The Tree Legs of Man by Douglas Scott

The Isle of Man is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea. The island is not part of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom takes care of its external and defence affairs. The island's capital Douglas the finance centre and working harbour.

The Island's parliament is Tynwald, which dates back from at least AD 979. The Three Legs of Man is the island's symbol of Independence and means Whichever way you throw me I stand. The isle even has its own tartan whose colours refer to its landscape and flora pale blue, yellow, white, green and purple.

Castletown was the islands capital for hundreds of years until the parliament moved to Douglas in the 1870s. The town has a busy harbour and an open air market. It saw the end of major commercial traffic to its port in the 1970's. Castletown holds true as one of the oldest towns in the British Isles. Its narrow streets and small fishing cottages prove this ancient past.

Local specialities include the succulent delicious Manx queenies and Manx kipper, Manx Spirit and locally brewed beer. The national dish of the island is Spuds and Herrin, boiled potatoes and herring.

A variety of night life can be found all over the island, but particularly in Douglas no matter what your tastes, from concerts to clubs. The main shopping area on the Island is Strand Street, located in the centre of Douglas.

Every year thousands of motor cyclists flock to the Isle of Man to experience the excitement of TT racing, the high speed motor cycle race on public roads. Since the first race in 1907, this event has been touted as the motor cyclist's Mecca. In 1911 the race moved to the present Mountain Circuit. During the event, the island comes a live with parties, stalls, rock concerts and night club events.

A tourist attractions is the Great Laxey Wheel, the largest surviving water wheel in Europe. This engineering marvel, with a circumference of 228 feet, was first powered up in 1854 to provide water to the neighbouring mine. It was christened Lady Isabella in honour of the wife of the islands governor.

Rushen Abbey is the most substantial and important medieval religious site in the Isle of Man, It became a significant religious building, housing Cistercian monks who also founded a nunnery on the out skirts of Douglas. Not only the important story of this site but also the Christian heritage of the Island.

Author Resource: Douglas Scott writes and works for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The Isle of Man Italian Rental Site

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