Scotland

Scotland is situated in the North of Europe, surrounded by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, sharing its border with England. It's a part of the United Kingdom. He's not a very known Countryhumans character, but not entirely forgotten about.

Often represented as a cheery but angry and drunk guy, and typically seen shouting "Freedom!" One fact about him is that one of his official languages is Scottish Gaelic however most people don't speak it in modern times though it is increasingly being taught within the region.

Appearance
Scotland is depicted as both genders, however, it's leaning gender is male. The female version is usually quite similar to male but with some adjustments.

Depending on the time, sometimes he is seen in old-fashioned 1400s clothes. Mostly when he's represented in pieces of art to do with all the Anglo-Scots wars.

In modern pieces of art, he is stereotypically seen with a white shirt and tie (suit like) and wearing a kilt, a Scottish garment resembling a knee-length skirt of pleated tartan cloth. (Traditional highlands clothing.) sometimes though he is seen in casual attire, such as a hoodie and jeans. Sometimes a hat too, a bit similar to sometimes how Ireland is represented.

Though these might be how he is represented, you'll never see a Scottish person out and about wearing a kilt, unless it's a special occasion. Most typically a wedding or funeral. This is often to show respect.

Character
Scotland is a cheery and friendly person. Him and Ireland (who is a somewhat good friend of his.) are quite good friends. He is the life and soul of the party, especially if you know him. He likes drinking his Whisky (which his people invented) and he's that kind of person when he's drunk he gets a bit crazy, extremely loud and becomes more idiotic the more he drinks. Whenever he's messing around with Ireland he gets rather loud and energetic.

The not-so-good side of Scotland is the complete opposite, this can be seen when he's angry, embarrassed or feeling emotional, the longer he's like this, the scarier he gets. Whenever he gets pissed off he usually berets said person who pissed him off with a barrage of slang words and not the good kind. He can also get very violent but this is usually when he catches someone or learns that someone has hurt one of his friends, he also gets easily annoyed and angered when drunk. When he's embarrassed he would usually start swearing and threaten anyone who would attempt to tease him, although he usually never backs up his threats when he's like this. When he is feeling emotional it is best to just leave him alone for a little bit, as it isn't just the one emotion that he would be feeling. Especially when he is upset, as his anger easily overtakes him.

Interests
Scotland has a passion for playing the bagpipes at special moments. Although stereotypical, he still loves playing it and some people are trained especially to play it. It is a very loud instrument that is played often at funerals and weddings mostly. Sometimes at New Year as well if you're out at a special event. Whenever there is a large event going there will usually always be bagpipes playing. He also as an Interest in poetry and songs too. "Auld Lang Syne." is a popular song (originally poem) which is usually played at New Year or sang down at the pub in Scotland, made by the famous Scottish poet, Robert (Rabbie) Burns. He is still famous to this day as he is taught in schools as his poems are usually seen as patriotic and have a deep meaning in Scottish culture. (Although he is mostly taught to young kids in Primary school)

There are some legends and theories about the meaning behind the Scottish flag such as:

"'Walter Bower in his Scotichronicon (the 1440s) supplies a legend according to which Saint Andrew appears to king Óengus II in 832, on the eve of a battle against the Angles. The saint advises the king to watch for the 'sign of the Cross of Christ in the air'. The 'Cross of Christ' in this legend is later turned into the Saint Andrew's Cross or Saltire, in the account of George Buchanan (1506–1582), where 'a miraculous white saltire appeared in the blue sky' during the battle.'"

Nicknames

 * Scott
 * Scotty

Etymology
"Scotland" comes from Scotti, the Latin name for the Gaels; Scotia initially referred to Ireland. From the ninth century, the meaning of Scotia shifted to designate Gaelic Scotland and by the eleventh century, the name was being used to refer to the core territory of the Kingdom of Alba in what is now east-central Scotland. The use of the words Scots and Scotland to encompass most of what is now Scotland became common in the Late Middle Ages, as the Kingdom of Alba expanded and came to encompass various peoples of diverse origins.

Origin of language
Gaelic has been part of the Scottish consciousness for centuries and is considered to be the founding language of the country. The origins of Gaelic can be traced back as far as the 10th Century and is believed to have been brought to Scotland from Ireland.

Pre-history
It is believed that the first people to live in Scotland was around 12,800 years ago, Back then Scotland was mostly forests and bogs with the main way to traverse was by boat. The first known villages were thought to be built roughly 6000 years ago. Evidence of sophisticated pre-Christian belief systems is demonstrated by sites such as the Callanish Stones on Lewis and the Maes Howe on Orkney, which were built in the third millennium BCE. The first written reference to Scotland was in 320 BC by Greek sailor Pytheas, who called the northern tip of Britain "Orcas", the source of the name of the Orkney Islands. In the first millennium BCE, the society changed to a chiefdom model, with different villages and clans having different chiefs. In 79 AD, the first Roman invasion of Scotland began. The Roman general Agricola defeated the first Caledonian army at the battle of  Battle of Mons Graupius in 83 AD. After their victory, the Roman Empire began building forts close to the highlands but they were quickly stopped and forced to retreat back down to the southern uplands. The Romans erected Hadrian's Wall in northern England and the Limes Britannicus became the northern border of the Roman Empire. The Roman influence on the southern part of the country was considerable, and they introduced Christianity to Scotland.

Independence and UK-EU Membership Referendum
In September 2014, there was a huge referendum in Scotland asking Scottish citizens if they wanted independence. This had been planned since November 2013 with the UK Parliament. The English gave reluctant approval of this referendum.

Voting took place between 07:00 and 22:00. Schools are used as polling stations so it was quite important as children got the day off. There were many campaigns supporting "Yes," and many campaigns supporting "No," Scottish towns had put up posters encouraging people to change their opinions on the vote.

On 18th of September 2014, the results were announced. The "No" side won with 2,001,926 votes. "Yes" had 1,617,989 votes. It was a very close referendum. This referendum is quite important to Scottish history as it could have changed the whole of the UK in the lead up to the present time.

By 2021 it is theorised that the Scottish parliament wants another referendum. This is because of the process of the UK leaving the EU. When the "Yes" side won, it was revealed most Scottish and Northern Ireland citizens voted "No" to this referendum.

However, it is also theorised though that an independent Scotland may not be allowed to enter the EU as it needs acceptance from the other 27 members. (If you don't include the UK.) and with the ongoing Catalonia problems in Spain, the Spanish government might not approve. However, these are just theories and nothing can be concluded unless "Yes" in the next (possible) referendum goes through.

In recent days, there has been growing urges for the independence of the country, polls suggest.

Geography
Scotland is situated in the United Kingdom, in the north of Europe. It is the most Northern part of the British Isles. Its total area is 77,933 km² so it is not big compared with other countries such as Germany or France. However, it is the second biggest country in the United Kingdom behind England. Scotland's highest point being Ben Nevis at 1345 m (4,413 ft). The only other country it land borders is only England, however, countries/islands nearby include:
 * Shetland (Islands)
 * Orkney (Islands)
 * Hebrides (Inner and Outer)
 * Ireland
 * Northern Ireland
 * Wales

Scotland has almost 800 islands, (though the official number is 790.) These islands are mostly very small ones and most of them are northern. Most of them are not inhabited or habited by not many people.

Scotland is also subdivided has 32 council areas.

Scotland also has three main areas, named geographically: The main places (and most populated) in Scotland are the cities, such as:
 * Lowlands (the most southern and populous part of the country)
 * Midlands (also a largely populated part of the country, located in the middle of the country)
 * Highlands (the most northern, mountainous, hilly and least populated part of the country.)
 * Glasgow
 * Edinburgh (capital)
 * Dundee
 * Aberdeen
 * Inverness

Family

 * Ireland - Sibling
 * Northern Ireland - Sibling
 * Wales - Sibling
 * United Kingdom - Child
 * Denmark - Nibling
 * Finland - Nibling
 * Iceland - Nibling
 * Norway - Nibling
 * Sweden - Nibling

Friends

 * France - "I mean, this was way back in the day this happened, we both had our sour-ish relation with England, and cause of that, a little spark started, I helped ya' to fight the English when you needed the help and like a true friend you helped me fight them when I needed it. I know we didn't really see eye to eye when you helped America gain its independence, but I truly did want to help more than I did, but I had to convince England that I was on their side, give you guys a lil insider knowledge ya know. I'm glad to have you as a friend, and not many other countries have ever been as close as you have been. You're a good ol' friend to me and I won't forget the time we spent together!"
 * Ireland - "Wee ol' drinking buddy, we both "dislike" the English. Though sometimes we don't get along as much as people think we do, in all honesty, I strain the relationship slightly. Though, saying that, he is a nice guy to chat tae. I mean we both kinda wanted independence from the United Kingdom at some point. Although I decided tae stay."

Neutral

 * Northern Ireland - "Most ey the time we're mates, sometimes he ticks me off... especially when he starts trying to fight Ireland, he's mah wee buddy so, back aff em! But I will agree wi' ye in some senses; the United Kingdom is a mess, the whole Brexit hing is a pure disaster."
 * Wales - "Yer ma wee brother, what else is there to say? Wi' the whole Brexit mess we haven't had the time tae mess about, I know it isn't yer fault that it went through, just like me England convinced ye to vote fir it. Hopefully, nae matter the outcome, we would be able to go out wan night and have a wee drink ay?"
 * Italy - "Now what to say about Italy, heh in short words, one of the greatest influences on me, especially when it came to food. My people learned so much from you when it came to cooking, this is shown with the fact we now have started deep-frying practically everything, from the pizzas you gave us all the way down to chocolate bars. I know you don't like bringing it up but, I am still deeply apologetic about what my people did to yours during WW2, what they did to the good Italian people who just wanted to live over here or trying to escape the war it still sickens me till this day."
 * Norway - "Ahh Norway, me and him have had a lot of history way each other, back when I was a little less civilised, me and him used to fight all the time, mostly because he kept trying to take me over but he learned what it's like to fight against a Celtic warrior that never backs down! Ever since then we've always kept an eye on each other, we had little arguments over the Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands and who actually owns them, although I'm the one who usually wins the argument, I can tell that Shetland wants to go back to Norway. Due to him just being over the water we like to have a laugh and mess around with each other."
 * European Union - "LET ME IN!!"

Enemies

 * England - (On good terms, for now.) "I dinnae know about us anymair. Mates, enemies, frenemies? I dinnae ken at this point. My people hate ye' - but that's mostly fir a joke! But still! I did decide tae stay wi' ye throughout all these years. I thought it would make ye happier that we weren't fighting anymair. I guess though I can't really hate you all that much... we like tae go fir a drink once in a wee while and we fought together ever since me, he and Wales brought the Union into place. Hmm, at least ye regret the whole Brexit process now that ye've seen wit an absolute mess it is. I can respect that."
 * United Kingdom - (On good terms, for now) "Most of the time we get along, but fir once would you let me say what's on mah mind! Like seriously! I didn't want to be apart of this "leave EU" gang of yours, I never even wanted it to happen, but I regret letting you convince me to join in with you, and I know you regret coming up with the idea. Despite how our relationship has been throughout the years, I still consider you as a friend, sometimes. With the time that has gone, I've been able to think, and so have my people, with the chaos that has happened and that the truth about what will happen to us has come out, we decided to want to stay with the EU, and that we will try our best to stay with them, even if that means I have to try and go Independent again."
 * Italy, Portugal and  Spain - "PLEASE!! Don't blame me for what my government says! All the friends of Ireland are my friends, seriously! Wasn't I also a Celtic relative? APPRECIATE ME!!"

United Kingdom
Scotland and the United Kingdom used to have really good relations back in the day. They still kind of do. However, nowadays, Scotland's a lot more distant, and you can only guess why. Scotland's independence dream still wavers. The United Kingdom isn't sure if he wants him to leave. The Scots just wanted more options and decisions open to them. All the Brexit stuff in recent years has made the Scots want independence more. It might not be long before they do something about it.

England
England and Scotland have a long history with each other, back in the days, they used to fight each other all the time. They weren't the greatest of friends. Their wars resulting in enormous amounts of bloodshed within their armies. They had a feeling of peace for a while, because of all the monarchy stuff that was happening and while this peace occurred, Scotland, unfortunately, went bankrupt and was going through a famine. In the past they had already attempted two unions, so they tried again, this time both parliaments agreeing and signed a treaty and it was put into place. Ever since then, England and Scotland have been "kind of" close with a "fun" little rivalry because of the past. Though their relations are kind of rocky (you know, with Scotland's independence shenanigans) chances are, they probably won't ever forget their pasts.

Ireland
Ireland and Scotland have close political, economic, community and cultural ties. Both their government's are trying to strengthen their relationship. They both dislike the United kingdom.

Trivia

 * Though mostly depicted as noisy, drunk, loud and angry all the time, most of the people are not like that.
 * Scottish Gaelic is one of the official languages of Scotland, however, it is not spoken all that much by the population. Scots is sometimes considered one of their languages, however, most people would agree that Scots is more of a dialect to the English language itself.
 * Scotland might have another independence referendum by 2021 (mostly because Scotland do not want to leave the EU and are finally trying to do something about it).
 * Scotland is depicted usually drinking Whiskey. As they (presumably) invented it. It's not clear whether the Irish created it or the Scottish.
 * Scotland's national flower is the Thistle.
 * Scotland's national animal is actually a mythical animal, as it is the Unicorn.
 * Scotland's motto is: "Nemo me impune lacessit" which translates to "No one provokes me with impunity"
 * Glasgow is the biggest and most populous city in Scotland despite Edinburgh being the capital.
 * Scotland is the largest petroleum producer in the European Union.
 * Scotland's most-watched TV show is "Still game" which is a show about two pensioners going about there day to day lives, like going down to the pub and bullying the barman. "Still game" is actually a spin-off of another show called "Chewin' the fat"
 * It is to believed that Ireland is the parent of Scotland because of the similarity between the two nations. Especially, their cultures, languages etc are nearly the same.