Scotland

The Scotch whisky industry has gotten a wake up call after a single malt from Japan was named the best in the world. Jim Murray, who publishes an annual “Whisky Bible,” says there’s more choice and more quality from places like Japan and the US than ever before.

When you think of Scotland, it’s likely you think of kilts, haggis, and — of course — bagpipes. Scots produce most of the world’s bagpipes, but there’s a country that comes in close second. Can you name it?

The atmosphere around Scotland’s independence vote was electric, and BBC radio host and Scottish native Rhod Sharp says he could feel it all the way from New England, where he watched the referendum and its historic aftermath unfold.

Many supporters of the “Yes” campaign were in tears after a decisive loss in Scotland’s independence vote. But London had to promise a raft of new local powers to keep Scotland in the UK, and those promises may change the nature of the British union for Northern Ireland, Wales and England, too.

Whatever the outcome of the referendum in Scotland, one aspect of traditional Scottish culture will continue to have a surprisingly close link to a far off part of the world. Outside of Scotland, the world’s largest manufacturer of traditional bagpipes is Pakistan.