Scottish means belonging to or coming from Scotland, a country that occupies the northern part of the island of Great Britain. The Scottish people have their own distinct culture, traditions, and history that set them apart from their English, Welsh, and Irish neighbors.

Scotland is known for its dramatic highlands covered in purple heather, deep lochs (the Scottish word for lakes), and misty islands. Scottish culture has given the world bagpipes, kilts (traditional plaid skirts), and inventions like the telephone, television, and penicillin. Scottish traditions include Highland Games, where athletes compete in unusual contests like tossing tree trunks called cabers, and celebrations like Hogmanay (New Year's Eve), featuring fire festivals and first-footing customs.

The Scottish accent sounds quite different from an English accent. Scottish people might say “wee” instead of “small” or “aye” instead of “yes.” Famous Scottish figures include the inventor Alexander Graham Bell, the author Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote Treasure Island, and the scientist James Watt, who improved the steam engine.

Scotland has its own legal system, its own banknotes, and Scottish Gaelic, an ancient Celtic language. While Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, the Scottish maintain a strong sense of their own national identity and pride in their heritage.