Difference Between Scotland and Ireland

Scotland and Ireland, Northern Ireland to be exact, are two of the four countries that are part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. The Republic of Ireland is a separate nation and it shares the island of Ireland with Northern Ireland.

Ireland

The island of Ireland lies west of Great Britain and the two islands are separated by the Irish Sea. The island of Ireland composes of the Republic of Ireland, an independent nation, and Northern Ireland, a country that is part of the United Kingdom. The island is divided into thirty-two counties and six of them are part of Northern Ireland. Dublin is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland while Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is a parliamentary style of government that is a representative democracy. Ireland shares the climate of most of northwestern European countries, which generally warm during the summer months and they experience mild winters because of the Gulf Stream from the Atlantic Ocean. Travelling to Ireland by plane, you can land in one of the five international airports, which are Dublin, Belfast International, Cork, Shannon and Ireland West. There are other smaller regional airports but they only cater to travel within the island and to Britain. Ireland is home to three World Heritage sites: the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, the Skellig Michael in County Kerry and the Brú na Boinne in County Meath. Ireland is also famous for the Blarney Stone which is in Blarney Castle in County Cork. The Irish people are mostly Catholics with some Protestant denominations and other religions in between. Ireland is also well known for their drink, Guinness, which originated in Dublin sometime in the early 18th century. The Irish are also mainly responsible for the spread of pub culture. Ireland pubs are used for more than just drinking; they are also used as meeting places and a place where you can just relax among the company of friends.

Scotland

Scotland covers one-third of the island of Great Britain and is located on the north. Aside from the mainland, Scotland also includes over 790 islands. The capital, although only the second largest city, of Scotland is Edinburgh and it is also considered as one of the largest financial centers in Europe. Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and once was one of the leading industrial cities of the world. Scotland was an independent nation originally but it agreed to join with England politically to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Until now, however, Scotland still retains its cultural and national identity because its legal, educational and religious institutions still remain distinct from the rest of the UK. Climate in Scotland is also temperate and oceanic and they experience a milder winter but a cooler and wetter summer. Scotland also has five international airports, Glasgow International, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow Prestwick and Iverness. Travelling to the Scottish isles is done by ferry. Scottish culture is one of the richest in the world and the Scottish people are very proud of it. The Treaty of Union, the treaty responsible for the unification of the UK, actually protects elements of Scottish culture, like its church. Scotland is primarily Christian, with the Church of Scotland being the national church. Roman Catholicism is also dominant, having the second most practitioners in the country. Edinburgh and Glasgow are major tourist destinations. Edinburgh’s New and Old Towns are actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Glasgow attracts tourists because of its famous Victorian and Gothic architecture. And who in the world doesn’t know Loch Ness? A little fishing trip in Scotland’s many lochs is actually a good idea if you’re going to be there. Tourists might also enjoy a tour in the many whiskey distilleries and golf courses, as Scotland is the home of whiskey and golf.

Difference between Scotland and Ireland

If you want a taste of the good old British country side, a trip to Ireland or Scotland is very much recommended. The industrial revolution mainly passed over Ireland because of the lack of coal and metal industries in the island. As such, Ireland actually still is pretty much a laid back agricultural island. Even though massive economic expansion is being done in the major cities, the rest of the countryside still looks the same. Scotland on the other hand has been a major player in the industrial revolution, particularly in Glasgow. The Scottish highlands, however, still retains their countryside charm, even if most of them are now being developed into golf courses. Ireland and Scotland attracts swarms of tourists with their castles as major attractions, the Blarney Castle in Ireland in particular. With the legend of the Blarney Stone, people flock to this castle in the hopes of getting a bit more eloquent. Scotland is also famous for their golf courses, which are some of the finest in the world. Ireland is also famous for some surfing spots. In terms of politics, however, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland are similar due to the fact that they have a distinct and independent legal system from that of the UK. Under the Treaty of Union, Scotland retains the use of Scots law, a mix of Roman law, civil law and common law. Northern Ireland is only represented in the UK Parliament and follows pretty much the same laws, although it is a separate jurisdiction from that of England and the other UK countries. Ireland and the Scottish Isles can be visited all year round, however, it is best to visit in the summer as the weather would generally be favorable to the tourists.

Scotland and Ireland are a must visit if you are travelling across Europe. They are so rich with history and culture that you can’t afford to miss the experience.