Nations in Scottish universities

Nations in Scottish universities are a traditional grouping of students in some of the ancient universities in Scotland, although largely their significance has been forgotten.

At the University of Glasgow, Nations were used until 1977, for Rectorial election purposes. The University has some four nations, originally called Clidisdaliae, Thevidaliae, Albaniae and Rosay, and later as Glottiana, Loudoniana, Transforthana and Rothseiana. Respectively, their heraldic symbols are: a two headed bird over crossed tools, an anchor over crossed tools, a horn over crossed tools and a sailing ship over crossed tools.

Three of the 'nations' consisted of defined areas in Scotland, with Loudoniana consisting of students from all other places. The heraldic symbols of the nations can be seen in the stonework of a number of university buildings, including the Glasgow University Union and the chapel, under the Latin title of the university.

The University of Aberdeen also had a system of nations.Similarly, Aberdeen used the nations system for rectorial elections after the establishment of elected Rectors under the (a practice only before known to Glasgow, and Marischal College in Scotland). The four nations elected procurators, who in turn chose the Rector of the wider university. In case of a tie, the decision was left to the university's Chancellor.

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