Symbol

Слайд 1

Слайд 2

Common throughout the highlands, islands and lowlands of Scotland, the prickly purple thistle has been Scotland's national emblem for centuries. This is how, according to a curious legend, that homely plant came to be chosen as a badge, in preference to any other.

Слайд 3

In very ancient times the Norsemen once landed some­where on the east coast Of Scotland, with the intention of plundering and settling in the country. The Scots assembled with their arms and took their stations behind the river Tay , the largest in Scotland, at the only practicable ford. As they arrived late in the day, weary and tired after a long march, they pitched their camp and rested, not expecting the enemy before the next day.

Слайд 4

The Norsemen however were near, noticing that no guards or sentinels protected the camp, they crossed the river Tay , intending to take the Scots by surprise and slaughter them in their sleep. To this end, they took off their shoes so as to make the least noise possible.

Слайд 5

But one of the Norsemen stepped on a thistle. The sudden and sharp pain he felt caused him to shriek. The alarm was given in the Scots’ camp. The Norsemen were put to flight, and as an acknow­ledgement for the timely and unexpected help from the thistle, the Scots took it as their national emblem.