inspired by history? The film has many fantastical elements to it, which come from SCOTTISH MYTHOLOGY...

...that Merida encounters are actually straight from Scottish folklore. Anyone traveling at night might spot eerie lights in the dark, and these were named Wisps. The legend may have stemmed from older Celtic tales, and stories of them are also found in Irish, Welsh, and English folklore. They were usually considered fairies, mischievous spirits, or the ghosts of the dead.

THE WILL O' THE WISPS...

Stories about the Will o’ the Wisps vary, and while some feel they light the path and can lead you to treasure and riches, others believe they intend to lead weary travelers to their deaths.

THE WILL O' THE WISPS...

Scotland was first settled over 12,000 years ago, and the prehistoric peoples erected the stone circles that still stand today

Stone circles also played an important role in ancient Scotland, although the reason they were built remains a mystery.

They are thought to have been social gathering places, burial grounds, or for ceremonial use, we haven't records exist of their purpose

THE CIRCLE OF STONES

Other stone circles include Calanais Standing Stones dubbed na fir bhrèige – or the false men – in the 17th century. These stones inspired the stone circle in Brave' movie.

the oldest being the giganticStones of Stenness on the Orkney Islands

There are around sixteen stone circles within the Scottish borders,

Both the Cailleach and Nicnevin are said to be able to transform the landscape around them, a little like how the witch in Brave transforms her shop.

The witch in Brave may have been inspired by Nicnevin, who is depicted as a witch or a fairy queen in Scottish folklore. Another possibility is the Cailleach – which roughly translates to “old woman” or “hag.”

THE LEGENDS OF THE WITCHES IN SCOTTISH FOLKLORE

MERIDA'S TWINS BROTHERS, HAVE "HAGGIS" ON THEIR PLATE. HAGGIS IS A BALL OF GROUND-UP SHEEP ORGANS MIXED WITH VARIOUS SPICES AND WRAPPED IN A SHEEP'S STOMACH... EVEN IF IT SOUNDS PRETTY DISGUSTING, APPARENTLY IT'S DELICIOUS! IT IS THE "NATIONAL DISH OF SCOTLAND"

TYPICAL FOOD IN SCOTLAND: HIGGIS
TYPICAL INSTRUMENT IN SCOTLAND: BAGPIPIPES
TYPICAL INSTRUMENT IN SCOTLAND: BAGPIPIPES
TYPICAL CLOTHES: THE "KILT" IN TARTAN PATTERN

Known as the Scottish national dress, kilts are recognised all over the world. A symbol of patriotism and national identity, they have deep-seated cultural and historical roots. Across the globe, Scottish people proudly sport kilts as a tribute to their heritage.

THE MEANING OF THE KILT

THE HIGHLANDS GAMES!

THE HIGHLANDS GAMES TODAY!

What do you remember?

What do you remember?

What do you remember?

What do you remember?

What do you remember?

What do you remember?

What do you remember?

What do you remember?

What do you remember?

What do you remember?

LET'S PLAY TOGETHER !

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS LESSON?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

that Merida encounters are actually straight from Scottish folklore. Anyone 0:34 traveling at night might spot eerie lights in the dark, and these were named Wisps. The legend 0:40 may have stemmed from older Celtic tales, and stories of them are also found in Irish, Welsh, 0:45 and English folklore. They were usually considered fairies, mischievous spirits, 0:50 or the ghosts of the dead.

CAILLEACH E NICNAVIN

the three other clans in the kingdom are sailing to Dunbrock to present their suitors for her hand in marriage and after arriving they compete in a series of contests called the Highland Games

FOOT RACES (GARA DI CORSA)TUG OF WAR (TIRO ALLA FUNE)STONE THROWING (LANCIO DELLE PIETRE)HAMMER THROWING (LANCIO DEL MARTELLO)STRAW THROWING (LANCIO DELLA PAGLIA)CABER TOSSING (LANCIO DEL TRONCO

that Merida encounters are actually straight from Scottish folklore. Anyone 0:34 traveling at night might spot eerie lights in the dark, and these were named Wisps. The legend 0:40 may have stemmed from older Celtic tales, and stories of them are also found in Irish, Welsh, 0:45 and English folklore. They were usually considered fairies, mischievous spirits, 0:50 or the ghosts of the dead.

that Merida encounters are actually straight from Scottish folklore. Anyone 0:34 traveling at night might spot eerie lights in the dark, and these were named Wisps. The legend 0:40 may have stemmed from older Celtic tales, and stories of them are also found in Irish, Welsh, 0:45 and English folklore. They were usually considered fairies, mischievous spirits, 0:50 or the ghosts of the dead.

that Merida encounters are actually straight from Scottish folklore. Anyone 0:34 traveling at night might spot eerie lights in the dark, and these were named Wisps. The legend 0:40 may have stemmed from older Celtic tales, and stories of them are also found in Irish, Welsh, 0:45 and English folklore. They were usually considered fairies, mischievous spirits, 0:50 or the ghosts of the dead.

CALANAIS STANDING STONES (or FALSE MEN)

that Merida encounters are actually straight from Scottish folklore. Anyone 0:34 traveling at night might spot eerie lights in the dark, and these were named Wisps. The legend 0:40 may have stemmed from older Celtic tales, and stories of them are also found in Irish, Welsh, 0:45 and English folklore. They were usually considered fairies, mischievous spirits, 0:50 or the ghosts of the dead.

Did you know that...MERIDA the character of Disney Pixar and her story have been inspired from SCOTTISH traditions and in the movie there are a lot of Scottish Symbols?

that Merida encounters are actually straight from Scottish folklore. Anyone 0:34 traveling at night might spot eerie lights in the dark, and these were named Wisps. The legend 0:40 may have stemmed from older Celtic tales, and stories of them are also found in Irish, Welsh, 0:45 and English folklore. They were usually considered fairies, mischievous spirits, 0:50 or the ghosts of the dead.

STONES OF STENNES