information about Ian Kirkland

[up_yer_kilt]

Name: Ian Kirkland
Represents: The Kingdom Of Scotland
Apparent Age: Appears a bit older than most Nations, around 23-27 years of age. In actuality, He is a Little Over 1100 years old.
Height: Approximately 6'0"
Birthday: November 30th (St. Andrew's Day)

Ian is Shallow. Extremely shallow. He Judges before getting to know people. And He Is hard to get along with. He Can be an extreme flirt, but only because he is a man, and despite his hatred for just about every member of the human race, nations included, it doesn't mean he doesn't like feeling good. In relation to this, Ian Is a Chain-Smoking Alcoholic. Bad habits developed back around the 1500's that he has never been able, or willing to give up.

Because he smokes like a chimney, Ian has a lingering scent of tobacco about him, Even When he hasn't been smoking. Being a nation, he has been unable to develop any real bad effects from it, so he has been abusing it for longer than he can even remember.

Ian has bad Relations with his Family, and whatever friends he has left. When Sober, His ability to give not a shit about all of them is rather strong. Especially when it comes to His Brother, Arthur, whom he Swears to this day he Hates for tricking him into the Alliance that is known as the United Kingdom. Every time he sees him, he complains at him loudly, at least once, for the man to give him his independence. Rather ineffectually if only because he actually knows that, without it, he would likely not be able to make it on his own. This doesn't stop him from throwing rocks at the big-browed Englishman's windows, though.

When he Drinks, he Either has the habit of becoming extremely Shameless, Extremely violent, or Over-Emotional. When the latter, He Has a habit of hiding away indoors and staying quiet. As talking too much can lead to feeling too much. Which he isn't used to. As he has been said to have the emotional range of a teaspoon. When drunk, His barriers against people and his feelings fall away, and he becomes a little bit more emotionally Delicate. Which can lead to rather upsetting situations with him, Including causing him to break into tears.

Do Not. Call Him. a Ginger.
Ian Is very Sensitive about his hair color. He Does not have freckles like his brothers Wales and Ireland do, but his flaming red hair is certainly not missed. And He Hates it being pointed out, or being called demeaning names in relation to it.

He Has a Hair-trigger temper. Small, petty things piss him off easily, and he is quickly moved into Arguments, loud Disputes, Screaming matches and all the like which, very soon after starting, will always develop into full-out fights. He's a dirty fighter, also, So He is not opposed to kicking a man while he's down, Hair-pulling, biting, or breaking things such as chairs or booze bottles over his opponent's head. He usually will not drop out of a fight until he can no longer move, or has been rendered unconscious.

Ian Has a Big Heart. But It's really quite hard to get to it, as he is naturally distrusting and afraid of commitment because of a previous relationship in his life. But that doesn't mean he's afraid of love, he's just uncomfortable with the idea of it, nowadays.

Pairings!:

I Do not pair Ian with ANY of his brothers Romantically! If you are an England, Wales, Or an Ireland here for an RP with me, Keep in mind that any Rps with me will not lead to ANYTHING Smutty. Ever. Ian Isn't interested in his brothers that way. No Incest. None.

I DO Pair Scotland with:

Francis - This was the person who broke his heart over 400 years ago. Leaving him behind after a few centuries for England instead, Ian hasn't quite been able to get over his heartbreak--nor his attachment--to Francis. Any RPS including France, please be prepared for a bit of angst, here. As He wants to hate him But loves him all at the same time. Francis is one of the only people to date that he will be kind to from the get-go, and it's very hard for the Scot to be mean to the man or treat him badly.

Netherlands/Holland - Around 1291, there was a bit of competition for the throne in Scotland, one of the main people badgering for it being Florence V of Holland. Scotland and Holland were due to be Married around this time, but it fell apart from both time constraints due to Scotland needing to unify with another country after almost going bankrupt, and lack of Florence's Evidence of having rights to the Scottish throne.

Prussia - Prussia and Scotland were allied for Decades with each other back during the time of the Holy Roman Empire--the Scottish Highland Knights fighting in such battles as Oudenarde together with the Teutonic Knights, Ian had gained a bit of respect for the male. At the same time, Prussia and his Brother Germany bombed Clydebank during WW2 while Ian Lived there, leaving him with a rather nasty-looking scar over his shoulder. He's never quite gotten over it.

Any other pairings I'm open to; Unless it's with another of the UK Brothers, Seychelles, Australia, America, or Canada.


::**FAIR WARNING!!**::

He Has a HORRIBLE ACCENT! Horrible. My entire Family IRL is Scottish--So I Write him with a very Northern Brogue, going off years of listening to and even speaking the accent. If you need ANYTHING he says Translated--Just ask. I'm more than willing to add a translation to anything he says in any replies I make to you with him.

History:

Scotland is one of the four Celtic Isles that make up the United Kingdom. Scotland being the northernmost Island, sharing a border with that of England. Despite his appearance and the way he oftentimes acts around his brothers, he is, in fact, Not the oldest of the Celtics. Wales is Actually Far older, but because of Wales’ low standing in the UK, and his lack of standing out, Scotland is oftentimes mistaken for the Elder of the Kirkland family. Scotland houses over 790 different islands other than the main body, and the larger ones are represented by the earrings he wears along his ears. Such as Hebrides and Shetland.
The Kingdom of Scotland was first established in the 9th century. The recorded history of Scotland begins with the arrival of the Roman Empire in Britain, when the Romans established the Roman province of Britannia in the southern part of Great Britain, as far north as Hadrian's Wall. To the north was territory not governed by the Romans — Caledonia, by name. Its people were the ‘Picts’. In this day and age, the word ‘Pict’ is often forgotten and unused, except by his brother, Arthur, when the younger man is trying to belittle him.
‘Alba’[Pronounced ‘Alu-pah’] is a creation of Constantine II. Constantine had the Series Longoir written to show his family's claim to the throne of a united Pictland. The triumph of Gaelic over Pictish and the change from Pictland to Alba is placed in the half-century reign of Constantine II. Why and how this happened is actually unknown. Scotland, in the geographical sense it has retained for nearly a millennium, completed its expansion by the gradual incorporation of the Britons' kingdom of Strathclyde into Alba.
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For this Part of my Profile, Because of How Old the Kingdom of Scotland is, I Will Be Pointing out Major points in his history that are significant to character development or headcanon. It would take way too long to write down EVERYTHING that has ever happened in his long-as-hell life, so I’ll do my best to explain/write about these points in Scottish History.
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※※※※※1174 Treaty of Falaise
The Treaty of Falaise was an agreement made in December 1174 between the captive William I, King of Scots, and the English King Henry II.
Having been captured at the Battle of Alnwick during an invasion of Northumbria, William was being held in Falaise in Normandy while Henry sent an army north and took several Scottish castles, including Berwick and Edinburgh. Since he had no heir, William was forced to bargain for release to prevent the end of the Scottish line of kings.
This was, really, a Dirty move on part of the English, and it’s something that Ian is still sour about, to this day. The Treaty required William to swear that Scotland would thereafter be subordinate to the English crown. English soldiers were also to occupy several key Scottish castles, and Scotland would be heavily taxed to pay for their upkeep. This factor only added insult to injury, Having his younger Brother’s King in rule of his country for so long, with the added taxes on his own buildings. Fortunately, The treaty was cancelled in 1189 when Richard the Lionheart, Henry's heir, effectively sold southern Scotland back to the Scottish king to help fund Richard's Crusade in the Holy Land.

※※※※※1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge
The Battle of Stirling Bridge was a battle of the First War of Scottish Independence. On 11 September 1297, the forces of Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated the combined Englishforces of John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey and Hugh de Cressingham nearStirling, on the River Forth. This battle was such a Devastating blow to the English, and one that Arthur will likely never forget. Simply Because Ian will not allow him to forget. Often bringing up the battle to piss the man off, or making reference to it to get the Brit to react. The Battle of Stirling Bridge ended in shattering defeat for the English: it showed that under certain circumstances infantry could be superior to cavalry. It was to be some time, though, before this lesson was fully absorbed.

※※※※※1295 The Signing of the Auld Alliance
The Auld Alliance was an alliance between the kingdoms of Scotland and France. It played a significant role in the relations between Scotland, France and England from its beginning in 1295 until the 1560 Treaty of Edinburgh. This alliance was likely the most Important in Ian’s Life, and the strongest relationship he had ever held with that of another country. The basis of the Auld Alliance was, that, if at any point, if either country was attacked by England, the other country would invade English territory. A sort of Alliance that each party heavily Relied on one another to protect each other in a dire time of need. This Alliance Was one of Ian’s First, and, had the most profound Effect on him. Both on his heart and on his mind. He found himself Relying heavily on Francis for not only his aid during any Battles with England, but relying on him for company as well. By all meaning of the word, Francis was his very first love. He was sure, for many years, from the day the Alliance was signed, that it would be an agreement that would never fade. He and Francis got along so well; the treaty between them should have held strong for centuries. It was renewed, Every time without fail. Regardless of whether either kingdom was involved in a conflict with England.
Louis XI, in 1560, Chose NOT to renew the treaty, however. And, after more than 250 years, formal treaties between Scotland and France were officially ended by the Treaty of Edinburgh. This was a rough time for the Scotsman. As it went against everything he wanted. Francis walking out on him, followed by his leader’s desire to ally the country next to the English. This, was an extreme turning point in Ian’s Life. Turning him sour from a feeling of Betrayal on all side, Leaving him heartbroken and quiet for many years. This is likely why Ian turned to chainsmoking and excessive drinking, to try to forget everything that had happened, as it had all ended so quickly. Without anyone paying any real attention to the fact that it was not the ending he wished for.

※※※※※1513 was the Battle of Flodden Field
This conflict began when James IV, King of Scots declared war on England to honour the Auld Alliance with France by diverting Henry VIII's English troops from their campaign against the French King Louis XII. Henry VIII had also opened old wounds by claiming to be the overlord of Scotland which angered the Scots and the King. This was a rather bloody battle for both sides, as neither side really escaped unscathed. However, Scotland’s Losses were far steeper. It ended in victory for the English army, and was the largest battle (in terms of numbers) fought between the two nations. James IV was himself killed in the battle. Ian holds a scar from this battle along his front. Arching down from his left shoulder, all the way down to his left hip. Caused by England Himself, almost cleaving him in half on the battlefield. Though long healed and somewhat faded, the scar remains on his skin to this day.

※※※※※1560 Treaty of Edinburgh
The Treaty of Edinburgh was a treaty drawn up on 5 July 1560 between the Commissioners of Queen Elizabeth I with the assent of the Scottish Lords of the Congregation, and French representatives in Scotland to formally conclude theS iege of Leith and replace the Auld Alliance with France with a new Anglo-Scottish accord, while maintaining the peace between England and France agreed by the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis.
Set a few days after the Fall of the Auld Alliance, Ian actually didn’t show up to the signing of this treaty. His bosses ended up signing it for him, and, to this day, he denies ever wanting the treaty to have gone ahead. He would have preferred to be alone and defenceless than to sign up with England after such a long partnership with France—especially with his Brother and his companion Francis so close.

※※※※※1698 Failure of the Darien Scheme
The Darien Scheme. Likely the worst Idea that the Scots had ever come up with in their entire history—it was one that would pave the road to failure for the country of Scotland from the moment it was thought up. It was an ambitious plan devised by William Paterson to establish a colony on the Isthmus of Panama in the hope of establishing trade with the Far East. The Darién scheme won widespread support in Scotland as the landed gentry and the merchant class were in agreement in seeing overseas trade and colonialism as routes to upgrade Scotland's economy. Since the capital resources of the Edinburgh merchants and landholder elite were insufficient, the company appealed to middling social ranks, who responded with patriotic fervour to the call for money; the lower classes volunteered as colonists. A plan to control the Panama Canal. The Small strip of land that separates Northern America to Southern America. Controlling it would mean a mass influx of Income for whoever DID manage to control it—and it would lead to a status as high as that of Spain or England itself at the time. It was a good plan, it had Fantastic Support—but Not even Ian himself realised that it was all going to come to an immense collapsing end. The exercise proved a disaster. Poorly equipped; beset by incessant rain; under attack by the Spanish from nearby Cartagena; and refused aid by the English in the West Indies, the colonists abandoned their project in 1700. Only 1000 out of the Original 3000 survived and only one ship managed to return to Scotland.
This Caused Economic RUIN for Ian’s Country. Reducing his Homeland’s Wealth by almost 1/3, the Scheme could not have ended worse. It put Scotland into a Crisis for quite a few years, until Finally...

※※※※※1707 The Union of Parliaments
Scotland Was forced to Agree to the creation of the United Kingdom. Crippled by loss of wealth from the Darien Scheme, Surviving on his own literally by strings, the Scots had no choice but to agree to and sign the treaty of the Union of Parliaments. Combining their countries to become The Kingdom Of Great Britain. A few years later, Wales and Ireland would Join this Union, therefore expanding the Border of Great Britain out to the entirety of the Celtic Isles. Southern Ireland would later win their Independence, but for quite a few years, the entire Isle was one singular country.

※※※※※1941 The Clydebank Blitz
The Clydebank Blitz refers to two devastating Luftwaffe air raids on the shipbuilding town of Clydebank in Scotland which took place in March 1941. As a result of the raids on the nights of 13 and 14 March 1941, the town was largely destroyed. It suffered the worst destruction and civilian loss of life in all of Scotland. The Attack left Ian with a burn scar over his left shoulder, a little smaller than his own hand. On especially Warm nights, the wound itches, as if he can still feel the burn of bombs rainding down onto his land. He’s never quite forgiven Germany for this attack, as well as the many others on his little brother, England. He has many reasons to hate the Little Englishman, but. As they are family, the Scot is often unable to help feeling pity toward the man. Especially during his times of suffering during the World Wars.

※※※※※Modern-Day Scotland
Sour from many experiences in his Life, Ian is somewhat hard to approach. Using sarcasm or his sharp tongue to chase away any who could possibly cause him trouble, he has very few friends. Preferring to keep to himself, he often finds himself Fighting with England, throwing rocks at his windows and yelling about getting his independence. His bosses at the SNP have recently announced a call for a Referendum in 2014, but It’s a very messy, undignified plan that Ian believes is being gone about entirely the wrong way. He would like his independence as much as he has always been bugging for, but not in the way his people are forcing into it.