-- Scotland for Americans --

Films: Local Hero

2008-02-24T15:42:00.000-08:00

Local Hero: It is the 25th anniversary of a film that highlights the ecentricitries of Scotland. If you have not seen it you should. The phone booth in the film is a tourist attraction and many of the film locations are worth a visit. Here is a website to give you the location spots. CLICK HERE

And another site for even more location spots: CLICK HERE

Check out the BBC's news story on the anniversary. CLICK HERE

Click on the picture of the phone booth to learn more about the phone booth location.

If you are a fan of Burt Lancaster you'll love the film.

Hiking: Ben Nevis, Scotland's Tallest Mountain

2008-02-17T18:05:00.000-08:00

The tallest mountain in Scotland is Ben Nevis. In fact, it is the tallest mountain in the British Isles. The mountain is over 4,000 ft tall. Click on the picture and see a recent webcam of the mountain.

The mountain is near Ft. William and many people hike it. It is possible but there are some safety concerns as the weather changes quickly and can strand hikers.

If you click on the wikipedia account of the mountain you can read about all the rescues needed in the past ten years.

Click and view the video below of a climb on Ben Nevis.

Hike: Dunkeld

2008-02-15T18:03:00.000-08:00

Click on the picture and take a virtual hike in Dunkeld.

Dunkeld is a great little town. We stayed there in 2003 and really enjoyed ourselves. Check out the video below:

There is also a great pub where the legendary Dougie MacLean plays. If you are lucky you might be able to hear him or his mates give up a rendition of his tunes. See the video below to get a flavor of the good music you can hear in Dunkeld.

TAKE A HIKE!!

2008-02-14T05:13:00.000-08:00

With the discovery of the white stag, the interest to hike Scotland should increase. Anywhere you go in Scotland is a good hike. The best part of Scotland is that you can walk for miles, feel totally safe, and experience places you will never forget. Click on the picture and go to the link walkhighlands.co.uk.

A hike through a small hamlet can be as rewarding as a hike through the highlands. However, the highlands and lochs offer views to warm your heart.

A good place to start is Fort William. There should be plenty of B&Bs to make your hiking headquarters. Downtown Fort William has good pubs and shops. You can't go wrong. Loch Linhe is one of my favorite views. The hike along won't be for the escapist because roads line the loch, but it is a beautifully nestled place.

Just above Oban is a nature center with otters, sharks and stingrays.

At the center, there is a tank full of tiny sharks. You can feed the sharks with your own hands. It's very cool. There are also stingrays as well.

It's fun and the kids will love it. When we were there some American students were guides.

For the serious hiker, Scotland has many places almost too numerous to name but for me, I like traveling on the grounds where my bloodline started. It is hard to imagine the way of life in the 14th century.

I will come up with a few good hikes for you in the next few posts.

Get out your maps.

BBC America: It's a bit like New Coke.

2008-02-13T03:58:00.000-08:00

The BBC is great at many things. First, their attention to international news outweighs American counterparts. The reason of course is financial. American broadcasters did not see the benefit of the many foreign bureaus they use to have spread throughout the world. Americans just don't really care about news too far from home. At least in-depth news. When was the last time the networks did a story on Kenya or Darfur or Uganda? Been a while. Americans also love icons. And so it seems BBC America has to sell the hosts to the American people like the other American networks.

For me, it doesn't work. The real BBC you can watch overseas is hard hitting, thorough and not watered down. The hosts are generic reporters who do not get publicity for sitting in a chair.

That's just my view on it but I like the BBC News I get overseas to the America version. They seemed to have crammed the two hosts into a closet in Washington and the news comes to us Americanized. We already get that. Why they don't just give us the news from overseas befuddles me. I think it would be a real wake up call and would provide better news.

Instead the weaker version is just as good as a local affiliate. Again, just my opinion.

However, at least we get the BBC. In any form it is better than nothing.

BREAKING NEWS: White Stag Spotted in Scotland

2008-02-12T04:39:00.000-08:00

A rare white stag was sighted in Scotland. It is a rare sight and I thought I'd bring it to your attention. Legends says they bring messages from another world.

It is legend that you see. Like Narnia or Lord of the Rings, this is the real deal. Of course, the last one seen last year was shot and killed.

In 2007, the only white stag believed to be in Britain was shot and beheaded by poachers. The decapitated 300lb carcass of the animal was found strung up from a tree.

The White Stag is actually a variant of the male red deer. The one sighted in 2007 was kept secret for years. The people of the community where the deer was found considered the deer sacred.

The deer is sacred in many traditions and in Celtic and Egyptian mythologies.

Hopefully, the new white stag will remain alive. Unfortunately all the added press will bring out poachers who may repeat the acts of 2007.

Check out the video below and see the footage of the stag. It is not a hoax, white stags do exist.

Golf Scotland: On the Cheap

2008-02-11T03:18:00.000-08:00

Okay, so you don't have the time or money to spend on a legitimate round of golf.

Well, here's a cheap alternative.

If you are traveling near Stirling. The Mrs. wants to see the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle, which are both fine places, but you want to get out and enjoy the fresh air and hit a few golf balls.

Well, take a bus to the University or drive depending on what type of transport you have and check out their par-3 course. You'll only need three clubs to play. A seven iron, a pitching wedge and a putter.

It is a good place to practice your short game. I was lucky enough to play the course every day as a student. It only cost me $4 a round...and well, if you behave yourself and it is not crowded, you can go around again and no one will get upset.

Stirling University has a very good Sports Management program and the course is used by the golf team as a practice facility. You can get lessons from the pro, but you'll have to ask in advance.

The scenery is quite nice. The Wallace Monument is always in view, the loch provides a beautiful backdrop and the mountain of Dumyat gives it a special touch as well.

The Scottish Premiere League team from Falkirk practices just off the 2nd tee. There are football pitches and practices facilities for the team. The locker rooms for the team are part of the golf course pro shop.

If you want pristine greens and fairways, this is not your golf course. If you want to have a relaxing hour of golf crammed into your travels, this is the perfect spot.

You'll meet real Scots, play a few difficult pitch shots and face some mean bunkers. You won't be disappointed by the scenery either.

The staff at the pro shop are very nice and will probably chat with you for a good ten minutes before you head out the door.

I enjoyed golfing there because I saved money, worked my irons and practiced my short game.

There is one very challenging hole #7. It is a narrow fairway, into a valley with a hole on a steep hill. It's probably a 150 yard shot to the pin. With just a seven iron, it is a tough shot.

The course won't open until April and the wait can feel like forever when the sunny days of March come around.

The greens are very slow and hairy. Don't expect world class greens. However, it is good training for the public courses in Scotland.

Most greens are the same throughout Scotland.

After the round there are numerous places to get a pint on campus. The MacRoberts Center probably is the closest. You can pick up the bus there as well. So go have a pint, then get on a bus and meet back up with the Mrs.

Cheers.

Golf: A Hidden Gem of a Course

2008-02-10T06:16:00.000-08:00

The Falkirk Golf Club is one course for the tourist who does not want to pay a fortune to get a good round of golf but wants to play on a good quality course.
It is conveniently located between Glasgow and Edinburgh. You can take the train and get off close to the course. It makes it easy for those who send their wives shopping and the boys want to go out for a day's round.

I have never golfed the course, but have passed by it frequently. In seeing the course, I inquired about it and the locals gave it good reviews.

The layout reminds me of many US courses but what sets it apart is the rough. You won't be able to slice the ball in many places without losing your ball for good.

The first thing you should learn about Scottish golf is the rough is tougher than anything you've ever experienced. Once a ball goes into the barbed wire like shrubbery, it's as good as gone. Or if it is high grass, good luck with your feet because you will never see it. You'll have to feel it with your foot.

But that's what makes the Scottish game so tough.

The greens are not spectacularly trimmed like many posh US courses. It can either benefit you or not, depending on your putting stroke.

And the sandtraps and bunkers are a bear. They are legendarily difficult at any Scottish course.

I give you Falkirk as a good place for a decent round. Click on any of the pictures and you can go to the course website.

A round is $60. Best of luck.

Golf: Scotland's Game

2008-02-09T05:10:00.000-08:00

Scotland and golf is like saying America and baseball. Many Americans go to Scotland to golf as if they are on a religious pilgrimage. The scenery at most Scottish golf courses beats what you see in the United States. Like many things in the United States, we make things a bit more sterile, commercial and of course, we must drive instead of walk.

Before you go to Scotland to golf the first thing you need to do is get in shape. You will have to get rid of the motorized cart and walk. It's a sacrifice but golf was made for walking and is part of the game. You're going into the heart and soul of golf and not a trip to Walmart.

Another thing you might need to do is get a letter from your local course. Some of the better courses in Scotland want to make sure you are not a hacker. They want to know your handicap before you play.

I will give tips on if you want a serious golf trip or just want to say you played a round in Scotland.

Today, we will start with a difficult course and one worthy of good golfers. Carnoustie Golf Course.

With the ocean in view on every hole it is a stunner. It is also very easy to get to. Take a train from Glagow and there is a train stop near the course. You probably don't even need a cab, depending on if you have brought your own clubs. As a tourist, I don't think you need clubs as you can rent them.

There are three different courses at Carnoustie and depending on your ability and your check book, you may find one better than the other. You must contact the course before you get there. You won't be able to just walk on. A simple email can solve those problems from arrising. Also, the three courses have three various rates.

The Championship Course will cost you $250 for a round.

The Burnside Course will cost you $68 for a round.

And the Buddon Links Course will cost you $60 a round.

Club rental is $60.

Shoe rental is $20.

A caddie will cost you $80

President George H. W. Bush at Carnoustie with Caddie Master Martin Roy.

As you can tell a golf trip to Scotland can be very expensive. If you are planning on going to many courses, bring your clubs as your expenses for rentals will climb.

Don't get depressed. If you just want the experience of hitting a golf ball in Scotland, I'll give you some cheaper alternatives. One of my best experiences in Scotland was the first time I hit a golf ball and realized I had finally made it to the golf mecca. And the day I went to St. Andrews, I didn't even golf and I was moved to tears.

If you love golf, you will fall in love with Scotland. You may play on better courses but you will never experience the game the way it was meant to be, in any other place.

Shinty: A Unique Scottish Sport

2008-02-08T03:28:00.000-08:00

Shinty is a game similar to hockey and lacrosse. However, it is different from hockey and lacrosse in that the feet can be used to stop the ball but not the hands (unless you are the goal-keeper). You can carry the ball on your caman (stick) which can be swung above sholder height. It is a fast moving game where being physically fit counts.

The game is played with 2 teams of 12 players. Each player has a curved stick called a Caman (pronounced ca-man). Each game lasts 90 minutes. it is a community gamed played in some of the most remote parts of ScotlandStudents at Stirling University played the sport on a regular basis. They would carry their caman's with them throughout the day and then play in leagues at night.

The one thing noticeable between field hockey and shinty is the rough nature of the sport. You can use the stick above your head. Some players were able to toss the ball upward, using their stick, and then whack it like a baseball to forward the ball.

Very impressive when seen in person.

Here's some video with Gaelic commentators...

Cricket - An Aquired Taste

2008-02-07T04:39:00.001-08:00

Let's be frank, at first glance cricket is about as exciting as watching paint dry. It also seems to be a sport without any rules or too many rules or just bizarre rules.

After awhile, once you start to understand the sport, you gain an appreciation for it.

In the United States, it is very difficult to see a cricket match. In Scotland, the highlights are on television. Instead of quick snippets of action, you can see long segments of matches. Considering that some of these matches can last hours or days, a long television segment may be required to fully describe the action. It is in watching the highlights at night where I learned the game. I'm still a novice but I can describe to you what I believe.

To start with, imagine baseball where instead of three outs and you change sides, you let one team play all of their outs (27), all their innings (9) at once. So let's say they have all their at bats and score 11 runs. I only use the MLB numbers for a comparision...but in cricket a player is allowed only one out, and basically they play only one inning. However, matches last for hours depending on the skills of both bowler and batter.

Now imagine if our Yankees had all their at bats, then the Red Sox come up and bat and they have to either tie the 11 runs or best the 11 runs with 12.

That's cricket in a nutshell.

The biggest difference is the scores. A cricket player can score points for ground balls, foul balls, home runs, and singles. In the end a good day for a cricket player is 100 points. It is called the century mark.

The field is a circle, so a "baseball foul ball" could be a home run.

Here is the field and how the field is covered by the pitching team. A short stop would be the "Stiff Cover" position.

The "Bowler" is the pitcher. He throws the ball overhanded and is allowed to run up to the line. To see how it is done check the scottish highlights:

This is where most of the action takes place.
The objective of the bowler is to hit the wicket. The objective of the batter is to protect the wicket and hit the ball to score points.

Two batsman run back in forth from the Popper's End to the Knacker's End and vice-versa to score points. Each time they cross the line they get a point.

For more rules go to .

Scotland does not have the best cricket team, but England, Australia, South Africa and Pakistan are the best in the business. Australia has been very good lately and their bowlers are first rate.

I gained appreciate for the sport when I realized how the batters must hit every pitch. If they let it get by them, it hits a wicket and they are out and done for the match. So, imagine Randy Johnson running at you, throwing a ball in the dirt and you have to hit it? That's cricket.

Before you toss it off as being a weird sport with no athletic prowess, think again.

Here's a few videos of what I mean:

Rugby Rules in Scotland

2008-02-06T04:11:00.001-08:00

Every year Scotland participates in the Six Nations Rugby Tournament. It is the sporting event that takes the headlines. The fans react to it similar to how we react to March Madness. Scotland is struggling lately to do well in the tournament and unfortunately England has a very good team, which can get upsetting.

The six teams are: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.

If you have never seen a rugby match then you may not appreciate the athleticism and brute force of the matches. The game is very similar to American football however, no one wears pads and even the big defensive guys have to run up and down the field all the time. There are no substitutions every play. These guys are fit and the game is brutal. Blood and broken bones are common each game.

Scotland was destroyed on Sunday by France in a 27-6 match played in Edinburgh at Murrayfield.

France has a very good team. It would not be surprising to see England play France in the finals.

Below are some rugby highlights from previous seasons. Check it out and experience the frenzied nature of rugby.

Scotland vs. Ireland: They aren't the same.

2008-02-05T03:00:00.000-08:00

A pet peeve of mine and one that will roll the eyes or get blank stares from Scots is to think Ireland and Scotland are the same. Unfortunately, ignorant Americans lump Ireland and Scotland together because of music or kilts or accents or a combination of the three. Another reason is the "over there" factor. A basic lack of knowledge causes a lot of the confusion. A lack of caring keeps the indescretion from being corrected.

I will attempt to illustrate the differences and hopefully educate those who link the two countries.

Ireland
Ireland is a country of its own. It is an island by itself. Ireland's currency is the Euro. Scotland's currency is the Pound.

Ireland has a booming software industry and is the "silicone valley" of Europe.

Scotland is known for banking. The Royal Bank of Scotland owns many US banks.

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Irish names begin with Mc.

McCarthy
McLaughlin

Scottish names begin with Mac.

MacKenzie
MacGregor
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Northern Ireland
When I was in Scotland, when Ireland was discussed the reference was to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland still belongs to the United Kingdom.

Northern Ireland is the onclave of the Protestants of Ireland. This is the area of the "troubles". This small part of Ireland is the only part that links Scotland and Ireland but they are as similar as Puerto Rico is to Texas. They may look familar in lots of ways but it is in the details the differences can be seen.

I think the analogy of Puerto Rico to Texas is the best for explaining the differences between Northern Ireland and Scotland. There are cultural differences and political differences.

The accents are different. Their history is different.

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IRELAND

The flag of Ireland is flown only in Ireland. Ireland has a President and a Prime Minister. They do not have a Queen.

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THE UNITED KINGDOM
consists of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

The Union flag (Union Jack) is flown in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. They constitute the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has a Prime Minister as well as a Queen.

This flag is the governmental flag of Northern Ireland.

This is the flag of England: St. George's Cross. Notice if you put the Scottish flag and the St. George's Cross together you get the Union flag.

This is the flag of Scotland. Scotland has its own parliament but it acts much the same way as our state government. The federal decisions are made in Westminister, England. Scotland has representatives in British Parliament, again however, the affairs of Scotland are privy to the Scottish Parliament. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown, is Scottish and with it comes much disdain and expectations from his fellow Scots.

This is the flag of Wales. Don't forget, Wales is also a member of the United Kingdom.

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Ireland has its own television news network. http://www.rte.ie/ Click on the link and check it out. You might want to compare it to the BBC... http://www.bbc.co.uk/. When the BBC discusses "Ireland" it directly refers to Northern Ireland. You can click on the links inside the BBC site and you will see what I mean.

I have heard many Americans confuse Scotland with Ireland and ignorantly toss their confusion as a "what's the difference?" There is a huge difference for those who know better. If you go to Scotland and believe there is no difference, I suggest to you there is no differences between Canadians and Americans.

The next time someone lumps the two countries together, you can educate them of their ignorance.

Super Bowl Not Super in Scotland

2008-02-04T07:10:00.000-08:00

Despite the contrary articles (click on picture for one), I never found many Scots in Scotland who knew anything about the NFL. They may know about the Super Bowl, probably because it is one of the few games available. Ex-pats and students cared greatly about the NFL on Sunday, but I recall sitting with ten US students in the basement of the University watching the games alone, while a hundred students upstairs watched the English Premiere League.

I was recently informed the Scots are excited about the New York Giants because of Lawrence Tynes, the kicker. He's the only Scot in the NFL.

Lawrence Tynes

The BBC aired the Super Bowl for the first time this year and I know ex-pats were very happy to be watching it on free telly.

If you click on the STV website, no mention of the Super Bowl is given. The Six Nations Rugby tournament gets more press. From my experiences, it is the case. American football is still an American game despite all the press. Yes, London may have its hot spots but probably the reason is the businessmen and women who travel may boost up the interest.

In Scotland, the NFL is as common to them as cricket is to us. Really. The NBA is another story. Scots like basketball and follow the NBA. I have seen many basketball jerseys being worn around. I saw a Lebron James jersey on some kid waiting for a train and I thought I'd say something but thought better of it.

If you wear a NFL shirt or hat or anything like that, you will be immediately identified as American. Baseball caps are rare, however, the only caps you will see are New York Yankee caps. Why? Because they see it as a trendy logo and not as a hated or loved team. It means New York to them. It means they've traveled or just want to look cool. Look at this guy running for office.

If you don't want to be identified immediately as an American, I suggest you leave the baseball caps at home. Unless you are a Yankee fan, of course. However, I strongly recommend you don't wear the cap. If you saw Trainspotting, you may remember the American tourist that walked into the bar wearing his baseball cap and jacket, only to be beaten up. Well, you may not be beaten, but there will be a bit of disdain for your gaudy American fan wear. Just a thought.

Final Accent

2008-02-03T09:25:00.001-08:00

We'll do more on accents later I'm sure, but three days on a topic is quite enough for now.

If you want to learn more about Scottish accents here are a few places to go.

Click on the Wallace Monument for one site...

And if you haven't heard the Robin Williams take on Scottish accents, then you must see this:

Check out behind the scenes of BBC Radio Scotland and hear some proper Scottish accents.

Scottish Comedy: Funny Accents and all that!

2008-02-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

To continue the discussion on accents and dialects, how about some more Scottish humor to help us better understand Scotland.

Billy Connolly is one of Scotland's favorite sons. He's up there with Sir Sean Connery. Check out his tourist information below:

The Reality TV show, "Big Brother" is a huge success throughout Europe. In the UK, it almost caused an international incident when I was there when an Indian movie star was not treated properly and racist remarks were incited.
Here's Billy on Reality TV.

And there are two things you need to know about Scottish Football...Celtic and Rangers.

Billy's bang on with the football chants.

Accents, Dialects

2008-02-01T03:16:00.000-08:00

The Scottish accent is music to the ears of tourists but at times the dialects can be very difficult. For example, watch this clip.

The video will give you an idea what it will be like when you arrive in Glasgow and ask a bus driver for information. Don't be surprised if he gives you some of the same slang.

Glasgow is one place where the accent can be very difficult to understand as the speakers will more than likely add their regional dialect to the discussion. The dialects are what takes time to understand. A dialect is associated with a particular class and with it jargon unlike anything you hear in the United States.

As you move around Scotland, the accent changes. The rolling gutteral speak of Glasgow will disappear as you travel to Edinburgh. The dialect is less stated and you won't be gobsmacked with words you don't coomprehend. As you head north to Inverness the accent becomes even more neutral. In Skye, you may meet one or two with the stereotyped rolling "r"s.

For the most part, Glasgow is the toughest place to carry on a conversation. You may want to get a book that helps with local slang. It won't help much, however, as the speaker will be saying it at hundred miles an hour. You have to live there a while to pick up any part of the conversation. But, don't give up.

Here's one tip...don't say I stained my pants....pants means underwear in Scotland. Say, I stained my trousers. Right, then...ya danna wanna be a bampot...that'll be pish.

Scottish groceries: A few suggestions

2008-01-31T05:14:00.000-08:00

A few last grocery ideas.

The lamb steak is awesome in Scotland. Anything with lamb is good in my book from lamb curry to lamb mince (which I put in spagetti sauce). However, the mince gives off an odd smell when cooked. The mince is inexpensive. The lamb steak on the other hand, is expensive. It is odd for a country full of sheep to have such high lamb prices but that's just the way it is.

I've never had a deep fried Mars bar, because my cholesterol level would kill me afterward. But a deep fried Mars bar is supposedly the coveted cuisine of the tourist looking to experience the unique ways of Scots. I always suggest keeping something in your travel bag to help you fend off hunger. You'd be better off filling up with candy than go into a restaurant or grocery store famished.

You can get Haggis, Neeps and Tatties in the frozen foods but it is not worth it. As you experience haggis in your travels you will experience the different quality. You will know what a good haggis tastes like if you have been properly served in a fine restaurant or B&B. For your first taste of haggis, don't go to the frozen food aisle or buy a can. Bring a can back or open one up after you've had the better haggis. Your first experience should be pleasant. A fresh haggis can taste wonderful. Even my wife agrees, there is a difference in haggis and a quality dinner is very good.

You may look at the rows of soup and not know what brand to buy. I actually preferred the cheaper soup, Granny's. It is inexpensive but tastes very good. It has a bit more sodium but the soup was a staple in my daily life. The soup went well with a sandwich. I highly recommend it for a cheap lunch.

Scottish groceries: Slang

2008-01-30T05:41:00.001-08:00

Chips or crisps?

In Scotland, chips are french fries. Crisps are potatoe chips. Both are a staple of Scottish life. Crisps can be very pricey compared to the United States. The bags are smaller and have less content but the varieties of crisps is quite expansive. You can find "baked" crisps but they are very rare. Scots like the traditional crisps. Chips are served with everything. I have witnessed dozens of combinations of dinners with chips as part of the meal. I even witnessed a young girl eating lasagne with chips.

The government understood the health risks of chips and began to take them out of the school. The parents did not support the idea, instead, showed up at the school gates with fast food, crisps and chips for their kids.

Another slang term is "take-away". Instead of "drive-thru", they have take-aways.

Also, you don't stand in line, you stand in a queue, pronounced "cue". It is very important in the UK to stand in queue properly. Cutting in line or being rude is a big mistake. Be patient and stand in queue politely.

A hint: Americans are noisy and obnoxious...if you fit the stereotype. When in queue do not talk about your life, the fascinating things you see, or ramble on about anything. Be quiet, stand in line, and listen to the people around you. You went on vacation to soak in the culture. You will learn a lot about the culture by standing in queue properly. Watch, listen and take it all in.

Save Money Traveling: Groceries

2008-01-29T06:38:00.001-08:00

Not to fulfill the Scottish stereotype, but to help you keep your vacation within budget I recommend a few tips. Here's a couple of ideas that may save you money, or allow you to put more money into other things such as purchasing souvenirs or something else.

Self-catering saves you money but it may limit your mobility. If you pick a central location and stay in one place, you can fill up your shelves and refrigerator with stuff. At the same time, you can experience living in Scotland like a local. The grocery store experience puts you in the same circles of the locals.

Instead of buying expensive soda buy this unique product. Fruit Squash.

It is concentrated fruit juice. Mix it with bottled water and you can make it last and spend pennies a day. You can carry it with you as you travel. If you plan to go hiking it is something to think about.

Breakfast is a must, as it fuels you up for a vigorous day of travel. You can buy breakfast foods at the grocery store, experience a good Scottish breakfast and save money as well. Most restaurants are not open for breakfast. I have found the breakfast restaurant is an American thing. The B&B provides a great breakfast, as well as hotels provide something to nibble on in the morning but you may have to wait until lunch to get any food on the road. So if you self-cater, you will need to load up on breakfast goods. You can get a pack (see picture) of good Scottish breakfast staples. I do not like black pudding and you may as well. It is basically pig or lamb blood. Yuck. But some love it.

You can get breakfast cereal easily and it is the same stuff as in the States. Sometimes they put it in different packaging, but you will figure it out.

If you don't want to spend much for dinner, I recommend the margherta pizzas. You can get a two for one pizza deal in any of the grocery stores pretty easily. They are pretty good for frozen pizzas. I would have one every Friday night.

The strongest suggestion to you is to enjoy one really good meal. The lunch menu is usually good until 5pm...so if you eat early you will also save money. But if you take care of getting a good breakfast in the morning, you can have a few extra pounds for a good dinner out. Maybe an extra pint or two.

Scottish groceries: For the self-caterer.

2008-01-28T03:32:00.000-08:00

When you look into vacations in Scotland, be aware of the self-catering option. Basically what it means is you buy your own food. As I have said many times, the grocery stores are very good in Scotland and they range in price and quality. The low end being Somerfeld, the middle Tesco and the high end Sainsbury's.

Scottish orange juice comes from South Africa.

Yogurt is available in stores for a good price. Look for deals, similar to the ones in the States...5 for a pound, etc.

Salmon is a good deal. This salmon was on sale for 4 dollars a pound.

Beer is much cheaper in the store, just like in the States. You can get a 12 pack for the same price you would pay in the States. Tennents is the most popular and common beer in pubs.

If you want an American beer, there is Budweiser but there is also Miller. The Miller tastes a little different than the American version and you can get good deals on buying the full pint cans.

You can get Pespi and Coke products the same as you can in the States. They usually come in smaller cans.

For coffee, instant seems to be more popular. Most self-catering accomodations will have hot water kettles. I recommend you go with good old Nescafe or else you may get some really strong Scottish coffee you may not enjoy.

If you really wanta to try something new and uniquely Scottish, you must try Irn-Bru. It is an orange-type soda natives love. Rumor has it, it is good for hangovers. But you will find more Irn-Bru then Coke or Pepsi. My suggestion is you give it a try. It may grow on you.

BLACK CURRANT: Scottish food

2008-01-27T07:18:00.000-08:00

One thing I found frustrating while in Scotland was the jam I could buy. I could not find regular grape jelly. Welch's does not sell anything overseas and so, concord grape jelly is out.

The only thing close was black currant jam. And if you ever had it, you may like it but I find it too tart and did not mix well with peanut butter.

I would make a sandwich and go for a hike. Unfortunately, I would take out my sandwich, start to eat it and my face would pucker up with dislike for the fruity jam. It ruined my PB&J.

You could find other jams such as strawberry and raspberry, but I'm a grape jelly guy.

If you stay in Scotland for a vacation it is not a big deal. You can handle the black currant for a week or two. In fact, don't miss a Scottish breakfast if you can help it. The breakfasts are fantastic and will get into more of that tomorrow.

But if you had to eat black currant as your own grape-like jam, you'd get sick of it as well. It's an American thing I guess.

If you have a peanut butter and jam sandwich this week, think about the wonderful taste you take for granted.

Hidden Gem: Loch Ericht

2008-01-26T08:25:00.000-08:00

Loch Ericht is a hidden gem, nestled off the train station at Dalwhinnie. It is easy to get to by train and requires no car. If you can walk, you can enjoy the loch. I suggest you pick a nice day, however, so you can sit on the shore and take in the scenery.

The estate at the Dalwhinnie side of the loch offers lodging.

Click on the picture of the Lodge and get a booking form and see the costs of a stay.

Click the map to see the location of the loch and get directions as well.

To get a good view of the loch, play the video below. It is a remote place you will enjoy for a good day of contemplation, relaxation and reflection.

There is a very nice pub near the loch with a fine restaurant inside. You can rent bikes at the pub. I suggest you get there at the beginning of the day and make the rental fee worth the price.

This is a picture of the pub and restaurant.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RABBIE!

2008-01-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Today is Robert Burns birthday. If you are a fan of Scotland, then you should be celebrating today. For Robert Burns was a great man, a great Scot, and worthy of a holiday.

Burns was a romancer, a farmer and a patriot. He is Scotland's favorite son.

He was born on January 25, 1759. He came from a poor farming background. Although he recieved a good education despite his family situation. He had a zests for the life of poetry, nature, women, and drink.

Some of his writings were political in nature...

Some were romantic...

And some downright scary....

The death of Robert Burns was very sad. The doctor advised him to go swimming in cold water to cure his rheumatic fever and instead got pneumonia. He died at 37.

Enjoy a good Burns Night and in the spirit of Burns, I write:

'Tis but more we wish and none we get,

A broken vow and promise.

Of which God sees and tells us,

We are frail afterall.

No bonnie reason for such tirade,

To swear to Him that is betrayed.

Of men of arms, and golden tributes,

We break bread as well as arms.

But in the heather is true blood,

Cast due to loyalty and of oath.

We celebrate the patriots who died,

And scorn those who fled.

For patriots are born to die,

And louts to wed.

We make peace by making war,

And taking her to bed.

BURNS CLUBS: A man is a man for a' that

2008-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Robert Burns Club in Ayr

Robert Burns is a National Hero in Scotland. His life is celebrated and honored as much as George Washington's in the United States. Some places in the US, will hail the fact the Washington slept there. The same thing happens in Scotland where towns claim to be a place where Burns lived. Click on the pictures in this entry to go to the various clubs. On their sites you can learn more about Burns and get a true impression of how Scots feel about Burns. It is something very unique.

If you would like to join a Burns club, here's a start. The World Federation.

Click on the image of Burns and join.

Click the picture to the left and watch a video to get you in the mood for Burns Night.

TO A HAGGIS by Robert Burns

1.Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,

Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!

Aboon them a' ye tak your place,

Painch, tripe, or thairm:

Weel are ye wordy of a grace

As lang's my arm.

2.The groaning trencher there ye fill,

Your hudies like a distant hill,

Your pin wad help to mend a mill

In time o' need,

While thro' your pores the dews distil

Like amber bead.

3.His knife see rustic Labour dight,

An' cut ye up wi' ready slight,

Trenching your gushing entrails bright,

Like onie ditch;

And then, O what a glorious sight,

Warm-reeking, rich!

4.Then horn for horn, they stretch an' strive:

Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,

Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve

Are bent like drums;

Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,

'Bethankit!' hums.

5.Is there that owre his French ragout,

Or olio that wad staw a sow,

Or fricassee wad mak her spew

Wi perfect scunner,

Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view

On sic a dinner?

6.Poor devil! see him owre his trash,

As fecl;ess as a wither'd rash,

His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,

His nieve a nit;

Tho' bluidy flood or field to dash,

O how unfit.

7.But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,

The trembling earth resounds his tread,

Clap in his walie nieve a blade,

He'll make it whistle;

An' legs, an' arms, an' heads will sned

Like taps o' thrissle.

8.Ye pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care,

And dish them out their bill o' fare,

Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware,

That jaups in luggies;

But if ye wish her gratfu' prayer,

Gie her a Haggis!

Burns Night

2008-01-23T04:53:00.001-08:00

Burns night is January 25th. It is a ritual similar to Thanksgiving but with many differences. The first thing you will notice is the dress. Men wear kilts and woman in tartan dresses. The mood is extremely festive.

The haggis. It is the most important part of the night. It is going to be eaten and addressed (spoken of). You will not understand most of what is said, as the speeches are written in old Scottish tongue. But you will get the point.

Right now, Scotland is considering lobbying the United States to lift a ban on hagis, in hopes of boosting the sales of the sheep-stomach-based national dish. (click here for the full story)

I was lucky to be used as prop in the filming of how a proper "Burns Night Dinner" should be done. I was the "virgin American" and it was a great experience. The boys got in an argument on the pronouncation of one word. I can't quite remember what word although it was a fiery debate between the president of one Burns Club against the other. That's how serious it is.

"To the Haggis" is the first poem spoken and the one that cuts the haggis for the dinner to commence. Kind of like carving the turkey.

I went to an informal Burns night and the same poem is read but not one measures each word and action. It is said and dinner starts, however, part of their dinner was reading poetry about the guests and it was very fun.

The idea is to have fun. Burns loved to have fun and so to keep his spirit alive, Burns Nights should be exciting, with loud voices, good drink and food plus dancing.

ROBERT BURNS

2008-01-22T06:25:00.001-08:00

Robert Burns, poet, patriot and legend.

If there is one person you need to read about, it is Robert Burns. He is a legend in Scotland and his birthday celebration every year requires skill and knowledge to appreciate.

I was lucky enough to attend two Burns suppers in Scotland. In the next couple of days, I will provide ideas, stories and details about Burns supper. January 25th is his birthday and throughout Scotland, families, communities and all the rest will be celebrating with a dinner of haggis, neeps and tatties. A bottle of whisky will be emptied, songs will be sung, and dancing is a necessity. The joy of being a Scot will be celebrated.

Why? Robert Burns represents the spirit of Scotland for many reasons. He was a farmer and much debate is made of his farming. Some say he was unlucky and others say he was a poor farmer and much fiery debate will continue if you mention it.

As we prepare for the big night in the next few days, remember to be open minded and know that if you truly appreciate Scotland, you must appreciate this man. It is like not appreciating George Washington or Thomas Jefferson. In Robert Burns, his words define the nation.

MUSIC

2008-01-20T09:18:00.001-08:00

Maire Brennan

Check out the new feature on this site. I found a great website called, Pandora. The site offers a chance to listen to artists who sound similar to the ones you like. I put a few tunes to the right for you to check out. However, if you like the Pandora site, I suggest you sign up. It's free and it offers great music while you work.

I enjoy Maire Brennan and create a channel with similar artists. I also like David Gray and his music cared me through many a long walk.

I'll keep putting up different tunes with Scottish overtones. It will put you in the mood for Scottish things.

Currency: The Curse of Tourism

2008-01-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

Curry is a very popular food...at a good price.

Right now, the exchange rate is much better than it was six months ago. One US dollar is worth 0.511 British pounds. Or one pound is worth $1.95. The exchange was worse at over $2.00. You may not think it is a big deal, the 5 cents but it will all add up in the end.

Shopping in Inverness

It is only natural to be confused when you get to Scotland and because the numbers look smaller. 1.00 looks like 1.00...well really its 2.00. Double everything you see and you'll get a better idea how much you are really paying.

Downtown "High Street"of Stirling

Most "American" restaurants such as "Fridays"(in Glasgow) and "Longhorn Steakhouse"(in Stirling) use a menu you swear is from the United States. They got you. You may think you're buying a hamburger for 8.99 when you are actually buying it for 17.00. Comprehend? My advice is to avoid American restaurants (heck you aren't there to do American things). Pubs provide the best deal for the money.

From this sign, it looks like a mixed drink is $10.

I was able to purchase a bowl of soup, roll, and a pint for under 5 pounds in Stirling. A pint will cost you around $4 - $5 in most pubs, but remember a pint in Scotland is a beer and a half in the United States.

My "Thanksgiving" dinner from last year.

I know I'm throwing a lot of numbers around but the bottom line is to be careful eating out. Most restaurants will post their menus at the door. Take a good look and do the math. Edinburgh has some fantastic places to eat, unfortunately when you return home you will get your credit card bill and freak. Use your credit card when you can to get the better exchange rate. However, at the pubs use cash.

Anything resembling a touristy place, will rip you off. If you are not in Glasgow or Edinburh, things are cheaper. You can grab a nice lunch in many pubs. Pubs aren't like bars in the US. Pubs are community gathering places not havens for drunks. Although you may find a few (drunks that is), there is no reason to be afraid.

After a while you will understand how poorly the dollar stacks up against the pound. It is sad. You will wonder how Scots can afford things but I say the same thing when I go to New York City and pay $20 for eggs and bacon.

Avoid Heathrow Airport

2008-01-18T04:19:00.001-08:00

Flying through Heathrow is a headache.

Okay, your travel agent says the flight is cheaper if you fly into or through Heathrow Airport. Yes, probably it is cheaper. However, you are flying into England to go to Scotland. That's a bit like flying into Canada to get to the United States. If your vacation is in Scotland, you're wasting your time, money and eventually you will avoid headaches and anxiety.

It is timely to mention this little travel tip because yesterday they had a bit of an accident at the airport. A plane landed short of the runway and belly flopped onto the grass. No one was hurt. However it brings up a timely issue.

Weird things happen at Heathrow

Heathrow is a magnet for weird things and security issues. It is the largest airport in England and with it brings all the issues of a high profile place. Of course, Glasgow Airport had the weirdness of two guys wanting to burn themselves up by slamming their SUV into the entrance, so I can't single out Heathrow for weirdness. However, when I traveled through Heathrow here is what I learned.

Watch the monitors for gate departures closely. They will change on you without telling you or you want here the change. The airport is huge. Unbelievably big and thus getting from one gate to another can take a very long time. They will put you on a bus to move you from one terminal to the next and I swear the bus ride was an hour long.

Just be aware of what you are getting into when you buy a ticket. Traveling through Heathrow may seem like a cost saving but I would not recommend it. You'd be better off flying to Glasgow. Also, if you are flying to Edinburgh know that it is more expensive to fly to Edinburgh than Glasgow. And if you fly to Glasgow you can take the train to Edinburgh quite easily. The costs might offset, so be wise about what you plan to do. I find Glasgow airport very easy to get around. For New Yorkers, it's like going to the Albany airport. Not that big but big enough to host international flights.

Clans

2008-01-17T05:58:00.000-08:00

Piping in full kilt

Sometimes I take for granted that everyone understands the Clan system of Scottish heritage. It may be difficult to fully describe because it is such an intricate system.

Basically, if you have Scottish ancestory in your family, you can trace your family back to a particular Clan. Some family names end up being a subset or a branch of the main Clan.

The Clan system is what evolved as protective states within the country of Scotland. Think of the tribal systems in North America. Some Clans were friendly toward each other and others were bitter rivals. Think Hatfields and McCoys.

If your name starts with Mac...well, that's a good sign you have Scottish ancestory. If your name starts with Mc...that's a sign you have Irish ancestory. Not a scientific way to determine the line, but a simple litmus test.

My Clan is Cumming...which is a branch of the Comyn Clan. The Comyn Clan goes back a very long way. Our great ancestor, Red Comyn was one of the heirs to the throne of Scotland but Robert the Bruce (the first King of Scotland) murdered him in a church. Which caused a huge ruckus...Bruce was excommunicated from the church, which means he could not be king until he was forgiven. While his friends were trying to get the Pope to remove the excommunication, Bruce went and terrorized the Comyn clan. All lands belonging to Comyn were sliced up and the family was left scrambling for safety. Some changed their name and some joined the protection of other clans. I visited the remains of Dunphail Castle in Forres where our family was starved and burned out. We were the keepers of the forest there (which means we had hunting rights and we permited those we deemed to hunt in the forest). The rights were granted to the neighboring Clan, the Randolphs. It ended badly for us.
The remains of Dunphail Castle

Each clan has a tartan color that is distinctive to the clan. There are many legends about kilts and tartans but you just need to know if you have a clan...you have a tartan. There are many different styles of tartan, such as hunting, ancient and modern. Depending on what you want you can have a choice. A simple google search can help you but if you go to http://kiltstore.net/ it could be a good place to start.

Cumming Clan Tartan (modern)

Once you know there are specific tartans for specific families, you will feel foolish in another family's tartan. Kilt's are expensive and are unique. If you waste your money purchasing a kilt because it "looks good", you miss the point and will regret it when someone asks you what family kilt you have. You know if your name is Jones and you were a Smith...they'll either think your are unloyal, stupid, or both.

Each clan has a crest and a slogan. Our slogan is "Courage". We wear our crests with pride. You will become very prejudice of your tartans and crest. We all think ours is the best. It fits us. You will take pride in your kilt and gear.

The crest and slogan of Clan Cumming "Courage"

I will spend more time on kilts later. But for now, no that if you have Scottish ancestory you belong to a Clan. Unless of course, your family immigrated from another country and landed in Scotland.

Best of luck finding your clan.

Here's a site for you to help your search:

scotclans.com (click picture)

The Ultimate Scottish Vacation: Day Ten

2008-01-16T02:13:00.000-08:00

Glasgow: It is always hard to say goodbye, especially when you have fallen in love. The trip to Scotland went by fast but left an impression.

Click on the video below and you'll understand. It is hard to make a trip of a lifetime and not let it get emotional.

The Ultimate Scottish Vacation: Day Nine

2008-01-15T05:58:00.000-08:00

Glasgow: We ended up in Glasgow on Day Nine. We stayed at a hotel on the airport grounds, in order to be able to get up and get to our early morning plane. It was a sad day. It is a decent drive from Oban down to Glasgow, however, the roads are treacherous. Treacherous because they are narrow and forces you to drive very carefully. Be very cautious driving around Loch Lomond.

The video today explains how we took my grandfather's hat and carried it with us throughout the trip. We wanted to leave it with someone Gramp would think was pretty cool. We wanted to find someone, even a pub, who we thought would embody his spirit. We almost gave the hat to two carpenters in Oban. Our grandfather was a carpenter. We didn't leave it because we never thought we'd be back and the hat meant too much to us.

Presently, the hat is in a locker with my personal belongings in my office in Stirling. He's protecting my stuff.

We used Day Nine as a travel day. I recommend you might do the same to ease your stress. The flights leave very early, so instead of freaking yourself out, stay at the Holiday Inn Express at the airport.

Holiday Inn Express at Glasgow Airport
(click on picture to make reservation)

There is a pub there and breakfast is included. The only downside is meals. I recommend eating dinner in the airport on the second floor. Decent food. The Holiday Inn (not the express) has dinners but very pricey and they don't taste very good. Pints are extremely expensive at the hotels. You'll miss the local pubs for sure.

The Ultimate Scottish Vacation: Day Eight

2008-01-14T06:25:00.000-08:00

Oban: I've mentioned Oban a few times on this site and it is with good reason. Oban is one of my favorite places on earth. The town has a real European feel to it and a great sea front view. You can hop a ferry and go to the Isle of Mull. Mull is a fantastic place as well.

Enjoying Oban (relax and take it in)

Oban harbor

You can take a small boat tour from the harbor to see the seal colony just off shore. You'll love it, not just for the seals but for the chance to get so close to the water and see Oban from the water in an open boat. The ferry is nothing more than a big bus. So enjoy the ocean in the tour boats, at least once while you stay there.

Seals at the Seal Colony off of Oban Harbor

Enjoying the sights on the train

One of the best train rides is from Glasgow to Oban. On the return, you will experience a sunset that will blow you away. I literally almost cried the last time I returned from Oban. The sun sets and creates a purple hue as you fly through the hilly countryside. It is a moving experience. Put on an iPod and enjoy it. You will never forget it.

The train ride from Oban is fantastic.

Click on the video below and see Day Eight and the beautiful sights of Oban.

The Ultimate Scottish Vacation: Day Seven

2008-01-09T04:10:00.000-08:00

Isle of Skye: It is a beautiful place and one that needs time. We spent two days there and did not see everything. This is the place you need a car. You'll need the car to get to some of the far away and remote spots. Dunvegan is the farthest point to the west. There is a castle there but we found it a bit touristy.

Skye is a beautiful place

We stayed at Ptarmigan B&B in Broadford. It was a lovely place on the water. However, we did get into the whisky a wee bit and were very noisy. What is nice about this B&B is that they have a dining area that is sealed off from the rest of the guests and so we did not cause too much trouble with our loud American voices.

Take your time traveling Skye but make sure you make time for sunsets.

Broadford is a good place to stay but there is also Portree. Portree is a very quaint town that's very

Portree Harbor

Ptarmigan B&B in Broadford was just the right stop for us.

The B&B also has a five star cottage for self-catering. The price is excellent, so if you are up to getting your own food, that's the way to go.

View from Ptarmigan cottage.

We spent two days on Skye, so more about Skye on the next day's journey but click below and see the sights of Day Seven.

The Ultimate Scottish Vacation: Day Six

2008-01-08T06:52:00.000-08:00

Loch Ness: What would a trip to Scotland be without a trip to Loch Ness? Getting there is a bit tricky but once there you can see how the legend is so captivating. The hills that surround the Loch are quite high and you feel you are nestled in the cradle of a water world.

I highly recommend Scotland for Dummies as a guide when traveling around Scotland, especially in places like Loch Ness. There are many touristy stops you can be lured into. The book rates and explains each one. Read the book and you'll get an idea which ones you like. It helped us narrow down where we wanted to go. There is a link on this website to purchase the book if you like.

Urquhart Castle is a must stop. You will thoroughly enjoy it. It is well presented and very thought provoking. Don't miss the film presentation. It has a great ending. I sat through it twice.

Click on the castle for more info about Urquhart Castle.

First thing you notice about Loch Ness is the dark water. It is extremely dark and cold. In the video provided, the guide showed us how deep it gets and how the loch was formed.

The second thing you will notice is how long the wake of boats last. It must explain some of the sightings of Nessie. I have lived near water most of my life and I've never seen boat trails that long. Long enough that you may forget a boat recently passed by.

We have tendency to forget is that Loch Ness is not just a legendary place but a real place. Currently, Scotland is trying to find ways to make cleaner energy for the United Kingdom and Loch Ness is involved in some of the plans.

Click on the picture to get modern news of Loch Ness.

I strongly recommend taking one of the various boat cruises. You will find the boats in Drummondrochit, the town closest to Urquhart Castle.

Click on the boat to go right to the cruise website.

Sit back and you'll hear the tale. The tale of a fateful trip. Just click and watch the video of this mighty trip (BELOW):

The Ultimate Scottish Vacation: Day Five

2008-01-07T03:05:00.000-08:00

Forres/Darnaway Forrest: If you follow your ancestory you may find a few surprises. Day Five took us to the places where our family originated. We walked the streets of Forres, a very nice and quiet town. We found bowling greens and a ruin, Sueno's Stone.

Click the picture of Sueno's Stone to go to website that details the stone.

We enjoyed the sunny day in Forres. We then traveled just a few miles south to Darnaway Forest. It is there that one of our ancestors, Alistair Cumming was made legendary by jumping a chasm to escape an ambush of the Randolph family. The place is called Randolph's Leap instead of Alastair's Leap because Robert the Bruce hated our clan so much. The Comyn family were rivals to the throne and Bruce killed the clan chief, Red Comyn, in a church in Dumfries. It led to an escalation of genocide that involved taking our family land and killing our clan members.

Playing pipes at Randolph's Leap

Here's me piping at Randolph's Leap last year. Since the trip in 2003, I learned to play the bagpipes. I was determined to return to Randolph's Leap and play the pipes for Alastair. "Courage" our clan motto is clearly testified by Alastair and his legendary escape.
Click the picture of the castle to see all the sights from the castle site.

Dunphail Castle is the castle of our clan. Alastair was trying in vain to get to the castle when he was trapped in a cave. The rest of the family were burned out of the castle and everything ended badly for the Cumming Clan.

The Castle is on private property and difficult to get to. But I'm sure if you contact the family you may not have a problem. You can find the castle on a map but it will be labeled a ruin.

Here's a link to the story of Dunphail castle and other ghost stories.

Click on the video below and see our first try at getting to Dunphail castle and day five of the Utimate Scottish Vacation.

The Ultimate Scottish Vacation: Day Four

2008-01-06T07:59:00.000-08:00

NAIRN: On the way to Nairn we stopped at a wonderful castle. Cawdor Castle was excellent. Supposedly, this was the castle MacBeth is set. The family who owns the castle still lives there, they open it up to the tourists in the summer. It is a very fine museum and the girls really enjoyed it.

CAWDOR CASTLE
(Click picture and go to their website)

I went to the small golf course near the castle. It was a par three course that required only three clubs. I laughed at the guy who gave me a pitching wedge, a putter and a four iron. "That's all you need." He was right.

There was a certain amount of joy to be on top of the hill on the green of the fourth hole. I looked out and could see the firth in the distance. Firth means "bay" in Scotland. It was a great day and one I will never forget. I bought a ball marker with the crest of Cawdor Castle on it. I use to every time I golf now.

Public golf courses in Scotland are very cheap. The Private ones are not. However, the public courses are not that spectacular. If you want a golf course that will make you feel you have died and gone to heaven try the Nairn golf course. There are two in Nairn but the one I thought was heve is the one on Seabank Road. Here's the link: (CLICK THE PICTURE)

NAIRN GOLF COURSE
ON SEABANK ROAD

Enjoy the beaches in Nairn. There are some very good B&Bs in Nairn. Call ahead or you will have trouble finding a vacancy.

(above) NAPIER B&B in Nairn, hostess: Hilary MacLeod

I recommend Napier B&B. Pictured above. Click on the picture and you will go to their website. It was very reasonable in price. $40 a person per night. It included a full Scottish breakfast in the morning. We stayed there and it was great. Right near the beaches and the backyard opens up into the public golf course, connected to the Nairn Golf Course.

To get the full view of Day Four click on the video below:

The Ultimate Scottish Vacation: Day Three

2008-01-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

Central Scotland: STIRLING & DUNKELD: Eventually we want to get to the highlands but we decided to take our time and stop in Central Scotland. It is a good half-way point and worth the stop. Once you get out of Edinburgh you will notice that life changes. It is more laid back and rural.

Stirling was our first stop and we went to the castle. It is a magnificient castle but a bit more stark and realistic than Edinburgh. You will have a different opinion of King James once you've stopped there. He was bit ruthless to say the least and once you see the beheading stone and drain, you'll know what I mean. For a guy who is responsible for the King James Version of the Bible, you have to wonder it is because he committed so many sins he needed to do something for the Almighty.

Stirling is a great place, I lived there for a year and if you go to the blog attatched to this site you can read enormous amounts about Stirling and see pictures as well. It is a place I cherish.

On our trip, we stayed the night in Dunkeld on our third day. We had a wonderfully old hotel to stay in. They served very good pub food on an outdoor patio. We had our first taste of prawn salad that night. I recommend the salmon anywhere you can get it.

Driving in the country is much easier than the city, so by day three you are starting to adapt to driving on the other side of the road.

Click below to watch the third day of our trip:

The Ultimate Scottish Vacation: Day Two

2008-01-04T05:32:00.000-08:00

Edinburgh: Day two was the first real day of vacation. Day one was strictly travel but day two started early for my sister and I. Our hotel was in Leith, which is in the eastern side of Edinburgh on the water. She and I jogged the streets in the morning. It was a bit odd to be in a foreign country and running by people as if they were figments of our immagination but it was quite enjoyable. The hotel was quite a ways from downtown. My wife and my sister did not want to take cabs for some reason. I recommend to you now, that taking a cab in Scotland is safe and the best way to travel in either Glasgow or Edinburgh. Even in the rural areas, you can still get a cab.

Day two was spent at the Edinburgh castle. Worth every minute. Best castle in Scotland to visit. I learned about wars I never heard of before. Ever heard of Aden? It's in South Arabia and the Brits fought a war there at the end of the 1950's. How about Oman? Click this link to the site for more wars you never heard of.

We spent most of the day at the castle and enjoyed it. The castle is still a working garrison for a scottish regiment. The royal jewels are stowed in a vault-like room. A great museum. Even a cemetary for regimental dogs. One dog liked to chase cannonballs during battle. They had the dog stuffed and is in a display case.

If you go in August, you must see the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It is excellent. Military bands from around the world come together and put on a show. One regiment likes to jump cars on motorcycles and that's pretty cool. The Tattoo is intended to show you how far the British empire grew and as influenced the world.

Have a pint at night in any of the fine pubs near the castle. We did and had a great time.

A few corrections in the video...WE went to the Jolly Judge Pub near the castle not Judge Jones pub. The video was cut down due to the download limitations. The piper at the end of the video is how they end the Tattoo every evening. They have a platform for him now but in days past, when the lights went out some pipers took a fatal fall down the side of the castle.

Check out the video below of Day Two.

The Ultimate Scottish Vacation: Day One

2008-01-03T07:31:00.000-08:00

Okay, so you want to go to Scotland. In the next ten days of this site, I will take you through the vacation you could plan if you had ten days to spend in Scotland. I think this vacation in Scotland is one that will give you the best overview of the country, give you a wonderful time and a chance to experience the culture.

The only thing I would change in this vacation is the car rental. I would not have picked up a car in Glasgow but take the train for most of the journey. In fact, I would not pick up a rental car until I got to Inverness and then traveled the highlands. You don't need a car anywhere but in Skye and Loch Ness. The trains don't run in Skye and it is difficult to get to Loch Ness without a car.

First thing: Cabs are awesome in Scotland. Make sure your cell phone can work overseas or pick up a pay as you go when you arrive. You will need it for many things; safety, taxis, lodgings, etc. It is worth picking one up at the airport or at a store on your first day. If you have an AT&T phone, you can easily go to an ORANGE store in Scotland and get a pay as you go chip for your phone. It should be an easy conversion and you can use your phone in Scotland. My phone works in both countries and I use a separate chip for each country. It saves lots of money for me.

Now if you plan a flight...go into Glasgow not Edinburgh. You will save a couple hundred dollars and depending on how many are flying with you, a lot of money. Also, if you live near Canada try driving up to Toronto and flying out of that airport. The airport has been upgraded and it very easy to get around. We got a good fare with Air Canada and flew out of Toronto. We saved hundreds of dollars but you do have the hassle of going into another country to fly to another country. We didn't find it a problem in 2003.

Don't get any British currency until you get to Scotland. Go to the ATM at the airport and take out enough for a few days. Don't take too much because you don't want to be walking around with all that cash. Then go to the Starbucks on the first level and get a cup of coffee, pay with a 10 pound note and ask for change in pound coins. You will need the coins for train and bus travel. Bus drivers can get pissy if you give them big bills.

Take the bus that will bring you to Queens Street station. The bus you want is easily marked. If you are confused just ask, people are friendly and it's not New York. You won't be mugged after asking a question.

Once you get to Queens Street, go to the middle of the terminal. You can purchase your tickets from the vending machine...but it might be too confusing for you. Near the Buchanan Street side of the terminal there are ticket counters. They can help you out and make sure you get the right ticket. What you want is a cheap day return...it is a two way ticket but cheaper than a one way. A cheap day return to Edinburgh. However, depending on what time of day it is you may have limitations. IF it is rush hour, you won't be able to use the ticket until after 10am. If you arrive before 10am and need to go right away, ask for a single day return. I'd go with the cheap day, and sit in the terminal or take a walk on Buchanan while waiting for the appropriate train...hey, you are on vacation what's the hurry?

Get to Edinburgh Waverly Station and then find a cab to take you to your hotel. I recommend two days in Edinburgh because you will be tired, there is lots to do and it is an expensive city. Know that once you get out of the city, prices come down incredibly so plan your vacation accordingly.

Once you've settled into your hotel. Taken a shower, etc...get another cab and go straight to the Royal Mile. You can shop there, eat, get a pint or two and soak in the Scottish flavor. Don't worry about getting a cab in Edinburgh.

Our first day, we planned on one tourist stop and kept the day light. We learned our first lesson that Scots eat later. We arrived at the restaurant at 5pm and they asked us if we wanted lunch. It works in your favor to eat early as the costs are less as well. A pub is a necessity at night. You will want to stay awake as long as possible the first day to adjust to the time change. You will collapse at 8pm, as I did.

Watch the video below of our first day in Scotland in 2003. This was our first trip and one that changed my life. I will put each day on this site for you to help you plan your trip. I would do the same itnerary anyday because it gave me the best experience of the country. It helped me later when I moved there to understand the geography. Speaking of geography, get a map, and study it. Know where the main cities are because it will help you as you travel.

Check out the video below of Day One:

Scottish Media: STV

2008-01-02T06:07:00.000-08:00

If you have been on the blog or on this site, you will notice that STV video is seen more than the BBC's. Well the reason, is that it is easier to retrieve. The BBC for some reason seems to be more difficult to download. Nevertheless, the STV stories are quite good and comparable to US local news in their coverage. I had a chance to spend a day in the STV newsroom and went out on a story. The police were going to evict a family because they were a nuisance to the neighborhood and suspected drug trafficing was also a reason.

I learned quickly that STV news crews are no different than the news crews I have spent my career with. They complain about the assignment desk, the stories, and just about everything you would hear in a US news van.

Scottish TV is part of the ITV network or Independent Television network. They are not publicly supported, although they do receive some funds. They remain financially fit by commericals and selling air time. Just like in the US. In Scotland, radio is more popular than TV...why? It's free to have a radio but you are taxed to have a television. I had to pay close to $300 to get a TV license for the year. If you look at it as paying for cable, the overall costs are about the same in the US, however...in the UK you need a satellite dish to get Sky channels and they contain all the sporting events. Satellite dishes are more popular than cable in the UK. Bottom line, owning a TV in Scotland can get very pricey. That's why most people watch their sports in a pub. Look out America, someday we will have to pay to watch the NFL. It's coming.

Scottish Media: Channel 4

2007-12-31T12:29:00.000-08:00

The first thing you may notice as a tourist is the difference in television news. They do not have local affiliates and the main news comes from England. In Scotland there are two news organizations on television, STV (Scottish television) and BBC Scotland. They compete like our local affiliates but they must cover an entire nation.

The other media from England provides various other news organizations. There is the BBC, Sky News and Channel 4. Channel 4 is renown for its in-depth news. I met Jon Snow at the university and he was quite a nice fellow. I had no idea who he was but was told later he was the news anchor for Channel 4. After I figured that out and listened to his speech, I was a bit ashamed. He is the equivalent to our Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw or Peter Jennings. He covered the Iran Crisis in the 1979 for ABC because American Journalists were not allowed there for obvious reasons.

If you watched any of the Bhutto assassination coverage from the States you may have seen the graphic, Channel 4 exclusive. Well Channel 4 kicked butt with the story and if you see their version of the story you will be better informed. Click here to see the story.

Overall, the news in the United Kingdom is much better. They spend more time on a story and it is rare to see ridiculous teases about sexy co-eds or some stupid thing that we get in the United States. The reason: commercialization. The US needs ratings to make money. The United Kingdom puts a limit on the number of commericials and give government funding. The media is public funded. It makes a big difference.

The full link to the story:
Channel 4 - News - Pakistan's Bhutto killed in attack

Scottish Premier League: Motherwell

2007-12-30T09:15:00.000-08:00

(CLICK ON THE EMBLEM TO GO TO THE TEAM SITE)

Motherwell football club was formed in 1886. Motherwell is between Glasgow and Edinburgh. An industrial town with many working class fans. A period of time similar to the Cincinnati Reds of Major League baseball. Their best season so far was the 1926-1927 squad and for the following seven seasons they remained in the top three, winning the league title in 1932 for the very first time. Motherwell's first major Cup success came in 1950 by winning the League Cup, being Hibs 3-0 in the Final. The Scottish Cup jinx was finally laid to rest two years later when 136,274 fans saw Motherwell beat Dundee 4-0 at Hampden to lift the Cup for the first time.
In recent times, Motherwell won the Scotish Cup in 1991.
On December 29, 2007, their team captain, Neil O'Donnell died on the pitch. Click on the picture of him to get more information.

Scottish Premier League: Falkirk

2007-12-29T04:27:00.000-08:00

Falkirk practices at Stirling University so there is a bit of a bond to the club. However, Falkirk is not a very good team. Click on the picture and you will go directly to their site. I wish I could put up more pictures but the team sells the pictures at quite a substantial amount. I guess capitalism meets mediocrity. If they won a few championships maybe I could see paying $30 a picture. Falkirk right now is in the middle of the table, which is pretty good and it is astonishing that Hearts has fallen to almost the bottom. Celtic and Rangers keep their dominance going.

PUB CRAWL: Stirling

2007-12-28T06:05:00.000-08:00

Have I a pub for you. No. 2 Baker Street in the heart of Stirling is one of my favorite pubs. Click on the picture to see the rating it gets from Carling Beer. You'll love it. Janis and I would go for a bowl of soup and a pint and not spend over 5 pounds. The crowd is very pleasant and on Sunday, the old ladies will sit comfortably near the windows chatting about their morning services or whatever they would chat about. Men would sit at tables and read their newspapers. Others would watch the telly.

My mother was afraid to go in when she was there, as there were people outside. Smokers and maybe drunks but I never had a problem in that pub. You might get a strange look, but keep your mouth shut and you soon blend in. I would meet the other PhDs there for a pint and sometimes I would be the only male at our table. The old duffers would give me a look over as to why I was so "gifted".

It's a family pub and worth a stop. They have live music some nights and quiz nights on others. Go, enjoy and have a pint on me.

Scottish Traditions: Boxing Day

2007-12-27T04:25:00.000-08:00

Boxing Day is a public holiday recongized in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zeeland and Australia, as well as many other members of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is celebrated on December 26th, the day after Christmas.

Boxing Day had its origins in the feudal eras when lairds would give their serfs a boxful of food, clothing, etc. as a gift. Thus "Boxing Day". Many of the lower classes were given gifts from the upper classes on this day.

Today, in all of the countries it is another reason to be festive however, sales at stores reflect the United States and many shoppers hit the malls.

Churches and citizens box up whatever leftover from Christmas and deliver it to homeless and others.

It is also know that during war time, the boxes would go to soldiers.

Unfortunately, Boxing Day brings another tradition of the fox hunt despite the hunt being banned throughout the UK for the past three years. However, the tradition continues.

Scottish Traditions: Hogmanay

2007-12-26T04:08:00.000-08:00

Edinburgh's Hogmanay is one of the best. Click on the sparkling lassies and find out more.

Hogmanay shuts down Scotland for two days! Let the party begin!

Click on this picture for more Hogmanay info.

Make that FOUR days! Young old and everyone in between take up the torches, drink the drams and present the coal. It's a fine festival that celebrates the new year. Dance the night away.

Click on this picture for more!

Scottish Influence: Music

2007-12-23T07:05:00.001-08:00

ROCK ON!!

Here's a list of some of the more influential rock bands. I am sure you know one or two.

** CLICK ON THEIR PICTURE FOR MORE INFO **

Big Country
Big Tune: "In a Big Country"

NAZARETH

Big tune: "Love Hurts"

Simple Minds

Big Tune: "Don't you (Forget About Me)

Teenage Fanclub

Big Tune: Fallin'

The Proclaimers

Big Tune:

"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"

Franz Ferdinand

Big Tune : "Take Me Out"

If you want to see how far we've come with music videos check out Big Country's video below from 1983...whew, we thought it rocked back in the day....you can check out some Scottish landscape in the video...check it out!!

For those who forgot who is Nazareth, here is a concert video. It will come back to you.

Scottish Similarities: Slot Car Racing

2007-12-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

Slot car racing is not just an American thing. There are clubs throughout the world. Scotland boasts many different clubs. Click on the pictures of these cars to learn more about different clubs and interests in both countries.

Notice the Scottish flag on the hood?

Scottish Traditions: Christmas

2007-12-21T04:26:00.000-08:00

The most popular Scottish toys seems to be farm equipment and Bob the Builder as well. That's a certain age group. Video games are very popular. In fact, as I walked the campus of the university, you could see students cornered off in their respective lounges playing games. One of the local pubs had monitors at the tables for people to play sports games.

To see other toys available click on the picture.

There are ToysRUs stores in Scotland with all the same goodies as our country. So as far as toys go, there isn't much difference between the two countries. I'm not sure about Barbie dolls and stuff like that but for the boys its pretty much trucks, sports and video games.

Click on the picture and find out what a ToysRUs in Scotland has that we don't.

Scottish Religions

2007-12-20T04:57:00.001-08:00

Religion is Scotland is no different than anywhere else. There are plenty of different types from Baptists in Stirling to Jews in Glasgow.

Here are some links to learn more about what religions in Scotland and contacts for you if you wish.

The biggest difference between religion in Scotland and the United States is that it is not widely publicized in political debate or in personal communications. In fact, during one of our orientations at school, a few students walked out on a presenter when he casually mentioned Jesus. So be a bit careful discussing God or any religion when you are in Scotland. Tread lightly on the topic.

Here's a link to Jewish Scotland. (click picture)

Here's a link to Young Scottish Muslims. (click picture)

Here's a link to Stirling Baptist Church. (click picture)

Here's a link to the most popular church, the Church of Scotland. (click picture)

Scottish Influence: Films

2007-12-18T21:31:00.000-08:00

The Top 20 Scottish Films (1-10) by Brian Pendreigh
18th September 2001

Scotland’s contribution to world cinema has been huge, from the charismatic presence of Sir Sean Connery to the star warrior antics of Ewan McGregor, from John Grierson, the father of documentary film, to Robert Louis Stevenson, whose Jekyll and Hyde have provided the premise for dozens of films. But they are all individuals. How do we fare when it comes to Scottish films?

There are more than you might think, making it no easy task to choose just 20. This list takes a very literal definition of the term "Scottish film". The films on the list are all feature films, set in Scotland. The vast majority filmed here, at least in part, though one or two created versions of Scotland in studios beyond our borders. Many have been made by directors from Hollywood and England, though Bill Douglas and Bill Forsyth blazed a trail for indigenous talent in the Seventies, and an increasing number of productions have been instigated in Scotland, or by Scottish producers, since the release of Shallow Grave in 1995. Ten years ago the list would have looked very different, which can only be a good sign.

1 Braveheart (1995: director Mel Gibson)
Scotland lent Hollywood its history, and Hollywood gave it a "creation myth" in return. William Wallace may have been a national hero, but no one had heard of him outwith these shores before American writer Randall Wallace came on holiday to Scotland and saw his surname on a statue at Edinburgh Castle. He decided oor Wullie might make a good subject for a film and elicited the support of superstar Mel Gibson. So what if they tweaked the odd historical detail? They produced a rousing piece of entertainment, that compares favourably with the epics of Kirk Douglas and Charlton Heston. Few remained unstirred by the battle scenes and grown men were seen to weep at those final harrowing scenes. "Every man dies; not every man really lives." Politicians talked about the "Braveheart factor" and Scotland voted itself a parliament.

2 Trainspotting (1996: Danny Boyle)
If Braveheart gave Scotland a belief in itself, it was Trainspotting that made the country positively cool. The film-making troika of Boyle, Macdonald and Hodge turned to Irvine Welsh’s cult novel for their follow-up to Shallow Grave. His portrait of a sordid Edinburgh that American tourists never see might have made for a heavy, depressing movie, but the film-makers capitalised on the black comedy and honesty of the book. Although the film does not glamorise drugs (far from it), neither does it fob the audience off with platitudes. "People think it’s all about misery and desperation and death... but what they forget is the pleasure of it," says Renton, one of cinema’s greatest, and most articulate, anti-heroes, brought to life in a career-best performance by Ewan McGregor. "Otherwise, we wouldn’t do it. After all, we’re not f***ing stupid."

3 Whisky Galore! (1949: Alexander Mackendrick)
"A happy people with few and simple pleasures," says the opening voice-over, as nine children appear, one after the other, through a crofthouse door. Commentators have dismissed Mackendrick’s comedy about the islanders of Todday as stereotypical, patronising and tame, but it is outrageously funny and highly subversive. In attempting to salvage 50,000 cases of whisky from a grounded ship, a criminal Celtic brotherhood outwit the English Home Guard captain. Mackendrick, a Presbyterian with a strong work ethic, fell out with producer Monja Danischewsky over the latter’s romantic vision of a remote community fighting foreign interference, but Danischewsky got his way and his vision was encapsulated in the American title Tight Little Island. Novelist Compton Mackenzie was inspired by the grounding of the SS Politician off Eriskay, but it was only because Ealing was full that cast and crew made the long trip to shoot on location on Barra, adding greatly to the film’s character.

4 The 39 Steps (1935: Alfred Hitchcock)
Hitchcock’s Scotland, like that of Brigadoon, was a Scotland that existed largely in its creator’s imagination. Fugitive Robert Donat does make a daring escape on the Forth Bridge, but on the other side he finds himself in the middle of the Highlands, a suitably barren and sinister landscape. John Buchan’s novel is a great old-fashioned yarn about a man on the run from foreign spies and the police, who wrongly suspect him of murder. He must clear his name and save the nation at the same time. But in Hitch’s hands, it is much more. The scene in which a woman’s scream turns into the whistle of a train is a landmark of early sound cinema, while Hollywood has come up with few sexier moments than that in which Madeleine Carroll attempts to remove wet stockings while handcuffed to Donat.

5 Local Hero (1983: Bill Forsyth)
Bill Forsyth became a one-man Scottish film industry with That Sinking Feeling and Gregory’s Girl, low-budget comedies, with teenage actors and little in the way of budget. For Local Hero, he recruited a Hollywood star and retreated to the Highlands. Burt Lancaster plays the head of an oil company that wants to buy land for a refinery, but changes his mind when he sees it. The film attracted the same sort of criticism as Whisky Galore!, and the carping was equally misguided. Forsyth builds stereotypes only to undermine them - the Highland idyll shattered by a low-flying jet, the remote wee village whose minister is black, and, most memorable of all, the meal in the hotel that turns out to be the bunny rabbit Peter Capaldi had rescued from the roadside.

6 The Wicker Man (1974: Robin Hardy)
Yet another film that focuses on a remote Scottish community, though The Wicker Man is a true one-off, a unique blend of horror and musical. The distributors released it as the bottom half of a double bill, but it went on to become a cult classic. Edward Woodward flies to the island of Summerisle to investigate an anonymous report of a child’s disappearance. The upright policeman is shocked to discover a people obsessed with sex, and suspects the missing girl has been the victim of human sacrifice. The islanders, who include Britt Ekland and Christopher Lee in a kilt, burst into song at every opportunity, which simply adds to a feeling of unease. Schoolgirls dance naked in Lee’s Garden, and Ekland’s nude body-double memorably gyrates against a bedroom wall. The only glum character is Woodward’s. Very unnerving. Hugely enjoyable.

7 Gregory’s Girl (1981: Bill Forsyth)
What Rebel Without a Cause was to disaffected LA youth in the Fifties, Gregory’s Girl was to pimply Scottish teenagers in the Eighties. America had James Dean and Natalie Wood; Scotland had John Gordon Sinclair and Dee Hepburn. And the amazing thing is it worked. Gregory (Sinclair) is the hopeless goalie in a hopeless school team, Dorothy (Hepburn) is the girl who comes into the side and proves a star. Gregory makes awkward overtures towards her. And no one ever played awkward better than John Gordon Sinclair, except James Dean. But this is awkward with the death wish replaced by a rich vein of quietly-understated, self-deprecating humour.

8 The Bill Douglas Trilogy (1972-78)
Douglas’s autobiographical trilogy holds a unique place in Scottish cinema, the only indigenous work that compares with European arthouse classics. The first instalment, My Childhood, presents a sparse portrait of a boy, Jamie, living in poverty in a Scottish mining village in the Forties. He is starved of food and affection, living with his half-brother Tommy and an elderly grandmother. A man, who may be Tommy’s father, gives them a canary, but the cat eats it, and Tommy beats the cat to death. Douglas depicts his world without sentimentality and with little dialogue, leaving the audience, like his protagonist, to work out what it means. My Ain Folk and My Way Home continue Jamie’s story through to adulthood, national service and some hope of a better future.

9 Highlander (1986: Russell Mulcahy)
Reviled by critics, Highlander inspired a cult following, three sequels, and live-action and animated TV series. Frenchman Christopher Lambert plays Conner MacLeod, one of a race who are (virtually) immortal and must battle each other through the centuries for no other reason than "there can be only one". Sean Connery is his Egyptian-Spanish mentor. The action jumps between modern New York and 16th Century Scotland, an amalgam of swashbuckler and urban thriller, exploiting, for all it is worth, the Hollywood stereotype of noble Highlander, splendid in designer tartan, marching off to war across the causeway of Eilean Donan Castle. Loud, flashy and intellectually empty, Highlander is unadulterated trash. But it is also great fun. And those scenes where Conner’s wife ages, and he remains the same, and Freddie Mercury sings "Who wants to live forever?" are heart-breaking. Which would you rather watch repeatedly Bill Douglas or Highlander?

10 Brigadoon (1954: Vincente Minnelli)
New Yorker Gene Kelly gets lost in the Highlands, stumbles upon a village that appears only once every 100 years and falls for one of the villagers, signing "Almost Like Being in Love" along the way. He returns to America, but ultimately love brings him back to Brigadoon. Producer Arthur Freed shot his musical on an MGM soundstage in Hollywood after touring Scotland and failing to find any locations Scottish enough for his requirements. On the face of it this seems outrageous, but his failure to find Brigadoon in Scotland really is the whole point of the film - Brigadoon is Scotland the Fantasy and can exist only in the imagination and in Hollywood. It is escapism in a very literal sense.

Scottish Traditions: Christmas

2007-12-18T05:56:00.000-08:00

HOW TO HAVE A TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS
any of the elements of the Christmases of the Celtic countries are the same. If you have already read through the other countries, you will know how this one is going to go, with books to put you in the right spirit, music to set the 'tone'! (forgive the pun here!), decorating ideas and customs to follow.

First the Decorations. Scotland tended to hang evergreens, the holly particularly. But My Scottish Tree is decorated with bows made from many different tartans. A strip of cloth is all you need. from 1" to 8" widths and around 18" to 4' long. Then I select plain enamelled baubles in different sizes to compliment to colours of the tartans, from black (yes they do work!) to rich greens, reds, deep gold, and blues. For the tree top I put a teddy bear with a tartan beret! But you could use a large tartan bow, or a simple star.

Next the music. The most traditional one is Hogmanay Party by Jimmy MacLeod and his band. Rousing and foot-tapping, you can sing , dance or just turn this one down for background music. A must for a Scottish Christmas party!

A good all-rounder with carols like Taladh Chriosta, Scottish songs and music such as New Year's Day and Bottom of the Punch Bowl, well blended with some of the more popular carols such as God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen. Many of which you can hear a sample of at the Amazon.com music site.

To read I recommend Silver Bough vol.3. Calendar of Scottish National Festivals - Halloween to Yule. This one has all the customs for you to follow, many of which are very old. A must for anyone who is of Scottish ancestry and wishes to live the seasons as their forefathers did! This book is available through IBS Bookshop, from this site.

Also, if you can find it, The Scottish Yule an American publication by Francis Thompson, who has written many other Scottish books. This does not appear on the pages of either IBS or Amazon, that I could find, but is the best book of Scottish Christmas and Hogmanay customs. Try Amazons out of print book service if you cannot find it on their pages. Published in 1987 by Scoters, Burton Mills, Virginia. 26525. Please mention this site - they dont know us, but maybe they should!

You must have a Scottish Shortbread on your table. You can make it, or buy the real McCoy. Black Bun, and a Venison Stew would set the right feel at the table.
** the above is copied from http://www.christmasarchives.com/how2scottish.html

A Scottish Christmas walk in Virgina...check it out.

Scottish Christmas Walk

Get the nitty about Christmas past from an old Gran...

Scottish Influence: Music

2007-12-17T04:20:00.000-08:00

Same Old Lang Syne...or is it Auld Lang Syne? Well Robbie Burns wrote the famous poem that was turned into song that everyone sings on New Years Eve. And did you know that New Year's in Scotland is called Hogmanany? There are many traditions involved in the Hogmanany celebration. The first to cross the threshold after midnight brings a bottle of whisky and a piece of coal. It's called First Footing...

What is First Footing? Traditionally, it has been held that your new year will be a prosperous one if, at the strike of midnight, a "tall, dark stranger" appears at your door with a lump of coal for the fire, or a cake or coin. In exchange, you offered him food, wine or a wee dram of whisky, or the traditional Het Pint, which is a combination of ale, nutmeg and whisky. It's been sugggested that the fear associated with blond strangers arose from the memory of blond-haired Viking’s raping and pillaging Scotland circa 4th to 12th centuries. What's more likely to happen these days is that groups of friends or family get together and do a tour of each others' houses. Each year, a household takes it in turn to provide a meal for the group. In many parts of Scotland gifts or "Hogmananys" are exchanged after the turn of midnight.

We'll have more on Hogmanany for sure but right now the difference between Dan Fogelberg's Same Old Lang Syne and Robbie Burns Auld Lang Syne.

Dan Fogelberg

Robbie Burns

TRAVEL TIP: Weather

2007-12-16T08:24:00.001-08:00

Scottish weather is the most maligned weather in the world. I swear it is due to the Floridians who travel there and think 50 degrees is freezing temperatures. My experience in Scotland taught me this. The weather in Cleveland, Syracuse and Western Michigan is worse than Scotland weather. In the winter of '06-'07 it snowed three days. The ground was covered for one day and that was it. It rained heavily in January but for the most part this is how a day in Scotland works. You get rain everyday, but for only an hour or so on most days. The sun does come out even in the winter time, unlike the three places in the US that I mentioned. And the night time is brilliant. I rarely recalled cloudy evenings and so the air was clear and the stars shone bright. I now sit in Cleveland and lament at the constant hazy darkness.

If you click on to the picture it will take you right to the BBC weather center to get an idea of temperatures. If I were going to plan a vacation, the summer would be the best time to go to Scotland, however the past summer was not as good as usually. I found that September and October were brilliant. You don't go to Scotland to surf or sun worship. If you go to hike, sightsee and experience a great country, the weather is perfect. It is not too hot and not too cold. For a northerner like me, it was great.

A tip: The western side of Scotland gets more rain...kind of like the lake effect that we experience in the US. So your travels on the east coast may not be as threatened by rain.

Other links: Click the picture to get the most recent forecast!

Click this picture for a live webcam:

MEET REAL SCOTS: Politics

2007-12-15T08:14:00.000-08:00

I often tell people that a liberal in the United States would be a conservative in Scotland and most of Europe for that matter. I mean, their conservatives push for universal health care, green living, state funded elderly care, etc. For instance, the Scottish Labour Party states in their Sunrise Agenda, "expand entitlement to free school meals to 100,000 children living in low income working families. And end child poverty in generation and halve child poverty by 2010." Wendy Alexander of the Labour party has "called on the SNP to give an early Christmas present to 50,000 disabled young Scots and their families - by guaranteeing that $68 million investment from the UK government meant to help Scottish children with disabilities will go to provide respite care for their families."

The Scottish government has supported a charity scheme to help the homeless this Christmas. Sales of Christmas trees benefit homeless shelters in Scotland. (check here). The homeless in Scotland are protected by the government (check here) with legislation and the move toward government housing projects. When was the last time in the United States that we discussed homelessness (the Reagan era probably). Now with foreclosures mounting, I'm sure that there are many more homeless to deal with. And the head of the Conservative Party, David Cameron sounds like a conservative about terrorism but speaks of the environment like a democrat in the United States. See video below.

And don't forget about the Green party (click here). We have nothing close to the organization and impact of such a liberal party.

Yeah, there are exceptions but overall, an American Republican will feel like a fascist in Europe and a Democrat will feel like a Republican. Trust me.

PUB CRAWL: Stirling

2007-12-14T04:20:00.000-08:00

Meadowpark (The Med)

My stomping ground. For students, this was a great place to get a decent pint at a good discount. The food is good, the service is fine, and the atmosphere is perfect. Many nights were spent there talking and drinking. There are benches and tables outside, so that you can sit out there, eat and look out at Stirling Castle.

I highly recommend at stop. Click on the picture and get another perspective.

Find the Haggis

2007-12-13T04:44:00.000-08:00

Learn more about the haggis and maybe chase one at the Scotsman's website. Check it out and while you're there,

read today's news in Scotland. Click on the haggis and find out what's happening.

TRAVEL TIP: Loch Ness

2007-12-12T04:04:00.000-08:00

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO WIN A FREE TRIP TO SCOTLAND!

Loch Ness is worth a stop in your travels. Make sure you take one of the guide boats. It is a pleasant trip and educational as well.

Urquhart Castle is on the shore of Loch Ness and provides one of the best history presentations of any castle. You've probably have glimpsed the castle in one of the many Nessie "sighting" pictures or films.

Drumnadrochit is the nearby town and has two Nessie museums. A touristy rip off really but if you just want a laugh or two it is worth the visit. We found it educational but a bit lite.

One thing that will stand out in your journey of Scotland are the World War I memorials. Drumandrochit has one. We don't see many of them in the United States. After your visit you will appreciate the sacrifices made in Europe during the first Great War. It is unfathomable today that so many could lose their lives on a battlefield in one day.

Scottish Premier League: Hearts

2007-12-11T04:55:00.000-08:00

Scottish football is important in Scotland. However, two teams dominate the SPL and that limits the quality of the other teams. Rangers and Celtic are consistently the two teams that fight for the championship every year. Celtic are like the New York Yankees of Scotland. Rangers can be seen as the Red Sox, however the Rangers have won many championships throughout the years.

The Scots aren't upset about the disparity. However, some teams are consistently on the cusp of breaking the tradition. Hearts is a team out of Edinburgh. When I was in Scotland they had a quite the row (a favorite phrase in Scotland and England is the term "row", pronounced "rou".) The row was over management and the team captain. The captain was benched and the season went into the toilet. Much dismay followed.

The gold standard in soccer, and I may be biased, is the English Premier League. Even Scots seem to watch more EPL than SPL...probably because you can't see any SPL games for free. You need to purchase a satellite deal with SKY sports to watch any matches. The pubs are full of people on saturdays to watch the matches because of this and other reasons. We watch football on Sunday, they watch football on Saturday. And Tuesday nights as well. Click on the picture and learn more about Hearts.

TRAVEL TIP: Take the Tea...avoid the Coffee

2007-12-10T06:28:00.000-08:00

I strongly recommend that when you travel to Scotland that you avoid the coffee. Unless of course you like very strong coffee. But the tea in the U.K. is tops. The tea is better than what you will find in the US by a long shot. I was not a tea drinker until I went to Scotland and now I start each day with a cup of tea...I have coffee later but to start the day with tea is kinder to the body. Ty-phoo is my favorite and can be found in the United States. Click on the logo and go to their site.

If you do insist to have coffee over there...here's a tip. Order the White Coffee. It is a milder version of the normal stuff. You can also ask for an Americano, which is like a latte but not quite.

There are Starbucks and they supply the same types of coffee as US shops but if you are in a restaurant I offer the above advice. The coffee shops will give you what you want, but if you want coffee with your meal or with breakfast...be prepared.

Costa coffee is very popular. Click on the logo to learn more.

MEET REAL SCOTS: Travel tips

2007-12-09T08:25:00.000-08:00

Go to Church

If you really want to experience the real Scotland and not just the touristy places...I mean, would you go to Williamsburg and say you understood America? Maybe the past. Or if you just visited New York City, would that tell you all you need to know about the United States? No way.

So go to a local church service on Sunday. They won't throw you out. If you are a gent, wear a tie...but it won't matter if you don't. You will learn more in that hour about the people that live in the country than any other place but the pub. The secret to being a good tourist is listening. It's not about you, it's about learning about them. Unless of course, you want it to be about you and then I'd ask you stay away from me, you give Americans a bad rep. Click on the picture to learn about the Logie Kirk in Stirling. A fine place to go and meet real Scots.

PUB CRAWL: Bridge of Allan

2007-12-08T12:55:00.001-08:00

Westerton Arms

As part of the Kilty Pub Crawl, we will start in Bridge of Allan. This is a family pub with a restaurant as well. We enjoyed the food there. Simple meals but good tasting. Quite an atmosphere. It is a good pub to start in because it is a good transitional pub from the American way of life. Most pubs in Scotland, you order food at the bar but here you have sit down service. So you'll enjoy it. It's right on the main road in Bridge of Allan. To see a map click on the picture.

TRAVEL TIP: Go Self-Catering if you can.

2007-12-07T05:19:00.000-08:00

Americans sometimes are surprised to hear there are "real" grocery stores in Scotland. There are many but there are three prominent ones. Tesco is the best for price and quality. Sommerfield's prices are about the same but the produce is poor quality. So, if you are afraid to go find them, they will find you. Click on the TESCO logo and see what they offer. You can also learn how to get your groceries delivered to you while you are in Scotland.

Sainbury's has the best quality produce but their prices are quite a bit higher. So if you don't like the food at TESCO go to Sainbury's but be ready to pay an extra 50p or so (that's a buck to you Yank). Click on the SAINSBURY'S Logo and take a look a their stuff.

TRAVEL TIP: Pound Coins and Exchange Rates

2007-12-05T14:32:00.000-08:00

If you travel to Scotland remember there are ATMs all around the world. What I do is wait until I get to Glasgow and then withdraw the money from the ATM right there. I get a much better rate than if I was to get money from a US Bank or Currency Exchange shops. The Currency Exchange shops will rip you off. Don't think about it. Use the ATMs and withdraw, however, let your bank know you are traveling overseas or else they could stop your card from being used and then you will spend a day on the phone trying to solve that problem.

Now another suggestion is once you get your money, go to the Starbucks at the airport and get a coffee. Ask for as much change in pound coins you can get. You'll need the coins for buses and pretty much a lot of things. Just a suggestion, but if you are going on a bus any time soon you need to stock up on the coins.

TRAVEL TIP: Fly Continental out of Newark

2007-12-04T04:22:00.000-08:00

Use Orbitz and find the best fares. Usually if you fly in January and February you can get good prices. If you go in the summer you will pay a lot more. My suggestion if you want decent weather and less crowds go in April or May. September is another good time. Avoid July and August if you are on a limited budget.

Check Orbitz for the best deals. I use Orbitz for every flight. Recently, I checked a flight from Newark to Glasgow in January and I found one for $585 round trip. Flying into Glasgow is cheaper than Edinburgh. Avoid Heathrow as best as you can. It is like flying to Charlotte to go to New York. Yeah, it's cheaper but you still are a long way from your destination.

Aer Lingus was the most disappointing airline I have ever taken. My luggage was lost both times I used the airline and one time it was left out in the rain and soaked everything inside.

Continental has the best flights by comfort and by price.

TRAVEL TIP: Go to Oban

2007-12-03T05:40:00.000-08:00

Go to Oban! One of the places I truly recommend to you is Oban. It is a quaint little town on the coast, looking out at the Island of Mull. From Oban, you can take a ferry to Mull and Iona. Two other places you must go to.

Click on the picture of Oban Bay and see live pictures from Oban.

If you do go to Oban, don't go to McTavish's Kitchen. It is a tourist trap and the food is horrible. You will come back like all the rest saying Scottish food is crap if you got to places like McTavish's. Instead, check out my favorite

seafood restaurant, The Waterfront. Click on the Waterfront logo to go to their website.

And I challenge anyone to go to Oban and leave thinking that food in Scotland is lousy.

Click on the boat and wine bottles to get a listing of the restaurants in Oban. Go and eat well. Tell your friends that yes, Scotland does have some good food.

TRAVEL TIP: Don't talk and Drive

2007-12-02T08:45:00.000-08:00

Nearly 10,000 fines have been issued to drivers in Scotland for using their mobile phones.
It became illegal earlier this year - with motorists who are caught being fined £60 and given three points on their licence.
A major awareness campaign on the issue is being launched tomorrow to highlight the dangers.
The country's police forces will also begin a crackdown against those who continue to flout the law.

Scottish Premier League

2007-11-30T14:31:00.001-08:00

Scottish Premier League

2007-11-29T04:41:00.000-08:00

WHISKY FOR CHRISTMAS?

2007-11-28T05:48:00.000-08:00

SNOW GLOBES

2007-11-27T05:31:00.000-08:00

Do you want a snow globe?

Click on the image and it will take you to the place where you can buy one.

I needed a jpeg for the blog entry and I came across the site. Just be careful not to shake the piper's world too much.

Own a Piece of Scotland - Monarch of the Glen

2007-11-24T12:22:00.000-08:00

Monarch of the Glen

For Americans, this series is bang on. No other show captures the spirit that we wish Scotland to be. Locals in Scotland diss the show for the stereotyped class hierachy that exists on the show.

You'll enjoy it for its good writing, acting, and breathtaking photography. You'll wonder why our shows can't be so well produced.

I would recommend it to anyone. It is one of the best TV series I have enjoyed and it brings back the feelings of Scotland, every time I see it.

To purchase the entire series or parts (I recommend at least seasons 1-3)...go to Barnes & Noble. CLICK HERE

Click on the picture to go to the show website.

Scottish Shopping for Americans

2007-11-23T15:38:00.000-08:00

You want to do some Christmas shopping? Well here are a few sites I recommend for you to find authentic Scottish wares and wears.

Click on the image and go to the store.

THE SCOTTISH LION: Click on Santa.

SCOTTISHGIFTS.COM

Click on the picture.

Celtic Music Links

2007-11-23T06:07:00.000-08:00

Moya Brennan (Mairé Brennan)

She's the best. Her voice is better than her sister's (Enya) and her music conveys the spirit I felt at the Isle of Iona. She is a muse of the celtic spirit unlike any other in this list. She is the one you need to hear first.

Click her picture and go directly to her website.

Buy an album
at Barnes & Noble: Click here....

Enya

Don't get lost in the popular stuff that makes her seem like a light weight. Go find her earlier work and enjoy the spirit she brings.

Click her picture and go directly to her website.

Buy an album
at Barnes & Noble...click here.

Loreena McKennitt

She has enormous talent that can haunt your quiet evenings. She can take you to places and times of celtic history no other artist can.

Click her picture to go directly to her website.

Buy an album
at Barnes & Noble: click here...

CLANNAD

A great band with a large library of albums. I don't think you can go too wrong with any of them.

Click the image and go to their website.

Buy an album
at Barnes & Noble: click here...