The Scotland was an independent country until May 1, 1707, when the government was taken over by England. Protests of the resulted in a union with the Kingdom of England to create the Kingdom of Great Britain Scotland's runs its own government separate from England or Ireland even though they are still know as part of the United Kingdome. Scotland has its own law, education system, and the Church system that is separate from England and that is what makes Scottish culture so unique Union. However, Scotland does not have membership to the United Nations or the European Union.

As part of the United Kingdom, the official ruler of is Scotland is the ruler of the United Kingdom, currently Queen Elizabeth II. Scotland was given limited self-government in 1997. Executive and legislative powers have been constitutionally split into the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. Still the United Kingdom Parliament retains power over a set list of areas to watch Scotlandís government, for example, Scotland's taxes, social security system, and the military. The Scottish Parliament authority for all other areas part of to Scotland, and has limited power to decide taxing, a power it has yet to use. The Scottish Parliament can have the United Kingdom-wide to figure out certain issues. The people in parliament have helped in the provision of public services compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. For instance going to college, and care services for the elderly are free at point in Scotland, while fees are paid in the rest of the UK. Also Scotland was the first country in the UK to ban smoking in enclosed public places.

Great Highland Bagpipe, fiddle and accordion are traditional Scottish instruments; they two heavily featured in Scottish country dance bands. Today, there are many successful Scottish bands and individual artists in varying styles. Scottish literature includes text written in English, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, French, and Latin. Scotland had many writers and poets whom expanded successfully during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries which brought elements of fantasy and folklore back into fashion. Some modern novelists write in distinctly Scottish English that reflects the harsher realities of contemporary life. Scotland also has a large media network include the national broadcaster; BBC Scotland.