Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in Glasgow and the stunning modern buildings lining the
banks of Glasgow's River Clyde.
Scotland's most controversial new structure is the Scottish
parliament building (
Click here
)
in Edinburgh.
Best Gothic
Abbeys
»Jedburgh Abbey
»Dryburgh Abbey
»Melrose Abbey
»Sweetheart Abbey
»Inchcolm Abbey
»Oronsay Priory
Sport
Football
Football (soccer) in Scotland is not so much a sport as a reli-
gion, with thousands turning out to worship their local teams
on Wednesdays and weekends throughout the season (August
to May). Sacred rites include standing in the freezing cold of a February day, drinking hot
Bovril and eating a Scotch pie as you watch your team getting gubbed.
Scotland's top 10 clubs play in the
Scottish Premier League
(
www.scotprem.com
)
, but
two teams - Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic - have dominated the competition. On
only 18 occasions since 1890 has a team other than Rangers or Celtic won the league; the
last time was when Aberdeen won in 1985.
However, Rangers made headlines in 2012 when they were forced into liquidation over
a tax dispute and kicked out of the SPL; they had to begin the 2012/13 season in the Third
Division. It looks like Celtic will have an easy run while their traditional rivals claw their
way back into the SPL.
Rugby Union
Traditionally, football was the sport of Scotland's urban working classes, while rugby uni-
on (
www.scottishrugby.org
)
was the preserve of agricultural workers from the Borders
and middle-class university graduates. Although this distinction is breaking down -
rugby's popularity soared after the 1999 World Cup was staged in the UK, and the middle
classes have invaded the football terraces - it persists to some extent.
Each year, starting in January, Scotland takes part in the Six Nations Rugby Union
Championship. The most important fixture is the clash against England for the Calcutta
Cup - it's always an emotive event; Scotland has won three times and drawn once in the
last 10 years.
At club level, the season runs from September to May, and among the better teams are
those from the Borders such as Hawick, Kelso and Melrose. At the end of the season,
teams play a rugby sevens (seven-a-side) variation of the 15-player competition.
