Scotland are descendants of the Celts, and red hair is their trademark.
If you call them British, they will retort angrily. They consider themselves Scottish.
In 2014 and 2018, Scotland held two referendums. The former was an independence referendum and failed with 54% of the votes against. The latter was a referendum on Remain, which was voted 62% in favor of remaining in the EU, but was rejected by the British government.
The Scots were so angry that it almost led to a civil war. Despite repeated obstructions from the British government, the Scots never gave up on their independence.
The United Kingdom, dominated by England, calls itself the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". However, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have always sought independence and are reluctant to be part of the United Kingdom.
Scotland's history is full of rebellion and struggle. From the invasion of the Roman Empire to the rule of England, the Scots have always insisted on their independence and freedom.
In the future, the Scots will continue to pursue independence. The disintegration of Britain may begin in Scotland. This long struggle continues.
Home of the Celts
Scotland, a land in the northern part of the island of Great Britain, has been home to the Celts since ancient times.
In this vast land, rolling highlands, deep and secluded lakes, and endless mountains make for a magnificent picture.
However, there is a harsh side to this beautiful land. The cold climate and poor soil make it a perennial challenge for the inhabitants of the area.
Even so, the Scots are still alive and well on the land. They are descendants of the Celts and have inherited the brave, resilient qualities of the Celts.
Scots are mostly known for their red hair, which also seems to symbolize their fiery hearts and indomitable will. In the long course of history, the Scots have created countless glories and experienced countless hardships, but they have always written their own legends on this land with tenacious fighting spirit and belief in victory.
Step into the villages of Scotland and you'll find that the people here live simply, but they are full of energy.
Villagers make a living from farming and animal husbandry, with men toiling in the fields and women doing household chores at home. When the sun sets, the villagers sit around and light a roaring bonfire and dance to the sound of bagpipes. They sang loudly, pouring out their love for the land and their yearning for freedom.
In the hearts of the Scottish people, homeland is not only a geographical concept, but also a spiritual sustenance. Every inch of land, every corner of this land, is soaked with their blood, tears and sweat.
Generations of Scots have lived, worked, fought and created a better future with their own hands.
However, life for the Scots is not all smooth sailing. The harsh natural conditions often test their will.
In the cold winter, heavy snow covers the mountains, making it difficult for livestock to forage; In the dry summer, the crops are not harvested, and famines are frequent. But the Scots never succumbed to the arrangement of fate. They are united and work together to get through this difficult time. In the most difficult times, they remained optimistic and strong.
It is in this environment that the Scots forge their own unique character. They are brave and fearless, daring to face any challenge head-on; They are tenacious, indomitable, and never give up.
This quality is not only reflected in life, but also on the battlefield. Throughout history, countless Scottish warriors have fought to defend their homeland and freedom, even in the face of formidable enemies.
The setbacks of the Roman Empire
During the Roman Empire, the Scots showed their toughness.
In 55 BC, the armies of the Roman Empire set foot on the land of Britain for the first time. This army, led by Caesar, with the ambition of conquest, intended to incorporate the land into the Roman territory. However, when they arrived in the Scottish Highlands, they were faced with unprecedented challenges.
Although the Scots did not have the advanced weapons and well-trained troops of the Roman army, they had an indomitable fighting spirit and a love for their homeland.
When the Roman army appeared on their land, the Scots did not hesitate to take up arms and defend their homeland to the death.
The Scots adopted the tactics of guerrilla warfare, taking advantage of the terrain and maneuvering the Roman army in the mountains and forests. They attacked by surprise and retreated quickly, leaving the Roman army overwhelmed.
It was in this battle that the Roman Ninth Legion was destroyed. This army was one of the most elite in the Roman Empire, but during the battle in the Scottish Highlands, they were ambushed by the Scots.
Dressed in blue robes and painted with mysterious totems on their skins, the Scottish warriors attacked the Roman legions from all sides, like a group of demons from hell.
The Roman legions put up a desperate resistance, but were eventually crushed by the Scots. The entire legion was almost wiped out, and only a few soldiers escaped and brought back the bad news.
The Roman Empire was shocked by the news. They never imagined that a barbarian would be able to crush their most elite legions. In order to prevent further Scotsian invasions, the Romans decided to build a barrier to isolate the Scots from the territory of the Roman Empire.
Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a great wall that was 80 miles long, which is known as Hadrian's Wall.
Stretching across the northern part of England, the Great Wall was built of stone and earth, with forts and watchtowers, and served as the northern defense line of the Roman Empire.
However, even such a strong defence could not completely stop the Scots. From time to time, the Scottish warriors crossed the Great Wall and launched attacks on the Roman possessions, inflicting huge losses on the Romans.
To further strengthen the defenses, the Romans built the Antonine Side Wall. This line of defense is further north than Hadrian's Wall, with a total length of about 40 Roman miles.
Constructed of stone and earth, with moats and wooden fences, it became the second line of defense for the Romans. However, even the combination of these two lines of defense could not completely stop the Scots' attack.
For hundreds of years, the Romans fought against the Scots on the island of Britain. The two sides come and go, and they win and lose each other.
Although the Romans had advanced weapons and well-trained armies, the Scots had an indomitable will and a yearning for freedom. They would rather die in battle than give in.
The Romans were ultimately unable to fully conquer Scotland. In 410 AD, Roman troops withdrew from the island of Britain, ending their rule in the land. The Scots, on the other hand, continued their free life in this land.
The division of England and Scotland
Taking advantage of the evacuation of the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons from the Germanic Peninsula began a major invasion of the British Isles. They first occupied the southern regions of England and established their own kingdoms.
The Anglo-Saxons were a Germanic people, they were tall, strong, and good at fighting. Their arrival brought new culture and customs to the British Isles, as well as new wars to the land.
At the same time, the Celts of the Scottish regions began to strengthen their power. Although they also faced the invasion of foreign enemies, they showed extraordinary courage and tenacity.
The Celts were an ancient people who lived on this land of Scotland for thousands of years. They have their own unique language, culture, and religious beliefs, and they take pride in it.
Over time, the divide between England and Scotland began to grow.
The region of England was gradually assimilated by the Anglo-Saxons, and Germanic culture began to take root in the land. People began to speak Anglo-Saxon, embrace Christianity, and live a life similar to that of the Germanic peoples.
In Scotland, however, Celtic culture still dominates. The people spoke Gaelic and practiced the Celtic polytheism and lived a completely different life than the people of England.
This difference in culture and way of life exacerbated the conflict between England and Scotland. The two sides began to clash frequently, fighting for land and resources.
With advanced weapons and military technology, the English began to expand northward, trying to incorporate Scotland into their territory. The Scots, on the other hand, relied on their tenacious will and unyielding fighting spirit to fight the invaders to the death.
In 843, an important event took place in the history of Scotland. In this year, several Celtic tribes of Scotland united to form the Kingdom of Alba. It was the first unified kingdom in Scottish history and marked the beginning of the Scottish nation's move towards independence and self-determination.
The establishment of the Kingdom of Alba gave the Scots a common purpose and belonging. Under the leadership of the kingdom, the Scots began to be more united and stronger.
They built up their own army and began to fight even more fiercely against the English. The two sides frequently fought in the border areas, and each side won and lost each other. But the Scots never gave in, they swore to defend their homeland and their freedom to the death.
Over time, the kingdom of Alba grew and became a force to be reckoned with on the island of Britain.
They formed a confrontation with England, and the contradictions and conflicts between the two peoples intensified. This confrontation has lasted for hundreds of years.
The division between England and Scotland reflects the different fates of the two peoples on the island of Britain. The English, though similarly invaded by foreign enemies, were eventually assimilated and lost their culture and identity.
The Scottish people, on the other hand, have always adhered to their culture and traditions, and have always fought for freedom.
The War of Independence reignited
In 1290, there was a sudden vacancy in the Scottish throne. The news soon reached the ears of King Edward I of England.
Edward I was an ambitious monarch who always dreamed of unifying the entire island of Britain. He believes this is a great opportunity to bring Scotland into the English map. So, despite the opposition of the Scots, Edward I sent troops to occupy Scotland.
Wherever the English army went, they burned, killed, looted, and did all kinds of evil. Under their rule, the Scots were enslaved and bullied. They were forced to pay high taxes, forced to serve the English, and even their own culture and language were banned.
However, even in such difficult circumstances, the Scots did not give up the courage to resist.
In 1297, a young man named William Wallace stepped forward and led the first war of independence for the Scots.
William Wallace came from a poor background, but he had a brave and upright heart. From an early age, he was dissatisfied with the rule of the English and vowed to fight for the freedom of Scotland. When he saw the atrocities of the English army, he finally couldn't bear it anymore and decided to raise the banner of resistance.
Wallace's action was quickly echoed by the Scots. Thousands of Scots gathered around him and joined the war against English rule. They came from all walks of life, peasants, artisans, aristocrats, and common people. Although poorly equipped and poorly trained, they share a common belief and determination.
Led by Wallace, the Scots began an uphill struggle. They adopted the tactics of guerrilla warfare, taking advantage of the terrain of the Scottish Highlands to launch surprise attacks on the English army. For a time, the whole territory of Scotland was full of fighting scenes.
King Edward I of England was furious. He sent more troops in an attempt to put down the uprising once and for all. However, the Scots showed remarkable courage and tenacity.
They fought bloodily on the battlefield and did not flinch in the face of the enemy. Many Scottish warriors died in battle, but many more joined the fight.
In 1305, William Wallace was captured by the English and brutally executed. His death was a huge blow to the Scots, but at the same time, it also completely inspired them to resist. Wallace may be dead, but his spirit remains forever in the hearts of the Scottish people.
Wallace's career was carried on by another Scottish national hero, Robert the Bruce. A descendant of the Scottish aristocracy, Bruce was originally an ally of the King of England but later joined the Scots in their rebellion.
Led by Bruce, the Scots continued their struggle against English rule.
They built up their army and began to go head-to-head with the English. The two sides fought fiercely on Scottish soil, with heavy casualties and human lives.
However, the Scots never gave up hope. They know that freedom and dignity can only be won through struggle. Bruce was well aware of this, too, and he constantly boosted the morale of the Scots, leading them to charge forward again and again.
In 1314, Bruce led the Scottish army to defeat the English army at the Battle of Bannockburn. It was a decisive victory, which turned the tide of the war and forced England to recognize Scotland's independence.
This war of independence lasted for nearly 30 years. It has brought untold suffering and pain to the people of Scotland, but it has also forged their strong will and indomitable spirit. Through this war, the Scots won their independence and freedom, and won the dignity and glory of their nation.
epilogue
Throughout the history of Scotland, the Celts of this land have always been known for their bravery, tenacity and indomitable spirit. Both during the Roman Empire and in the face of English rule, the Scots showed stubborn resistance.
National heroes such as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce carried this spirit forward and fought for the cause of Scottish independence for the rest of their lives.
Even in the centuries after the union with England, the Scots never gave up their dream of independence, expressing their demands through referendums time and time again. This perseverance and perseverance is the most precious quality of the Celts, and it is also the brightest undertone of Scottish history.
Resources:
A historical itinerary of the ancient Scottish nation. Hu Jie.2009-07-16
The Historical Origins and Present Situation of the Scottish Independence Movement. Tian Lihua.2015-01-16