| Scotland is only 17 miles from the coast of Ulster at
its closest point and is often described as the 'spiritual homeland'
of Northern Ireland's Protestant population. |
| Universities in towns such as Glasgow, Sterling and
Dundee have traditionally had a very large student population of Northern
Irish Protestants, many of who remain in Scotland after completing
their education. Scotland has also been a popular destination for
those Ulster-Scots families wishing to escape the conflict in Northern
Ireland. |
| Cultural links between Scotland and Northern Ireland
remain strong. Ulster produces some of the best Scottish pipe bands
in the world, indeed it is interesting to note that the Pipes and
Drums of Northern Irish Regiments in the British Army use Scottish
bagpipes as opposed to Irish ones. Orange Lodges and flute bands from
Scotland are a regular sight during parades in Northern Ireland and
vice versa. Many Ulster-Scots even celebrate their Scottish roots
with the annual Burn's Supper commemorating Scotland's national poet,
Rabbie Burns. |
| The west of Scotland is similar to Northern Ireland
in many ways with sectarian problems of its own, albeit on a smaller
scale. Just as the Ulster's Protestant population are mainly of Scottish
descent, the Catholic population in the west of Scotland are descended
from Irish potato famine refugees. |
| One of the biggest attractions Scotland offers to both
Ulster Protestants and Irish Catholics is football (soccer), with
thousands making the weekly pilgrimage across the Irish Sea to Glasgow
to watch the cities two famous football clubs, Rangers and Celtic.
|
| Glasgow Celtic were formed
in 1888 by Catholic priests for Irish immigrants and their early
success ensured the team became the pride of Glasgow's sizeable
Irish Catholic community as well as having a large support in
Ireland itself. Celtic play in green and white and their supporters
wave the Irish flag and still feel themselves to be more Irish
than Scottish. Their supporters also sing songs in support of
the IRA, which has made them even more unpopular among large
sections of Scotland's mainly Protestant population. |
| |
| Glasgow Rangers were formed
in 1873 and their ability to rival Celtic on the playing field
soon made them the heroes of Glasgow's staunch Protestant population.
Rangers maintained a strict Protestant tradition and did not
sign a Catholic player until as late as 1987. As well as a massive
support in Scotland, Rangers are the biggest supported club
in Ulster. The team plays in royal blue and their supporters
sing pro British and Orange songs. |
|
| Rangers play in the
famous Ibrox stadium and are Scotland's most successful club, having
won more trophies than any other team in the UK. |
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| www.theulsterscots.com |
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