Scotland

Detail of the Sovereign's stall in the Thistle Chapel of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, a separate version of the royal arms has been used in Scotland, giving the Scottish elements pride of place. The shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the lion rampant of Scotland; in the second, the three lions passant guardant of England; and in the third, the harp of Ireland. The crest atop the Crown of Scotland is a red lion, seated...

Laurie Tartan

Scottish Thistle The Official Emblem of Scotland Legend has it, that in the 9th century, when the Norse were often raiding Scotland, a group of vikings tried to sneak up on a group of sleeping Clansmen. They had removed their shoes to creep quietly but stepped on thistles and cried out in pain. The alerted Scots made them pay. castpaper.com/scottish-or-welsh-c-10/scottish-thistle-p-1...

I am Scot-Irish and proud of it!!! ;-)

Statue of Queen Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, in 143-144 Fleet Street, London.

Sir William Wallace Monument ~someday I'd like to make my way over there ~

Edinburgh Castle entrance; William Wallace statue at Edinburgh, Scotland

Statue of Robert the Bruce, the Outlaw King, near Stirling, Scotland

William Wallace

Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland

scotland history timeline

Thistle

Queen Marie Stuart of Scotland and France - Lustrous gold pendant with SCOTS ROYAL RED LION with FRENCH Fleur d'Lis ROYAL CROWN inscribed: "Nemo Me Impu Ne Lacesset" It is the motto of Order of the Thistle with translation: "No one attacks me with Impunity" A reference to the natural barbs of the Thistle, a member of the Rose family which incidently is also non-poisonous food. The Artichoke being the most notable thistle food.