Why is the British police force called Scotland Yard?

Answer 1

The world-renowned London police force, which was established in 1829 and had its first administrative headquarters at No. 4 Whitehall, a street in Westminster, in a neighborhood of government buildings. Out back was a plot of land long known as Great Scotland Yard where a public entrance was built.

The origin of the name Scotland Yard is not certain. One theory mentions that the land was once owned by a Mr. Adam Scot, while another suggests that the land had been set aside as a London residence for the Kings of Scotland, which was never built. Early in the 17th century, noted architects Inigo Jones and Christopher Wren lived in a house on the site, as did poet John Milton.

By 1887, the Yard was running out of space, and a new building was constructed on the Thames Embankment. After numerous expansions, New Scotland Yard was built in 1967 on Victoria Street. Great Scotland Yard had in fact been the site of a London palace used by visiting Scottish kings in medieval times.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

When the Metropolitan Police were being established in 1829, one of the first tasks was to find a building to act as the new headquarters. The building was at 4 Whitehall Place.
The new building was adjacent to the Public Carriage Office where a Commissioner was already responsible for the licensing of taxi cabs. When the public went to see the new Commissioners, they used the back entrance of 4 Whitehall Place the rear of which was converted into a police station. The reception area soon became known as "Back Hall", an expression still used today in the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police. This entrance was in Great Scotland Yard, off Whitehall, and the building soon became known as Scotland Yard.

Answer 4

The origins of the name Scotland Yard are unclear. There are two stories about it. One is that Scotland Yard owns its name to Great Scotland Yard, a London street, because its original headquarters –at 4, Whitehall Place- backed onto that street. The other story is that 4, Whitehall place was the place where Scottish ambassadors used to reside (before England and Scotland got united),and, for that reason, the place was known as Scotland.

Answer 5

Because of the former location. It's a street name.

Answer 6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_yard#History


i think like many famous buildings, it is based on its physical characteristics, ie Pentagon, the White House, etc.