What part of Scotland is considered the highlands?
In traditional Scottish geography, the Highlands refers to that part of Scotland north-west of the Highland Boundary Fault, which crosses mainland Scotland in a near-straight line from Helensburgh to Stonehaven.
Is Fife part of the Scottish Highlands?
By custom it is widely held to have been one of the major Pictish kingdoms, known as Fib, and is still commonly known as the Kingdom of Fife within Scotland. A person from Fife is known as a Fifer....Fife.Fife FìobhaCountryScotlandLieutenancy areaFifeAdmin HQGlenrothes (formerly Cupar)Government18 more rows
Which part of Scotland is Fife in?
Situated in east-central Scotland, The Kingdom of Fife, as it is known, lies between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay and is home to the ancient town of St Andrews.
Which Scottish counties are in the highlands?
The Highlands and Islands is an area of Scotland broadly covering the Scottish Highlands, plus Orkney, Shetland and Outer Hebrides (Western Isles)....This area consisted of eight counties of Scotland:Argyll.Caithness.Inverness.Nairn.Orkney.Ross and Cromarty.Shetland.Sutherland.
Is Dunfermline in the Highlands?
General Information. Dunfermline is located in the Highland region of Scotland, United Kingdom, and was Scotland's capital until 1603. There are many historical places to see and which form part of the town - the ruins of the royal palace, a 12th century abbey, amongst many others.
What is the difference between Highlanders and lowlanders?
If we believe the fourteenth-century Scots chronicler John of Fordun, the Lowlanders were civilised and possessed almost every virtue imaginable while the Highlanders were 'fierce and untameable, uncouth and unpleasant, much given to theft, fond of doing nothing, but their minds are quick to learn, and cunning.
What is Fife Scotland known for?
The Kingdom of Fife is also known throughout the world as the Home of Golf and boasts more than forty courses, from the famed fairways of St Andrews and several traditional seaside links to beautifully landscaped parkland and heathland courses suitable for golfers of all levels.
Is Fife in East Lothian?
Fife, also known as the Kingdom of Fife- is home to the dynamic Lomond Hills which lead down to peaceful fishing villages and scenic beaches along the coastline. Across the water, Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, sits between East and West Lothian.
Is Dundee a Fife?
Dundee (/dʌnˈdiː/ ( listen); Scots: Dundee; Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Dè or Dùn Dèagh [t̪un ˈtʲeː]) is Scotland's fourth-largest city and the 51st-most-populous built-up area in the United Kingdom....Dundee.Dundee Dùn Dè (Scottish Gaelic)• Total148,210• Rank4th, Scotland• Density6,420/sq mi (2,478/km2)• Urban158,82038 more rows
How much of Scotland is Highlands?
This is 33 per cent the land area of Scotland and 11.4 per cent of Great Britain. It is 10 times larger than Luxembourg, 20 per cent larger than Wales, and nearly the size of Belgium.
Where are the highlands in the UK?
The highland zone of England and Wales consists, from north to south, of four broad upland masses: the Pennines, the Cumbrian Mountains, the Cambrian Mountains, and the South West Peninsula.
Where are the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands?
Lowlands, also called Scottish Lowlands, cultural and historical region of Scotland, comprising the portion of the country southeast of a line drawn from Dumbarton to Stonehaven; northwest of the line are the Highlands.
Where are the Highlands?
The Highlands ( Scots: the Hielands; Scottish Gaelic: a’ Ghàidhealtachd [ə ˈɣɛːəl̪ˠt̪ʰəxk], 'the place of the Gaels ') is a historic region of Scotland. Culturally, the Highlands and the Lowlands diverged from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands.
What is the Scottish name for the Highlands?
The Scottish Gaelic name of A' Ghàidhealtachd literally means "the place of the Gaels" and traditionally, from a Gaelic-speaking point of view, includes both the Western Isles and the Highlands. The area is very sparsely populated, with many mountain ranges dominating the region, and includes the highest mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis.
What is the Highland line?
Historically, the "Highland line" distinguished the two Scottish cultures. While the Highland line broadly followed the geography of the Grampians in the south, it continued in the north, cutting off the north-eastern areas, that is Eastern Caithness, Orkney and Shetland, from the more Gaelic Highlands and Hebrides.
Why did rents increase in the Highlands?
Later, rents were increased as Highland landowners sought to increase their income. This was followed, mostly in the period 1760–1850, by agricultural improvement that often (particularly in the Western Highlands) involved clearance of the population to make way for large scale sheep farms.
What was the social unit of the Highlands?
Historically, the major social unit of the Highlands was the clan . Scottish kings, particularly James VI, saw clans as a challenge to their authority; the Highlands was seen by many as a lawless region. The Scots of the Lowlands viewed the Highlanders as backwards and more "Irish".
What is the highest mountain in the British Isles?
The area is very sparsely populated, with many mountain ranges dominating the region, and includes the highest mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis. During the 18th and early 19th centuries the population of the Highlands rose to around 300,000, but from c. 1841 and for the next 160 years, the natural increase in population was exceeded by ...
Where are the trackways in the Highlands?
There have been trackways from the Lowlands to the Highlands since prehistoric times. Many traverse the Mounth, a spur of mountainous land that extends from the higher inland range to the North Sea slightly north of Stonehaven. The most well-known and historically important trackways are the Causey Mounth, Elsick Mounth, Cryne Corse Mounth and Cairnamounth.
What is the Fife region?
Fife is part of Edinburgh city region’s financial services cluster, and has the greatest concentration of customer service businesses in Scotland, turning over around £500 million every year. The region also has a very strong tourism market and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
What are some interesting facts about Fife?
Five Fascinating Facts: 1. Fife has been voted a 'No 1 outdoor destination' by Scottish Natural Heritage for eight years in a row. 2. Falkland Palace was a famous hunting retreat of Mary Queen of Scots, who also played tennis there. 3.
What is the M90 in Fife?
The area has excellent road and rail networks that are perfectly spread throughout the region. Fife carries part of the M90 motorway and the A90, which take most of the traffic to and from Edinburgh and Perth, and to St Andrews.
What is the curriculum of Fife?
The curriculum aims to ensure children and young people in Scotland develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need in life. Fife is also well known for having one of the best universities in the world: the University of St Andrews, which was founded way back in 1410 and is one of Scotland’s four ‘ancient universities’.
How many golf courses are there in Fife?
Fife is the home of golf, with around 50 golf courses, including the famous Old Course at St Andrews. 5. The region is home to the airbase, RAF Leuchars, which is the oldest continually operating military air base in the world.
What is the name of the hill in St Andrews?
The region boasts one of the Lomond Hills, which is just one example of the many places that are brilliant for hikes. The town of St Andrews is obviously world-famous for golf, the sport was invented here and the ‘Old Course' dates back as far as 1552.
Is there a railway station in Fife?
There is also a Fife Circle Line and railway stations in most major towns, connecting with Dundee and most other major cities across Scotland. Fife is also well served by a bus network, which will take you to locations all over the area, and down to Edinburgh Airport and the Scottish capital itself.
What is the Fife coastline?
The Fife coastline is a very special environment which has distinctive rock formations, delicate flora and a varied wildlife. Long sections of the Fife Coastal Path up to Crail can now be enjoyed by recreational and serious walkers. There is a variety of linear and circular routes which have been graded and waymarked.
What is the kingdom of Fife?
The Kingdom of Fife. Region. Ancestral home of Scottish monarchs, world-famous for its golf and some of Scotland's best scenic attractions , the Kingdom of Fife has a distinct identity.
How many golf courses are there in Fife?
The Kingdom of Fife is also known throughout the world as the Home of Golf and boasts more than forty courses, from the famed fairways of St Andrews and several traditional seaside links to beautifully landscaped parkland and heathland courses suitable for golfers of all levels.
What is the capital of Scotland in Southern Fife?
Southern Fife is dominated by Dunfermline, a former capital of Scotland, and the 'Lang Toun' of Kirkcaldy, Fife's largest settlement. The Forth Road and Rail Bridges are the most memorable sights on this stretch of coastline. North of Kirkcaldy, in Central Fife, the highlights are the historic village of Falkland with its impressive ruined palace ...
What are the fishing villages in South of St Andrews?
South of St Andrews, the tiny stone harbours of the fishing villages of the East Neuk - Anstruther, Crail, St Monans and Pittenweem - are an undeniably appealing extension to any visit to this part of Fife.
How many affordable homes are there in Highlands?
The Highland Council has promised 50,000 affordable homes between 2018 and 2023. Since 2008/09, more than 1,000 council houses and flats have been completed or are under development in the Highlands.
How to travel to the Highlands?
Transport: The Highlands are accessible by car, rail, bus and air. Buses and trains connect with Edinburgh, Glasgow and Scotland’s other major cities. Buses reach from the towns of Crianlarich and Glencoe to Fort William and beyond, while trains connect with Inverness and as far north as Wick and Duirinish.
How many distilleries are there in the Highlands?
Local industries: With no fewer than 47 distilleries spread across the region, the Highlands is Scotland's largest geographical whisky producing area – particularly good news if you like a dram of Scotland’s favourite drink.
How long is the West Highland Way?
The West Highland Way, which runs from Milngavie to Fort William is a 96 mile-long hiking route that takes in some of Scotland’s most stunning sights and is a great experience for families and individuals.
What is the Highlands industry?
This also makes the region a tourism hotspot, with many tourists keen to sample the local produce. The Highlands also has an impressive timber industry , which provides sawmilling, the production of pulp and paper, and the manufacture of higher value goods.
How many schools are there in the Highlands?
There are 258 primary and secondary schools across the Highlands. As well as this, the region is also home to the University of the Highlands and Islands, which has its main campus in Inverness.
What are the three languages spoken in the Highlands?
1. Three languages are spoken in the Highlands: English, Scots and Gaelic. 2. The area is divided in two parts: the Great Glen divides the Grampian Mountains to the southeast from the northwest Highlands. 3.
Is Wi-Fi good in Glasgow?
The Wi-fi speed is almost as good as Glasgow, there’s multiple train stations within a short driving distance and there’s neighbours about for emergencies. There’s no phone signal in the house, but that hasn’t been much of an issue, and the wider area has pretty good coverage.
Is it easier to live in the Scottish Highlands?
Living in the Scottish Highlands and Islands is certainly easier when the sun’s out. Then there’s the sunsets (and sunrises). Needless to say your appreciation of them is much more intense than you’d ever feel in a city, and they play an important role in your mental daily plan.
Is tick a problem in the West Highlands?
Ticks are a huge issue in the West Highlands in particular so great vigilance required there, but that has been the sole major issue so far and the local vet seems very good. Not that he seems to want to talk about it much, but he’s a very lucky laddie. Sunset wanders have become central to our day.
Who was the leader of the MacDonald clan in the Highlands?
To survive in the Highlands, people depended on the hospitality of others. When a group of Campbells led by Captain Robert Campbell arrived in Glen Coe in 1692, the MacDonald clan didn’t hesitate to take them in.
How many Highlanders were killed by the English?
Between 1,500 and 2,000 Highlanders were killed by the English, far fewer of whom were killed. This may have been the final battle, but it was the beginning of a cultural genocide. The English sought to eliminate all Scottish traditions, from language to culture to dress, and assimilate them into Great Britain.
Is Scotland cold in winter?
Scotland is cold in the winter– while not coldest I’ve ever been, the Scottish chill is hits you on an entirely different level. The dampness seeps into your bones and stays there, leaving you cold for days afterward.
Is Scotland the best country in the world?
Of course, it warms up considerably in the summer, but weather in Scotland is cool and overcast with intermittent rain more often than not. “Scotland is the best country in the world. But if we had good weather, Scotland would really be the best country in the world,” our lovely Haggis guide Kay said wistfully.
What is the upside of the western Highlands?
An upside to the western Highlands is that, because of the line that divides Highlands from Lowlands, they start much further south than in the east, meaning that you can be closer to large cities while still being very much in the Highlands.
Is land ownership fair in Scotland?
Land ownership in Scotland, particularly the Highlands, is much less fair than in South Africa. If you are very wealthy, buy land, if less wealthy, you will have to work on someone else’s land. As a ghillie, manager, agent, fish farmer, hotelier, cheese maker, grocer, author, ….
Overview
The Highlands is a historical region of Scotland. Culturally, the Highlands and the Lowlands diverged from the Late Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands. The term is also used for the area north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault, although the exact boundaries are not clearly defined, particularly to the east. …
History
Between the 15th century and the mid-20th century, the area differed from most of the Lowlands in terms of language. In Scottish Gaelic, the region is known as the Gàidhealtachd, because it was traditionally the Gaelic-speaking part of Scotland, although the language is now largely confined to The Hebrides. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably but have different meanings in the…
Historical geography
In traditional Scottish geography, the Highlands refers to that part of Scotland north-west of the Highland Boundary Fault, which crosses mainland Scotland in a near-straight line from Helensburgh to Stonehaven. However the flat coastal lands that occupy parts of the counties of Nairnshire, Morayshire, Banffshire and Aberdeenshire are often excluded as they do not share the distinctive geograp…
Geology
The Highlands lie to the north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault, which runs from Arran to Stonehaven. This part of Scotland is largely composed of ancient rocks from the Cambrian and Precambrian periods which were uplifted during the later Caledonian Orogeny. Smaller formations of Lewisian gneiss in the northwest are up to 3 billion years old. The overlying rocks of the Torridon San…
Climate
The region is much warmer than other areas at similar latitudes (such as Kamchatka in Russia, or Labrador in Canada) because of the Gulf Stream making it cool, damp and temperate. The Köppen climate classification is “Cfb” at low altitudes, then becoming “Cfc”, “Dfc” and “ET” at higher altitudes.
Places of interest
• An Teallach
• Aonach Mòr (Nevis Range ski centre)
• Arrochar Alps
• Balmoral Castle
• Balquhidder
See also
• Fauna of Scotland
• Highland 2007
• James Hunter (historian), historian who wrote several books related to the Scottish Highlands
• List of fauna of the Scottish Highlands
Further reading
• Baxter, Colin, and C. J. Tabraham. The Scottish Highlands (2008), heavily illustrated
• Gray, Malcolm. The Highland Economy, 1750–1850 (Edinburgh, 1957)
• Humphreys, Rob, and Donald Reid. The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands (3rd ed. 2004)