| 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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