10 Reasons Why You Should Celebrate Scotland Right Now

April 5, 2014— -- intro: It’s Tartan Week, meaning the 5 million Americans who claim Scotch ancestry -- and all the others who just really like golf, bagpipes and/or Scotch whisky – are honoring the rainy homeland. It’s nowhere near as widely celebrated as St. Paddy’s, but New York City will have a parade (New York City always has a parade) on Saturday, April 5. Here are 10 excellent reasons to celebrate Scotland and its influence on the U.S.

quicklist: 1title:text: 1. Although the shaggy Highland ponies were a viral sensation last year, Highland cows are equally adorable and equally shaggy. If you want to sound like a Scottish person, call them “coos.”

quicklist: 2title:text: 2. Scotland’s official animal is the unicorn.

quicklist: 3title:text: 3. Laphroaig Scotch whisky was sold legally in the U.S. during Prohibition because it was deemed medicinal.

quicklist: 4title:text: 4. The game of golf originated in Scotland in the 15th century. The first record dates back to 1457, only it was spelled "gowf" and played on a 22-hole course.

quicklist: 5title:text: 5. Scotland has several really beautiful beaches, and in the peak of summer (starting the last week of June and going through August), some get 18 hours of sunlight.

quicklist: 6title:text: 6. The fictitious Hogwarts Express train seen in the Harry Potter movies was “played by” the Jacobite train, located in the Scottish Highlands.

quicklist: 7title:text: 7. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews is dubbed the "home of golf," and serious golfers pilgrimage to its Old Course almost as though it were hallowed ground.

quicklist: 8title:text: 8. One of the nicest castle hotels in Scotland, Stobo Castle Health Spa, has a suite where the walls are entirely covered in cashmere.

quicklist: 9title:text: 9. Laphroaig is the only Single Malt Scotch whisky to bear a Royal Warrant (granted to brands/companies and tradespeople that supply goods to the Queen of England), bestowed by HRH Prince Charles.

quicklist: 10title:text: 10. The Scottish invented the waterproof raincoat (1823) as well as the hot blast furnace (1828).