SCOTLAND (2)

             Scotland is the northern part of Great Britain. Five million people live in Scotland. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. There are two large cities here: Glasgow and Aberdeen. Scotland is full of mountains and lakes. The highest mountain is Ben Nevis. There are a lot of rivers there. There the sea nearly cuts the mountains into parts.

             The Scottish flag is a white cross on a blue background. This cross is the cross of Saint Andrew. Saint Andrew was a disciple of Jesus.

              A long time ago the Scots built many large churches beside the river. These churches were called Abbeys. The Scots built Melrose Abbey in 1136 but the English destroyed it in 1544. In the days of Abbeys, the hills and farms were full of sheep and they still are.

              Some people go to Scotland by plane. Some people go there by ship. There are trains and buses to Glasgow and Edinburgh from London every day.

              Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and the third largest in the United Kingdom. Before 1750 Glasgow was a small town. It had a cathedral and a university but it was not reach town. After 1707 Scottish ships could go to the English colonies in America. Ships brought tobacco to Glasgow and took back Scottish goods. In 1776, the American colonies became independent and the tobacco trade stopped. Heavy industry began to develop. It used coal and iron from the Clyde valley. Glasgow became rich but very dirty.

              Glasgow is famous for football teams: Rangers and Celtic. Most people in Glasgow are fans of one of the teams. When they play against each other, thousands of fans go to watch. Rangers and Celtic have won more football competitions in Scotland than all the other Scottish teams.

              Glasgow has a busy cultural life. A lot of musicians, actors and singers come to Glasgow to give concerts. It the evenings the opera house, the cinemas and the concert halls are full. In cafes and pubs small groups sing, act, read poetry.

QUESTIONS:

1.      Scotland is the northern part of Britain, isn’t it?

2.      What is the population of this country?

3.      Do you know any large cities there?

4.      What is Glasgow famous for?

5.      What can you tell about Rangers and Celtic?

6.      Has Glasgow a busy cultural life?

VOCABULARY:

cross – крест

background – фон

abbey – аббатство

to destroy – разрушать

tobacco – табак

trade – торговля

valley – долина