Alba Scotland.(history)

From Ultima Thule to Mainstream

Strong images of Scotland and the Scots abound throughout the Western world: Golf and the Old Course at St Andrews; Skye and the other misty isles with purple heather on the mountains; twinkling streams splashing down the glen, past the distilleries from which Scotch whisky flows out to all the world; Robbie Burns and Auld Lang Syne; wild bagpipe reels with plaid kilts swinging at Caledonian balls; the Wallace, patriot to his gory end; Mary, Queen of Scots, tragic heroine; Bonnie Prince Charlie, romantic hero; dour Presbyterians counting