Cool Things Scottish - Auld Lang Syne

Perhaps it is not too much to say that "Auld Lang Syne" is the best known and most widely diffused Scottish song in the civilised world. The earliest germ of the song "Auld Lang Syne" is found in an anonymous poem of the 15th century. The first record of the present well-known song is in Robert Burns’ letter to his friend Mrs Dunlop, dated December 17, 1788, wherein he enclosed her a copy of the verse. The song was later included in the now celebrated Standard Collection of Scottish Songs, the "Scots Musical Museum;" and it was printed and published for the first time in December 1796, in the fifth volume of that work, about five months after Burns died.

Source: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/articles/langsyne.htm

Cool Things Scottish -Thistle- The Emblem of Scotland

How did the Thistle, the little purple, prickly flower that grows wild in the fields of the Scottish Highlands become the Emblem of Scotland?

The most popular story has it that sometime during the 13th Century, around 1263, the King of Norway, King Haakon IV, decided to carry on a campaign against the Scots. During one of those battles, the Scots knowing the highlands well, took rest in the fields surrounded by the Prickly Purple Thistle. The Norse, believing that they had darkness as an advantage, set on attacking while the Scots slept. They removed their protective footware in order not to make noise and crept up on the resting Scots. The "Barefooted Norsemen" found themselves being scratched and scarred by the prickly flower and cried out in pain, thus awaking the sleeping Scots who then defeated the Norse. Since then the Thistle has been seen as a reminder to all that no one can mess with the Scots without feeling the pain of the Thistle.

Source: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31229.asp