Ireland and Scotland Trip

From what I understand about the Irish and Scottish cultures, both are very proud and committed to their heritage. The Irish are mostly very Catholic and devout to their religion. So much so, that they fought for a long time to become independent of Britain's protestant ways. Northern Ireland still has a group, known as the Irish Republican Army, that radically fights in an attempt for Northern Ireland's independence. Many of the Scottish are also trying to gain their independence from Britain. They are going to have an election later this year. 

I don't really know too much else about these cultures and i understand that not everything is as it seems. I greatly look forward to speaking with the locals and learning about their culture first hand.