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词汇提示

1.evicted 驱逐

2.fabric 织物

3.pattern 图案

4.tartan 格子呢

5.heritage 遗产

6.bagpipes 风笛

7.parades 游行

原文

Scotland

Scotland is the country that located on the northern part of the island of the Great Britain.

The Scottish people are one of the four maintain nationalities of the Britain Isles，together with the English，the Welsh，and the Irish.

Scotland and its people have played an important part in the history of the English-speaking world.

Scotland can be roughly divided into two main regions.

The Lowland areas，in the southern part of the Scotland，contain most of the population and the two main cities，Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Most of Scotland's agriculture and industry are located in the Lowland areas.

The Highland areas，together with the islands that lie off the coasts of Scotland，are not so heavily populated.

The lakes and mountain of the highlands are known for their beautiful scenery.

One of the themes of Scottish history is conflict with England.

During the Middle Ages，the English and Scottish kings were often at war.

Around the year 1300，the Scots repelled some invasions from England.

During the 1600s，though，Scotland and England had the same king，and the countries were official joined as“the United Kingdom”in 1701.

For people in the highlands of Scotland，the eighteenth centuries was very difficult.

Most people worked as farmers on land that was owned by a few wealthy landlords.

The landlords decided that they could make more money on the land if they evicted the farmers，so many of the farmers were forced to leave.

The highlanders rebelled against the king in 1745，but they were defeated.

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries，many people left the highlands of Scotland.

They moved to the United States，Canada，Australia，and New Zealand.

During the nineteenth century，Scotland was the first country to have the universal public education for children.

The country produced a great number of famous scientists and inventors during that time.

Scotland is famous for its national costume.

This costume includes the“kilt”，which is a knee-length skirt worn by both men and women.

The kilt is made from a fabric that contains stripes of different colors and widths，which cross over each other produce a pattern that is called a“tartan”.

In the Scottish highlands，group of related families，called“clans”，have their own unique tartan.

Another famous part of Scottish heritage is the musical instrument known as the bagpipes.

The bagpipes have a distinctive sound that is easily recognized.

Bagpipes were original played to intimidate enemies in battle，but today Scottish people play the bagpipes at parades and other celebrations.

People of Scottish heritage around the celebrate their heritage on January 25thof each year.

This day celebrates the birthday of Bobbie Burns，the famous Scottish poet.

People celebrate this day at parties，where people eat a famous Scottish food called haggis.

Today，Scotland remains part of the United Kingdom，but some Scottish people would like Scotland to became independent.

Whatever Scottish people decide，their country will remain a unique and interesting place.