In order to see and discover the true soul of Scotland today, what forged the character of this splendid region, we have to go towards the northern regions, to the Grampian Mountains. Beautiful and unspoiled, it was difficult to farm. The Scots subdued the environment with simple spades and strong arms.
The history of this ancient struggle, and its people’s ancient love affair with the hard land, is enclosed within the walls of the Angus Folk Museum. You are able to get a feel of the typical rural atmosphere of times past from the everyday artifacts displayed here.
From coastal Aberdeen in towards the interior of the Grampian Mountains there runs the Castle Trail, a road that touches on many fortresses, which are witnesses of continual revolts against the dominion of neighboring England in Scottish history.
Perhaps the most uplifting moment for Scottish autonomy is the one experienced inside this ancient abbey of Arbroath, where, in 1320; the Declaration of Independence was celebrated, at the instigation of King Robert the Bruce. He carried out the plan for autonomy drawn up by the great popular hero William Wallace, to whom cinema has dedicated the wonderful film "Braveheart", the winner of five Oscars.
This is Glamis Castle. It is often remembered for being the residence of King Macbeth and Queen Elizabeth in her childhood. Among the most assiduous guests here are the inevitable ghosts, which are nourished, if not actually created, by ancient popular beliefs. These have been handed down over the centuries by a people inclined to live with mystery, with the forces of the supernatural.
Another attraction here is a legendary monster: the Loch Ness Monster. Is it real or imaginary, this monster, which has been nicknamed Nessie, has collected a good 3000 sightings over the last 50 years? To fuel the debate
The true flag of Scotland, tartan, is recognisable from the brightly coloured plaid patterns which are used to distinguish the various clans. Over the last few decades this fabric has made a comeback and is part of the daily life of this country.
The typical Scottish garment, the kilt, is de rigeur when the Scots play the Great Highland bagpipes, especially when they march in parades.
Bagpipes and dancing open the competitions of local sporting events, which are called Highland Gatherings. The games, which have strange rules, involve a spirit that has more to do with brute force than with athletics.
苏格兰是一个独特的地方，自然条件虽不得天独厚，历史的厚重感却随处可见。豪门望族的府第与城堡历历在目，仪仗队的士兵也还穿着传统服装。这里有全欧洲最美的城市，诉说着苏格兰昔日的荣光。
想看看真正的苏格兰，追寻这里民族精神的源泉，就得去北部的格兰扁山区。格兰扁山区景色怡人，还没有受到现代文明的污染。格兰扁一度不适合耕作，倔强的苏格兰人，凭着双手征服了这片土地。
苏格兰先民的艰苦劳作与他们自古对这片贫瘠土地的眷恋，在这个博物馆里一览无余。这里展出的都是平常的物品，营造出往日乡间的氛围，使人油然而生怀旧之情。
从沿海的阿伯丁，有一条古堡之路，一直蜿蜒到格兰扁山区深处。沿途很多昔日的要塞，都是苏格兰在历史上不断反抗英格兰统治的见证。
苏格兰争取自治的过程中最大快人心的时刻莫过于1320年在这个修道院，布鲁斯国王鼓动百姓大肆庆贺独立宣言签订。布鲁斯采纳传奇英雄威廉·华勒斯所献的计策，完成了自治大业，这个故事后来被改编成电影《勇敢的心》，该片曾摘取了五项奥斯卡奖。
这座城堡之所以名闻遐迩，却是因为曾经的两位主人——苏格兰国王麦克白与幼年时的伊丽莎白女王。如今这里最相看无厌的客人当数传说中挥之不去的幽灵，这些传说即使不是源于世代相传的民间故事，也大有借鉴化用的嫌疑。苏格兰人似乎生来就笃信超自然的力量，因此才有了这些传说。
这里游人如织的另一个原因则是尼斯湖的怪兽。真假姑且不论，这个昵称Nessie的怪兽在过去的半个世纪中已经吸引了三千余名游客。如今它头上有五十万英镑的悬赏，使得学术界的争论日益激烈，或许也会令游人的好奇日盛吧。
苏格兰格子呢是苏格兰真正的旗帜。它显著的花格子图案曾经是区分不同宗族的标志。在过去几十年里，格子呢在苏格兰再度流行，如今则已在日常生活中不可或缺。
苏格兰传统的褶裙按照礼节是应该在演奏高地风笛时穿的，尤其是列队前进的时候。
高地风笛与利尔舞揭开了高地运动盛会的序幕。运动会的比赛项目规则奇特，与其说是田径比赛，不如说是大力士的较量。
相关单词：austere
austere解释：adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的
austere例句：
His way of life is rather austere.他的生活方式相当简朴。
The room was furnished in austere style.这间屋子的陈设都很简单朴素。
相关单词：laden
laden解释：adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的
laden例句：
He is laden with heavy responsibility.他肩负重任。
Dragging the fully laden boat across the sand dunes was no mean feat.将满载货物的船拖过沙丘是一件了不起的事。
相关单词：testimony
testimony解释：n.证词；见证，证明
testimony例句：
The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。
相关单词：subdued
subdued解释：adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词
subdued例句：
He seemed a bit subdued to me. 我觉得他当时有点闷闷不乐。
I felt strangely subdued when it was all over. 一切都结束的时候，我却有一种奇怪的压抑感。
相关单词：coastal
coastal解释：adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的
coastal例句：
The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。
相关单词：fortresses
fortresses解释：堡垒，要塞( fortress的名词复数 )
fortresses例句：
They will establish impregnable fortresses. 他们将建造坚不可摧的城堡。
Indra smashed through Vritra ninety-nine fortresses, and then came upon the dragon. 因陀罗摧毁了维他的九十九座城堡，然后与维他交手。 来自神话部分
相关单词：dominion
dominion解释：n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图
dominion例句：
Alexander held dominion over a vast area.亚历山大曾统治过辽阔的地域。
In the affluent society,the authorities are hardly forced to justify their dominion.在富裕社会里，当局几乎无需证明其统治之合理。
相关单词：celebrated
celebrated解释：adj.有名的，声誉卓著的
celebrated例句：
He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。
相关单词：drawn
drawn解释：v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的
drawn例句：
All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
相关单词：dedicated
dedicated解释：adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的
dedicated例句：
He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。
相关单词：inevitable
inevitable解释：adj.不可避免的，必然发生的
inevitable例句：
Mary was wearing her inevitable large hat.玛丽戴着她总是戴的那顶大帽子。
The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响。
相关单词：legendary
legendary解释：adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学）
legendary例句：
Legendary stories are passed down from parents to children.传奇故事是由父母传给孩子们的。
Odysseus was a legendary Greek hero.奥狄修斯是传说中的希腊英雄。
相关单词：sterling
sterling解释：adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑)
sterling例句：
Could you tell me the current rate for sterling, please?能否请您告诉我现行英国货币的兑换率？
Sterling has recently been strong,which will help to abate inflationary pressures.英国货币最近非常坚挺，这有助于减轻通胀压力。
相关单词：clans
clans解释：宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派
clans例句：
There are many clans in European countries. 欧洲国家有很多党派。
The women were the great power among the clans [gentes], as everywhere else. 妇女在克兰〈氏族〉里，乃至一般在任何地方，都有很大的势力。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源
相关单词：fabric
fabric解释：n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织
fabric例句：
The fabric will spot easily.这种织品很容易玷污。
I don't like the pattern on the fabric.我不喜欢那块布料上的图案。
相关单词：highland
highland解释：n.(pl.)高地，山地
highland例句：
The highland game is part of Scotland's cultural heritage.苏格兰高地游戏是苏格兰文化遗产的一部分。
The highland forests where few hunters venture have long been the bear's sanctuary.这片只有少数猎人涉险的高山森林，一直都是黑熊的避难所。
相关单词：bagpipes
bagpipes解释：n.风笛；风笛( bagpipe的名词复数 )
bagpipes例句：
Yes, and I'm also learning to play the bagpipes. 是的，我也想学习吹风笛。 来自超越目标英语 第3册
Mr. Vinegar took the bagpipes and the piper led the cow away. 于是醋溜先生拿过了风笛，风笛手牵走了奶牛。 来自互联网
相关单词：gatherings
gatherings解释：聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集
gatherings例句：
His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次，其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。
相关单词：brute
brute解释：n.野兽，兽性
brute例句：
The aggressor troops are not many degrees removed from the brute.侵略军简直象一群野兽。
That dog is a dangerous brute.It bites people.那条狗是危险的畜牲，它咬人。
相关单词：athletics
athletics解释：n.运动，体育，田径运动
athletics例句：
When I was at school I was always hopeless at athletics.我上学的时候体育十分糟糕。
Our team tied with theirs in athletics.在田径比赛中，我们队与他们队旗鼓相当。
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