Originally, the clan, a grouping of an entire family with one head, or laird, was also important as a fighting unit. The solidarity associated with clan membership has been expanded into a strong national pride. The Puritan zeal of Scottish Presbyterianism, which is traceable to John Knox, the 16th-century religious reformer and statesman, is also strong. Popular sports of Scottish origin include curling and golf. Bagpipes, usually associated with Scottish music, were probably introduced by the Romans, who acquired them in the Middle East.
Scottish music is noted for the wide use of a five-tone, or pentatonic, scale.
Folk tunes are not standardized, and a single song may have hundreds of variations in lyrics and music. It is represented by 72 members in the House of Commons and by 16 Scottish peers in the House of Lords. Central Government - Scottish affairs are administered by a British cabinet ministry, headed by the secretary of state for Scotland. Each is administered by a secretary who is responsible to the secretary of state. The routine administration of the departments proceeds from Edinburgh, but each department has representatives in London, where they perform liaison and parliamentary duties.