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Highlands of Scotland

Highlands of Scotland

3.9
An area in northern Scotland with high hills, kilts, and old clan traditions
  • proper noun
translation icon : Tierras Altas de Escocia
  • My father tells me that, growing up in the Highlands of Scotland, they didn't really celebrate Christmas when he was a child.

Examples

  • Visitors to the Highlands of Scotland can enjoy breathtaking views and experience the unique culture of the region.

  • I hear if any part of Britain is like Germany, it's the Highlands of Scotland.

  • I was born in the Highlands of Scotland in 1592.

  • Those parts of the western Highlands of Scotland which were dominated by the Clan Campbell, who were both Protestants and whigs in politics.

  • Growing up in the rugged landscape of the Highlands of Scotland, my father learned the importance of clan traditions.

  • The Highlands of Scotland are known for their stunning mountains and historical significance to Scottish clans.

Synonyms

Scottish Highlands
vsHighlands of Scotland
4.6

A mountainous area in northern Scotland with lakes, castles, and traditional dress

uses an of-construction that names the same area with the country's name
Highlands
vsHighlands of Scotland
4.8

An area of mountains and hills in northern Scotland known for rugged land and traditional music

uses a fuller phrase that includes the country's name

Surface Forms

Morphology

highland + of + Scotland

The meaning is directly compositional: 'highland' denotes a mountainous upland and 'of Scotland' localises it, so a learner who knows both words will readily infer it refers to Scotland's mountainous region. This place-name structure is cross-linguistically common and follows ordinary English noun + of + proper noun composition, making it immediately comprehensible to B1 learners.

Etymology

Highlands of Scotland comes from the simple idea of high and lands, meaning the tall hills and mountains in northern Scotland where clans lived in remote valleys and wore tartans. So the name now means 'a mountainous region with a strong local culture'.