After the emergency weird facts to save you in a lift with the Belgians, 4BR gives you some wonderful facts about the Scots — just in case you are trapped in a bar with them over the weekend.
And they will be there we promise you...
1. The Scottish Football team has spent the longest period of time as the unofficial world champions – 103 matches or 13,003 days, although they have never progressed beyond the first round of any World Cup they have competed in.
The strange system gives the title to any team who beats a team that has beaten a team, who has beaten the team etc who were crowned official world champions.
2. Edinburgh was the first city in the world which had its own fire-brigade.
There is no known official name for the dreaded deep fried Mars Bar -except a heart attack in batter4BR
3. At least 6 US Presidents have been of Scottish descent: Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), James Madison (1751-1836), Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), James Knox Polk (1795-1849), William McKinley (1843-1901), Woodrow (Thomas) Wilson (1856-1924)
4. Scottish dishes are well-known for their weird names, like Forfar Bridie (a meat pastry), Cock-a-leekie (soup), Collops (escalope), Crappit heid (fish dish), Finnan haddie (haddock fish), Arbroath Smokie (smoked haddock), Cullen Skink (haddock soup), Partan bree (seafood dish), Mince and tatties (minced meat and potatoes), Rumbledethumps, Skirlie...
There is no known official name for the dreaded deep fried Mars Bar -except a heart attack in batter...
5. The country’s motto is, Nemo me impune lacessit — No one provokes me with impunity.
6. The Scottish government banned golf in 1647.
7. The ten most popular surnames in Scotland are: 1. Smith; 2. Brown; 3. Wilson; 4. Thomson; 5. Robertson; 6. Campbell; 7. Stewart; 8. Anderson 9. MacDonald; 10. Scott
8. Kilts are not native to Scotland. They originated in France.
9. A ten year study in Scotland found that 20% more people die of heart attacks on Mondays than any other day of the week.
10. The origins of the bagpipes in Scotland is uncertain. Some say it was a Roman import, whilst others believe that the instrument came from Ireland as the result of colonization.
The piob mhor, or great Highland bagpipe, though was developed by Highlanders to its fullest extent and make it, both in peace and war, their national instrument.
